With Regard To Life

Vision

I have been reading a little about vision recently. This is what I have been reading. Andy Stanley, founding pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, defines vision as being "a clear mental picture of what could be, fueled by the conviction that it should be. Stanley writes that a clear vision, along with the courage to follow through, dramatically increase your chances of coming to the end of your life, looking back with a deep abiding satisfaction, and thinking, "I did it. I succeeded. I finished well. My life counted." You must have a vision. Without a clear vision, he writes, "Odds are you will come to the end of your life and wonder. Wonder what you could have done - what you should have done. And like many others, you may wonder if your life even mattered at all." Today's Winning Thought: "The only thing worse than having no sight is to have sight but no vision." -- Helen Keller

Cleaning Up Reading

I had my Memorial Day all planned. A little exercise, and a lot of relaxing, reading and a hamburger cookout. God had another plan, and a better one. We were discussing ministry opportunities at church this weekend. Someone mentioned going to Joplin, Missouri to help clean-up in the aftermath of one of the worst tornadoes in American history. There was not enough time to put that trip together. But there was enough time and people to go to Reading, a small town in north central Kansas, which was also devastated by a tornado a week ago. After a few minutes of discussion, the trip just fell together. So, 20 of us spent a few hours this Memorial Day reaching out to fellow Kansans. One of the persons who assigned us a job said, "It isn't a glorious job." We told him we did not come there for the glory. We just came to serve their community. Our group mainly cleared debris and trash which was strewn across the tiny community. One of the lots belonged to the only person who died in the tornado. Today's Winning Thought: I am thankful my friends and I were able to help. It was a good day.

Onward

I started reading Onward this weekend. The book, written by Starbucks Chairman and CEO Howard Schultz, is the story about how Starbucks fought for its life without losing its soul. My intent when I began writing this blog, was to write a lot about words that begin with the prefix RE, which, of course, means "with regard to." I have not followed that plan consistently. I did see two words that begin with RE inside the jacket cover of Onward. The words were refocusing and reigniting. Schultz wrote that his goal was to transform the company by "refocusing on the core values and reigniting the innovation required to thrive in a dramatically shifting marketplace." What would happen if we were to refocus on the core values of our business, our families and our lives, and reignite the innovation we need to thrive? I would bet that we would all be better in all ways, and we would enjoy more success and be more fulfilled. Today's Winning Thought: As we approach the halfway point of 2011, what needs greater focus? What needs to be reignited in your life?

People

I was waiting in line at a convenience store today. I could not help but overhear much of the conversation between the store clerk and the customer in front of me. What made me listen a little closer was a comment from the female store clerk. She said to the customer ahead of me that she works three jobs. She said she has four kids at home who she is raising by herself. I looked at her face at that point. I said a prayer for her that she would be blessed and have the strength and wisdom and patience to successfully raise her kids. I have a deep respect for moms who work at jobs outside the home, especially single working moms. We talk to, sit with, work beside and walk past people every day. Many times we have no clue what they are going through. Take a minute real soon to connect with someone. When you ask "How are you doing?" really mean it, and find out how they are doing. How much time could it take? Maybe two minutes. You can afford that much time because the difference could change multiple lives. Today's Winning Thought: Focus on people and principals. Encourage and inspire.

People

I was waiting in line at a convenience store today. I could not help but overhear much of the conversation between the store clerk and the customer in front of me. What made me listen a little closer was a comment from the female store clerk. She said to the customer ahead of me that she works three jobs. She said she has four kids at home who she is raising by herself. I looked at her face at that point. I said a prayer for her that she would be blessed and have the strength and wisdom and patience to successfully raise her kids. I have a deep respect for moms who work at jobs outside the home, especially single working moms. We talk to, sit with, work beside and walk past people every day. Many times we have no clue what they are going through. Take a minute real soon to connect with someone. When you ask "How are you doing?" really mean it, and find out how they are doing. How much time could it take? Maybe two minutes. You can afford that much time because the difference could change multiple lives. Today's Winning Thought: Focus on people and principals. Encourage and inspire.

Storms

The recent storms around the country have been brutal. Another Missouri town was ravaged by a tornado today. You wonder if and when it will end. Life is like that. Everything will be going well and then without warning you are hit with a vengeance. Both kinds of storms - weather and life's adversity - can be devastating, and both can make us stronger. James 1:2-4 tells us to, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." WHENEVER you face trials, not if. We cannot know the depth of our character until we know how we react under pressure. After you have suffered a little while you will be stronger. Today's Winning Thought: Allow your hardships or whatever you are going through to produce times of learning.

