StepUp to Purpose

In the transition from work you don't love?
Just had a big life change?
Looking for greater meaning in your life?

We are announcing the relaunch of our Discover Your Purpose Course, which runs over six weeks from the 28th of May. This course had rave reviews from the last time we ran it, and it's amazing to see the journeys people have taken since.

Learn more here. Only 10 spots are available and a few early bird tickets are left:
https://events.humanitix.com/discover-your-purpose-6-week-course-live-your-truth-facilitated-online-by-purpose-coach-jasper-vallance

Ideas are meaningless if you don't have a go. What's holding you back?

Nice quote from a friends brand which sums up the opportunity (or missed opportunity!).

I am excited to interview Tom Dawkins the co-founder and CEO of social impact crowdfunding platform StartSomeGood.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 4pm we will go live on Instagram to dive into his journey of how he connected to his social purpose and the lessons he has learnt along the way to bringing a social impact business to life.

Tom has been a driving force behind the social impact movement in Australia, as a thought leader and community builder. He runs the Good Hustle social enterprise design program to help people get their ideas off the ground.

What burning questions do you have for him?

A very inspiring and enlightening conversation connecting to the essence of why connecting to our purpose is so transformational with Ben Crowe a mindset coach for top athletes.

https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/ash-barty-sports-mentor-ben-crowe/13418314

Meet Ash Barty's mindset coach — Ben Crowe Ben works with athletes including the Richmond Football Club and surfer Steph Gilmore in a counter-intuitive way. He helps them own their flaws, and find an intrinsic purpose so they can take both wins and losses in their stride. Ash Barty credits Ben with helping her become World Number 1

Take 5 minutes to listen to this thought provoking poem by the poet and author Alina Siegfried.

Very relevant through these times - and especially relevant that I share it here

https://youtu.be/0zxKRR0WlcQ

A Cure for Them - Alina Siegfried (Ali Jacs) It seems that polarisation and othering between different groups has never been so stark. How can we overcome this? This poem offers a glimpse into how we ar...

Could a news article stir your drive to take action? We had a very inspiring conversation with Lyndon founder of Eat Up Australia on his story to connecting with his social purpose and scaling the business. Watch the live interview here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CT3-dIwFdX7

It was reading a news article on the fact kids at his local school were going hungry without a packed lunch that inspired him to take action and make sandwiches! Never did he imagine this would turn into a nationwide campaign making sandwiches and delivering to over 600 schools.

If you would like to volunteer and get involved check out www.eatup.org.au

I am starting a new live interview series with social impact leaders and founders on 'how' they stepped up into their purpose.

1st up I am interviewing Lyndon Galea to share his story of starting ensuring disadvantaged kids get a healthy lunch to nourish their learning.

Going live on Thursday at 5pm. Follow on Instagram to watch live.

The part we love about this incredible milestone - congrats Canva

“Mel and I are committed to giving away all our money to make the world a better place,” co-founder Cliff Obrecht. “I think with running such a large company with such a significant valuation now, it’s an obligation on us to use that to be a force for good and make the world a better place, rather than just hoard s**t."

https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexkonrad/2021/09/14/canva-raises-at-40-billion-valuation-and-founders-pledge-away-their-wealth

Canva Raises At $40 Billion Valuation — Its Founders Are Pledging Away Most Of Their Wealth Canva is now one of the world’s most valuable startups after raising $200 million in new funding at a $40 billion valuation. Cofounders Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht promise to donate 30% of the company away.

SOCIAL PURPOSE INSPO:
Inspiring interview with Mel the founder of ITS-NOT-ME-ITS-THE-BOOZE on her journey from getting loose to creating am alcohol free support network to help others on their path to finding the balance.

Lots of great insights with how to address your relationship with alcohol and her path to stepping up to help others.

Watch the Instagram live here:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/CToW3fRFv86/?utm_medium=copy_link

Check out www.itsnotmeitsbooze.com to learn more

What's the story with the orange Hawaiian suit?
I wrote my first blog on this topic, highlighting what could be the number one challenge of personal branding.

5 min read to inspire what's daring to be expressed inside of you!
https://www.jaspervallance.com/blog/theorangehawaiiansuit

The StepUP to Purpose website is live! www.jaspervallance.com

Take a look and subscribe to join the StepUP Community to get access to events and insights to support your path to purpose, starting a social impact business or to help grow your business with purpose ✨ StepUP founder - Jasper Vallance

A few spots left on the Purpose Sharing Circle series starting on Tuesday 7-9pm for 4 weeks.

Comment below if interested.

I saw this and it made me think.

While I like to inspire people with my adventures, I realised many may not have the luxury of getting into nature like I can through the lockdown. Could my posts make people feel worse off and depressed?

I also like to be vulnerable by sharing the challenges. It helps me and I know it helps others by feeling they are not alone. I reflect I could share more here as its been a tough period for me.

