Author: Kristin Andress

My Summer Journey of Change

Posted on August 12, 2019 by Kristin Andress

There is so much goodness in this world. I have just been on a two-month adventure through 10 American States — and what I witnessed were people helping others, laughter, some concern, and the most beautiful natural places I have ever seen.

Zion Utah and Bryce Canyon topped that list. We walked trails that twisted around snow-filled peaks, ate snack bags and slept in the car at two national parks. I’m a woman who loves her Four Seasons, but wouldn’t change the night I spent under the stars in Wyoming — under a Chicago Cubs blanket on a concrete slab — for anything.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Southwestern Utah. Photo: Luca Galuzzi

I left the small 325iBMW to stretch my legs after hours of driving and found a place to stretch my legs. I called my friends. They asked me if I was scared. “No,” I replied. “Goodness begets goodness and I wish I had a photo to show you of that night sky.”

My journey started with flights on business to Dallas and Baltimore, DC and Chicago and then a return to San Diego. I relinquished the condo I had lived in for more than 12 years and decided to follow a path of the “untethered soul.” I gave my belongings to my housekeeper and an animal rescue shelter. There were some things I just couldn’t bear to sacrifice for my new adventure — I left my books in a friend’s garage because I want to curate a personal library someday.

I left California with my travel companion, Robert Payne, and we drove to Utah. We were put up in a log cabin by the Bronze Buffalo Club, an exclusive club that hosts captains of industry, celebrities, entrepreneurs and athletes. They offer access to the world’s most inaccessible experiences and we went fly fishing, skeet shooting, and rode horses.

From there, we went to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, to appreciate the elk antlers and the art culture. Gary and Leesa Price are friends of ours, and Gary has sculptures that uplift the human spirit dotted across the Wyoming landscape.

Then, on to the Rocky Mountain Economic Summit where we met amazing people at the top of their game, all of them so humble — hedge fund managers, angel investors, venture capitalists, and three Federal Reserve Presidents. We talked about trends, innovation, technology, healthcare, education, climate, and more.

We stayed at a variety of Marriott properties along the way, too. Here, we met some fantastic people — all complete strangers. Some were on a journey like ours, others were on vacation. The questions I would always ask were: What are you up to? Why are you here? What have you experienced? Who are you with? What will you do with these experiences? I love it when people share and talk. It’s so special to connect with people from all walks of life.

This is a lifestyle journey and a transition toward another stage of my life. It was a necessary break from the corporate routine and my high-pressure job of organizing the lives of other executives. Fulfillment can sometimes come from doing simple things, and this was one of them. My only fear is — to where next?

Homeless Guy’s Response to my Random Act of Kindness

Posted on May 3, 2016 by Kristin Andress

“Be good.” Most of us have heard our mother say this at some point in our lives. Goodness is a core value that might be drilled into us when we are under the rules of parents or elders.

Some of us, however, may embrace it because it is the heart of who we choose to be and how we decide to take a stand for ourselves and each other.

I used to ride the train into Chicago quite a bit. At the local station from which I departed, I met a man. He was homeless and it was cold – subzero cold. He entered the station looking the part…worn clothes, dirty, unshaven, his belongings in a plastic bag. What I noticed when he sat across from me, is that his eyelashes, eyebrows and long gray beard were full of ice and snow. I also noticed others moved away after having a good stare, and some seemingly in fear. And, this man merely came in to sit quietly, go unnoticed by the station manager, and allow himself to literally melt.

I was in a business suit, with an expensive briefcase, warm boots, and an agenda for my day that had me originally pre-occupied and stressed. The man did not raise his eyes from the floor until my train arrived the station and the announcement woke him from what may have been a very short nap while sitting on the wooden bench. His eyes met mine. They were so blue, so weary, and they were also kind eyes. They revealed part of his story. We smiled at each other in acknowledgment.

I gathered my belongings to leave, and before I reached the platform, I knew I needed to give pause. I reached in my wallet and I returned to him. I put my hand on his shoulder and he was startled. I took his cool fingers in mine and pressed a twenty-dollar bill into his palm. His only comment was, “I did not ask you for this.” My response was, “No you did not.” And, I departed.

I have never forgotten that man or that experience. It is ingrained into my memory. Often I wonder if he is still living, if he is okay, why he was in the situation he was in. Mostly, I wish I would have done more. He was only trying to get warm. He asked me for nothing. A kind word would have been plenty. Giving him money was all I knew to do in that moment.

I sat idle on that 3-hour train ride to Chicago. I just thought. I hoped he bought soup or a sandwich, but I really did not care how he used money. I cared that he felt cared for, and I realized his gift to me was so very much more. I realized my privileges and I was sorely reminded that it is so simple to take good for granted.

People have many layers, and often we exercise judgment or we criticize. However, we do not know the real story behind what we think we see. We do co-exist with people who may be quite different from us and instead of passing them by, what if we truly see them? What if we are just good for goodness sake? It is harder to be ‘bad’. It doesn’t attract relationships, business or the respect of family members, and it certainly does not make us feel good about ourselves.

