We recently connected with Gary Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Gary, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Most high schoolers spend their free time watching TV, playing video games, or hanging out with friends. I wasn’t that kid. While my peers were immersed in pop culture, I was deep in the world of ideas—obsessed with TED Talks. I would scroll endlessly, captivated by thought leaders sharing perspectives that challenged the way we see the world.
One day, I stumbled upon a talk that would change my life: How Great Leaders Inspire Action by Simon Sinek. In it, he introduced the concept of starting with why—the idea that truly great leaders and organizations don’t begin with what they do or how they do it, but rather with a deep, unwavering sense of purpose. They lead with a cause, a belief, something bigger than themselves that drives every decision they make.
Something clicked.
It felt like someone had turned on a light bulb in my mind. This wasn’t just an interesting idea—it was language for something I had always felt but didn’t know how to articulate. I had this deep desire to live differently, to do something meaningful, to lead from a place of purpose. And suddenly, this framework gave me a way to understand it.
Most people would have stopped at inspiration, but I wanted more. I reached out to Simon’s team—not expecting much, just feeling compelled to express my gratitude. This was before he became a household name, and to my complete shock, someone from his team responded.
They asked if I wanted to have a conversation with Simon Sinek himself.
I said yes.
When I got on the call with him, I had no real agenda other than to thank him. But then he asked me a question that stopped me in my tracks:
“Do you know what your why is?”
I stumbled through some kind of answer, but he could tell I hadn’t fully articulated it yet. So, right there on the call, he started walking me through his process—his exact method for uncovering a personal sense of purpose. Your purpose is discovered through exploring the meaning you’ve assigned to different stories throughout your life. And through that conversation, I discovered my why:
To inspire others to stop and think so that they can imagine a better future.
That moment was a turning point. Not only did I get clarity on my own purpose, but I learned directly from Simon how to guide others through the same process. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of people uncover their own sense of purpose—crafting statements that serve as a guiding force in their lives and work.
Your purpose isn’t just a statement; it’s a tool for discernment. It’s the lens through which you make decisions, align your actions, and live with intention. And helping others find that clarity has become one of the most fulfilling parts of my journey.
Looking back, I think about that high school kid who didn’t know exactly what he was searching for—but knew he wanted something more. And thanks to a TED Talk, an unexpected phone call, and a simple yet profound question, I found it.
And now, I get to help others do the same.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
At the core of everything I do is one simple belief: clarity is the first step toward a better future.
I help online business owners, changemakers, and authors cut through the noise, simplify their strategy, and focus on what truly moves the needle—so they can create more impact without spinning their wheels.
I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies. Instead, I help people develop a business that works with who they are, leveraging personality insights, mindset shifts, and productivity systems to create sustainable success—from the inside out.
I’ve worked with thousands of online business owners, authors, and changemakers to refine their messaging, streamline their offers, and structure their work in a way that feels both effective and sustainable. Whether it’s through coaching, workshops, or accountability programs, my focus is on helping people take meaningful action without burning out.
If you’re someone who has big ideas but struggles with follow-through… if you feel like you’re constantly busy but not making real progress… or if you’re looking for a way to build a business that aligns with your strengths without sacrificing your sanity—then we should talk.
Because at the end of the day, my mission is simple: to help you get clear, get focused, and move forward with confidence.
Let’s make it happen.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are curiosity, strategic thinking, and purpose-driven leadership. These have shaped how I approach my work, how I help others, and how I navigate challenges.
1️⃣ Curiosity: Asking the Right Questions
I’ve always believed that better questions lead to better answers. Whether in business, coaching, or life, curiosity is what drives clarity, creativity, and growth. The ability to ask tell me more, what if, and how could this be different is often what separates those who stay stuck from those who innovate and move forward.
Advice: Cultivate the habit of asking questions to dig deeper—not just about what’s in front of you, but about the bigger picture. If something isn’t working, instead of forcing it, ask What’s another way? or What’s really at the root of this?
2️⃣ Strategic Thinking: Seeing the Bigger Picture
It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day grind, reacting to whatever’s urgent. But real progress happens when you step back and see how the pieces fit together. Whether in business strategy or personal growth, taking a broader view helps ensure that every move is intentional, not just reactive.
Advice: Regularly zoom out. Ask yourself, Am I just moving, or am I moving in the right direction? Am I moving toward a better future? Build reflection into your routine—whether through journaling, coaching, or simply stepping away to see things with fresh eyes.
3️⃣ Purpose-Driven Leadership: Putting People and Impact First
Success isn’t just about what you accomplish—it’s about who you serve and how you make a difference. The most effective leaders and businesses don’t chase growth or profit for the sake of it; they focus on what will create the greatest impact. Keeping people at the center of your decisions ensures that your work remains meaningful, sustainable, and deeply fulfilling.
Advice: Instead of asking What do I want to achieve?, ask Who do I want to serve? and What will make the biggest difference? Prioritizing impact leads to more aligned decisions, stronger relationships, and long-term success.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I love partnering with online business owners, changemakers, and authors—as well as those who serve them—whether through coaching, training, facilitating, or community-building. If your work is about helping people create impact, gain clarity, and move forward with confidence, I’d love to explore ways to collaborate.
If there’s a way I can be of service to your audience, let’s chat! I’m open to collaborations such as guest speaking, workshops, training, podcast interviews, and community partnerships. Whether it’s a live session, a guest appearance, or another collaboration, my goal is always to provide actionable value that helps people take meaningful steps forward.
Topics I Can Share with Your Audience:
🌎 Productivity & Focus: How to design your time and energy around what truly matters, eliminate friction, take the next step, make consistent progress, and get into deep work mode.
🌎 Mindset & Momentum: How to overcome resistance, trust yourself, and create the habits that lead to lasting progress.
🌎 Simplifying Strategy to Reduce Friction: How to cut through complexity, make clear decisions, and focus on what moves the needle.
🌎 Personality-Driven Strategy: How to align your work with your unique way of thinking from a strengths-based perspective to make decisions that feel natural, not forced.
🌎 Purpose-Driven Impact: How to connect your work to a bigger vision and take meaningful steps toward creating real impact.
If you’re looking for a speaker, guest expert, or collaborator, let’s connect! You can reach me at betterfuturecoaching.com or find me on LinkedIn or Instagram below. Looking forward to collaborating!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://betterfuturecoaching.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betterfuturegary
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachgarywilliams
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