Beacons on the Frontline

What’s Your Red Rubber Ball?!

Why are you here? What dreams are you chasing? How does your job fit into your life’s purpose? Do you even know your purpose? Top college student leaders across the country had an opportunity to ponder these questions at Monster’s Diversity Leadership Program in Chicago.

Through my work with Monster.com, I had the opportunity to spend two inspiring week-ends with this country’s best and brightest. The Keynote speaker was Kevin “The Katalyst” Carroll, author of Rules of the Red Rubber Ball and newly released, What’s Your Red Rubber Ball?!

When Kevin was six years old, he and his two brothers were abandoned by their parents. They moved in with their grandparents where they finally had stability. Soon after enrolling into school, Kevin discovered the joy of the playground. Although he had played on playgrounds before, this time was different. Playing helped Kevin take his mind off of his problems and shameful feelings that plagued him.

Sports became his sanctuary, but just like most little boys dreaming of being the next sports superstar, teachers and friends dismissed his passion. But his grandmother and best friend’s mother did not.

Eventually, Kevin became the head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia 76ers where he was one of the first African-American athletic trainers. He went on to innovate for Nike, Starbucks, Procter & Gamble, and many other companies and now travels around the world speaking to people

“about how important it is to have their own “Red Rubber Ball”- a passion for something that inspires them to chase it every day.”

Most people who work in the nonprofit sector have found their Red Rubber Ball and chase it daily. According to an early 2007, Nonprofit Online News (NON) survey, “the vast majority of people who work in civil society see their job as part of their identity, compared to society at large, in which nearly half of all workers see their job as just a way to earn a living.”

Nonprofit workers’ jobs have become a part of their identity and coincide with their personal mission, which Rosetta Thurman, fellow blogger and nonprofit leader wrote about today.

Yet, those working in the sector are not completely satisfied. In another 2007 NON survey, “nearly five times as many people (22%) who have a personal practice are completely satisfied with their job as compared to those who do not have such a practice (3.7%).” The researchers intentionally left the word “practice” open, but activities such as meditation, journaling, and retreats would be included.

While you may not ever be completely satisfied with your job, you can improve your satisfaction by developing your practice. Here are some of my practices that help to sustain my light.

1. Meditate daily in the mornings
2. Pray with my husband, recite our marriage pledge and read our inspirational daily thought in morning and evening (without inspirational thought)
3. Maintain a gratitude journal
4. Practice yoga
5. Exercise daily (2-3 times per week at Gym/other times at home)
6. Spend time with friends
7. Read
8. SAVY Sister Circle with my mother and sister each Sunday over the phone (Prayer over the phone)

I’m definitely not always perfect, but when I do make the time to incorporate these practices, I feel a greater sense of peace and clarity in my life and sometimes even feel completely satisfied with my job.

What “practices” do you have while chasing your Red Rubber Ball? Leave a comment and share with us!