Instagram story viewer> @aaronrbarnett_> Tagged

Aaron Barnett | Life, Leadership, and Business Coach

@aaronrbarnett_

4.7K

followers

1938

following

“Reimagining spaces and places…”
Chicago,IL 📍

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Southern Cali, you were good to us. 🌊🍩

Spent a few days on the West Coast with Hannah Gronowski Barnett @hannah.g.barnett and Aaron Barnett @aaronrbarnett_ of Generation Distinct @generationdistinct , building something I can’t wait for you to see. Working alongside people who lead with purpose (and trust you to do your thing) makes every long day feel light.

We got to sit down with Jeff Osborne @jefftosborne , and he showed up with so much energy, generosity, and heart. Even late into the night, he was all in. Thank you, Jeff.

Huge shoutout to Painted Dough @painteddough for opening your doors and turning your shop into our set. The donuts were stocked, the pink was glowing, and the vibe was exactly right.

This trip was also the first real test of a NEW mobile setup: a full studio look, packed down to fit in a suitcase and a backpack. More on that in a future post. 👀

Grateful for the work, the people, and the stories we get to tell.

#BrightCapEntertainment #GenerationDistinct #FilmmakerLife #SonyFX3 #Godox

14

0

In a world that moves quickly, meaningful connection can often take a backseat to busy schedules, growing loneliness, and cultural divisions.

This month, we’re welcoming Ian Simkins to the Generation Distinct Coalition Call for a timely conversation on How to Reclaim Connection Amidst Busyness, Loneliness, and Cultural Divisions.
Together, we’ll explore what it looks like to build meaningful relationships, bridge divides, and cultivate genuine connection in the world we live in today.
We’re looking forward to this conversation and the opportunity to grow together as a community.

See you soon!

#GenerationDistinct #CoalitionCall #ReclaimConnection #CommunityAndConnection

60

0

What a dream this life is.

First. Marathon…. Chicago.

18 weeks of training put in. No snoozed alarms. No half efforts. Gave all I could to this.

Family was there in full support and hustled all day to see us SIX times during the race. Seeing Brittany, Winston, and my parents every few miles gave me something extra that wouldn’t have been there otherwise.

Shoulder to shoulder with Aaron and David all race. We did it TOGETHER.

When I think back to the challenges that this last month, and this race presented, it’s so representative of life…. Joy, pain, hopes, fears, obstacles, setbacks, and triumph. Life can bring all these and more, but who you get to do it WITH is what makes up the secret sauce of a good life and well- a good race.

In this one, adversity came early and often.

Early on realized it would be a tough day. Started feeling that little toe blister around mile 8- Proud of how I was able to block it out and run 18 more with it.

Yes. it was hot! I came in already way behind on hydration and nothing was going to be able to change that on race day.

By mile 10-the medicine I used to help this IBS flare and avoid the bathrooms dramatically increased my HR and made the day tough. Majority of the race I was in the 150s/160s even early on trying to stay calm and maintain a slower pace.

By mile 20 the course was packed full of runners trying to regroup, walk, getting sick, lines at all the bio freeze stations to try to get things rolling. It was a war zone of sorts. Just trying to navigate the course in the heat with so many people was very challenging.

By mile 22 I couldn’t run more than 5-6 mins at a time without both hamstrings going into full cramp. Thinking back on this just proud to keep it moving. I could walk for 15 seconds then get back into a slow rhythm run and then start the cycle over. Mentally I had to battle the frustrations and not give in- just find solutions of what we COULD do.

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and appreciation for this experience and what I learned out there about myself, and the standard I will hold myself to. Will be back. 🙏🏻

69

16

Relationship Social + Puppy Yoga + Bible Study in the Park = perf start to October and birthday szn 🥰✨

54

8

Sept felt like a Shift into a different gear

We launched our First Ascension Pop Up @rockfordempowermentcenter
Officially kicking off the road to Ascension 2027

I got the opportunity to preach the Gospel 5 times which means we shared the good news this month to over 550 young people

I was blessed with the honor to officiate 2 weddings
I was invited to champion and speak to the talented boys playing this year at @ru_mbb

I got quality time with my colleagues at a much needed pray and play in Chicago 😮‍💨

Got to see my first Bears game in a decade 😭

And the crazy Part THERE IS MORE TO COME!!

130

5

The Next Purpose Cohort Starts on October 12th.
Applications are OPEN.

Apply now by clicking the link in our bio.

19

3

GIVEAWAY: Everything You Need to Lock In & Start Building. 📈

But first: October 6. Save the date.

We’re hosting a FREE virtual meeting for young adults who know they want their life to make an impact—but are trying to figure out what they’re called to build and how to actually start.

