Joseph Maynard Eastman is a warmly intuitive finder of life's treasures as he looks about himself and observes his world. Those of us who know Joe can see him walking the beach in Sanibel, Florida, or Pequot Lakes Minnesota, stooping to pick up shells, or twigs, or rocks, and shoving them in his pockets to be savored and enjoyed throughout the day. I've had the joy of being Joe's boss and colleague at LeaderSource for what is now going on seven years.

When Joe first brought his formidable coaching skills to LeaderSource, I observed him in his client interactions and knew we had happened upon, or perhaps had been alert enough to recognize, a great coach who would be wonderful in his relationships with clients and colleagues alike.

His first "newsletters" about "what was becoming clearer to him" ran through our company copy machine some five years ago. He wasn't asked to write a little something for "PR" purposes, or some other marketing effort. He just started to write letters about what he was observing around him. He had to write because it is who he is. Joe didn't know then what impact his writing would have on others. With some nudging from family, friends, colleagues and clients he started to see himself as a writer of essays. I was among those who nudged and encouraged Joe to write from his heart, to express his true voice. I am so happy that he did. His list of essay recipients has grown to nearly four hundred, and they all await his quarterly reflections. So the book you have now in your hands is Joe's first compilation of essays about life, written as only he can.

Joe's gift is in writing from his heart. It is what he can do well, regularly, instinctively, with passion, energy, and enthusiasm. It is what we here at LeaderSource call a reflection of his "core purpose."

Lest you think Joe a god because of his gift-a thought that would make him nervous and very uncomfortable to be sure-like many of us, he can take for granted his unique gift. The sub title he chose for this book, "Reflections on the meaning of life by an ordinary Joe," is a case in point. He truly sees himself as an ordinary guy with ordinary thoughts, significantly underestimating his gift and impact. He needed to be encouraged by those around him to do what he regularly encourages others to do; "disturb the universe." (See Chapter Four: On Synchronicity &Choice).

Use this book as a regular reference and resource to challenge your thinking on what is truly important to you. Joe lays many thought provoking ideas before you on matters such as sharing your gifts with humility, life giving legacy, "self" centeredness, being present within the moment, and not taking life too seriously.

At the end of each chapter Joe gives you an opportunity to jot down your insights and personal reflections. By doing so you will get the most value from his work. Use the book, and your reflections as daily reminders of your priorities, values, and commitments. This is not, as one reviewer observed, a "bookshelf" book.

In sharing his thoughts and feelings with us Joe is being vulnerable by letting us glimpse his soul. You might not agree with some of his observations about the world, but they will touch you.

If, like many of us who have businesses to run, people to see, and things to do, you are tempted to rush through this collection of essays and get to the "executive summary" or "bottom line" you will miss Joe's soul. You will also miss many poignant opportunities to reflect on your own life, and the people, accomplishments, and unfulfilled promises life offers all of us. You will miss your chance to change your world for the better. Instead, pause and take time to read and reflect on each essay. Enjoy the journey of becoming clearer. And thanks, Joe. Your dad and namesake, Maynard, must be smiling down on you with pride.

Cecile Burzynski, PhD
COO, LeaderSource, Inc.

I have been gifted with the unique opportunity to share in the growth and learning of truly exceptional executives who are either seeking a greater understanding of how to leverage and direct their talent in their current job, are seeking new career opportunities, or are in search of their legacy. These individuals are among the ranks of senior professionals and top executives with whom I have had the distinct privilege of meeting, coaching, and growing with in the areas of interpersonal effectiveness and career mastery over the last half dozen years. They represent a cross section of businesses, including a significant sampling of Fortune 500 firms through out the United States, who have been and are clients of LeaderSource, a national executive development and coaching firm headquartered in Minneapolis.

Together these individuals and I have been enriched because we have held a shared perspective that our life experiences, however positive or challenging, represent an opportunity for growth and learning, for continuous reflection, introspection, and clarification.

I have titled this book What Is Becoming Clearer To Me for several reasons. First I believe life is a work in progress for all of us. It represents a continuous unfolding of experiences that provide a pathway for growth, awareness, and understanding. Simply put, life presents us with meaning continuously if only we would take the time to understand the messages and be open to what should be coming clearer to us.

