day 941: Marathoning, Part 2 - Weight

"...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

 A few years ago I read a book called, "Racing Weight".  It was a book about how runners can increase their speed by shedding body fat percentages.  Same level of fitness, with less body fat and you will go faster.  Makes sense as any kind of weight tends to slow us down.  I see it all the time in companies where the organization has taken on too much expense or too many people and the company just gets slower.  Ultimately, they can't complete the marathon either because they have too much weight wearing them down.  We can see many companies try and decrease this burden by reorganizing, laying off and then trying to redefine work process for greater efficiency and productivity.  Of course, like a person, there is an impact to too large of a weight loss all at once.  Muscle gets reduced too and with enough continued weight swings, up and down, the body can't figure out at what level to recover.  As we consider the long tun in our organizations we should also, like the elite Olympic marathoners will do this coming weekend and next, closely monitor our weight to be sure that we are where we are supposed to be at all times.

Paul knew something about weight.  He carried many burdens from his past and his present.  He references running a few times in the Bible so he might also have known the difference that a few pounds of weight can make in one's ability to cover a long distance.  We are told to strip the weights of our sin and to run with endurance God's race for us.  As we go to work today and think about the years we have in front of us to bring glory to God, what is the weight we are carrying that just needs to go away once and for all?  We all have it, and like any other weight issue, if not addressed it hangs around and gets harder and harder each year to remove.  Consider that today, of all days, would be the time to start paying attention to this weight.

Reference: Hebrews 12:1 (New Living Translation)

day 940: Marathoning, Part 1 - The Long Run

"...let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

I am training for a Marathon in the fall. It will be my 7th.  I am determined to qualify for Boston but I don't know that I will have the speed to get it done.  But, if I keep running at the same pace I am now for another few years, then I might be able to qualify because the times go down the older you get.  This approach doesn't work for business.  If we stay the same speed then we get passed up by someone else, but at the same time we have to be able to run the long race as business is certainly not about the short sprint.  I worked at Pepsi when they celebrated their 100th Anniversary.  That was nearly 20 years ago and they continue on, doing basically the same thing they did when they started back in North Carolina, but everyday trying to improve, become more efficient, become smarter and innovating.  This is what the marathon is about.  It's lots and lots of hours and miles trying to get better and better so that the long run doesn't feel all that bad.  Is your business thinking and acting like there is a marathon to be run?

The Christian life is also one of endurance and fortitude for the long run.  Jesus' life journey, while shorter than the years we may live, was one of endurance and relentless commitment to the finish. When we think of how we need to train and ready ourselves we need to be putting the hours into our time in God's Word, on our knees, and in fellowship with other believers.  How diligent are we "putting in the miles" or are we just getting by and hoping for the best results?  That was not the way of Jesus and that is not the life He modeled and calls on us to live.  Let's be sure that we are committing, or recommitting to the long run with Jesus.

Reference:  Hebrews 12:1 (New Living Translation)

day 939: Olympic Medals

"And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them."

 Once every four years the world focuses their attention on the summer Olympic Games.  This year will be no different as the Games open tonight in London.  Hopefully, the next few weeks will be filled with peaceful coming together for healthy competition among countries who have sent their best athletes to represent them and compete for the coveted Olympic Medals. In about two weeks we will all be exhausted from staying up late watching TV or being online following what happens in our favorite sports, countries and people. The human interest stories will be told and we will fall in love with some new athletes and then cheer them on until we jump off the couch with high fives as our national pride takes over in victory.  Let us pray that the athletes will be safe and let us also remember those, and the families of those, who 40 years ago in Munich fell from when war and politics invaded the Games.

The Olympic Games are also a great time to remind ourselves that we can strive to achieve our own personal medals.  A few weeks ago, the Pastor of the church I attend in the summer here in Rhode Island, Dunn's Corner Community Church  http://www.dunnscornerschurch.org  said that there are four rules we can live to achieve.  We can extrapolate those to our four "medals":

• Iron/Bronze:  Do to others before they do to us
• Silver:  Do to others as they do to us
• Gold: Do to others as you would have them do to you
• Titanium:  Do to others as Jesus has done for you

Let's see if during this Olympic period we can all strive for Titanium!

Reference: Luke 6:31 (ESV)

day 938: Before We Know It (redux)

"For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?..."