Goodness is easy. It comes in the form of positivity, compliments, being pleasant, asking questions, random acts of kindness or even a phone call. This is true at all levels – whether you are in kindergarten or the highest level executive.

Take stock of where you are. Notice another. Obtain perspective. Serve someone.

Go home to those you love and love them, and when you see an opportunity to be good, just be good.

Good begets good. Give it a whirl.

What Leadership Role Will You Play In Your Life? Answer These Questions

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Kristin Andress

Imagine being the cause of your life and the opportunity maker within it. We often put off designing the lives and careers we love until it is too late. We tend to believe that we have all the time in the world. The time to begin authoring the design of your life is now. You have the opportunity to rise and be an intentional leader of your own life.

When you are intentional in setting out after what you desire, your attention focuses on achieving it. We can wait to see what happens as we go through the motions of the day or show up with very deliberate intentions. It’s the old adage “You could do what you’ve always done and get what you’ve always got”, and 365 days from now be having the same conversation with yourself.

The first question to ask is – what role will you play in your life and career that will make you content with it? In order to determine where you want to go with your life or career you have to check in with where you are:

Is your life going in the direction you imagined it would?
Are your goals in motion?
Have you taken inventory of what you have and have not achieved?
Do you have a deliberate plan?

To be the cause or author of your life, you must define where you want to be and set on the path. Be clear on why you want to do or be what you are setting out to do or be. This will provide leverage during the inevitable challenging times. You may need to take on different, unfamiliar responsibilities. You may need to sort out balancing home “work” and work. Sometimes it takes moving into the unknown.

Being the author of your possibilities means you get to create and tell the stories of your life. The story you tell yourself can be one of “I can do it” or one of “I can’t.” It is your choice. J.K. Rowling says, “It is our choices that show who we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

To begin, ask a few questions:

What are my aspirations?
What will be my contribution to my family, community or culture?
What do I want to be known or remembered for?
What is my definition of success?
What do I want?

Declaring your intention is much like a declaration of independence from the thoughts holding you back. You need to create the statement of your intentions so that you are able to clearly describe your possibility in them. Simple examples include, “I Intend to:

Moderate at the World Economic Forum by year 2020.
Sell three new engagements each month.
Publish my book and sell a million copies by no later than age 50.

Your intentions are exactly that – Yours. When you assess them, you will realize what resonates with you. Write intentions. Keep them clear, concise and compelling. Consider how important they are and why you want to achieve them. Answer this question: “On this date _______ one year from today, what will my world look like?”

The person who ultimately decided whether you make progress is you. Every day you get to begin a new chapter in the book of your life and career.

Forget The Movie, Here’s The Real Bucket List

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Kristin Andress

A few years ago, Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman made us aware of the bucket list. Since the movie, thousands of people have created their bucket list of things to do before the end of their lives. From the whimsical to the serious to social responsibility, these lists reflect what it is that people want to experience or how they want to give back. However, the Real Bucket List includes the opportunity to focus each day on developing the top 10 distinguishers which will serve you and allow you to serve others.

These items capture the perspective, skills, characteristics and insight needed to distinguish yourself. Master these, and you are masterful. As we carry out our roles, we can cultivate our abilities and potential within each, garner the attention or appreciation of others, and move to a new level of internal and external success.

The top 10 distinguishers are as follows:

Perception Management – your ability to perceive what is real vs. a figment of your imagination or judgment. Managing your perceptions allows you to stay in the present rather than anticipate what could come next. It minimizes anxiety and stress.
Emotional Intelligence – your ability to manage your reactions and responses, especially in pressure situations or when your anger is piqued. How you react and respond has consequences.
Initiative – your ability to take action and think about what is next without having to be told to do so. Knowing how to and choosing to take initiative will help you to stand out as a leader. It distinguishes you from the masses who sit back and wait.
Compassion – your care and concern for others’ circumstances. Everyone in life is experiencing or will experience something that is not easy. It’s an expression of shared humanity and, moreover, it is an expression of your humanity
Humor – your ability to laugh at yourself and make others laugh. Poking fun at yourself is a great method for making it through a tough time or a mistake, while demonstrating you realize it is so and you are learning from it.
Humility – your sense of doing the right thing without needing the credit. Sometimes acknowledging that you did something well or accomplished a good deed does not require words or exposure.
Ownership – your decision to accept responsibility for your actions, words, deeds, and opportunities. No more of the ‘not mine’ syndrome!
Service – your call to serve and give to others with your time, money or resources. Service comes in many forms. It can be as simple as smile or an occasional volunteer role.
Consistency – your commitment to do what you say and say what you do without interruption. One action, behavior, or decision does not typically create sustainable impact or change.
Knowledge – your capacity to apply and share what you continuously learn. Perceive yourself as a vessel for capturing information and skills, and then share your knowledge and its fruits generously.

The items in the Real Bucket List are all inter-related. When you become more adept at one, you also contribute to the development in another. Developing your abilities, thoughts, and choices pertaining to each item will distinguish your life from one that passes by and one that is deemed exceptionally well-lived. Tuning in to your skills and applications resulting from filling your Real Bucket will ensure that you function as a whole person making a significant contribution to your life, the lives of others, your family, your community, and even your country.