WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

"The only difference between a rich person and a poor person is how they use their time."


I must admit I'm not sure where my time has gone. I started this blog for December and then got caught up in 'life'. This morning I got anxious at the thought of the month drawing to an end without having finished it. Then I realized that the year was drawing to a close as well.


In a week we will focus on making goal posters for 2010. We will look back at the posters we created for 2009 to see how much progress we made in achieving those goals. I wonder how we will feel about that progress.


Where did your year go? Did you spend your time or invest it? Did you reach your goals or will they carry over to 2010? If they carry over, what will you commit to do differently to make sure they become reality? Goals are all about change.


When setting your goals for 2010, ask yourself, "What changes am I willing to go through to make this goal a reality?" You can say you want to learn a new skill, but if you never take the first step and follow through, they are just hollow words. Goals aren't meant to impress others; they should be a commitment you make to yourself - one that you work hard to keep.


Take yourself and your goals seriously. Plan your time every day around achieving your goals. Here are a couple of quotes to keep it in perspective.

The ultimate reason for setting goals is to entice you to

become the person it takes to achieve them.

The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.

Good luck with your goals for 2010.


Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!

POSITIVELY THANKFUL

I consider myself to be a positive person. I generally take the view that the glass is not only half full, but a waiter will be around soon and top it off before I get to the one-quarter mark.

It was almost two years ago that I got the news that I had breast cancer. The call came from my doctor the day before Thanksgiving. My response to him was, "God says to give thanks in all things, so thank you." I was sure that God would bring good out of the situation, even though I couldn't see the end yet. I'm happy to report that He didn't disappoint. Unfortunately, that positive attitude seems to slip in the smaller matters of life.

On a recent trip to Ephesus, our group visited the house where John took Mary and she lived out the rest of her life. It was a peaceful place that touched everyone in the group. There was a fountain area in the gardens where you could get 'holy water'. Beside it was a wall where prayers were written on bits of cloth or paper and tied to the wall. I felt moved to write prayers for family and friends so I opened my travel bag to look for my pen.

My bag had an section with a pen loop and I had placed one in it when I packed. When I opened my bag and didn't see the pen where I expected to find it, I told my friend that I must have lost it. She looked down, stuck her hand in another area of the bag and said, "Here it is". Thankful, I took the pen and started writing my prayers. As I did, others in the group asked to use it to write their own prayers.

I sat in the peace and quiet of the garden while person after person poured their hearts onto pieces of tissue, scraps of paper and torn travel guides. As I sat waiting for my pen to be returned, God laid it on my heart that He had used my pen to bless others and that I had almost missed the opportunity to participate in the blessing because my pen was not where I expected it to be.

I knew I put the pen in my bag. Why then, if I am a positive person, didn't I have faith in what I knew rather than what I could see? How many times have we missed God's blessing because He didn't show up like we expected Him to, because He wasn't where we thought He should be, or because we choose to see with our eyes and stop depending on what we know in our hearts?

God is crazy about us! He rejoices over us! He cares about our physical and spiritual well being. Why then, when things get tough, do we fail to see Him in the midst of our struggles? Why do we not view our challenges as His intimate confidence in our ability to learn and grow through the experience with Him?

In this season of Thanksgiving, dig deep and look at the things that aren't going like you hoped; the things that are not what you expected or where you expected them to be and truly lift them up and thank God for them. It is through these things that He shows us the best of Himself. It is through these that He perfects our faith. It is through these that He will walk with us and take us to the blessings He has in store. There is sunshine on the other side of your dark clouds.

Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!

FRESH BREWED FAITH

(This month's blog is borrowed from Gwen Smith. I have added my own comments, but the bulk of this work is hers).

Every morning I walk straight to the coffeepot and push the ON button. I'm a total coffee girl. I like it piping hot, extra dark roast with half and half, and I struggle to function without my first cup of coffee. I crave the first sip and relish the warmth of the mug in my hand. I jokingly call it "my warm, happy friend." My mornings just wouldn't be the same without coffee.