If there is one place where time moves quickly, it is in business. Days turn to weeks, months and a year before we know it. The planning that we are doing for the following quarter is already in play before the planning is even done. The steady beating drum that is the cadence of setting, meeting, and measuring results can move by so quickly that it can feel like we are tumbling head first out of control. What comes with experience is the ability to manage how time passes. What? Time can’t be slowed or sped up. That is true, but how a business or a person addresses time can manage how time passes. Steve Young, the Hall of Fame NFL Quarterback, once said that on his first snap that he took in the NFL that the linebackers and defensive line came at him so fast that all he could do was throw the ball away as fast he could. Some fifteen years later on his last snap, when the players were bigger and faster than all those earlier years but in that game, he felt that he had all the time in the world to do whatever he wanted to do with the ball and that the defense were now coming in slow motion. Nothing has changed except for his perspective, maturity and wisdom from his ability to see the game unfold in front of him. Business is the same way. As we learn the patterns of the business, the industry and competitors, then we can begin to manage how fast it seems time passes. If it feels like things are moving too fast or feel out of control, then it’s time to be sure that those who have the best experience and perspective are called in to help.

A great part of our belief is that God is always doing something new in us and for us and it’s always coming, whether we can see it or not. Sometimes it will feel fast, other times it can feel slow, but like the art of slow-cooking, God is always working in and on us. There is no waiting. There is only allowing for Him to work. Are we looking for something new and expecting it to come soon? It may well be that we don’t have enough perspective to be able to see how time and change is unfolding. It took Steve Young many years to gain enough experience and knowledge to slow down the game. In those years, he surely practiced, watched films, studied other teams, took in coaching, etc. The same can be said for us. We need to study God’s Word. We need to talk and listen to God in prayer. We need to learn from others in fellowship. The closer we move towards God the more we can answer the question, “Do you not see it?”…with, “Yes, I can see it”.

Reference: Isaiah 43:19 (New Living Testament)

day 937: "Well, Of Course..."

"My child, listen and be wise; keep your heart on the right course."

How often do we find ourselves saying, after we have come to a realization, "Well, of course"?  More often than we would would like?  We are always learning and when the market shifts or new information becomes available, or when new ideas are exposed, we find ourselves slapping our forehead and saying aloud or to ourselves, "Well, of course".  These are powerful learning moments for if we think about these times then we can draw from this "well" for deeper insights and even better thinking and direction.  Consider how many times in our business that instead of thinking about the "Well, of course" as punitive or a statement by the scapegoat, we could draw upon it as a positive and instructive learning moment.  Let's work to make the times we have a chance to draw from the "well" ones that can be healthy, refreshing and rejuvenating to our business, teams, and people.

God gives us a "well of life" that he has provided for us to drink from and drink deeply at our choosing and pleasure. His well is the will for us to follow.  His well is the course that we must follow and it is, of course, the right course for our lives. Are we pursuing and drawing upon His well or are we continuing to pursue our own course without Him?  We need to ask ourselves this question continuously so that we are always on the right course.  For us, for those around us, and those who we impact it is,well, important of course.

Reference: Proverbs 23:19 (New Living Translation)

day 936: The Course To Pursue

"My child, listen and be wise; keep your heart on the right course."

 I heard this story on Sunday and I will do my best to repeat it as it was shared.

There was a farmer who raised sheep.  He had a neighbor who had recently acquired dogs.  A few weeks after the dogs joined the neighborhood, the farmer found his neighbor's dogs attacking and killing one of the farmer's sheep.  The farmer immediately approached his neighbor about the incident and asked that his neighbor curb his dogs.  The neighbor said he would try, but shortly thereafter the dogs attacked another sheep.  This time the farmer felt like he needed to take the situation in his own hands and began to think through alternatives.  The first thing he thought of was to buy a gun and the next time the dogs came into his farm he would shoot the dogs and be done with the problem.  But on further thought he knew that by shooting the dogs he would only set up a larger confrontation with the neighbor that could escalate.  So, abandoning that idea he considered suing his neighbor.  That too would cause greater consternation and also with the cost of a lawyer and a deep seated belief he had that suing others was not right, he finally looked into what it would cost to build a fence between the properties.  After surveying and realizing that the cost of fencing his entire property so that the dogs couldn't get in, that he couldn't go that route either.  So, standing outside at night and considering if he had any other alternatives, he talked to God.  The farmer said, 'God, I've thought of all I can do, what do you think I should do?"  It was then and there that a new idea came to the farmer and he thanked God for speaking to him with a thought he never would have had on his own.  The next morning the farmer took two of us his small lambs who had been recently been born and walked over to his neighbor's house.  He approached his neighbor and said, "I thought that your two daughters should have their own lambs to love and raise so I wanted to bring these little guys over as a present for them."  The neighbor was very appreciative and his girls were ecstatic with joy.  As the farmer was walking back to his own property he said over his shoulder to his neighbor, "Oh, and you probably want to be sure and chain up your dogs as we know they aren't very nice to sheep."  The farmer never saw the dogs on his property again.

