Stop Planning! Start Doing!

We lost Patsy Dunaway, Carrie's stepmother, to cancer this week. It made me reflect on my life and why I'm here. She had over 200 people come to the funeral. It was a true testament to the lives she touched.

During her last days on earth, there were things she told the family she still wanted to do. She wanted to go to Charleston and Hawaii. So many other things still yet to accomplish.

How many times to we say, "We'll do that or go there when we have more time, more money or when the kids are grown." Live everyday as if it's your last. Think about the affect you are having on others. As Michael Burt wrote, "This ain't no practice life." You only have one shot at this.

Try to live your life so there is no regret at the end of it. The things we worry about and argue over, are most often trivial in the grand scheme of our lives. So stop spending so much time planning and wishing. Go make it happen!

Passion or Money?

 It's been said that you know you are in the right place when you are doing what you are most passionate about, equal to your skill level. What does that mean exactly? 

You may be passionate about art. If you can't draw, you are not going to make a very good living as an artist. On the other hand, you may be good with numbers, but if you hate accounting, you will never be happy in your job.

Stop focusing so much on the money and truly ask yourself what you like to do, what makes you happy. Start there and you will end up just where God wants you. 

Are You Listening?

So often when tasked with a leadership position, we start leading by directing and telling. What if we lead by asking? When your employee comes to you with a problem, you ask "What do you think....what else....what else....what else?" 

Sometimes it takes the third "what else" to get to the root of the problem. This way of leading also shows you have confidence in your team and value their opinion.

Now you are leading with the collective knowledge of your team instead of just the knowledge you possess. This also allows your team to take ownership in their job. What do you think?

Are You Worth Stealing?

If a business owner walked into your place of business, would they want to steal you? What would they see? Would they see someone taking ownership, providing excellent customer service? 

To be honest, most see someone behind the counter or desk trading hours for dollars. Someone who has settled into mediocrity. "I just want to get this day over with" or "I can't wait to go home"!

Every day at your current job or position is an interview for your next job or promotion! Start doing the work applicable to the money you would like to make and it will come!

Average people don't use whiteboards!

I recently bought another whiteboard. My third to be exact! I was excited and asked myself why. It is just a blank board with dry erase markers after all.

A whiteboard is a new beginning, a blank slate. You can write down your goals, dreams and plans. You can stretch yourself and those around you. If you find you are getting off track, you have an eraser. When you write your goals you burn them into your mind.

If you find yourself having an average business or life, get a whiteboard! You will do things you never thought possible!