Monday, March 28, 2011

Finding Your Strength

My daughter gave me a book for Christmas entitled, “Strengths Finder.”

The thesis of the book is that most of us waste a lot of time trying to improve on things we’re not good at. So we work and work to move from being ineffective at something, to being mediocre.
Rather we should identify what we’re good at and strive to grow in our area of strength, so that we can be exceptional using our giftedness.

In the first century, Paul the apostle outlined some of the spiritual gifts, such as administration, leadership, generosity, teaching, hospitality, encouragement, discernment, knowledge.

So, my advice is: reflect on the gift God has given you. Then under the guidance of the Holy Spirit utilize those gifts and grow in the area where you’re gifted.
~Wayne

Your Attitude determines your Altitude

Norma and I were recently in Ecuador. Our friends Martin and Ruth Harrison took us hiking up Cotopaxi. We didn’t climb to the peak (16,400), but we walked to the Refuge, which is 15,000 feet, higher than any peak in Europe. I don’t know if you’ve ever hiked to 15,000 feet. But we discovered that the heart, the brain, the muscles need oxygen. And there’s precious little of it at 15,000. We would walk 20 feet or so—then have to rest to let our heart and lungs catch up.

We’d say: “Okay, we need to get to the Refuge. But for now, let’s just get to the next rock.” The long journey to the top was overwhelming. However, we could make it a rock at a time. Once we were at the top, we enjoyed one of the best cups of hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted.

Then on the way down, I tried a little shoe skiing. I got on a bank of snow and began “skiing” downhill. My former-friend, Ruth, said she didn’t get it on video. Do it again. So I did it again. This time my feet slipped and I went sliding rapidly down the side of the mountain and slammed into one of those rocks, cracking 1 or 2 ribs, which still hurts two months later.

Anyway, I learned a few things.

The long upward journey can be overwhelmingly challenging. It demands all we’ve got. However, taking it a step at a time, a phase at a time makes it achievable. “Yard by yard is hard. Inch by inch is a cinch.”

And there’s a tremendous sense of accomplishment as a reward when you’ve reached your goal.

I was impressed with Norma’s stamina and persistence. She proved literally that your “attitude determines your altitude.”

And I learned that coasting, going down hill can be more dangerous than climbing. When we climb, we bring all our energies to bear. When we coast, we relax our guard. That’s when trouble can come.

Here’s a scripture for you: And let us not get weary in doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9.

Monday, March 21, 2011

You Can't Over-communicate

Catherine Winder, president of Rainmaker Entertainment said, “Everybody needs as much communication as possible -- you can't over-communicate."

Jesus is the master communicator. He said things simply. He said it repeatedly. He said it personally.

Someone said, “God so loved the world, He didn’t send a committee.”

My advice: Find ways to personalize your message. Find ways to be concise and consistent. Even though you’ve said the same thing over and over again. Say it again, clearly, consistently, thoroughly and personally.

Monday, March 07, 2011

Stop Doing List

The Next Level Leadership by Scott Eblin outlines things a leader needs to pick up on and things a leader needs to let go of:

Pick up on:

Regular renewal of your energy & perspective
Team Reliance
Defining what to do
Pick up an outside-in view of the entire organization

But…Let Go of:

Running flat out until you crash
One-size-fits-all communication
Self-reliance

So, let me ask you:

What do you need to start doing?

What do you need to let go of?

Ecclessiastes 3 says, “There is a season and a time for every matter under heaven, a time to keep and a time to cast away.”

Thursday, March 03, 2011

Slow down!

The sudden departure of a major corporate CEO who cited exhaustion, has left other firms pondering the pressures they put on their top executives. Directors are starting to tell their CEOs to travel less and relax more. Corporate recruiters are factoring coping abilities and mental toughness into their assessments of potential bosses.

Even in Christian organizations, this is an issue. Christian leaders talk about working 12 hours a day, going home for dinner, and doing emails for 3 hours. That's not good life balance.

I used to hear Christian leaders say: "I'd rather burn out than rust out." But either way, you're OUT!

So why not follow the Jesus model. When he was exhausted from the press of the crowds, He withdrew to a quiet place.

Jesus said Learn from me. Slow down and learn the unforced rhythms of grace.