Jaxon Howell

Date: October 23, 2017 Name: Power of Gratitude Presenters: Julian DeSchutter and Jaxon Howell The power of gratitude impacts many successful entrepreneurs. Moreover, the practice of gratitude has been proven to improve the mindsets of successful entrepreneurs. ManTalks invites Julian DeSchutter, the Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise, and Jaxon Howell, the Founder of Nakedwood, to discuss how gratitude leads their life to have greater abundance, happiness and fulfillment. In this presentation, entrepreneurs will understand how gratitude can impact personal relationships. All presenters will share how they create the balance of health and well-being through their entrepreneur’s journeys. The Founder of ManTalks, Conner Beaton, wants all entrepreneurs to be inspired by the power of gratitude. People are facing challenges for gratitude. Many people have been a part of unwillingness space, but not everyone is aware of it. Sometimes people are giving the meaning to the wrong thing. People are carrying the responsibilities with meaning that is meaningful to them, which makes the purpose of life. Beaton wants entrepreneurs to focus on 5 main questions.

1. What moment in life is grateful?
2. What challenge moment that is grateful?
3. What do they avoid being grateful for?
4. Who is one person they are grateful for?
5. What moment in life that they will not set themselves free?

Interview with Julian DeSchutter Julian DeSchutter is the Co-Founder of Chasing Sunrise. He is a designer and author of life. His life work of creating companies, charities, projects, culture and communities have directed him to his life goal. He has founded Passage Labs, Passage Give, Hello Sandbox, Operation BundleUp, and Status New. He is also the Consultant for Investor Relations & Market Analysis. Moreover, his passion has connected many entrepreneurs and has helped many entrepreneurs chase their ultimate dreams. In November 2013, DeSchutter had the “over promise, under deliver” moment that defined his life direction. He changed his life by redefine his power of choice. He realized for the past 27 years of his life, he had a bright road with no abundance; however, things were starting to fall apart. He launched his company, but he was always constantly fighting what he knew that was mattered versus what was really matter the most. The reason that helps him get up every morning is the people who are surrounded in his life. He loves engaging moments. His believes what is right for him. Deep down, he is committed to his long life goal. DeSchutter realizes the current generation is conflict. It is important to deflect the voice from outside and trust the moment from within. The moment people give him the energy, it helps him get back on track of his life journey. In his perspective, there is no good or bad choice; in fact, the key is self-awareness and not looking from outside perspective. When there is a struggle, DeSchutter will remember 4 lessons he learned from his past.

• Contradict of what he will do
• Surround people who are good at what they are doing
• Trust them that they are better
• Put himself into “go for it” mode

DeSchutter believes when entrepreneurs use their lens to look through the world, they will find what they need to do naturally and the conversation usually follows. They know what they need to do, so they need to pay attention to those moments. These moments make up of purpose. A simple question entrepreneurs can ask themselves is “what are you grateful of?”. By putting themselves in the future self and have the tough question, they will discover their inner meaning of life. “Willingness to face what life throw at you” To maintain gratitude, DeSchutter will look for moments and feel the moment. People are not wired to be grateful, yet they are wired to survive. By having the moment of forgiveness, they can connect the feeling that matters. It is difficult to change and there will be struggle to implement. People will always have reasons. Therefore, DeSchutter wants entrepreneurs to create the habit and look for positivity first. Remember, it is not a checkbox, and they need to feel for it. They need to be aligned with their generous mentality. Gratitude is everywhere. Entrepreneurs will question themselves if they are on the right path. They should try to find a place that appreciate what goes on in their life. They need to trust the life ahead and not what other people say. People need to be accountable. They are not alone and they do not need to be alone. DeSchutter believes the key to build the right community is to first see difference of “look at” and “seen who you are”. The community should help people get real of who they really are when they show up. It should create the right space to have the right relationship. Entrepreneurs need to have the ownership of what is important to them. DeSchutter puts happiness in the equation of Chasing Sunrise. People are looking for huge things, but in reality, it is those small things or simple ways that count. Therefore, DeSchutter wants everyone to enjoy the experience. Technology can take people’s time away, but it is up to the individual to take back the ownership of what they really want in life. DeSchutter emphasizes it is impossible to ask technology to slow down, so utilize it to connect what matters the most in life. “The more open I am, the more people I discover that they are the same” Journey of Jaxon Jaxon Howell is the Founder of Nakedwood. He is also a professional lifestyle photographer. Many entrepreneurs refer him as a multi-passionate creative entrepreneur. His work is alive and has inspired many of his clients. His passion connects people around the world and his life experience has shaped him to a lovable person today. Howell grew up in Ontario. When he was a kid, his family religion impacted his life significantly. His religion created his limitation and restriction. He never celebrated holidays and any of life achievements. He eventually developed built and shame. In the age of 21, he followed him the path that his religion had created. He married a woman that he was not passionately loved. However, he thought he was obligated to be on the chosen path. He felt trapped, but he could not do anything since in his religion, divorce was a sin. At the age of 24, he ended his marriage and disfellowship his religion. After the decision, his parents had never talked to him ever again for over 14 years. Howell mentions his second relationship was bad. He got a divorce at the age of 31. He felt unloved and felt like a huge failure. The guilt and the same overwhelmed his life. He was completely lost. He began to chase after money, but in reality, there was no fulfillment. He felt empty and alone. Until one day, he got caught for trafficking drugs. This could put him for over 10-15 years in jail. He was scared and he felt out of control. He could not sleep for the first night and the next 2 weeks felt like 2 months. During his time in jail, Howell got real with himself. He dug deep in everything happened in his life. He realized he was taking the easy way out. He started to read, journal, and make list what he wanted for the rest of his life. He thought about who he wanted to be. In those moment in jail, Howell chose to look at this moment as gift. After he got out of jail, Howell started to enjoy everything about life. He was grateful of his first marriage because it made him to see what insight he wanted to be. He followed his gut feeling and learned to love over fear. His put his energy into friendship. He made the distinction that his religion he grew up with was not aligned with who he really was. He is not grateful to people who help him: the freedom, the small things in life, and the ability to communicate at easy level. Howell believes the biggest lesson he learned is patient and gratitude. Howell shares his gratitude practice to all entrepreneurs.

1. 5 things that entrepreneurs feel that they are grateful for
2. Make the effort to tell others how grateful they really are
3. Be grateful of the small things in life that others take for granted

Howell wants entrepreneurs to remember that the next time they are alone, remember who they want to be in life “The more gratitude you give, the more you see how your life really is”