Are You Living the Illusion of Success?

Many successful people find themselves rudderless and joyless once they reach midlife. Their race for success–often defined as the accumulation of wealth and power–has dulled their sense of purpose. It’s undermined their happiness and crippled their relationships with their families.

The passion of youth exhausted, many midlife achievers run their lives on a treadmill of activity, haunted by unresolved baggage from their past, constantly trying to outpace their fears. Often having no friends or mentors to guide them, many seek to escape rather than face their issues about money, identity, sexuality, and love. Most are open to spiritual connection, but don’t know how or where to begin. They feel alone and scared.

Jim Warner writes with the authority of one who has been there and worked his way through to clarity and a rediscovery of self and purpose. In Aspirations of Greatness, he shares the inspiring life stories of eight high-profile people. These business and professional leaders typify the disillusionment of people in midlife who appear to "have it all," yet yearn for purpose, connection, inner peace–along with a renewed energy and "aliveness." Like many others, they have attained affluence and power, but confess to little sense of mission or meaning in their lives. These eight stories, backed by research conducted by Warner in intimate retreat settings with hundreds of other "successful" midlife leaders, amplify the piercing questions of people in midlife: Who am I outside of my vocation? What is my destiny? What is the role of money in my life? How do I achieve greater intimacy and communion with my spouse, family, friends, and God?

Warner introduces several models for navigating the treacherous rapids of midlife, with principles that apply to anyone who feels lost, lonely, or unloved. His book is a blueprint for positive change and offers uplifting, practical guidelines for living out your innate genius with gratitude, wisdom, and serenity.

"Jim Warner brings together in one volume a treasure of wisdom, guidance, and just helpful information for the contemporary man and woman. He shows a commonsense balance between spirituality, psychology, and the cultural quandary of modern leaders. He knows the traps and he points the way through–because he has been there himself. Let Jim’s own journey and his own greatness rub off on you! It will."

–Richard Rohr, OFM, author of Everything Belongs and Quest for the Grail

ASPIRATIONS of Greatness

Mapping the Midlife Leader’s Reconnection to Self and Soul

We often assume that money and success bring fulfillment. But achievement, especially in business, has its costs. Read the statements below and see if they apply to you:

• I refuse to live according to other people’s values
• I’m eager to get in touch with my true talents–and use them
• I want to dedicate my life to the goals that really matter to me
• I’m ready for a genuine spiritual journey
• I want to feel closer to my spouse and loved ones
• I’m ready for a big change in my life

If you found yourself nodding in agreement while reading any of the above lines, then Aspirations of Greatness can help you. Backed by research from in-depth interviews and retreats with 500 CEOs, its principles apply to anyone who has attained outward success but remains unfulfilled.

The author presents the true stories of eight "successful" leaders in business and other fields as they face their disillusionment and embark on a journey toward a more rewarding life. These stories of individual growth and transformation will personalize and illuminate your inner journey to "aliveness" and fulfillment. The proven strategies in this book will guide you toward inner peace and joy; healthier, more intimate relationships with your loved ones; and a passionate reconnection with the ultimate purpose of your life.

"Aspirations of Greatness will make a midlife crisis a small bump in the road. It will help you move from disillusionment to destiny in a way that makes aging a delight."

–Ken Blanchard, coauthor of The One Minute Manager® and Leadership by the Book

"Aspirations of Greatness beautifully explains how the ‘upward’ path toward greatness must first go ‘downward’ through the soul."

–Laurie Beth Jones, author of Jesus, CEO; The Path; and Jesus, Inc.

JIM WARNER attended the University of Michigan and the Harvard Business School. He founded his software company on a shoestring in the early 1980s, grew it to $20 million in sales, and sold it successfully in 1992. He took a three-year sabbatical to reconnect with his family, his faith, and himself, and begin his personal transformation from businessman to executive coach. Since 1996, he has counseled and guided hundreds of CEOs, executives, and professionals who are navigating difficult life transitions. He and his family live in Boulder, Colorado.

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

Introduction.

I: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE BROKEN.

1: The Author s Rise and Fall.

2: The Betrayed Executive.

3: The Breakaway Entrepreneur.

4: The Professional.

5: The Family Business Heir.

6: The Maverick.

7: The Small Company Partner.

8: The Minister.

II: MIDLIFE MELTDOWNS.

9: Commitment, Focus, Success.

10: Disillusionment and Breakdowns.

11: Denial, Diversions, Escapes, Explosions.

12: The Edge, Numbness, and Breakthroughs.

III: UNDERSTANDING THE SOUL.

13: Understanding the Soul Introduction.

14: Our Inner Advisors.

15: The Sovereign.

16: The Warrior.

17: The Magician.

18: The Lover.

19: Energy.

IV: ALIVENESS.

20: Transformation.

21: Surrender, Gratitude, Action.

22: Greatness.

Appendix A: Research Summary.

Appendix B: Leadership Skills and Shadows Assessment.

Appendix C: Clean Talk A Model for Dealing with Conflict.

Appendix D: OnCourse International Retreats and Coaching.

Notes.

Index.