At Every Crossroads:
A Light Rises to Guide the Way.
Greg founded Aspire to Give Academy with the belief that every adult—regardless of where they are in life—deserves the know-how, guidance, and community to build their best life. He continues to steward the Academy’s mission with deep conviction, strategic vision, and a passion for empowering others, which is vitally critical at the crossroads of life.
Greg Doepke is the founder and President of Aspire to Give® Academy. A West Point graduate, military veteran, and Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy®, Greg is the visionary architect and author of the Pivot to Purpose Learning Series®. His life’s work is dedicated to equipping adults at life’s crossroads with the self-leadership, essential life skills, and tools to build their best life and foster a brighter future. Greg combines leadership, service, and belief in human potential in the Academy's curriculum. Learn more about Greg’s journey and vision HERE.
Stewards of Purpose and Success
Meet the dedicated leaders who guide Aspire to Give® Academy’s mission to empower lives at life’s crossroads.
“A true steward leads not from above, but from alongside — helping others grow into who they were meant to become.”
William Summey brings over thirty years of experience to his role at Aspire to Give® Academy, where he serves as the Dean of Lifelong Learning. His career spans two decades of teaching at middle school and college levels and twenty-one years in educational publishing, where he developed skills in making education relevant and practical .
He holds a B.A. in History and Social Studies Teaching Certification from Furman University, a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in Religion & Personality from Vanderbilt University. William has also spent twenty years teaching at the Belmont University School of Theology and Christian Ministry.
Outside of work, William is dedicated to his family, enjoys sports, reading, and contributes to his community by teaching Sunday School and serving as a Deacon at his church.
His work with Aspire to Give® Academy is driven by his passion for lifespan development and helping others create lasting legacies. William sums up his role at the Academy simply, "I'm here to help people at life's crossroads, using my belief in the importance of purpose and legacy. Coaching is more than guidance; it’s about empowering people to reach their highest potential and make a significant impact."
Valerie Doebler, with over three decades in public school education, is the Academy’s Leader of Success Coaching. With a background ranging from classroom teaching to Assistant Director of Exceptional Education, Valerie brings extensive and invaluable experience guiding students and adults through diverse educational challenges and transitions.
Valerie holds a B.S. in Special Education from James Madison University and a Master’s in Public School Administration and Supervision from Virginia Commonwealth University. Additionally, she is certified as a Mentor for Education for Ministry (EFM) from Sewanee, The University of the South, and as a Master Gardener from the Virginia Tech Extension Program.
Beyond her professional accolades, Valerie is a dedicated mother and grandmother, splitting her time between Virginia and Maine. Her passions include gardening, spiritual exploration, volunteering, and giving back to her community in meaningful ways.
Her connection to the Academy is deeply personal. As she says, “I didn’t get through these transitions on my own. There were many helpers along the way. Each provided support, guidance, and love. I want, I can, and I am called to give back. What better way to do that than through Aspire to Give® Academy?”
Executive Director for
Military & Veteran Success
Charles Livings, a seasoned professional with over four decades of experience in communication and professional development training, leads the Academy’s Military & Veteran Success Services. With expertise in guiding individuals through professional development challenges in academic and corporate environments, Charles has fostered opportunities for personal growth for workforce development.
Holding a B.A. in Speech from Auburn University Montgomery (AUM) and a Master of Arts in Communication from The University of Alabama, Charles is a certified Resiliency Building Leadership Professional Trainer (RBLP-T). He was honored as AUM’s Outstanding Adjunct Instructor in 2019 and has been inducted into prestigious orders such as the Order of Saint John Baptist de la Salle and the Order of Saint Maurice – Civis for his contributions to leadership training and service to transitioning military service members. Charles finds purpose in giving back to those around him.
His commitment to Aspire to Give® Academy is rooted in his personal journey and two decades of supporting service members in transition. Charles believes that "Transition is a team sport," emphasizing the importance of paying forward the support he received to empower others in reaching their goals.
Learn more about the Academy's flagship program - the Pivot to Purpose Learning Series® HERE.
