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? Or have I allowed some things to creep in that are nothing more than income generators, or just worthless habits that I need to stop? My November 14th Goal My goal is to determine by November 14th what 15% of my current activities that I’m … Read More
Are you the donkey or the merchant?
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 he’s going to get from these delectable samples. The donkey has no idea where they’re going or why – he doesn’t even like coffee; he’s simply following the carrot just in front of his nose. At the end of the day, the donkey gets the … Read More
Shorts vs Panties
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 variety of colors, the extra overlap for the trap door that we guys need – all in all just a real classy piece of workmanship. Then I asked her what she pays for her panties. She said normally $8-10.00 each. Of course those are much … Read More
Want to live a larger life?
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 having a life that is full of meaning and purpose. And that can occur – or be absent – at any place on the continuum of the traditional parameters of “success.” I’ve seen millionaires who are living life “small” and those with scarce financial resources who are … Read More
Does God want me to “swallow poison” every day?
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 in my heart, but to do this office work that feels like I’m swallowing poison every day. Maybe I’m projecting my family’s patterns onto God – child abuse survivors do that, probably even more so than those with healthier backgrounds – but I’m afraid that, counterintuitive … Read More
But I had no choice….
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 of people today. They’re riding the horse of circumstances, their habits or other people’s expectations. If that describes you, it’s time to grab the reins and move your life in the direction of where you really want to go. A Real Life Example I’m currently … Read More
This job makes me feel dirty
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 the employees in my work place These are common perceptions as some time ago I got a note that said, “My company is going in a strictly money-motivated direction, and my manager may very well be Satan’s offspring.” In their book Decisive, Dan and Chip Heath describe … Read More
Stop trying to climb trees if you’re a duck…….
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 pretty strong . . . weaknesses. Then he discovered the power of focusing on your strengths. He surrounded himself with people who were more competent in all the areas where he was weak. He allowed them to do what they did well while he did the … Read More
This feeds my soul
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 bread I would sell one of them and buy White Hyacinths to feed my soul.” – Elbert Hubbard (1856-1915) Why do I love that so much? And why does it even make any sense? Surely if you were down to only two loaves of bread the responsible … Read More
If people like you they’ll listen to you
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 us. But then I heard Zig Ziglar say ”You can get anything you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.” If people trust you, they’ll do business with you He went on to say, [spp-tweet tweet=”If people like you … Read More