author. speaker. motivator.
Affectionately known as "America's #1 Success Coach," Jack Canfield is the originator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and a leading authority in the areas of self-esteem, achievement motivation, and peak performance. www.jackcanfield.com
political powerhouse. media mogul. author.
Arianna Huffington is the co-founder and Editor in Chief of the Huffington Post and the author of twelve books. www.huffingtonpost.com
author. speaker. linchpin.
Seth Godin is a prominent author, blogger and speaker. www.squidoo.com/linchpin
yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. www.yogaforyouth.org
producer. philanthropist. tv legend.
Norman Lear has enjoyed a long career in television and film. He is also a political and social activist and philanthropist. www.normanlear.com
race car driver. activist. carbon free girl.
Leilani Münter is a professional race car driver and an environmental activist who uses her voice in the number one spectator sport in America as a catalyst for change. www.leilanimunter.com
Freedom Fighter. Philanthropist. Game Changer.
By going undercover to meet slaves and slaveholders, Kevin Bales exposed modern slavery’s penetration into the global economy. He co-founded Free the Slaves, which has helped to liberate thousands of slaves. www.freetheslaves.net
mom. TED-talker. no-bullsh**er.
Sophie Chiche, founder of lifebyme.com, is the single mom of an amazing 16-year-old, Leah, and wicked step-mom of 22-year-old, Sarah. They all live in LA. You can find them boxing, cooking, collaging, hosting brunches, laughing their head off or bickering over who’s washing and who’s drying the dishes.
Writer. Entrepreneur. Daily Lover.
Entrepreneur and writer Mastin Kipp founded TheDailyLove.com, which merges pop culture with inspiration, and co-founded The Love Yourself Company, an apparel company that has started a global self-esteem movement. www.TheDailyLove.com
singer. musician. crier.
Liz Phair is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. www.lizphair.com
archbishop. author. peaceful leader.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu is Chairman of The Elders, a group of world leaders who address some of the world's most pressing problems. He works energetically for human-rights and in his ministry. www.tutu.org
author. ceo. humanitarian.
Zainab Salbi is the founder and CEO of Women for Women International, a group dedicated to helping women survivors of war rebuild their lives. www.womenforwomen.org
speaker. psychotherapist. life embracer.
Despite his physical challenges, Sean Stephenson has taken a stand for a quality of life that has inspired millions of people around the world. He’s a professional speaker, psychotherapist, and author. www.timetostand.com
yogi. meditator. teacher.
Kia Miller teaches Yoga at Yoga Works in Los Angeles, leads teacher trainings, and runs retreats and workshops on meditation, chakras, pranayam, and mantras, and other practices. www.kiamiller.com
creator. writer. idea geek.
Simon Mainwaring is an ex-Nike/Wieden creative, former Worldwide Creative Director at Motorola/Ogilvy, branding/advertising writer, author/speaker/blogger, Australian, idea geek. www.simonmainwaring.com
Strategist. Writer. Life Coach.
Shannon Bindler is a style editor, life coach, and the co-founder of Get Up Girl, an empowerment company that inspires women to shine. www.getupgirl.com
Designer. Art Director. Passionate Creator.
Grammy-nominated art director/designer/photographer Mathieu Bitton has designed over 450 CDs and movie posters. He’s a renowned collector of and authority on black films and their soundtracks. www.candytangerine.com
Agent. Producer. Photography Enthusiast.
Opus Reps founder and agent-producer Jorge Perez travels the world producing photo shoots with great photographers and celebrities. He's also very involved with Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles. www.opusreps.com
slowness
Amy Swift
business expert. arbiter of style. smarty pants.
Small business expert Amy Swift has helped launch thousands of businesses and ideas. She founded Smarty to give entrepreneurs authentic space to partner and grow. www.smartypeople.com
We’re moving so fast as a culture. Although there are infinite benefits to all of this growth and evolution, I also think it’s forcing our natural rhythms to buckle. What would once have been a normal workday of a meeting or two, work on a proposal, the real work (whatever that may be), and then home by 5:30 has turned into hundreds of emails, Facebook updates, Tweets, texting, blogging, vlogging … and the idea that with more exposure comes more success.
I’ve chosen a lesser version, despite the advice of many small business experts. Even as a small business authority myself, I sometimes find it challenging to tell entrepreneurs that if they take more time to garden, walk, read the paper, dig into a novel, bake bread, or take a bath, it’s actually good for business. With only 16 non-sleeping hours in a day, something has to give if you’re going to get outside and plant the basil!
What’s so strangely ironic right now is that although we’re busier than ever, 90% of what we do isn’t really our core work. The times we live in require a ton of work “around” the work. I sometimes get “ambition fatigue” from all of this jostling to the top. Sometimes I pine to be a scientist who’s dedicated only to research, analysis, and articulation (as if that weren’t enough!). Modern entrepreneurs have not only their craft to hone and execute, but are also expected to be a mammoth marketing department of one.
I’ve found that I’m most content when listening to the water fountain in my yard, chatting with my husband as he takes an outdoor shower, watching my naked toddler tumble across the lawn, and making faces with my other baby as the sun sets behind the palm trees. I really relish those timeless moments. In them, I find not only meaning, but the context through which the rest of my life is meaningful.
- Amy Swift
Explore More Meaning
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author. theatre kid. laughing backpacker.
Poet, actress, and activist Judy Prescott lives in Los Angeles, where she works in film and television. She’s the author of a just-released collection of poetry and art. www.judyprescott.com
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coach. black belt. clarifier.
Tristan Truscott is a Sensei (martial arts black belt), mindset coach, speaker, entrepreneur, and traveler who loves helping people create vibrant health, abundant wealth, and beautiful relationships. www.satorimethod.com
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spiritual parent. entertainment lawyer. kin connector.
Cynthia Litman is an entertainment lawyer. She founded the spiritual parenting brand Momma’s Pearls, providing depth and support to busy families via blog, talk radio show, newsletter, and coaching. www.mommaspearls.com
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author. artist. awakener.
Mark Griffin is the founder of the Hard Light Center of Awakening, Fire Mountain Retreat, and the Third Millennium Awakening. He’s also a prolific author and artist. www.markgriffin.info
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child advocate. breath taker. ketchup hero.
Jennifer Lehr is a mom, author, child advocate, and a student of unconditional parenting. www.goodjobandotherthings.com
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chairman. advocate. progressive changer.
Rick Jacobs is an investor, business executive, and chair of the Courage Campaign, an organizing network that empowers activists to push for progressive change and equality in California and across the country. www.couragecampaign.org
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yogi. philanthropist. dynamic teacher.
Krishna Kaur is the founder of YOGA for Youth, a program that takes yoga, meditation, and stimulating discussions on the philosophy of yoga to urban youth. www.yogaforyouth.org
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teacher. scholar. spiritual evolutionary.
Craig Hamilton, founder of Integral Enlightenment, is a pioneer in the emerging field of evolutionary spirituality. He’s a participant in the Synthesis Dialogues, a think tank presided over by the Dalai Lama. www.integralenlightenment.com
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