As we are now in the last half of the year I always like to take a fresh look at everything I’m doing. Are writing, speaking, doing a podcast, creating new products, coaching, connecting people and spending time with family and friends all activities that embrace my “calling,” my purpose for being here on earth? …
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Picture this scenario. A businessman who is liked and trusted by his neighbors has been given coffee samples from 50 local farmers. The next morning he loads up the samples in his cart behind his faithful donkey. He dangles a carrot in front of the donkey’s nose. The businessman is already thinking about all the orders…
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This morning I opened a new pack of undershorts that Joanne picked up for me. Wow – six pairs of new Jockey shorts. Out of curiosity I asked her what she paid for these. She said it was $5.99 for the pack of six. Okay that’s $.99 each – and these babies have double stitching, a…
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Recently a 36-yr-old MBA in exec position in an exciting industry shared this concern in her coaching profile: “I have a vague sense that my life is too small.” Living large does not necessarily mean a bigger salary, house, cars or retirement fund. It has nothing to do with fancy vacations or the latest fashions. Rather, it means…
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Patrice wants to know why she has been unable to develop her passion, and the only jobs available are ones that she hates. Here’s part of her lengthy letter: “After everything I’ve been through I’m afraid that somehow, God’s will for me is actually not to pursue the sole vocational passion He appears to have put…
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I heard a story about a man riding a horse at breakneck speed. It appears he’s going someplace very important. A man standing along the roadside shouts, “Where are you going?” To which the rider yells back, “I don’t know. Ask the horse.” This seems to be essentially the story I’m hearing from lots…
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This week I had a rash of people writing about jobs they hate: This company treats employees like disposable objects A faceless member of management sent a memo to improve the numbers How can I find a job that doesn’t make me feel dirty? I can’t handle the envy, gossip, fights and no respect for…
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When I was in the sixth grade, a teacher told my friend Phil that the “secret to life is to focus on your weaknesses.” So for the next thirty years he worked on those areas where he was weakest. He struggled with accounting, with organization, and with ordering and inventory control. He ultimately developed some…
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Joanne brought home some white hyacinths a few days ago. The aroma filling our kitchen is intoxicating. The weather is getting warmer and outside I see daffodils peeking up through the cold dirt. It reminded me spring is coming, but it also brought to mind this old quotation: “If I had but two loaves of…
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We are all selling. Whether you’re a teacher, a homemaker, a CEO or a used car salesman, we’re all selling something. And that’s okay. In fact, it’s great news. Because that’s how we serve each other well. When I was a young Mennonite farm kid I thought sales people were out to take advantage of…
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