Posts Tagged ‘decisions’
Get activated!
I received an updated credit card this past week. It came with a sticker attached that read, “THIS CARD CAN NOT BE USED UNTIL ACTIVATED.” I’m certain you’ve had cards with similar instructions. My wife smiled and said, ” This is not a bad warning label for Christ-followers.” She’s right. There is a decision of…
Read MoreLet’s do random
I have a friend visiting this week. When dinnertime arrived, I asked, “Where do you want to go?” She said, “Let’s do random.” That’s a code word for “Let’s not plan, let’s just go.” There was a palatable feeling of disorder that washed over me. Now, those who know me know that I’m not the…
Read MoreGet after it
“Act like a man.” “Man up.” “Get after it.” “Step up.” There have been more than one occasion when I’ve used phrases like those. I enjoy encouraging and challenging men. Most men possess a profound sense of purpose. While this is true for everyone, I’ve found men often need reminders. Putting it another way: We…
Read MoreFilling out forms
Filling out forms at the doctor’s office is incredibly frustrating. You can pre-register and fill out every conceivable form, but when you actually get to the office, there’s always more. I know this is just a “pet peeve,” but it’s not just an inconvenience; it’s busy work. That being said, I genuinely want them to…
Read MoreI don’t know how to proceed
Stress, problems, difficulties…put in your own personal synonym and you’ll still find the truth of the following statement: “These situations tend to bring out the best and the worst in people. “ You’ve seen it and you’ve experienced it. Hard times can cause some people to “rise to the occasion” and become more than they…
Read MoreDeadlines
Deadlines. I don’t know about you, but it seems that my life is constantly driven by deadlines. I need to get this done, finish this project, read this book, and all of these things, plus a myriad of other tasks, are all pushed forward by a looming deadline. Now, let’s clarify what a deadline is.…
Read MoreWe get to choose
Growing in leadership requires personal commitment. Most people understand this. But, applying this to ‘church world’ takes it to another level. It requires a spiritual commitment and personal choices associated with it. Choices determine your character. Your character is shaped by the day-to-day decisions and challenges you face. If that is true (and I believe…
Read MoreBe a goldfish
Some of you might have heard of Ted Lasso. He was the lead character in a sports comedy-drama television series. It was based on a character who was formally an American college football coach and was hired to coach an English soccer team. Most expected him to fail miserably, but his leadership, optimism, and humor…
Read MoreGo big or go home!
“Go big or go home!” Many claim to know the origin of the phrase. Many suggest its usage started with the military. Pilots would use the phrase referring to the idea that the longer you stay on target, the higher the probability of a direct hit. But, the longer you stay on target, the more…
Read MoreExecution
I’m reading a book, The 12 Week Year, by Brian P. Moran. I was drawn to the book primarily due to one word, “execution.” Now, this is not a book about death; it’s about getting things done. I was transfixed by a phrase in the book, “The most difficult challenge people face is not the…
Read MoreFollow the blueprint
What do you do when things don’t turn out the way you planned? You didn’t get the raise. The promotion went to someone else. You received a surprisingly low grade. You’re team lost. You get the picture. We’ve all been there and some of you are there right now. You’re trying your best to process…
Read MoreAvoiding the wrong things
Leadership understandably means doing the right things and making the right decisions. But have you considered that equally important is making sure you don’t do the wrong things? These may be obvious, but here are two for a punchout list for you to consider. Don’t take credit for someone else’s work or accomplishments. I happened…
Read MoreLead, follow or get out of the way
You’ve probably heard the quotation before, “Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way. Pretty bold statement. The quote is widely attributed to Thomas Paine but most scholars disagree because the quote doesn’t appear in any of his writings. However, it is attributed to General George S. Patton and the former Chrysler executive Lee Iacocca.…
Read MoreLeaders are made, not born
Legendary coach Vince Lombardi once said, “Leaders are made, they are not born.” Here’s a guy who knows what he’s talking about. He was the head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers. His leadership led the team to three NFL championships and to victories in Super Bowls I and II. He was…
Read MoreLiving with regret
I was fascinated by an article written in 2012 by Bronnie Ware. As a nurse, she spent years working in hospice, caring for patients in the last 12 weeks of their lives. She recorded many of the conversations she had with patients as they faced their final days on earth. She wrote of the extraordinary…
Read MoreABUSE OF PRIVILEGE – Issues of Integrity
Everybody likes a deal. Who doesn’t? In fact, we love to tell our friends and neighbors our “deal stories.” You know what I mean? “You’re not going to believe what happened to us! We got a discount to the concert and saved sooooo much money!!” In fact, we will play “top my story” when we…
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