Mission, Vision, and a Whole Lot of Purpose
Mon Aug 04 2025
Itâs kind of funny when I think about itâthroughout my entire career, Iâve taught people how to use tools. Tech tools, communication tools, leadership frameworks, sales systemsâyou name it. And while the tools keep evolving arp speed, the way I teach them hasnât changed a bit. I teach people, not platforms. I bring a human-first approach to everything I do. Whether it's helping someone close a sale, lead a team, or troubleshoot a network issue, I instill a deep sense of humanity into the process. Because itâs never really about the toolâitâs about the person using it.Thatâs been true for the last 20 years. And it will be even more important in the next 20.
The world has changed a lot since I first dialed into the internet using a modem, taught others how to use Netscape, or delivered top-secret messages while serving in the Navy. And itâll keep changing faster than ever. But one thing hasnât changedâand wonât: People still crave real connection, clear communication, and contagious energy that lifts them up.So whatâs next?Iâve spent the last few decades teaching, selling, leading, speaking, writing, coaching, and creating. Now, Iâm setting my sights on the next 20 years with a clear mission, a bold vision, and a whole bunch of momentum.
đ My Mission: To Amplify Human Potential Through Communication, Connection, and Contagious Positivity
Whether Iâm on stage, behind a mic, in a classroom, on a Substack post, or having coffee with someone whoâs just trying to figure out whatâs nextâIâm here to light people up and help them believe in whatâs possible.I do that through:- Words that move people â written, spoken, posted, or podcasted.- Tools that teach â because we donât need more theory, we need practices that work in real life.- Moments that matter â the 15-minute break at Multnomah Falls, the compliment to a stranger, the vulnerability shared in a training room.My mission is to show up fully, share generously, and help people become the most energized, inspired, and effective version of themselvesâwithout burning out in the process.
đ My Vision: To Be a Global Voice of Human-Centered Success in a Technology-Driven World
Weâre entering a world of AI-generated content, remote work, automation, and hyper-productivity.Hereâs what I see:- More noise, less clarity- More hustle, less heart- More tech, less humanThatâs where I come in. In the next 20 years, Iâm building a body of work that helps people stay grounded, connected, and happy in a rapidly shifting world. Iâll be:- đ Speaking to organizations hungry for energy, engagement, and empathy- đ§ Training teams to thrive with less burnout and more brilliance- đ Writing books and articles that feel like a deep breath of clarity- đș Streaming content that teaches and inspires in under 10 minutes- đ§° Creating tools to help people build practices, not just chase goals- đĄ Mentoring leaders to lead from the frontâwith kindness and courageBecause if weâre going to thrive in the future, we need more than just faster tech. We need better humans. Thatâs my jam.
đŻ What Stays the Same
There are a few constants that will continue to shape everything I do:- Written Communication â because great writing creates great thinking.- Verbal Communication â because how we say it is as important as what we say.- Public Speaking â because transformation needs a microphone.- Teaching and Training â because weâre all still learning.- Sales Enablement and Coaching â because relationships move the needle.- Emotional Intelligence â because humanity is still the most valuable skill weâve got.I donât just want to do this work. I want to teach others how to do it tooâso they can pass it on, ripple it out, and build teams, families, and lives filled with purpose.
đ Legacy, Not Just Longevity
Iâm not in this to go viral.Iâm in this to make a dent. To build a library of wisdom. To leave behind a body of work that helps people choose connection over chaos, humanity over hustle, and purpose over performance pressure.I want people to look back at something I wrote, something I said, or something I taught and say:âThat helped me. That made me feel like I could do something meaningfulâand still be me.âIf youâve ever read something I shared, listened to a podcast episode, heard me speak, or even just exchanged a high-five on LinkedInâthank you. Iâm not doing this for youâIâm doing it with you.
đ Want to Be Part of the Next 20?