Our Mission
Aspire to Give® Academy empowers young adults (17–27) at life’s crossroads with life skills, a success mindset, and purposeful guidance—supported by partners committed to their growth and impact.
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Cohort Learning
(Group of 5-10 Learners)
Cohort (Group) learning is the favored approach for adults, often provided by employers, foundations, and government organizations for workforce development, team-building, and professional growth. It combines three effective learning methods:
1. Discovering yourself
2. Learning with peers
3. Guidance from a success coach
This structure helps individuals gain personal insights, collaborate with others, and receive coaching in a supportive environment that fosters growth, encourages teamwork, and develops essential life skills for success.
Community Learning Groups
Peer learners, united by a common life transition, learn and support each other through shared experiences, empathetic engagement, and collective problem-solving. Community groups include veterans, young adults, recovering singles, and other common interest groups.
Lesson Exercises
Every course lesson includes a learning activity tailored to spark questions, foster reflection, and stimulate personal growth.
Success Coaches
Each cohort (group) of 8-15 learners is guided by an experienced, highly qualified Success Coach who serves as a mentor and resource. The Success Coach meets virtually with the group multiple times to enhance learning, guide learners, and answer learner questions.
Veterans Transition Empowerment Program
(V-TEP)
The V-TEP program of two bundled courses empowers veterans to chart their own unique path as they transition to civilian life. Join a supportive cohort led by an experienced coach, where veterans learn, share, and navigate the road to successful transition.
Four Pillars of Learning
The Academy’s innovative, inquiry-based curriculum centers on four key learning pillars:
1. Personal - tailored to the learner.
2. Positive - uplifting & supportive..
3. Probing - questions spark learning.
4. Practical - applicable to real-life.
Five Beliefs
1. Appreciate individuality
2. Give sincerely
3. Practice intentional generosity
4. Live with purpose
5. Choose wisely at life's junctures
Smart Goal Setting
Establishing specific, realistic, measurable goals in personal, family, career, and financial areas is crucial for navigating life transitions effectively. It creates clear guidelines for success during periods of change to craft your best life.
Coming Soon!
Digital Downloads
Each of the four courses of the series includes digital downloads of articles, research, references, and checklists that supplement the course video, workbook exercises, and cohort peer learning.
Crossword Puzzles
In addition to lesson exercises, each course includes 4 crossword puzzles as a fun way to learn the terminology. Being fluent in conversation with peers, coaches, mentors, and professional advisors is essential for successfully navigating life transitions.
Coming Soon!
Blog
Previous and new blog posts will enhance course and workbook content, equipping learners with extra references and resources on cutting-edge topics like the philanthropic frontier, effective financial generosity tools and strategies, and mastering life transitions throughout the lifespan.
Bundle #3
Legacy by Design
The Legacy by Design Program helps you give intentionally and generously to loved ones and special causes. Learn over a dozen financial giving strategies and how to avoid unintended consequences of financial generosity, evaluate nonprofit beneficiaries, and compose a legacy of love through letters capturing your aspirations, life-lessons, and values. Organize your personal affairs with this bundle, ideal for those with financial resources to share and in the sunset years of life. Legacy by Design is bundled courses #3 & #4.
Pivot to Purpose
Transition Program
Embark on a transformative journey with the two-course Pivot to Purpose Transition Program. Guided by a seasoned coach, adults navigating life transitions develop self-awareness, leadership, and renewed purpose and gain vital life skills to master life transitions.
7 Thinking Tools
In the Pathway to Purpose course, learners will enhance their decision-making skills with seven easy-to-use critical thinking tools. These tools will empower individuals to make more well-informed choices, allowing them to navigate life's challenges with greater confidence, comfort, and clarity.
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Success Coaching
Our Success Coaches nurture and mentor a cohort of 8-15 learners, providing vital guidance, support, and resources. Through periodic virtual meetings and email support, they cultivate essential life skills, ensuring every learner feels empowered and connected.