God tells us what course to take if we can get our hearts right with Him and listen to what He has to say to us.  He will open up new ideas and ways of thinking for us on how to deal with tough co-workers, neighbors, and everyone else in our lives.  We just need to ask and trust His course.

Reference:  Proverbs 23:19 (New Living Translation)

day 935: The Right Course

"My child, listen and be wise; keep your heart on the right course."

Our future is built upon our past.  Seems simple enough to understand but not always appreciated and too often the past is forgotten so we make a mistake again that was made before.  Every now and then it is good to evaluate our past and what it is that we should continue to take forward and what it is that we should shed.  This is why I like services such as EverNote that allows for us to store and keep those things from the past that can be brought forward into the present within keystrokes.  It is also good to honor achievements that have brought us to where we are today.  43 years ago yesterday, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the moon.  I have had the pleasure of meeting Neil and serving along side of him in purposes of our shared alma mater, Purdue.  Neil won't be with us forever, but what he did and the course that it launched our country on with science, technology, engineering and product designs, will forever be remembered and hopefully appreciated.  Like the monumental task it was to get a man on the moon, each of our businesses need to have those seemingly crazy dreams and goals to push ourselves onto a course that once on, would seem just as crazy to abandon.

King David challenges us to find and stay on the right course in maybe the hardest of all places; in our hearts.  How easy it is to say, "I've had a change of heart". When we say those words, or hear them, let's take pause and be sure that we are listening and challenging ourselves about the course we are on.  How sweet it feels when our hearts are right with God and others!  Today, as we start this week, let's put a crazy challenge in front of ourselves and establish a course that is right for our heart that would solve a problem we might have with a co-worker.  Without knowing, who or what, I know that we all have something and someone that if we listen closely to what God is saying, we will know what it is that we need to right.  Tomorrow's post will continue this course more....

Reference: Proverbs 23:19 (New Living Translation)

day 934: Hot Days... Still

"So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." 

The New York Times this morning detailed the U.S. drought as the worst nationally since the late 1950's.  It's been a hot summer and we are only half way through with many  hot days that will follow. The hot days outside and the hot days inside. Yes, there will be hot days inside our office and it won't just be the weather that makes the difference. There is always another "hot" topic or "hot" issue that must be addressed and when these come and especially when they come day after day, week after week, it can wear us down and like the oppression of heat and humidity outside, we thirst and we search for shade and relief. But that is hard to find when the deadlines are looming and the heat has been turned up by the boss or the bosses' boss. This is the time when perseverance and commitment shows up, or doesn't. As a person who uses long distance running for my exercise I remember hearing the great running philosopher George Sheehan write that running in the heat builds commitment. I hear that in my head on every long run when the sun is beating down on me. 

Just like in the long run, when the heat is turned up at work we have to find that commitment down deep inside of ourselves to carry on and carry on in the way that others never really see us sweat. God gives us His promise that we can do so if we are doing the right things and doing our work in the way we should. In Galatians we read; "So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don't give up." Even though those "hot days" will be upon us, if we are doing what is good and doing our best to bring the glory of God through our work, there is the blessing and the refreshment of the harvest waiting for us, and a much cooler season coming...soon.