Sometimes I like to be funny and silly for others entertainment. Making someone laugh is definitely a good thing.

I think the point here is to be considerate about what we post on social media especially through these isolating times. Lets lift each other rather than create separation.

Inspire, entertain and be vulnerable. Lets have a positive impact.

Having got through a tough period and with time to reflect I questioned - how did I lose my balance?

My purpose has driven me to step up into taking on ambitious projects. Navigating the uncertainty of Covid has not helped, especially with aiming to deliver a relatively large festival in the CBD of Sydney.

A situation that puts Xstatic Sunsets in a vulnerable position. After years of time and energy without really paying myself - I question how it can become sustainable to achieve its social impact mission? The vision of impact is clear but there is still a big chasm to cross. Xstatic Sunsets still rest's heavily on my shoulders.

The latest outbreak has actually been a blessing in disguise as I realise I was close to burnout, trying to juggle too many balls, so rescheduling has given me breathing space. It's taken weeks of not doing too much to recover from the ingrained anxiety and a bout of depression. I jumped off the treadmill that was speeding up and I collapsed in a heap.

There are lots of lessons to reflect on. From taking too much on myself and the need to be more self-aware of what's not working (and how I am not coping!). We need to be aware of our reality as things change. Internally optimistic I can often find myself in places of disappointment and being challenged.

I have learnt the reality of running events, they are super challenging and stressful businesses to make viable, then you have Covid! I was entangled in scenarios planning, fear and anxiety. I realise this is an impossible time for events. Could I hold more faith and worry less?

You need a great team but given the challenges and uncertainty with revenue, it's hard to afford to pay the team you need. Always left doing more than I should and outside my area of expertise. I have been grateful for the team and voluntary help I have had but I can see we need more help.

For now, I am holding onto the vision for Wonderland on the 2nd April 2022. Taking a break as most of the ground work is done. We won't really know until the end of the year where we stand.

If you would like to get involved with making it happen with your event management or marketing experience - please let me know.

The challenge with Xstatic Sunsets is really just a financial one. This can be solved by ticket sales, sponsorship and grants. However, all are challenged through these times.

Wonderland given its size has become a financial risk - though the vision is beautiful. It's hard to compromise the vision given the challenge of what we are all going through and how much that has been put into it. We all deserve it.

I hope more funding support will come from the Goverment to support the events industry and especially social impact businesses in the mental health space. Events will be more important than ever for us all to recover and boost our mental health. God do we need a good dance together!

Thank you to all those who have provided support and the team that's helped me carry the flame.

How do we maintain our balance through all this uncertainty?

I have only one answer and that is to smell the roses. Get into nature and enjoy the day. Be grateful for everything you have. Celebrate your health. I always like to remind myself I could die tomorrow. Carpe Diem.

Would you like to connect with new people in an inspiring way through the lockdown?

Read on.

Early this year I was trained in how to facilitate a sharing circle (or sometimes called a council) by Nele Vandersmissen who runs sharing circles professionally at Snapchat as an alternative to business meetings. Proving to be incredibly powerful to facilitate connection and communication at work.

They in fact originated as a traditional practice in some Indigenous communities from various parts of North America, and are designed to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to share their opinions and ideas. The process was used to ensure that all leaders in the tribal council were heard and that those who were speaking were not interrupted.

Further to completing the 4-week course which involved being part of numerous sharing circles I was astonished at how powerful they were to facilitate connection with people I just met and for self-reflection.

I realise this ancient practice is more relevant than ever and in fact essential to building thriving communities which naturally support one another.

Active listening is always a challenge for us humans but social media has exasperated the communication breakdown. We barely ever listen on social media as we scroll and don't take time to read and understand what someone is really trying to say or watch just part of a video. This leaves lots of room for judgement and bias.

Sharing circles in fact originated as a traditional practice in some Indigenous communities from various parts of North America, and are designed to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity to share their opinions and ideas. The process was used to ensure that all leaders in the tribal council were heard and that those who were speaking were not interrupted.

And we certainly don't listen from the heart. It's more like - is this person sharing something in alignment with what I believe? Or we will post something with an agenda - a bit like getting on our soapbox. There is nothing essentially wrong with this but it is an issue if this is the main way we are communicating which is increasingly so. And add a divisive topic - well its all goes to s**t!

Enter the ancient practice of a sharing circle.

Sharing circles create the space for everyone to share, be heard and understood. A talking piece means only one person at a time can talk. And the storytelling that is encouraged allows us to get to know that person in a much deeper way. The story provides the context, meaning and insight. Just like story posts on social media get the most engagement (let's do more of those!).

So as I bravely take my circle sharing experience out to the world to do my bit, I invite you to join a series I have created focused on self-discovery and purpose.

