Where we come from leads us to where we are going and I love my journey thus far!
Take a read of my story below, we may have some synergies!
I'm looking forward to learning your journey!
Find out why I'm so motivated to grow this community.
YOUR PEOPLE YOUR PLACE
When your life plan changes unexpectantly, it really rocks your world.
Back in March 2021.....
I received a phone call that altered the trajectory of my career in an industry that I had spent 31 years and shockingly it was completely out of the blue.
I had two hard lessons to learn.
One, hard work and dedication do not guarantee job security. I was fortunate to build something that I was completely and utterly proud of, no apologies and very few regrets.
Two, I realized that what I had built was someone else's dream. I treated it as my dream but that could not change the fact that it was not my company.
Any of this sound familiar? You have a plan or vision in your head, you dedicate yourself, invest in yourself to do the best possible job, give it your all, and then in the blink of an eye, it's gone.
You are on your own. Time for a transition you didn't plan, are you ready?
Peership Community
I mentioned investing in myself and that was in the form of a peer advisory and mentoring organization. Business leaders gathering to learn, challenge and advise one another. Access to great minds, adverse thinking and wonderful educational opportunities.
The amount of benefit received was clearly linked to the ability to listen and learn through participation. You had to be a truly active participant. You had to be honest, vulnerable and humble, only then could you possibly absorb the knowledge that was being shared by fellow members, coaches and guest speakers. I am so grateful for that experience and little did I know it would turn into the catalyst for my journey and dedication to building Your People Your Place.
It has been a long and sometimes strange journey with lots of soul searching and contemplation. But the idea of building a community that reaches out to ALL mid-lifer's seeking gratitude, joy and wisdom seems almost to good to be true.
Yes, I want to build something that can be "my dream" but my dream includes building something for YOU.
A peership community - I've decided that's a thing :)
This is a place where you can come and be YOU, the true, authentic version of YOU. This is where YOU can have your inner circle, your community of supporters, teachers, mentors and friends. It is a place where YOU can find and maximize a life anchored in GRATITUDE and JOY.
JOY
What if I only want to be happy? Why JOY?
Simple answer, happiness tends to be outward, driven by the situation we find ourselves in and our feelings at that moment. Joy on the other hand, is what is inside us, driving us forward, gives us weak knees, determination, courage, truth, meaning, humility, and vulnerability. You could say joy is spiritual or sits on top of our core beliefs.
Our beliefs have to spread over the entire spectrum from the obscenely best and worst of times that this life has to offer. Knowing and seeking one’s JOY allows us to pass through the good, the bad and the ugly with peace and solace. AKA-JOY. Can I get a hell yeah?!
MY BLURB
Right, this is the “About” section of the website. Here’s my bio piece.
David Burnside is a seasoned executive who rose through the ranks to become...David started as one of the youngest national sales executives in the industry in 1989… blah blah blah
This is not LinkedIn - that versions lacks soul! That's because it does not tell you anything about ME! If you're going to join YPYP you want to know the person behind the idea, right?
Here’s what matters most. Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a husband to a magical spouse (took #3 to find the right one!) and the father of two incredible young men (my legacy, my greatest accomplishment), a son (Dad has passed), a brother (number three of four).
Hell bent on honesty, integrity and humility which becomes evident if you are part of my inner circle. While I strive for those, I am prone to moments of weakness and failure. I am more introverted than extroverted, I am a man of faith and that is the foundation on which I stand every day. And I want to make a difference to people in the mid-life, make a difference for their future, to give them companions along the way...
HAPPINESS, JOY, FUN, CONTENTMENT, PEACE, BLISS- LIFE HAS TO BE ALL THESE THINGS
I love to have fun, I think we tend to make life more difficult for ourselves than we dedicate ourselves to pursuing gratitude and joy. I think people in general are scared of their truth. I am not a fan of guilt, although I experience it more than I care to. I believe good far outweighs evil in 99.9 percent of people's lives and I cling to the hope that people will rise to what is bound in “doing the right thing".
I remember that boy back in the 70's - I remember knowing my whole life was ahead of me - that invincibility is incredible isn't it? Imagine feeling like that, that freedom, EVERY day - that's what it feels like when you're in charge of your destiny. That's why we feel so incredible when we are young, when we are embarking on a future we are excited for but can't see how it will pan out.
It is a shame that we do not always feel like we can pursue our joy until we're older - imagine if we had this inner self-awareness at 17!! Well, we can't go back in time - but we can make darned sure we have an incredible second act! We will most probably live 100 years - so let's go and get after it people!!
TRAVEL
I have traveled to 49 US States and eight other countries, giving me a wonderful perspective on life while keeping me humble to the fact that I am 1 of 8 billion people who are largely trying to survive and thrive in this thing called life.
That covers the important stuff, here is some less important stuff: love wine, food, cooking, entertaining, travel, golf, hiking, kayaking and continuing my quest for knowledge.
Lastly, trust is something that is most sacred to me and I am sure you feel the same way. I look to earn your trust as your sherpa, guide, mentor, person, or dude on your journey through life. I will do my best to deliver real life experiences that can shape and change your life IF you choose to join me and if and only if we can learn to trust each other.
Welcome to Your People Your Place !