Meet Our Coaches
Highly trained and experienced coaches will lead the various life transition cohort groups, including military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Coaching profiles will be available on the Academy's website.
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
We embrace an educational philosophy anchored in Reciprocal Benevolence, where learning flourishes as a natural outcome of mutual kindness and support:
- Seek with an open heart, and you shall discover knowledge.
- Ask with caring curiosity, and wisdom will be imparted to you.
- Give generously, and in return, gain deeper insights.
- Do share the kindness, empathy, and respect you desire.
We nurture wisdom through caring questions, deliberate generosity, and thoughtful kindness.
Study Groups
Cohorts of 8-15 members from the same group are usually in the same class, promoting sharing and support among learners.
Pivot Points, Lesson 1
Learn the Lingo Answers
Crossroads of Life
During life, we encounter pivotal moments of choices, challenges, and changes that shape an unknown future. Examples include:
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Military veterans in transition -
Young adults (ages 18-28)
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Life rebuilders (bad choices or situation)
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Those recovering from a setback
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Recovering singles (lost relationship) -
Career changers & empty nesters
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Retirees scouting for opportunities
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Those at the sunset of life
Mutual Benevolence
Aligned with a shared purpose and guided by the principles of Reciprocal Benevolence, each contributing organization benefits both individually and collectively. This harmonious philosophy encourages mutual support, understanding, innovation, and growth for the greater good.
Strengths-based Resourcing
Srengths-based resourcing unites each organization's distinct strengths for the common purpose of maximizing the impact of life-skill education. Resourcing may include access to:
- Audiences with Life-skills
Educational Need - Expertise & Knowledge
- Financial Funding
- Additional Resources
- Policy Influence & Advocacy
- Best Practices
Essential Life Skills
In today's complex world, many adults lack the essential life skills needed to succeed. While formal education provides an academic and vocational foundation, there is often a void of vital life skills such as:
- Self-leadership
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Financial Literacy
- Emotional Intelligence
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Social Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Adapting to change
A: It had too many problems!
But then it learned that every problem has a solution!
Pivot Point
A pivot point is a significant change in perspective or life situation that results in choices, challenges, and changes in life's direction.
Self Leadership
Self-leadership is guiding oneself effectively, mastering life transitions effectively by investing time wisely to build relationships and to hone and enhancing skills for personal growth and success.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand, and manage one's own emotions, and to empathize with and influence the emotions of others.
Socratic Method
The Socratic Method of inquiry involves asking a series of probing questions to challenge assumptions and stimulate critical thinking, leading to greater understanding or insight.
Generous Inquiry
Generous Inquiry, a 5-step process derived from Socratic and appreciative inquiry methods, fosters critical thinking, open-mindedness, and collaborative problem-solving through structured, thoughtful questions and deep reflection.
Self Leadership
Life's transitions provide opportunities for growth. Mastering self-leadership, emotional intelligence, and vital soft and life skills is crucial for managing challenges. Cultivating these qualities leads to a fulfilling life and positive relationships. True leadership starts with self-leadership, by looking inward, enhancing self-awareness, and committing to personal development. These practices help navigate transitions with purpose and resilience.
Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence involves the ability to recognize and manage your own emotions, as well as understand the feelings of others. By developing emotional intelligence, you can enhance your capacity to navigate through life's various transitions more effectively. This is achieved through enhanced communication skills, a reduction in stress levels, and the cultivation of resilience to adapt to challenges.
Self Awareness
Self-awareness is understanding your own emotions, strengths, weaknesses, and values. It helps you navigate life's pivot points by allowing you to make informed decisions based on personal insight, adapt to changes smoothly, and align your actions with your renewed purpose and life goals, ensuring you stay true to yourself during critical life transitions.
Prospective Success Coaches
Transition Roadmap
In the Pivot Points Course (C#1), learners are introduced to a proven 5-step transition roadmap to pursue their renewed purpose to the next chapter of their life and foster a better tomorrow.
Aspire to Give® Academy's
Innovative Approach
1. Self-Leadership & Vital Life Skills: We nurture a self-leading positive mindset and develop personal, essential life skills such as communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, resilience, and time management.