Hello

Can I just admit something to you? I am mentally tired tonight. So I am going to take it a bit easier. No topic where I will have to think. Just some thoughts as I try to unwind from a long day. I am a news junkie. My heart breaks for the people in our country who have been displaced or affected in any way by the brutal storms that have hit many parts of the country. I am thankful my family in the Oklahoma City area did not suffer any real damage. Watching the news tonight, I saw a story about a man who was waiting and holding out hope that his wife would be found. She has been missing for two days since the tornado, which has been upgraded to the most powerful category, slammed into Joplin, Missouri. How could you possibly cope with that? It is heartbreaking. I will finish on a positive note. There was a commercial on television tonight. It showed a woman and her two young children. The story began when was a single mom trying to raise her kids and get an education. It told of her hard work and her sacrifice. And it showed her today. Today she is a doctor. Today's Winning Thought: Embrace failure and adversity. Turn them into success.

More Motivation

Mark Sanborn is a speaker and best-selling author. In addition to his books, Sanborn wrote an article entitled 101 Tips to Get and Stay Motivated. A few weeks ago, I wrote in this post about some of them. I found the list today while cleaning off some of the mountain of paper on my desk. I thought I would share a few more with you. Start your day with a plan. Think about your day being productive and enjoyable: what will it look like? Mentally walk through your day. What we visualize becomes reality. Of course, this can work in reverse, too - you can fret and worry about the worst case scenario until you virtually create it. The good news is that you can choose which scene you want to create. Look beyond the money. Focus on what you want to do with it. Don't compare yourself with others. Be the best you can be. Do something you have been putting off. You will feel wonderful getting it done. Maintain your focus. Laser focus. Ignore distractions. Contemplate the distastefulness of quitting. How would it feel to quit? How would you feel if you just gave up on your goals right now? Picture the Payoff. Today's Winning Thought: "Accept but don't adopt negative feelings." -- Mark Sanborn

The Seed

I picked up my latest book this weekend and I can't put it down. The Seed, by Jon Gordon, is a powerful story for anyone searching for more purpose and happiness in their life and work. If you are discouraged or searching for something more in your work or your life, or if you know someone who is, get a copy of this book. You might want to pick up an extra copy. Read it, live it and share it. In this inspiring fable, you will read about a young man named Josh. He had lost his passion for his job. He was merely going through the motions. He was mediocre at best. That was not good enough. But Josh's boss did not give up on him. He had too much invested in the young employee. Today's Winning Thought: There are some powerful insights in this book. You will like it. I believe it will challenge you. And be sure to pay special attention to chapter 21.

Customer Service

I did not pay attention to the name of the young man who waited on me at a large book store I visit on a regular basis. I should have because I owe him a word of thanks for providing me with the topic of this blog. He was having a little trouble with customer service, and since that is one thing I know a lot about I decided to help him a little. It started when I asked for two cups of coffee. There was not enough of the blend I ordered so I said I would wait. To which the young worker replied, "Well, I guess I could make s fresh pot if you want it." That caught me off guard because I normally don't hear that kind of response at this company. My order was ready sooner than I expected. I know why now. It was not hot. I received the bottom of the pot of coffee. I took it back and asked if I could get a refund. (Yes, I was very nice). He said, "I am not allowed to give you your money back. I can make you some more." I almost laughed at him because this whole thing was so silly. I was born at night, but not last night. I knew very well his employer had empowered him to take care of the customer - properly, the first time. The guy was having a bad night, I guess. Most days, I probably would have let this go, But I wanted to help. So, I found his manager. I asked that he not tear the guy from limb to limb. Be gentle, but firm. This young man did not live up to your standards tonight. I thought the manager would want to know. He did. He apologized. And he even offered me a refund, even though I was holding and enjoying a fresh cup of coffee. I did not want something for nothing. I wanted the good product I always purchase and for the transaction to be simple, like it always is. I have clients in several states. They do not have to do business with me. They have choices. But they work with our company because of our relationship, which has been built on customer service. We are obsessed with providing unequalled customer service. Some companies only talk about customer service. They don't provide it. You need to provide it. Today's Winning Thought: To survive in business today, you had better be pretty good at customer service. Don't take a single thing for granted.