To express your interest - complete this form
https://forms.gle/TWyHiwnRWhWjXAuh6

In these times of turmoil and uncertainty it can be frustrating wondering how you can make a difference. But its good to remember that meaningful change begins with yourself.

Ensuring you are looking after yourself is the number one priority. Through our own stability and mental health can we begin to think about how we can make a difference for others.

To help facilitate connection, inspiration, self reflection and purpose discovery I will be running a series of sharing circles via Zoom. Where 8 people at a time will connect weekly for a series of 4 sharing circles with a different theme each week.

Add your details below to express your interest to join:
https://forms.gle/TWyHiwnRWhWjXAuh6

I am launching a series of self discovery sharing circles run via Zoom facilitated by me. Comment below if you would like to join. They will be limited to 8 people in each one.

Lockdowns are the perfect time for self reflection. Your purpose is a reflection of 'who' you really are. Getting clear on your purpose is a process of uncovering the clues that lie within.

Having been trained in the art of running sharing circles by the amazing I am launching a series of sharing circles focused on uncovering the stories and clues that lie within. A format where we can listen and share with an open heart and be inspired by each other.

Most significantly, sharing circles are incredibly connecting. Something we all need right now.

Watch this space for how to sign up. Comment below if your interested to join.

What is your fairy tale?

As I go down the rabbit hole of the story of Alice in Wonderland I discover quotes that bring so much meaning. Here I am feeling like I am in my own fairy tale, expressing my Mad Hatter alter ego and attempting to break a Guinness World Record creating the Worlds Largest Mad Hatters Tea party!

How did I get here? From corporate sales at Google, de-actualised - to living my truth and loving the challengs it throws at me. Pushed to be my best, with the courage to have a go, prepared to fail, learn and get better. Visions light up the path ahead of me.

One thing got me here and drives me forward - that is PURPOSE.

If your life is not a fairytale ask - what needs to change? The journey begins with searching within yourself to look for the clues that can guide you forward.

A vision may come - but one thing will come in your way - YOUR FEAR. Your God Dam FEAR - the same thing thats held you back your whole life.

But then one day you say F**K IT! Maybe out of frustration or maybe you hit rock bottom. And you do it anyway. The more your break free out of your comfort zone the easier it becomes to be COURAGEOUS. Your ride the wave of challenge, learning and growth - you feel ALIVE!

And then one day it stairs you in the face - YOUR CALLING! The universe hands you the baton for this important role and you know your the one to make it happen.

From this point its not about about you and this is where the universe opens up to support you - connection, community and collaborations materialise as if by magic. Manifested by your intention.

You step up into a path that becomes your fairly tale. Your path, your impact, your passion, pure joy!

Never give up believing you have a more magical and purposeful life to live. Keep searching for more.

Men. Where are you on the spectrum of mature masculinity? A fascinating introduction to the subject.

And how can you step into fullness of these archetypes?

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/king-warrior-magician-lover-introduction/

The Four Archetypes of the Mature Masculine: Introduction Author Robert Moore argues that masculinity is made up of four archetypal male energies which serve different purposes.

A good observation! So how should we live our life?

How do we self actualise and step up into our purpose?

Friends, I invite you to my first keynote presentation sharing my story of how I became the Mad Hatter! But this story is actually all about you as I invite you down the Rabbit Hole just like ‘Alice’ to question who you really are!

It’s been quite the journey to get here. Having struggled with a stutter my whole life it's been a breakthrough to discover that my voice is actually my superpower! And that I have creative gifts that enable me to make a difference for others.

This unconventional presentation is an example as I take you on a journey into your full self expression. Where we all ‘play’ a role to create the magic! Expect the unexpected! You will leave activated, inspired and connected!

Buy a ticket as part of the Good Space activation in the Rocks. I would appreciate the support and feedback! https://goodspacesproject.com/events/the-mad-hatter-on-purpose

You’re welcome. We are all Mad Here!
Jasper - The Mad Hatter

Subscribe if you haven't already, to get the early bird rate going out tomorrow via email at 6pm
https://www.xstaticsunsets.com/xstaticwonderland

When did you feel most alive?

The power of a sharing circle continues to blow me away. This was the question that was posed as we each had a chance to share our story.

What astounds me is the depth of connection that is gained from listening without a conversation. And by listening to the stories how it can assist the realisations and healing in us.

What is also interesting is how its proving to be a very effective way of facilitating communication, connection and team bonding in the workplace.

An age-old practise that has more relevance than ever in this disconnected world of screens and Covid isolation.

This photo was from our first Thrive Retreat in Manly using the Council format as the means for us to share and connect through our own inspiring stories.

Another inspiring read from Deepak. Love to hear what you think?

How does you identity speak to how you show up in the world?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/becoming-aware-you-world-deepak-chopra-md-official-/