2. Success Coaching: We offer courses individually or in groups (cohorts) led by experienced Success Coaches, acknowledging the important roles of parents, teachers, mentors, and coaches. This method delivers vital guidance for developing self-leadership, essential life skills, and enhancing lives.
3. Mutual Benevolence: Driven by universal wisdom and the embedded human aspiration to give, we promote caring generosity that fosters mutual benevolence that strengthens relationships, builds trust, enhances teamwork, enriches lives, and fosters a brighter future.
The Aspire to Give® Academy's curriculum, powered by smart technology, is ideal for adults at a life crossroad navigating the choices and challenges of change.
Reciprocal Benevolence
Seek, Ask, Give, & Do
Reciprocal Benevolence is anchored in the ageless, universal wisdom where purpose, meaning, and impact flourishes:
- Seek, and you shall find.
- Ask, and it will be given to you.
- Give, and you shall receive.
- Do onto others, as you would have them do onto you.
Guided by this wisdom and the embedded human desire to give, we nurture a culture of intentional generosity that builds better lives and fosters a better tomorrow.
Thriving Communities
Social Sharing for Societal Solutions™ empowers adults to build better lives and fosters thriving communities through community champions for:
- Stronger Families
- Life-skilled Workforce
- Economic Development
- Reduced Inequalities
- Community Enrichment
- Healthier Communities
Community Champions
Just as each player on a championship team has unique talents, each organization may have special strengths that will help adults develop the vital life skills needed to build their best lives. Champions include:
- Foundations & nonprofits
- Businesses & Professionals
- Government Agencies
- Colleges & Universities
- Community Groups
Success Coaching
Success Coaching of cohorts of 8-15 learners provides compassionate guidance to adults in need overcoming challenges, adapting to change, and making wise choices at life's crossroads. Success coaching during these pivotal moments is vital for success and essential for building better lives, fostering thriving communities, and creating a brighter tomorrow for all.
Transition Challenges on Life's Journey
As we journey through the crossroads of life, we face challenges, choices, and changes that sculpt our future. Mastering essential life skills is key to shaping the next chapter. Those disadvantaged who may require vital life skills include:
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Disconnected Young adults (ages 18-28)
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Health-challenged military veterans
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Troubled adults seeking a fresh start
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Adults facing adversity
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Young Military veterans in transition
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Adults experiencing a job loss
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Recovering singles (lost relationship)
Generous Questions
Generous Inquiry is the practice of asking open-ended, thoughtful questions to foster deeper understanding, build meaningful connections, and promote mutual growth and empathy.
Appreciative Inquiry
Appreciative Inquiry is a collaborative process that focuses on identifying and leveraging an organization's strengths and successes, encouraging positive change by exploring what works well, fostering innovation, and envisioning future possibilities through positive questioning and storytelling.
Conversational Setting
The conversational Setting, in the context of a meaningful conversation, is an environment where engaging conversations occur, characterized by active listening, mutual respect, and open dialogue, enabling both parties to share perspectives, ask thoughtful questions, and foster deeper understanding.
Active Listening
Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, responding, and remembering what is being said. In a generous conversation, 70-80% of the interaction should be dedicated to active listening, ensuring a genuine and empathetic exchange.
Plato's Allegory of the Cave
Plato’s Allegory of the Cave demonstrates how shifting from seeing only shadows in the spirit of the personal setting to a transcendent perspective can help perceive the full reality outside the cave and how that change in viewpoint may alter personal understanding of circumstances, discover truth, and reality.
Four Spirits
- Source: The foundational motivation for generosity, rooted in personal or spiritual beliefs.
- Self: Personal engagement and alignment of generosity with one's values and identity.
- Setting: The environment and relationships influencing generosity.
- Substance: The outcomes of generous acts, both tangible and intangible.
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Purpose
Purpose, central to the Generous Inquiry process, is the renewed sense of direction and that inspires and motivates adults through life's transitions, bringing meaning, hope, and direction, and for their future.
