How to be Happy and Fulfilled in a Disruptive World: Notes from James Arthur Ray
James Arthur Ray, one of the world’s foremost leadership and performance advisors, sat down with Ramon to talk about leadership, failure and how to attain happiness in a culture of disruption. James co-authored and featured in the film documentary “The Secret,” a ground-breaking feature-length film, and New York Times bestseller. He is also author of the New York Times Bestseller Harmonic Wealth: The Secret to Attracting the Life You Want
Considered an expert in leadership, entrepreneurship, mental toughness, resilience, and emotional strength, James has appeared in numerous national media outlets including Fortune Magazine, People Magazine, Larry King Live, Piers Morgan, the Today Show, CNN, and Oprah.
James began his career in sales, eventually making his way to the AT&T School of Business where he worked as a consultant to C-Level Executives. It was here that he realized his purpose for helping others find their unique gifts, and then leveraging them to take their life and business to new levels.
In 2009 James Arthur Ray’s company hit The Inc 500 as one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the United States. That same year he and his team were involved in a terrible incident that claimed the lives of three of his clients whom he cared about deeply.
James took Absolute Responsibility for the incident. Not only did he lose three friends but it cost him his business, home, and life-savings. James reminds us that, “as a leader, you have to take full responsibility. Absolute responsibility is the price of leadership. If you can’t step up to that, then you better stand down, step back, because again, that is the price of leadership. And I am here to tell you that it’s a heavy price.”
I asked James how he recovered from such devastation, and he told me, “Pain and suffering is the mother of all growth. It peels away the bullshit and gets you to the core of what’s really important in your life.”
What can others learn from James’ experience? “Your true wealth is not what you have or what you do. Your true wealth is what you’re left with when those things are gone,” says James.
Today, James continues to leverage his experience to help others find their “unique genius: and purpose. James believes that “we are all born with genius inside of us, and we are conditioned into mediocrity.” He wants to guide people in learning “how to be happy and fulfilled in a disruptive world.”
A Gallup poll revealed that 71% of respondents were miserable in their work and everyday lives. That is MOST of us. James wants entrepreneurs to succeed without sacrificing fulfillment.
How can this be done? By focusing on the 5 Dimensions of Leadership and Ultimate Performance:
- Philosophy
- Psychology
- Physiology
- Community
- Strategy
Today’s messaging is to keep the focus on strategy, to follow the money, and work on increased margins. Of this practice, James says this is the “worst strategy in the word to build a business and more importantly to live a fulfilling life. Hence the Gallup 71% club.”
James wants people to remember that “mindset is more important than marketing and
meaning is more important than money.”
There was so much to learn from James Arthur Ray, including what he has learned from some of the worlds wealthiest and most influential people. To listen to the full interview click here:
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