Praise for Pillars of Purpose
“Pillars of Purpose is David Pickler’s gift to all of us, and its impact will be enormous. David writes from the heart, and in doing so, it stirs our own... Prepare to be wowed.”
Joseph Deitch
business executive and philanthropist
"Pillars of Purpose shows us that a life of significance is built upon purpose, empathy and a commitment to helping others. This book will inspire readers to leave a positive, lasting impact on those around them."
John Aitken
past superintendent
"Pillars of Purpose is a profound look at what it means to be a leader. As an educator, I wish I would have had his compelling roadmap to lead with love and empathy before I walked into Room 203 to teach the Freedom Writers. While the road ahead will always be full of challenges, David displays that it's how one confronts those challenges that separates good leaders from great leaders."
Erin Gruwell
teacher, author, and social justice activist
"I really loved this book - it was engaging and interesting. More important, it was inspiring. David's legacy showed the power that one person can have in changing lives and making our world a better place. He is a problem solver and a giver. I am fortunate enough to live in the same community as David and see his name across town on very generous contributions he has made to our schools and cultural arts. I already knew that our small town and neighboring city of Memphis are better because of David, so reading his story of how he reached this point was fascinating. For anyone who needs a reminder of the goodness around us, you will find this book uplifting. It is well worth the read and inspires me take whatever small steps I can to make our shared world a better place."
P.J.
Amazon Review
“In 1889, Andrew Carnegie offered his Gospel of Wealth. In short, he said those who have material wealth have an obligation to make the world a better place by sharing it. There should also be a Gospel of Experience & Knowledge. Those blessed with that type of wealth also have an obligation to make the world a better place by sharing it. David has done just that with his book Pillars of Purpose!”
Mike McGough
historian and leadership consultant
"This masterful step-by-step guide to becoming a great leader, no matter your job or skills, shows us anyone can achieve a life of true significance."
Dr. Tammy Grissom
education executive
"This is a fascinating look inside the mind and methods of the advisor who, I believe, due to his management of their finances, saved the lives of two of my family members. He has built a team that provides outstanding customer service, contributed to the community in numerous ways and enjoys his life more than most folks. I am reading his chapter on problem solving right now and looking forward to the one on Objectivity in decision-making."
B.H.
Amazon Review
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Pillars of Purpose. This book not only provides insightful content but also encourages readers to delve deeper into understanding their own 'Why' in life. Each chapter is carefully crafted to guide you through different aspects of finding and embracing your purpose, making the reading experience both enlightening and personal. Additionally, the illustrations in this book are fantastic. The artist has done a wonderful job of tying in the artwork with the themes of each chapter, enhancing the overall impact of the words. If you’re looking to gain clarity on your life's direction, this book is a great choice. Highly recommend it to anyone on a journey of self-discovery and purposeful living."
N.E.
Amazon Review
Press
About the Book
In Pillars of Purpose, David Pickler takes us on a journey of self-discovery. A superb storyteller, David shares his personal experiences and the stories of others who have continually strived to live a life of significance. Throughout this thought-provoking book, he provides suggestions to help you achieve your goals and to become a powerful force for bettering the lives of others.
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Join David as he tells how the choices he has made throughout his life have led to a multitude of opportunities and adventures, and how the lessons he has learned have helped him accomplish feats some thought unattainable. Learn how David’s passion for public education, and his accomplishments as president of local, state and national school boards, have earned him a reputation for being “a person who gets things done.”
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David assures readers they too can accomplish great things. According to David, “Life is too short to sit on the sidelines and let your dreams float by.” Instead, he encourages you to enthusiastically grasp every opportunity that comes your way. “Only then, when you look in the mirror at the end of each day, can you be confident in knowing you did everything you could to fulfill your purpose with passion and to make your dreams come true.”
All proceeds from book sales go to
The Illustrations of Pillars
Cameron Spann, illustrator of Pillars of Purpose, immediately had a design style in mind when he was approached about artwork for this book. He wanted to start each chapter with a custom ink drawing. These "rough" pieces of art would hint at something mentioned in the accompanying chapter without giving anything away. The hope was that when a reader got to a specific part of the book that paid homage to the illustration, they would say "aha!" and feel like they found a special surprise.
About the Author
David A. Pickler is a wealth advisor, attorney and public education advocate. He is also a philanthropist, focusing his efforts in the areas of public education and the arts. David was a member of the first-elected Shelby County Board of Education, and also served as President of the Tennessee School Boards Association. In 2013, he became President of the National School Boards Association.
Upon retirement from elected office, David founded the American Pillars Education Foundation to help protect America’s economic interests through programs and services that support high-quality public education including financial literacy and workforce development.
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