Gerotranscendence
Estate
In legal terms, an "estate" refers to all the assets and property owned by an individual at the time of their death, which are subject to distribution according to their will or state law.
Legacy
Legacy is the enduring impact of one's life, encompassing tangible and intangible contributions, relationships, and influences on others, reflecting personal values and achievements.
Accumulation Phase
The accumulation phase, lasting from birth to about age 55, focuses on investing time to build talents, education, skills, financial resources, and relationships, shaping the foundation for future phases of life.
Opportunity Phase
The opportunity phase is the second of three phases. With our gathered resources of wheelhouse gifts, good health, and time freedom, adults in this phase between about ages 55 and 75 pursue lifelong dreams, renew their purpose, and bring hope, meaning, and impact to their lives.
Distribution Phase
The distribution phase, starting around age 75, focuses on sharing one's love, lessons, values, and beliefs with others, and organizing one's personal affairs with the purpose of making a meaningful impact and giving back through one's accumulated gifts.
Logotherapy
Conversational Goals
Conversational goals are pre-planned objectives for a discussion aimed at clarifying understanding, providing direction, and seeking guidance to help an adult navigate the choices, challenges, and changes during a life transition.
Passion
Passion, in the context of a life transition, is the intense and motivating emotion that drives an adult to discover and pursue a purpose, inspiring them to overcome challenges and embrace change with enthusiasm.
Life Transition
Retirement
Retirement is a positive life transition offering time-freedom to pursue lifelong dreams and passions, embrace new opportunities, and experience personal growth, marked by increasing gerotranscendence and deeper fulfillment.
Wheelhouse Gifts
Wheelhouse gifts are the special mix of personal strengths, such as time, talents, money, and relationships, that people use to promote mutual kindness, growth, and success, improving their own lives and those of others.
Trust
Trust is the confidence that others will act with integrity, kindness, and goodwill, fostering reciprocal benevolence and a mutual aspiration to give, ensuring a supportive and reliable relationship.
Mentor
A mentor is a trusted, experienced guide who helps navigate life’s choices, challenges, and changes, offering support and wisdom with a spirit of mutual benevolence and personal growth.
Circles of Influence
- Inner circle of trusted confidants
- Advisory circle of trusted advisors
- Learning circle of mentors, teachers, coaches, & many others
- Beneficiary circle of those who benefit from your generosity and support.
Networking
Networking is the process of identifying, developing, and engaging personal, trusting relationships with mutual benevolence to navigate the challenges, changes, and choices during life’s transitions at crossroads.
Open-ended Questions
Open-ended questions are caring, intentional queries that prompt longer responses and foster trust, such as "What do you think about...?" or "How did you feel when...?" They enhance relationships by encouraging meaningful conversation and mutual benevolence.
Generous Conversation
Generous conversation involves asking caring, intentional questions and actively listening, fostering trust and meaningful dialogue in the spirit of mutual benevolence, and strengthening relationships through genuine, empathetic engagement.
Generosity
Generosity is the innate human aspiration to give selflessly, fostering reciprocal benevolence and building trusting relationships. Rooted in timeless wisdom, it supports successful life transitions by embracing mutual support and kindness.
Tuition Scholarships
Consider a Bulk Purchase
Equip your organization with Aspire to Give Academy’s life-changing courses to assist individuals in mastering their life transitions. By purchasing in bulk, you are reaching out and investing in education to make a significant impact on lives, families, and your community.
Community Champion
A community champion connects with like-minded partners to share organizational strengths and resources, empowering the disadvantaged to develop vital life skills for themselves and their loved ones, ultimately creating better lives, thriving communities, and a brighter future.
Guided Coaching
(1:1 with Success Coach)
Guided Coaching provides a flexible and independent approach with personalized one-on-one support from a Success Coach. It empowers adults by focusing on self-discovery and tailored expert guidance. Learners progress at their own pace while receiving insights from their coach, helping them stay on track and tackle challenges. This structure promotes growth in a supportive environment, equipping learners with vital life skills and confidence for making informed, purposeful decisions during transitions.