Reference: Galatians 6:9 (New Living Translation)

day 933: Marvel Superpowers

"With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation"

Last week I went to see the new Spiderman movie in 3D.  This is not a movie review, but I will say it was pretty cool and I felt like I was 10 years old for the two hours and that the imagination that I had at 10 years old was more than satisfied.  The Marvel Comic movies haven't come about just by accident.  Years ago I had the privilege to sit in the room with the senior executive team of Marvel as we listened to them talk about their assets and how they were going to expand their catalog of 4000+ characters into many different and new mediums. Unfortunately, we didn't have the foresight (or imagination) to buy the company then and there on the spot for a few hundred million dollars (Disney bought them for $4 Billion just a few year later).  What Marvel has done is take a few simple lessons and stuck with them and become a huge success - and they didn't need real "superpowers" to get there.  The three lessons they recently laid out for Wired Magazine were: 1) Embrace all mediums, both new and old: Marvel didn't abandon retailers or their core business when they moved to digital and movies. Instead they used the new mediums to make their comics cool again.  2) All customers can be treated equally: Marvel didn't penalize those who bought from the newsstand versus just treating their subscribers well.  All purchasers at retail stands got free digital access and promotions to other deals.  3) Make an ecosystem to create value: Marvel has just scratched the surface of stitching together all of the offerings across their traditional and new outlets.  Expect to see much more that will allow all of us to access and experience the Marvel Universe in ways we can't even now imagine.  Good lessons for all of us from what was once just a comic book company.

As we consider what lessons we can bring to our own lives, let's not forget that God also gives us His superpowers if we only remember to go to the source to establish and renew them.  Like many of the characters in the comic world there is a place where their powers are drawn from.  In our spiritual life we have our own fountain of power to draw upon continuously. If we desire the superpower that God wants to give us they are not far from us right now - they are found in His Word, in prayer and in fellowship with other believers.  What's holding you back today from tapping into His power source?  There are many around us that need to have something in their lives that they can marvel at to trigger their belief in our Savior.  Can you be the one today to demonstrate His superpowers?

Reference: Isaiah 12:3 (New Living Translation)

day 932: The Spin-In

"So let us come boldly to the throne our gracious God.  There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it the most." A few months ago I read an article about what Cisco systems calls their "Spin-In" strategy. Basically what they have done is take a team of developers internally and let them do start-ups within the company but the rewards of their work come at an acquisition price that Cisco determines and it's usually the same price as what they would pay in the open market for the technology.  The advantage for Cisco is that they hang onto the team and they are only competing against themselves.  For the team, it's great as they get to walk the tightrope with a safety net.  Who doesn't like it are shareholders of Cisco who feel like Cisco is overpaying for what they should already own since the technology is developed inside the company already.  What hasn't been explored is how the other employees inside of Cisco might feel about what could look preferential.  I am sure the response is, "If you can develop what this team does then you can do this too".  Which is probably true, but the access and opportunity to try this approach can't be readily available to everyone.  So, the "Spin-In" creates controversy and Cisco has to decide if it's worth it or not. The take away for us is that there are many way to create, develop and to compete, and all approaches are cool to try and experiment with.  Let's not let ourselves get stuck in thinking about problems from just one angle. Our God is the author of spinning us in!  With our belief and faith He has made us a part of His Kingdom and everyday he allows total and unfettered access to Him and all of His glories, power, mercy and gifts.  We can be deep on the inside with God if we only decide to do so and then live our lives in the journey of seeking and deepening that relationship.  There is no controversy about God's "Spin-In".  He wants us all on the inside and to be His ambassadors for the rest of the world.  Let's not miss the opportunity today to take advantage of being a part of God's Holy team! Reference: Hebrews 4:16 (New Living Translation)

day 931: The Cost of Cheap

"But King David replied to Araunah, 'No, I insist on buying it for the full price. I will not take what is yours and give it to the LORD. I will not present burnt offerings that have cost me nothing!”

I loved this sketch and article by Carl Richards in the New York Times.  See: http://bucks.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/26/the-case-for-spending-a-little-more-sometimes/

Mr. Richards' thesis was that waiting until we can afford to buy good things that will last, or that we will use for a long time, is a better economic decision. The old adage, "We're too poor to buy cheap things" was quoted and it reminded me of the many times in my own life when I have forgotten the power of delayed gratification and I purchase out of impulse because of the catalyst of a sale or seeming bargain only to be disappointed later that I didn't wait or save up for what was the better purchase.  Of course some businesses are built on the principle of cheap, available and disposable, but I'd prefer to think that after time the "Old Navy's" of the world become something else.  We have a store not far from our Rhode Island home called "Benny's".  Our best friend's twin girls over the years (they are 16 now) have come to call the store, "Broken Benny's" because whatever you buy there seems to break or wear out within a few week or months of purchase.  And when you add up the dollars spent, you find that you ended up overspending versus buying quality the first time. As I once told a professional services vendor, "Look, I'm an American consumer, and that means I want it now, I want it perfect, and I want it free...or at least cheap".  What Mr. Richards points out so well is that we can't have our "cheap" cake and eat it too.

