I hear a lot of people talking about what they “feel” like doing. Following your feelings can be a frustrating path into a black hole. How about if you tap into your “activation energy” to accomplish those exciting things you’ve been dreaming about?
Some general principles:
Most of us make fun of the idea that ignorance is bliss and pride ourselves in not being one of the ignorant.
However, I see a reverse phenomenon that is also quite interesting. The paradox of knowledge is this: the more
we know, the more we realize what we don’t know. Thus, a person who begins studying butterflies discovers the thousands of species that exist. A person who wants to buy a car can get lost in consumer reports, safety studies, and resale potential. I see students continuing the pursuit of more and more degrees, “getting ready” for that first job. I see people looking for a job who spend six months researching companies and job search strategies. I encounter the frustrated employee who wants his/her own business and spends ten years carefully planning every possible outcome.
“Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action.” Benjamin Disraeli
We just finished another Write to the Bank event here at the Sanctuary on Friday (Yep, that’s the amazing group). Writers from across the country joined us as we discussed changes in the publishing world and the new
opportunities for us to promote our works. Matt Baugher, Vice President and Publisher with Thomas Nelson, challenged us to understand the sequence of “words, stories, truth and transformation.” He brought copies of Heaven is for Real – approaching 5 million in sales – and Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me for everyone. Ken Abraham, author of more than 80 books, described what editors look for in great writing. Kent Julian shared his unique way of coordinating multiple authors for his books and how to use speaking as a way of selling lots of books.
We discussed our responsibility for promoting and selling our own books and went through a list of 48 Marketing Methods for doing just that.
Sharon asks a question:
“All my adult life has revolved around meeting my family’s needs–my husband and 2 children. Now, the kids are in college and I feel my mission is coming to a close. I have no vision for my future or goals for my life now. This makes me feel purposeless and alone. My husband and I have a great relationship, but I feel we don’t have much to talk about, except our kids. As a Christian, I want to follow God’s plan for me. I just don’t know how to go about discovering that plan, setting goals not just for career, but in all areas of life. Any suggestions?”
Sharon, I’ve been talking about setting goals a lot recently and believe this is the time to be planning for 2012. It’s easy to think that your purpose was raising your children – and that is one very honorable application of your purpose.
Last night Joanne and I went to see the Tom Hanks movie Larry Crowne. I never have high expectations when
I go to movies, seeing them as simply a diversion and time alone with Joanne. In the movie Larry Crowne is a 20-yr Navy veteran who is working at a big discount store. Then despite his great performance and seniority, the company has decided that his lack of a college education is reason for no further advancement – and they fire him.
And here’s where the story takes a very predictable and disillusioning path. A neighbor also tells Larry he needs to get an “education” to better secure his future. And so Larry buys into the American myth: Go to school, be assured of job security, get steady and guaranteed paychecks, medical benefits, take early retirement and have government support for life.