Self-paced Learning
(Total Flexibility; No Coaching)
Independent, self-paced learning offers complete flexibility, allowing adults to learn on their own terms. Without the need for peer interaction or coaching, learners focus entirely on self-discovery, engaging at their own pace. This approach provides the freedom to tailor around individual schedules and personal needs, fostering self-reliance and autonomy. Self-paced learning equips learners with essential life skills and insights, empowering them to adapt and grow during life's transitions, all within a structure that is as flexible as it is empowering.
Sponsorships
Businesses, foundations, nonprofits, government, or community groups can sponsor adults, a cohort of learners, or a disadvantaged group.
Grants
Aspire to Give Academy's social solutions outreach initiative partners with sponsoring foundations, nonprofits, academia, and government agencies to obtain grants to empower disadvantaged adults with the essential life skills to build better lives and foster a brighter future.
Generous Inquiry
Reciprocal Benevolence
Socratic Method
Purpose
Understanding the deep-seated reason that gives your life meaning, fulfillment, and direction—your ultimate "why" that motivates you daily. Purpose evolves and may shift at pivotal moments or life crossroads, guiding you to adapt and find renewed meaning as your life journey unfolds.
Finding Your Why
Discovering the core purpose, motivation, or reason behind your actions, decisions, and life choices. It is about understanding the deeper values, beliefs, or passions that drive you, giving clarity to what truly matters and aligns with your authentic self.
Ingredients of a Story
-Characters: The individuals, animals, or entities that act in a story.
-Setting: The time, place, and environment in a story.
-Plot: The sequence of events, theme and actions that make up the narrative.
-Conflict: The struggle or problem that drives the story and challenges the characters.
-Conclusion: The story's end is where conflicts are resolved, and the narrative ends.
Passions
Activities, interests, or pursuits that spark excitement, enthusiasm, and profound personal fulfillment, evolving naturally as an individual progresses through life’s journey.
Talents
Talents encompass the natural, ingrained abilities individuals possess, as well as the education, life lessons, and skills developed through experience. They also include unique personal characteristics, aptitudes, and capabilities that contribute to one’s potential for growth and achievement in personal and professional endeavors.
Success
Achievements that reflect progress, effort, or excellence in various aspects of life, including relationships, financial, professional endeavors, personal growth, community contributions, or other meaningful experiences.
Sweet Spot
The place where your passions, strengths, sense of meaning, fulfillment, and joy overlap—like the center of a Venn diagram where all these areas overlap or come together.
Strengths
Specific qualities, abilities, or characteristics that enable a person to perform well or achieve desired outcomes.
Meaning
The significance or deeper purpose behind actions, experiences, or life itself, often rooted in aligning with personal values, fostering connections, and contributing to something greater than oneself.
Joy
A deep and abiding sense of happiness, contentment, or delight, often arising from meaningful experiences or connections.
PACE decision-making
A structured approach to making thoughtful choices is by prioritizing goals and aligning to purpose, assessing options, considering consequences, and executing decisions that are aligned with personal values and desired outcomes.
Purpose: Identifying the reason behind your actions.
Alternatives: Exploring different possible paths.
Criteria/Consequences: Setting standards and understanding outcomes.
Evaluation: Assessing the best option based on set criteria.
Framing
A critical thinking method using generous inquiry to clarify, organize, and guide understanding by asking "Why?" "Who?" "When?" "What?" "How?" "How much?" and "Where?" This approach intentionally defines the perspective or "frame" for viewing a problem, question, or concept, shaping how information is interpreted, decisions are made, and actions are taken.
SMART
SMART is a framework for defining clear and achievable objectives. The acronym SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound, and it provides a structured approach to help individuals or teams create practical goals.
Specific: Goals should be clear and specific, answering the who, what, where, when, and why
Measurable: You need a way to track your progress and determine when you've achieved your goal.
Achievable: Goals should be realistic and attainable, considering your resources and constraints.
