Meet Josh Young

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Josh Young. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Josh, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

The pursuit of purpose is about discovering the meaning behind why you are here. It begins by asking yourself deeper questions and looking beyond yourself, beyond the traditional measures of success. Questions like: What can I do to make the world and those around me better? What was I created for? True purpose can align with your vocation or career, but many people find that their work alone doesn’t fully satisfy their deeper need for fulfillment.

I firmly believe it’s impossible to uncover our ultimate purpose without a connection to our Creator. While there are many fulfilling things to pursue in life, the foundational “why” and “for whom” are most clearly answered within a personal relationship with God.

Looking at most life journeys, you’ll notice a shift in focus over time. Early phases often revolve around career building, and achieving personal goals, but as life progresses, purpose broadens to something bigger. Words like legacy, significance and what will be the thing (s) I will be remembered for come into focus.

For me, finding purpose required an intentional pursuit of my “why” and a willingness to engage with areas of the world in desperate need. This journey has brought profound fulfillment and transformed how I approach my daily work.

What I would say to my younger self, and to those seeking meaning and purpose, start today and right where you are. Be intentional with your time and the pursuit of your “why”. Taking a step to think of and help others is a great step in discovering purpose.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I have the privilege of helping lead a Non-profit organization called Hydrating Humanity. We help provide access to safe, clean water, hygiene education and hope in East Africa. My role as Executive Director is helping lead our US based team in our overall strategy regarding branding, communications, donor relations, campaigns, technology etc. I’m also a board member so participate in our overall strategy and the effectiveness of our work in East Africa.

I’ve been a part of this endeavor since 2007 and since then have seen over a half million men, women and children gain access to safe water through one of our clean water wells. The stories of impact have been amazing. Our most recent initiative is called the Maasai School Project where in Phase 1 we will be drilling wells for 79 schools in the trans-mara region of Kenya.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

1. Be a Problem Solver, Not Just a Problem Finder.

Identifying issues is easy; being part of the solution takes effort and intention. Criticizing everything and everyone creates a negative outlook, but stepping in to solve problems makes you invaluable to your team and organization. By focusing on solutions, you’ll open doors to new opportunities and leadership roles.

2. Prioritize Your Personal Growth Journey.

Personal and professional growth is most successful when their is internal motivation attached to it. Development programs can be good, but unless you personally engage, it will not yield the best results. Truth is, we all go through seasons where it feels more difficult to keep up with our goals. When internal desire wanes, discipline becomes essential. Build habits that guide your actions regardless of how you feel, and let consistency shape your growth.

3. Be Known For Your Optimism and Hope.

You will make everyone around you better and be a whole lot more likable! Practicing gratitude and not allowing adversity to derail yourself or your team are critical, especially in leadership positions.

What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?

Right now, our greatest challenge is marketing: identifying new partnership opportunities and audiences to share both our impact story and the stories of those we are striving to help. Our team in Africa are truly extraordinary, and the work they’re accomplishing is nothing short of life-changing.

To date, the majority of our efforts and investments have been focused on the team and work in Africa. While this remains our ideal, and the reason for why we exist, the reality is, growing our partnership base goes hand-in-hand with our ability to successfully scale and execute the work on the ground. For-profit companies readily invest in themselves, marketing and overall growth strategies.

How do it well with great stewardship and ROI strategy in the non-profit space has been a challenge.

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