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
you, not me
Laura Probst
philanthropic advisor. consultant. impactor.
Laura Probst is a philanthropic advisor and the owner of Do Good. Make Money., a consulting firm that helps companies do just that.
I feel as though I was put on this earth to serve, to make a contribution that leaves this world better than I found it. Like most people, I love the feel-good stories on the news – from the guy who saves the kid in the burning building to the Oprahs and Gates of the world who contribute millions to great causes. I think we’d all like to be one of them. Who doesn’t want to do good?
For me, for so long, I was torn: I wanted to make an impact and serve others, but felt like I had to sacrifice my own goals and be some kind of martyr to do that. I didn’t see any road in the middle. I only saw two divergent paths and felt confused about which one to be on. I was focused on me – my needs, my ambitions, my wants. But in focusing on me, all I could really see was what I didn’t have, what I needed, or what I lacked. And everything I wanted all felt so far away and unattainable.
So I let it go. Instead, I embraced service. Serving you, not me. With every step, I set intentions to be of service. I focused all my energy on everyone in my life – from my best friend to my boss to the guy sitting at the bus stop. Now, every day, multiple times a day, I think about you, what you need, and then I find myself energized, inspired, and excited to help. And my service doesn’t have to be anything big – this is definitely not something I’ve mastered – but I do try … I give a smile, an article I’ve read, an introduction. I do whatever I can to be of service and in tune with what you need.
It’s amazing to see how much I now have and how much room I’ve created for even more good – good that I couldn’t even see when I was focused on me. I’m now happier, healthier, and wealthier than I’ve ever been. I truly know that when I’m here for others I get more than I could ever have imagined.
So when I start to think about me – I don’t have enough money, I’m in a bad mood, I don’t have enough time, I don’t feel good – that’s my trigger. I know then that it’s time to flip the switch and say, instead, “What do YOU need? How can I help YOU?”
I find meaning in service, and focusing on you helps me be my best.
– Laura Probst
Explore More Meaning
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writer. list maker. self challenger.
Elizabeth Jayne Liu gives herself a weekly challenge every Monday. She fails a lot, but has a great time doing it. [www.flourishinprogress.com]
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peace groupie. mediator. life surfer.
One of the world's best known mediators, William Ury co-founded the Harvard Negotiation Project and has co-authored global bestsellers about negotiation and peacemaking. [www.williamury.com]
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master creationist. wayshower. feeling feeler.
Boni Lonnsburry is the author of the book, The Map: To Our Responsive Universe, Where Dreams Really Do Come True, a step-by-step guide to creating a life you love. [www.livealifeyoulove.com]
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nut butter aficionado. ceo. green visionary.
Justin Gold, Founder and CEO of Justin's Nut Butter, says he can't live without his maple almond butter, snow covered mountains, or moments that make his heart race. [www.justinsnutbutter.com]
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Arielle Ford is a leader in the personal growth and contemporary spirituality movement. She’s been living, teaching, and promoting consciousness through many forms of media.
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melody maker. musical poet. aspiring artist.
Mason Summit began performing and writing his own songs at an early age. Since then, he's played all over, including playing regularly at the Rapp Saloon in Santa Monica. He recently finished recording his first CD of original songs.
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yogi. truth pursuer. no bs'er.
Claudia Azula Altucher is an ardent student and teacher of yoga, meditation, and philosophy. She has travelled the world in search of truth only to realize that it can only be found within. [www.claudiayoga.com]
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ted inventor. smithonian awardee. brilliant quester.
Richard Wurman, creator of the TED conferences, wrote over 80 books on subjects he had difficulty understanding. His books come from his desire to know, rather than from already knowing. [www.TED.com]
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