Relevant: Ensure your goals align with your broader objectives and values.
Time-bound: Set a deadline to create a sense of urgency and keep you focused.
Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information logically, objectively, and reasoned to form well-founded judgments or solutions. It involves questioning assumptions, identifying biases, and considering multiple perspectives to arrive at a more profound understanding or make informed decisions.
Discovery Thinking
A process of open-ended, generous questioning to uncover new information, ideas, or insights.
Five Whys
A human-centered, motivational approach tailored for Aspire to Give Academy, rooted in generous inquiry. It involves asking "why" five times in diverse, thoughtful ways to uncover deeper personal motivations, fostering reflection, empathy, and growth.
Alignment Thinking
A strategic approach to ensure that goals, actions, and values are aligned to purpose across individuals or teams.
Reflective Questions
Thought-provoking, generous questions designed to encourage introspection, evaluation, and a deeper understanding of experiences or decisions.
Possibilities Thinking
A creative process of imagining alternative scenarios, opportunities, or solutions without constraints or limitations.
Vetting Thinking
A critical review and analysis of information, ideas, or proposals to ensure accuracy, credibility, and relevance.
Six Thinking Hats®
1. White Hat: Information, Facts
2. Red Hat: Emotions, Feelings
3. Green Hat: Creativity, New Ideas
4. Yellow Hat: Optimism, Benefits
5. Black Hat: Risks, Caution
6. Blue Hat: Organization, Process
Risk Management
A methodical evaluation of potential risks and uncertainties associated with potential decisions or actions and applying four risk management tools to determine the most effective tool(s) to mitigate risk.
LISTEN
LISTEN is a plan for clear, consistent, generous conversations as part of goal setting. The acronym LISTEN stands for ...
Listen: You should actively listen in these conversations.
Inquire: Plan to utilize open-ended questions.
Summarize: As you go, summarize for clear understanding.
Take Notes: For key points and actions, always take notes.
Empathize: Do so in the spirit of mutual benevolence.
Next Steps: Always clarify the path forward.
Pivot to Purpose
Learning Series®
The Pivot to Purpose Learning Series® is a registered trademark and proprietary curriculum of Aspire to Give® Academy, ensuring high-quality, research-backed, life-skills education for adults facing pivotal life transitions.
Pathway to Purpose:
Stories & Questions for Clarity
This course is suitable for any life transition at any stage. The curriculum focuses on extensive learner engagement and is enhanced by AI and smart technologies throughout the proven transition roadmap. It is available in Self-paced, 1:1 Guided, and Cohort coaching formats. This is the second and final course of the Pivot to Purpose Transition Program, taken after completing the foundational Pivot Points course.
Compose a Legacy of Love
This course is for those in the later stages of life or anyone looking to organize their financial and estate matters while expressing their wishes, wants, and intentions through "love Letters." It is offered in self-paced and 1:1 guided coaching formats. Although not required, completion of the foundational Pivot Points course is highly recommended. Learners will receive a Certificate of Completion after finishing the course.
The Art & Science of
Financial Generosity
Learn to give generously with financial strategies that create a lasting legacy of significance and impact. This course is for those with financial resources to share or who want to manage finances wisely for family and important causes. It is offered in self- paced, 1:1 Guided, and Cohort coaching formats. Completion of the Pivot Points course before enrolling in this course is recommended but not mandatory. Learners will receive a Certificate of Completion.
The Pivot to Purpose
Learning Series®
The learning series is a registered trademark and proprietary curriculum of Aspire to Give® Academy, offering high-quality, research-based education for adults undergoing significant life changes. With an embedded educational philosophy of Reciprocal Benevolence, each course is enhanced with AI and advanced technologies for tailored and effective learning.
Pivot Points:
Mastering Life's Transitions
This foundational course is designed for all stages of life. Carefully crafted AI and other smart technologies enhance the customized curriculum for young adults and military veterans transitioning to civilian life. Each of the Pivot Point courses is available in self-paced, 1:1 Guided, and Cohort coaching formats. This course, part of the Pivot to Purpose Transition Program, is the first of two courses, and upon completion, learners receive a Certificate of Completion.
