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. big dreamer. lady in red.
Sophie Chiche, lifebyme.com founder and curator, enjoys asking deep questions and living a life of meaning. Today she's launching Shape House, an urban sweat lodge, a place to melt away fears and fat. [www.shapehousela.com]
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
challenge
David Cohn
participitory journalist. community funder. spotter.
David Cohn is the founder of Spot.Us, a nonprofit organization that fundraises for independent journalists. He's a frequent speaker on topics related to new media and beyond. [www.digidave.org]
For me to have a fulfilling life it must be filled with challenges. I’m not appeased by merely “working” as a cog in a company. Even a well-intentioned company that doesn’t present me with an uphill battle would leave me wanting. Call me masochistic, but I don’t want my career to be handed to me on a silver platter.
This desire to push boundaries, push forward, and push on comes with some caveats. I keep my head up and my eyes focused forward. I’ve learned that it’s important to bite small and chew well. I pick my battles.
I know what I’m fighting for and why. My battle has been around the honest and accurate flow of information which I believe is needed for a healthy democracy. Knowing the battle I’ve chosen keeps me motivated. I can find a higher meaning in it. A truism in life is that movements, events, and more come and go. “This too shall pass.” Even my own endeavors will eventually come to a halt. But within my chosen field I can leave lasting impressions. I can open new doors and mark new boundaries that others can thrive within.
Also, it’s important to stay connected and grounded. When I challenge myself, I meet collaborators, competitors, and even enemies. This is perfectly natural. I indulge in these relationships, but realize that moderation is a virtue and none of these characters should overtake me or my vision.
If a challenging life leads to a meaningful one, then I can’t be afraid of failure. Too often we think of failure as a black mark. It isn’t. If nobody else has tried what I try, then failing simply means that others will be able to stand on my shoulders. If, while undertaking a challenge, I don’t succeed, but can send up a flare as I go down, I’ll feel as though I’ve made an impact. An informative failure is a kind of success.
Be bold and people will respect you for it. As Gandhi said, “We need to be the change we wish to see in the world.” Meet the challenge.
– David Cohn
Explore More Meaning
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sustainability advocate. entrepreneur. fosterer.
Ingrid Vanderveldt is an entrepreneur, TV personality, and passionate advocate of working with women to foster a more sustainable future. She consults with Fortune 500 companies on their WOMEN + GREEN initiatives. [http://ingridvanderveldt.com]
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entertainer. driver's seat dj. life by me'er.
Andrew DiPalma is a storyteller. As a television and film actor and the owner of an Internet marketing and PR firm, he strives to choose scripts and clients that inspire him so he may inspire others. [andrew dipalma]
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writer. free mama. weirdness embracer.
Emily Montez is a mama, creator, writer, and the founder of MamaFusion: Merging Mom & Me. She believes in following God with purpose, embracing her own weirdness, and becoming the Foxy Mama she was created to be. [www.mamafusion.com]
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author. speaker. productivity guru.
David Allen is a consultant, international lecturer, bestselling author, and the founder of the David Allen Company. [www.davidco.com]
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fearless creator. passionate solopreneur. avid supporter.
Michelle Ainslie is the go-to expert for aspiring creative solopreneurs who want to quit their boring jobs and make money doing what they love. [www.michelleainslie.com]
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writer. coach. social entrepreneur.
Frank Gjata is a writer, coach, and social entrepreneur dedicated to creating fun, unique, and effective tools that guide people toward a joyfully conscious life. [www.FrankGjata.com]
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publisher. meditator. connecter.
Tami Simon is founder and publisher of Sounds True, an independent multimedia publishing company whose mission is to inspire, support, and serve personal transformation and spiritual awakening. [www.soundstrue.com]
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filmmaker. connection cultivator. creative architect.
George Meeker pursues his passion by cultivating deeper connections between humans through filmmaking, which he considers the most influential art form of the 21st Century. [www.interrogate.com]
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