Hereâs how we roll into the future together:- Subscribe to The Happiness Practices â get the tools I use and teach to stay energized and inspired- Bring me in to speak â your audience needs more fire and more heart- Start your own happiness practice â because your joy is your responsibility- Connect with me on LinkedIn â letâs build a better network of good humans doing great things- Tell someone you appreciate them today â because that stuff multiplies
Final Thought
The next 20 years of Phil Gerbyshak wonât be built on trends or tactics.Theyâll be built on timeless truths and transformative practices.Iâm not trying to be everything to everyone. Iâm trying to be something meaningful to those who want to lead, live, and love with purpose.Letâs make the next 20 years the best, most human, most joyful years yet.Letâs go.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyaf.substack.com/subscribe
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Itâs kind of funny when I think about itâthroughout my entire career, Iâve taught people how to use tools. Tech tools, communication tools, leadership frameworks, sales systemsâyou name it. And while the tools keep evolving arp speed, the way I teach them hasnât changed a bit. I teach people, not platforms. I bring a human-first approach to everything I do. Whether it's helping someone close a sale, lead a team, or troubleshoot a network issue, I instill a deep sense of humanity into the process. Because itâs never really about the toolâitâs about the person using it.Thatâs been true for the last 20 years. And it will be even more important in the next 20. The world has changed a lot since I first dialed into the internet using a modem, taught others how to use Netscape, or delivered top-secret messages while serving in the Navy. And itâll keep changing faster than ever. But one thing hasnât changedâand wonât: People still crave real connection, clear communication, and contagious energy that lifts them up.So whatâs next?Iâve spent the last few decades teaching, selling, leading, speaking, writing, coaching, and creating. Now, Iâm setting my sights on the next 20 years with a clear mission, a bold vision, and a whole bunch of momentum. đ My Mission: To Amplify Human Potential Through Communication, Connection, and Contagious Positivity Whether Iâm on stage, behind a mic, in a classroom, on a Substack post, or having coffee with someone whoâs just trying to figure out whatâs nextâIâm here to light people up and help them believe in whatâs possible.I do that through:- Words that move people â written, spoken, posted, or podcasted.- Tools that teach â because we donât need more theory, we need practices that work in real life.- Moments that matter â the 15-minute break at Multnomah Falls, the compliment to a stranger, the vulnerability shared in a training room.My mission is to show up fully, share generously, and help people become the most energized, inspired, and effective version of themselvesâwithout burning out in the process. đ My Vision: To Be a Global Voice of Human-Centered Success in a Technology-Driven World Weâre entering a world of AI-generated content, remote work, automation, and hyper-productivity.Hereâs what I see:- More noise, less clarity- More hustle, less heart- More tech, less humanThatâs where I come in. In the next 20 years, Iâm building a body of work that helps people stay grounded, connected, and happy in a rapidly shifting world. Iâll be:- đ Speaking to organizations hungry for energy, engagement, and empathy- đ§ Training teams to thrive with less burnout and more brilliance- đ Writing books and articles that feel like a deep breath of clarity- đș Streaming content that teaches and inspires in under 10 minutes- đ§° Creating tools to help people build practices, not just chase goals- đĄ Mentoring leaders to lead from the frontâwith kindness and courageBecause if weâre going to thrive in the future, we need more than just faster tech. We need better humans. Thatâs my jam. đŻ What Stays the Same There are a few constants that will continue to shape everything I do:- Written Communication â because great writing creates great thinking.- Verbal Communication â because how we say it is as important as what we say.- Public Speaking â because transformation needs a microphone.- Teaching and Training â because weâre all still learning.- Sales Enablement and Coaching â because relationships move the needle.- Emotional Intelligence â because humanity is still the most valuable skill weâve got.I donât just want to do this work. I want to teach others how to do it tooâso they can pass it on, ripple it out, and build teams, families, and lives filled with purpose. đ Legacy, Not Just Longevity Iâm not in this to go viral.Iâm in this to make a dent. To build a library of wisdom. To leave behind a body of work that helps people choose connection over chaos, humanity over hustle, and purpose over performance pressure.I want people to look back at something I wrote, something I said, or something I taught and say:âThat helped me. That made me feel like I could do something meaningfulâand still be me.âIf youâve ever read something I shared, listened to a podcast episode, heard me speak, or even just exchanged a high-five on LinkedInâthank you. Iâm not doing this for youâIâm doing it with you. đ Want to Be Part of the Next 20? Hereâs how we roll into the future together:- Subscribe to The Happiness Practices â get the tools I use and teach to stay energized and inspired- Bring me in to speak â your audience needs more fire and more heart- Start your own happiness practice â because your joy is your responsibility- Connect with me on LinkedIn â letâs build a better network of good humans doing great things- Tell someone you appreciate them today â because that stuff multiplies Final Thought The next 20 years of Phil Gerbyshak wonât be built on trends or tactics.Theyâll be built on timeless truths and transformative practices.Iâm not trying to be everything to everyone. Iâm trying to be something meaningful to those who want to lead, live, and love with purpose.Letâs make the next 20 years the best, most human, most joyful years yet.Letâs go. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit happyaf.substack.com/subscribe