We should have the same attitude about our faith and our jobs. We should wake up each morning bursting at the seams to be with God. To be in His presence. To listen for His still small voice. To savor Him. To ask for His guidance during our work day. A faith that is brewed fresh daily, strengthens us, renews us and enables us to mount up with wings like eagles. To experience the power of God in our work lives. To run and not grow weary. To walk and not faint.

Like a morning with no coffee, there are times when we are sluggish in our faith and our attitude toward our jobs. There are times when we need a shot of God-caffeine in our day. A spiritual espresso. What can we do at these times?

One practical way to build your faith is by remembrance. When David was just a shepherd boy, he had courage to face a giant partly because he remembered the previous victories the Lord allowed him to experience. His past victories fueled his faith. Ours do the same. We can face our giants (heavy work loads, busy calendars, grumpy co-workers, declining profits, difficult clients) with equal confidence when we pause to remember how God has worked in our past.

What has God brought you through in the past? Think on these things and choose to trust him to bring you though all you will face today and tomorrow. God has equipped you with your talents and has placed you where you are for a purpose. When you trust God with a fresh brewed faith He will be your Strength and Sustainer. Fill up your faith cup every morning by getting alone with God. This energizing, percolated faith is available to all who ask, seek and knock (Matthew 7:7-8)

Have I told you I appreciate you? I do!

THE CRISIS OF CHANGE

Unfortunately, it takes a crisis before most of us change. Sometimes we have to see what we don't want, to know what we do want. I experienced this during my battle with cancer; I didn't want to be a victim, I wanted to be a survivor. Many companies are experiencing this same crisis as they battle the current economic downturn.

So, how do we become survivors? The first step is to take control and responsibility for your own life and your own attitude. You create your life, one thought, one belief, one action, one choice at a time. You must also choose your vision of where you want to go. Every journey begins with a desire to go somewhere and do something and if you have a desire then you also have the power to make it happen.

Life is all about energy. Think about the people who increase your energy and those who drain you. Think about foods you eat that make you feel good and those that make you tired. Think about projects at work that energize you and those that burn you out. Everything is energy. It is found in our thoughts, the words we say, the music we listen to and the people we surround ourselves with.

You have probably experienced thinking about a friend and then suddenly they call. You may work with a colleague and each of you knew what the other was going to say next. Our thoughts are powerful because they are loaded with energy. When you identify what you desire and write down your vision, you begin the process of mobilizing the energy to create the life you want.

Complete these questions:

1. My vision for my life (including my health) is


2. My vision for my work, career, job and team is


3. My vision for my relationship and family is

Scripture says that "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). This truth applies to every aspect of our lives, our families and our companies. We must have a vision, then we must take responsibility for our actions and attitudes to achieve that vision.

Every crisis offers an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser; to reach deep within and discover a better you that will create a better outcome. So while we may be experiencing crisis, what matters most is what you do with it.

And that is another lesson.

Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!

ROCK YOUR WORKPLACE

Most people spend their entire lives in unquestioned routines, never hearing the calling of how great they could be if only they refocused on making a profound difference through their work.

The economic down-turn has impacted our clients and, in turn, our bottom-line. Our company has had to make cuts that were difficult but necessary for us to survive and thrive. As difficult as it was for the leadership of the company to make those decisions, the hard work - the change that will make the greatest impact - is still ahead of us. Where will leadership take us now?

First we need to understand that leadership is not a position - it is a way of being. It is about being determined to make big things happen regardless of your position. People who 'step up to the plate,' who see an opportunity to make an impact and seize it are infinitely promotable and endlessly valuable. Each one of us should strive to be that kind of employee and leader.

I have always believed that the tough economy would make us all better. Pressure is what turns coal into diamonds and trials are how God shows us the best of Himself. Our attitude toward all the changes we face should be one of expectant hope. God is in control of those who are leaving us and of those who remain. He has preordained this very hour. Our response should be to show up, do our best and expect great things.

Great change doesn't happen overnight, but all change starts now and starts with you. Here are some things to try:

• List three things that, if you were in charge, you would change.


• Set about doing all you can to change those things - enrolling others to your ideas, getting necessary approvals, lining up a budget, or coaching others around you to "get it." And watch the magic happen.
  