King David describes that not all things in life should come free and in fact, we should always pay a fair price for those things that we purchase. We have become so accustomed to wanting everything for free or below what we want to pay.  We are reminded over and over in God's Word that we are to be fair to others and that we all pay a price for the lives that we live.  We have to look no further than the price that was paid for our salvation to understand and model that if we aren't willing to pay our own price to commit, follow and share our belief in Jesus that we are missing out on what He paid for us.  When it comes to our role as believers in the workplace and our striving to bring glory to Him in all that we do, let's never try and take the cheap way out but instead pay forward the price that was paid for us!

Reference: 1 Chronicles 21:24 (New Living Testament)

day 930: Chatter and Yammer

"Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes, I am here,' he will quickly reply"

Salesforce.com has done pretty well with their internal social media/communication platform called Chatter.  The more companies that adopt Salesforce the more Chatter becomes used.  Maybe that is why Microsoft decided to pay more than a Billion dollars for Yammer.  Chatter and Yammer both are platforms to speed up and cross pollinate communication inside of organizations.  They both make a lot of sense to me as communication inside of organizations is always one of the toughest challenges for any business.  Most every downfall or misstep can be credited back to poor communication.  What also happens inside of companies is that internal silos are created by organizational structures and facility arrangements so it is no wonder that one hand doesn't know what the other is doing.  Tools that allow and encourage communication at the base of an organization across functions, departments, buildings, etc. can only help.

Isaiah tells us who the first real-time, always on communicator was and is still today.  That is our God.  He is always there and as the scripture says, "He will quickly reply".  What a fantastic promise and knowledge to hold onto; that God is both our Chatter and Yammer friend, partner, and co-worker for His Kingdom work.  So, today, remember few things are better than open, honest, fast and fluid communication and God is standing by for that communication to start from us to Him!

Reference: Isaiah 58:9 (New Living Translation)

day 929: Power Stuggles

"To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen." 

If you have opened up a business section, watched the news, or skimmed the headlines online over the last week then you will have seen the corporate battle taking place in North Carolina over the merger of Duke Energy and Progress Energy. The ouster of Bill Johnson as CEO, and installation of Jim Rogers, within hours of the merger reads likes a business fiction thriller and conjures up the days of "Barbarians at the Gates".  Even after all of the sworn testimonies and lawsuits we may never know whether the change of CEO's was premeditated, but what is evident is that a power struggle ensued and the Board of Directors changed their mind and took an action that will be questioned for awhile. What is also certain is like with any power struggle that egos and personalities had a bearing on the decision. At this level of corporate America the size of the boardroom has to be big to fit the egos that walk into the room. When trying to accommodate and make room for two highly successful CEO's, who then are to co-exist in new and subordinate positions to each other, is similar to bringing together a warm and cold front across the Midwest on a hot summer day.  There is going to be a storm and it's going to be a big one (which happen to be the worst of times for power companies). We'll have to watch and see what happens in the particular "power struggle" but without a doubt the winners and losers will be at it for some time.

Power struggles are not new to any of us.  We see them all the time and for the most part they come and go.  We are also familiar with the power struggle that happens inside of us each and every day.  It's us, our own personality, ego. and will in struggle with giving it all up and allowing God to have full authority and dominion over our lives. Reflect on what we have watched, heard and read about the power struggles in business and consider that the same is happening inside of us daily.  Here we sit, with the greatest power of all time wanting to give and provide for us, and we push back, rebel and do all we can to keep our own control.  It's time to give up the "power struggle" and let the real power flow through us today.  There is only One who should be in the position of power in our lives and we know who He is! All we have to do is willingly step aside.

Reference: Jude 1:25 (ESV)

day 928: Excelling

"Now as you excel in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you - so we want you to excel in this generous undertaking."