Maybe you want to:

Build a business.
Launch a nonprofit.
Start a gathering.
Write the book.
Create an art experience.
Build something that doesn’t even have a name yet.

This webinar is for you.

On October 6, we’re hanging out with our friend KILTON KESS for a conversation about purpose, calling, and what it actually looks like to move from dreaming about the impact you want to make → to DOING something about it.

We’ll talk about how to get clarity on what you’re called to do, how to take your next step, and how Generation Distinct can help you build a real strategy around the vision in your head.

You’ll also get to meet other faith-driven young adults who are building, dreaming, creating, leading, and asking some of the same questions you are.

Because this is what Generation Distinct does.

We help young adults move from discovering their purpose → building a strategy → putting it into the world.

More than 300 young adults have already stepped into our Purpose Process, and October 6 is your chance to experience what it’s all about.

And because we think every good lock-in season needs the right setup…

WE’RE GIVING AWAY THE PURPOSE LOCK-IN KIT:

The Blue Yeti Matte Black Podcast Mic — for the podcast, content, interviews, or idea you keep saying you’re going to start

Cloud Coffee Mug — because obviously we’re going to need coffee

The 5 Minute Journal — big ideas need somewhere to land

Candle — because apparently changing the world requires ambiance

HOW TO ENTER:

1. Tag a friend who needs to be at the October 6 webinar with you.
2. Make sure you’re following @GenerationDistinct.
3. Every new tag is another entry!

EXTRA ENTRIES:

• Register for the FREE October 6 webinar — link in bio
• Share this post to your story + tag us

Maybe this is the season you stop just thinking about what you could build.

Come hang with us

42

133

You have ideas about the change you want to create. You see problems you can’t stop thinking about. You know there’s purpose on your life—but maybe you’re still trying to figure out exactly what it is and what to do about it.

It’s time to join a Generation Distinct Cohort.

The Generation Distinct Cohort is a 4-month journey designed to help you move from “I know I’m called to something” to actually having clarity and a strategy to live it out.

You’ll discover the wrong you were born to make right.

You’ll develop a clear Purpose Statement.

You’ll build a 3-year strategy for putting that purpose into motion.

And you’ll do it alongside other young adults who refuse to settle for simply talking about changing the world.

Because purpose isn’t just something you find.

It’s something you build your life around.

Applications for our next Generation Distinct Cohort are officially open.

If you’re ready to stop wondering what you’re supposed to do with your life and start building toward it—

this is your next step.

Your purpose matters.
The world needs what you were created to bring.

It’s time to build.

Join the Webinar on Tuesday, October 6th at 7pm CT to learn if you are ready for a Generation Distinct Cohort, hear from past graduates and connect with the Generation Distinct Team

Sign up for the webinar in the link in our bio.

17

1

Introducing the Distinct Consulting Webinar Series, a new series of conversations designed to equip leaders for the changing workforce.

And we’re kicking it off on September 29th with a conversation all about engaging the next generation in your workforce.

The next generation is already sitting in our meetings, walking into our offices, and bringing us ideas we haven’t thought of yet. The way we lead them today will shape our organizations tomorrow.

So how do we retain great young talent? Develop them without lowering expectations? Bridge generational differences? Create workplaces where they can thrive, contribute, and grow?

That’s what we’re talking about.

Each webinar in this new series will bring together practical research, real workplace challenges, and actionable strategies leaders can take back to their teams.

Our first webinar is September 29th.

If you’re a leader, manager, business owner, or HR professional thinking about the future of your workforce, we’d love to have you join us.

And send this to a leader who should be part of the conversation.
Register at the link in bio.

295

31

wouldn’t have it any other way.

“There is no passion to be found in playing small,
in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.”

I didn’t choose entrepreneurship because I wanted to work less.
I chose it because I wanted my time to feel more valuable, to create more impact, to have the freedom to build a life that actually felt like mine.

To live a life I woke up feeling GIDDY EXCITED about💛🥺

Some days look like 16-hours straight, forgetting to eat more than breakfast, while others include a day off with the people that matter most.

Some look like venting to other business owners about how we feel like we don’t know what we’re doing, while some look like building something bigger than I originally planned.

Some challenge you in ways you didn’t know you needed, while others remind you why you stepped out on this road in the first place.

& I wouldn’t have it any other way🥺🤎

30

8

Wherever you are.

Wherever you go.

Welcome to Generation Distinct.

46

9

Such an amazing weekend in Connecticut being a groomsman and watching one of my closest friends, @joshua.gronowski, marry his bride, @annegronowski. A perfect late summer wedding, gorgeous venue, great food, amazing couple, and also got to spend the weekend with @caleb.schiller17 and @kellieschillerr 🫶🏼 #MarkDoes #MarkDoesToHartfordWithLove

112

10