Many of the comments above come from the book, "Thank God It's Monday" by Roxanne Emmerich. In the coming weeks, I want to guide us into applying the concepts from this book to help us create success for ourselves and our workplace.

Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!

A TRIED AND TRUE ECONOMY

Whenever we experience difficulties, we look to our history to study trends and solutions that helped turn around a previous situation. The future is always unsure; however, the past is tried and true. The past is our compass to navigate through the future.

Business development is a struggle right now. It may be a bigger struggle today than in the past, but it isn't a new challenge. To crack the code on successful new business development, look at what has worked before.

In our own model, we have direct clients or we partner with an agency that does not have an internal media department. Our biggest past wins have been through our partner relationships. History shows us that this should be our focus for short-term business growth.

History also shows that faith at work in the workplace is one of the best new business development tools available. The belief that God equips us, places us where He wants us to serve and provides the opportunities to expand our influence can carry a company to great heights. The emphasis is on belief.

Do we believe that God is bigger than the current economy? Do we believe that God can help a situation where expenses exceed income? Look at history. When Jesus feed 5,000 people with five loaves and two fish and had twelve baskets left over, the balance sheet didn't add up. When the wine ran out at the wedding in Cana, Jesus turned water into about 120 gallons of the finest wine. Elisha took the little bit of oil the widow had left and filled all the jars she borrowed from neighbors. Biblical history is full of these accounts and we can trust them to get us through anything we face today.

Believing is the first step, taking action is the next step. In every instance the people involved had to put forth effort or sacrifice to see the rewards. The young boy in the crowd sacrificed his lunch so Jesus could use it. The widow had to trust Elisha with her last bit of oil when she was facing bankruptcy. You see, the basis for the miracle was their own resources! God will multiply what we surrender to him—multiply it beyond our dreams.

How do we apply these lessons from history?

• First, don't let current challenges take your focus away from the fact that God is in control - in our companies, in our economy, in our lives.
• Second, remember that God gifted you to do what you do and placed you where you are for a purpose - His purpose. Work every day to please Him.
• Third, make the sacrifices necessary to work harder and smarter and become a part of the solution. When you are part of the solution, you are also part of the blessing.

The past is our compass to navigate through the future - even a history 2,000 years old.

Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!

It's Monday morning and as I arrive at work, there he is, a big black cloud of negativity between me and my destination. How could I get passed him and not allow him to suck out the joy I have worked so hard to muster this morning? "Good morning, Joe. How was your weekend?" Joe replies, "Not long enough, filled with too much yard work and I have a pile of projects on my desk that I don't know if I'll get done in time."

Everything Joe shared is true, so why is it so draining to hear? The problem is his focus.

Monday Morning Take Two -

"Good morning, Joe. How was your weekend?" Joe replies, "It went by fast because I worked in the yard all weekend. I accomplished so much, though. It really looks great! I feel so lucky to have a nice home and yard - even luckier to have a job. Looks like I'll be pretty busy this week. I could use some help if you've got time to spare."

The situation didn't change, however, the conversation is upbeat and I'm not drained. I walk away feeling good even though this time I've been asked to provide some assistance.

So what really robs us of joy; the work before us or the focus and attitude we have toward it?

We should think of our attitude in the same terms as our physical health. We hesitate to come to work with a cold or the flu but think nothing of bringing in the deadly virus of a negative attitude. It is more contagious than any infection we will ever encounter because we really don't have to get that close to catch it or spread it. The good news is, a positive attitude is just as contagious and all it takes is a change of focus.

If you focus on what is going well in your life, work, relationships - you fill your mind with the positive and it drives your outlook. If you compliment the positive attitude of a coworker (spouse, family member), you encourage more of that same attitude in them.

Attitude without action loses its power. I often say, "Catch someone (and yourself) doing something right." Be quick and public with praise and slow and private with criticism. This action will create a petri dish that breeds germs of positive attitude that will spread like swine flu in the media.

Proverbs 18:21 says, "The tongue has the power of life and death." Speak words that give life and watch it change your world!

Have I told you how much I appreciate you? I do!