💡 Volunteer to Refresh Your Worldview (Issue 103)

My recent time in Alaska

It’s funny how your perception of work, leadership, and life changes when you're working in the field in remote Alaska. I'm sure I'll write more articles about this, but I wanted to share some thoughts on volunteering.

I've seen more powerful teamwork, better coordination, stronger leadership, and a greater focus on the right priorities here — working side-by-side with a NOAA team at the Little Port Walter Research Station — than 98% of the Silicon Valley corporations I experienced over 20+ years.

They are focused on doing the right thing and solving real-world problems. No one here is trying to "get rich" or "dominate the market." They're worried about the future of our planet, the environment, our wildlife, and our food sources. This is work that has meaning and purpose.

So far, volunteering here has been incredibly humbling, educational, and enlightening. But yes, you do need to keep your wits about you in Alaska!

After work yesterday (spawning day), we took a boat north to a stunning hike up to a waterfall. Then, while we were in a small boat checking out a facility here, look who was there (Coastal Brown Bear).

Hiking in close proximity to these bears—with a few heart-pounding encounters—brings everything into crystal-clear clarity.

• Everyday worries and concerns instantly evaporate from your mind.

• You’re not thinking about your boss or your job or your clients.

• You don’t care about social media, follower counts, likes, and engagement.

• You're not feeling jealous about the new car your neighbor bought.

• You don't give a damn about your fashion or appearance.

You simply want to survive the encounter.

And, when you do, life tastes sweeter. The world is more beautiful. Reality trumps our fabricated human culture, society, and online distractions.

I’m not saying you need to risk your life to get a much-needed reset. But I do believe that volunteering your time for a worthy cause helps you recalibrate reality.

We often live in a false bubble of urgency and importance with our jobs. Sure, some of us are doing something that is indeed changing the world, protecting our environment, and saving lives (e.g., my brother is a surgeon).

However, most of us work for companies that exist for one purpose: making money. Making lots of money for the executives and shareholders, mind you. Not the average employee.

So, keep it all in perspective and don't let the daily dance of work and life stress you out too much. In the big picture, very little of it really matters. Your life is more important than a job and keeping up with the Joneses.

Volunteering your time for something that really matters can help you regain a healthier balance in life later.

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I’m Larry Cornett, a Freedom Coach who works with you to optimize your career, business, and life. My mission is to help you take complete control of your work and life so you can become a more “Invincible You.” I live in Northern California near Lake Tahoe with my wife and our Great Dane.