I am inspired also by the legend of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who supposedly greeted his friends whenever they met by the words, "What is becoming clearer to you?" He obviously challenged his cohorts to be thinking about the meaning of their lives as it unfolded around them.

Motivated by the above influences, I have written a series of essays over the past half dozen years which I have distributed to a wide group of clients and colleagues, under the heading of What Is Becoming Clearer To Me. With the strong encouragement of those who have received these essays, I am publishing a consolidation of them along with some unpublished essays in this book. It is my hope that this work will in some small way trigger an idea, or an opportunity for you to put your life experiences in a more meaningful perspective and to share that thought or perspective with someone close to you

Perhaps the most impactful endorsement and catalyst for me to broaden the distribution of these writings came from an administrative professional who supports a senior executive of a Fortune 100 company who regularly received my "newsletter." She called me one memorable day and acknowledged that she opened and read her executive's mail regularly and always looked forward to the envelope from LeaderSource. She asked my permission to read one of the letters to her congregation. I was humbled, yet determined through that experience to bring these messages forward to a wider audience.

The thoughts I share herein are mine, of course, born of my interactions with clients, colleagues, and friends. They have been encouraged and refined in the nurturing environment created by the owners of LeaderSource, Kevin Cashman and Dr. Cecile Burzynski. My very able colleagues at LeaderSource have also been a profound stimulus for reflective thought. They include, alphabetically: Katie Cooney, Janet Feldman, Renee' Garpestad, Sarah Flynn, Bill McCarthy, Dr. Pat Mulvehill, Steve Ruff, Anne Tessien, and Jody Thone; great minds and great souls one and all. I am blessed that this particular group of spirits collided in space and time.

Special credit goes to Anne Tessien, my worst critic, but also a highly valued colleague and friend. She critically reviewed, and greatly influenced my thinking in the final draft of this work. Though I strive for humility, Anne has made that effort a bit more easy. Thanks, "A.T."

And Cecile, I am forever grateful for the thoughtful Forward you volunteered to write. "Boss", yes, but respected friend as well.

I need also to express my regard and sincere thanks to the professional administrative staff that has supported me, and everyone else who has made a contribution at LeaderSource. First and foremost, The Queen of Nice, Sherri Rogalski; The Goddess, Karla Lindblad; The Thoughtful Mary Orysen; and the Mother of All Organization and Orderliness, the inimitable Faye Way.

I also owe much to a mentor, friend, confidant, and brilliant human being, John Somrock, who saw potential in me and pressed me to pursue it early in my career.

Finally, my friend and understanding soul mate/ spouse, Sheryl, my Ice Princess daughter, Kristen, my big kid daughters, Lynne and Jeanette, my glorious granddaughters "Scooty Bear" and "Hoppy Skippy" and yes, Mom, you too!!

God bless and love you one and all.



Love, "The Kid."

Well, my mind has been wandering again, and here is where it has landed on its continuing maiden voyage.

During the course of a meeting with one of my clients awhile ago, we started discussing her belief system, not in the context of a specific religious philosophy, but in terms of lessons learned in the course of her life that consciously or subconsciously govern her actions, reactions, and interactions with others. I have come to think of this as "lessons learned, life to date."

It's one possible set of answers to the question, "What do you know for sure?" We live life, many of us, serially, in real time, not processing our experiences into evolving learning, clarifying awareness, and guiding principles. We may make decisions based upon reactive responses to these "lessons", but typically we could not articulate a synthesis of our unique life experiences if asked. So... I'm asking. And challenging you to articulate what you know for sure based upon your unique journey through life. You can articulate this, you know. Why not take a qualitative time out and think about it. Leaders lead through a vision, which is forged largely upon the foundation they have established through their special pathway through life. What is yours? Let me prime your thinking around a particular set of guiding principles that have emerged for me personally. These lessons have been learned through synthesizing a combination of my life experiences and exposures, formal training, and informal readings, conversations, leadership examples from significant role models and mentors, and my own native sense of what works and what is appropriate. I have distilled all of this into a set of conclusions which, though neither unique nor profound, hang together for me personally and guide how I intend to consistently show up in my business and life relationships.