The Pivot to Purpose
Program for Young Adults
Designed to guide and empower Young Adults (ages 18-28), this Transition Program begins with Pivot Points for a strong foundation, then allows them to discover their future with Pathway to Purpose. Young adults are guided through a 5-step proven learning roadmap to build the next chapter of their lives as they develop self-leadership, discover their purpose, learn vital life skills, and apply seven critical thinking tools. This program is available in three alternative learning formats: self-paced, 1:1 guided coaching, or cohort coaching.
Veterans
Transition Program (VTP)
The Veterans Transition Program (VTP) of two sequential courses, Pivot Points and Pathway to Purpose, supports veterans transitioning to civilian life. Forge Your Future, Honor Your Service reflects our dedication to helping veterans overcome unique challenges by utilizing their military skills with a success mindset. The program enhances vital life skills and provides critical thinking tools and resources for building a purposeful future. It is offered in Self-paced, 1:1 Guided Coaching, and Cohort Coaching formats.
Pivot to Purpose
Core Transition Program
This program bundle of two sequential courses, Pivot Points and Pathway to Purpose, is designed for adults of all ages navigating significant life changes. It builds a success mindset, enhances vital life skills, and applies seven critical thinkinng skills in pursuit of a renewed purpose. Tailored versions of this bundle are available for young adults and military veterans, with more specialized options planned for future release. This program is available in the self-paced, 1:1 guided coaching, and cohort coaching formats.
Legacy by Design
This program bundle, consisting of two courses—Compose a Legacy of Love and The Art & Science of Financial Generosity—is for at adults nearing the end of their lives who have financial resources to share, or those looking to organize their personal affairs and convey their wishes to loved ones and important causes. It is available in self-paced, 1:1 guided coaching, and cohort coaching formats upon request.
Significance
Significance is the impact you have on others. While success is about personal or professional achievements, significance is about leaving a mark through generosity, care, and purpose-driven actions.
Stewardship
A steward is someone who wisely manages their resources to balance both present needs and future impact
Non-financial Legacy
A non-financial legacy is the meaningful significance of your life's influence on family, friends, and philanthropic endeavors.
Saver Personality
An unbalanced “squirrel away for tomorrow” money personality who often sacrifices their living legacy to be concerned about personal future financial security.
Spender Personality
An un-balanced “live for today” money personality reflected in excessive spending, with little concern for future financial wellness or security.
Steward Personality
A balanced present vs. future money personality that appreciates, understands, and intentionally aligns and leverages their financial resources to craft both living and lasting legacies.
Money-Personality
An individual’s financial attitude and behavior developed during the accumulation phase of the life journey.
Living vs. Lasting Legacy
A living legacy is how you live your life. A lasting legacy is your life’s impact on others and causes greater than self.
Community
Individuals and organizations that align with the donor’s philanthropic passion(s) and purpose. outreach beneficiary beyond family with their passions and purpose reflects their aspiration to “make a difference” or “give back.” There may be more than one “community” (example: women’s financial literacy, children’s education, etc.).
Estate
Estate: An estate is the sum of a person's assets – legal rights, interests, and entitlements to property of any kind – less all liabilities at that time. This term has embedded negative emotions and primarily focuses on financial assets (not the individual). In contrast, this course and the learning series focus on the positive, life-giving goodness of the individual.
Family Love Letters
Also known as Legacy Love Letters, these documents convey love, intent, caring, wishes, wants, and aspirations in three different formats: family, legal, and special causes (philanthropic).
Relationship Triage
A method of prioritizing relationships based on their current state:
- Renew (reconnect or heal)
- Harmonize (adjust or balance)
- Strengthen (invest or deepen)
Emotional Undercurrent
The deeper, often unspoken emotions—such as grief, pride, fear, or resentment—that influence how people behave in family dynamics and conflicts.
Family Systems
The idea that families function as interconnected emotional units, where each person’s role, behavior, and history influence the whole group.
