Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:6
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher
We need a strong immune system to keep our bodies healthy. And we need a strong spiritual immune system to keep our lives on the right track. So how do we keep ourselves spiritually strong? One of the most formidable elements in a spiritual immune system is gratitude.
When we choose a thankful attitude, our spirits resist the cynicism, discouragement, and pessimism that weigh us down. We're better able to thrive and survive no matter what life throws at us. And our love for God blooms.
Needing a fresh burst of spiritual stamina? Remember the wonder of gratitude.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Charting Your Course
I read this article about successful people. See if you like it –
One of the first things successful people realize is the old adage, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” That is, for you, the fact that your success and your course is up to you. This doesn’t mean that you do it all alone. It simply means that you take responsibility for your life and your career.
Too many people today look at opportunity and figure it is up to someone else to make sure they get it. They look at financial security and hope that the government will make sure they live safely in retirement or in case of disability. They wait and wait, figuring that it is up to someone else. And then the wait is over, and it is too late to do anything. Their life is over and they are filled with regret.
This isn’t true for you however. You know that you must take responsibility for your life. It is up to you.
The fact is that nobody else is going to do it for you—you must do it yourself.
Now, some people may say, “that’s a lot of responsibility.” Friends, that is the best news you can ever hear. You get to choose your life. Hundreds of millions of people all around this world would give anything to live in the situation you do—just for the chance to have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. “It is up to you” is a great blessing!
Here’s why:
1. You get to chart your own destiny. Maybe you want to start a small business and stay there. That’s great because you can choose that. Maybe you want to create a small chain of stores. Maybe you want to have a net worth of $100 million. That’s okay too. The idea is that you get to choose. You can do whatever you like. Different people have different dreams and they should live them accordingly.
2. You reap what you sow. Sleep in and go to work late and reap the return. Or get up early and outwork the others and earn a greater return. Place your capital at risk and earn a return—or place it at greater risk and perhaps reap a greater return. You decide what you will sow and thus what you will reap.
3. No one else can stop you from getting your dream. Yes, there will always be things that come up and people who may not like what you are doing, but you can just move on and chart your own course. There is great freedom in that.
4. You experience the joy of self-determination. There is no greater pride than knowing you set your mind on something and accomplished it. Those who live with a victim mentality never get to experience the joy of accomplishment because they are always waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. Those who take responsibility get to live the joy of seeing a job well done.
Let me ask you a question: Where will you be in five years? Ten years? Or 25 years? Do you know? Do you have an idea? Have you ever dreamed about it or set a goal for it? Are you willing to take responsibility and recognize that, “It is up to you?”
You will be wherever you decide to be in those timeframes. You decide. It is up to you.
And that is very exciting!
One of the first things successful people realize is the old adage, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” That is, for you, the fact that your success and your course is up to you. This doesn’t mean that you do it all alone. It simply means that you take responsibility for your life and your career.
Too many people today look at opportunity and figure it is up to someone else to make sure they get it. They look at financial security and hope that the government will make sure they live safely in retirement or in case of disability. They wait and wait, figuring that it is up to someone else. And then the wait is over, and it is too late to do anything. Their life is over and they are filled with regret.
This isn’t true for you however. You know that you must take responsibility for your life. It is up to you.
The fact is that nobody else is going to do it for you—you must do it yourself.
Now, some people may say, “that’s a lot of responsibility.” Friends, that is the best news you can ever hear. You get to choose your life. Hundreds of millions of people all around this world would give anything to live in the situation you do—just for the chance to have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. “It is up to you” is a great blessing!
Here’s why:
1. You get to chart your own destiny. Maybe you want to start a small business and stay there. That’s great because you can choose that. Maybe you want to create a small chain of stores. Maybe you want to have a net worth of $100 million. That’s okay too. The idea is that you get to choose. You can do whatever you like. Different people have different dreams and they should live them accordingly.
2. You reap what you sow. Sleep in and go to work late and reap the return. Or get up early and outwork the others and earn a greater return. Place your capital at risk and earn a return—or place it at greater risk and perhaps reap a greater return. You decide what you will sow and thus what you will reap.
3. No one else can stop you from getting your dream. Yes, there will always be things that come up and people who may not like what you are doing, but you can just move on and chart your own course. There is great freedom in that.
4. You experience the joy of self-determination. There is no greater pride than knowing you set your mind on something and accomplished it. Those who live with a victim mentality never get to experience the joy of accomplishment because they are always waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. Those who take responsibility get to live the joy of seeing a job well done.
Let me ask you a question: Where will you be in five years? Ten years? Or 25 years? Do you know? Do you have an idea? Have you ever dreamed about it or set a goal for it? Are you willing to take responsibility and recognize that, “It is up to you?”
You will be wherever you decide to be in those timeframes. You decide. It is up to you.
And that is very exciting!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Successful Entrepreneurs
I read this article, see if you like it too...
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Brain Colors
I read this article and liked it…see what you think
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
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