Every business or organization must find something in which they excel.  To not do so would be to be complacent and to have a hard time rallying an organization to work hard, and go above and beyond the call of duty. Imagine working someplace where it's okay to not be excelling and to not know what it is that the organization from the top thinks that we are the "best of the best" at performing, producing or providing?  It's not that far fetched that this could happen if a company is not over-communicating those areas of strength and pride.  Consider today that there are more than one in your organization, department or team who is coming to work today and don't really feel that excitement or passion inside because they haven't been recognized or told at what they and the organization are both excelling and winning.  Trust me, it can't be overemphasized enough. In order to get people to be at their best everyone must know what it is that we are excelling so that the achievements of the person and the organization can be present and powerful.

Paul tells us as believers in what we should excel. He lays out for us; faith, speech, knowledge, eagerness, love and generosity.  And yes, we can find many other places and references in the Word for other areas for us to excel, but if we could just excel in these, how must stronger could we be as an example of God's work in us?  Let's think through today if we are truly excelling in the eyes of the Lord in these areas and where we are falling short and then ask Him to strengthen and bolster us today for what we may face in the workplace.  I appreciate each of you who are reading this today, because by virtue of doing so, you are committed to excelling in your purpose of bringing glory to God in the work that you do.  Thank and you and may God's blessings be upon you today!

Reference: 2 Corinthians

day 927: Trade Balance

"I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of fair balance between your present abundance and their need, that that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance."

Each month we can read the report on the national trade balance.  This is the measurement of how much output and exports that we create in comparison to how much we import for consumption. This is measured in U.S. dollars and is a key economic indicator.  I am not an economist and most of this is far above my "pay grade" but I am smart enough to know that it is important to have a balance in this and other areas where countries, organizations and people depend on each other.  When the U.S. imports too much over exporting then the trade balance becomes weighted and it causes power and economic struggles. This is why we want to keep things in "balance".  The same is true in our businesses where we have to keep a balance between what we trade with our partners, suppliers and customers.  Even having one customer that is too large as a percentage of overall revenues can create an unbalanced set of consequences. We can extrapolate the words of trade balance into many situations in our businesses and quickly identify where the balance is skewed.  We would be wise to look at these and correct them so that balance can be restored, or achieved for the first time.

Finding a "trade balance" in our own work lives is also important.  Consider if we are giving as much to others as we are asking?  Also consider are we ensuring that our abundance is being put to the right purposes so that we are helping those in need?  Too many times, I think, we rush to think about our monetary balances and then become protective of our "wealth".  But, we as believers, can and should think bigger than that.  Our abundance of time, or our abundance of strength, or our abundance of patience, or any of the fruits of the Spirit are all ours, not to hoard, but to share and spread to others. If we are willing to open our eyes and hearts to see the imbalances among us we can be the ones to step forward and be a testimony of Christ by leading the way back to balance.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:13-14

day 926: Billing By The Hour

"For you know the generous act of our lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich."

Anyone who has ever had to engage someone who is in professional services knows what it means to be billed by the hour. There is always that moment when you look at the hourly rate and then gasp.  What usually happens next is you take your own salary and divide it by 2080 (the number of work hours in a year - if 40 hours a week) and make the comparison.  That's when we either see reality or we deny the proposal because we can't make sense of the hourly rate proposed.  I'm personally terrible at setting an hourly rate because I can't charge what the market might say my time is worth because it feels like "too much to ask'.  But, that's just me.  A good exercise inside an organization is to think what would we be doing with our time and people if we thought about every hour being spent as "billable".  No one wants to do this because it is cumbersome but it would be eye-opening, if not eye-popping when completed.  For sure we would be more cognizant of the amount of time we sit in meetings, or worse yet, sit around waiting for a meeting to start.  The billable hour assessment for a week or so can be healthy for an organization.

Paul writes to us of generosity and the encouragement for all of us to be generous in our undertakings and time with other people.  He also tells us that there was one who never considered His time to be billable.  How fortunate we are that God doesn't bill for services rendered as if He did, we could never afford what He has and will do for us.  One way that we can respond to what God has and does do for us is to be generous with our time, talent and treasure to others.  Today, consider that the way we allot what we have to others as our reflection of Christ.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 8:9

day 925: Harry Levinson

"Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works."

This last week the business world lost one of the most influential thinkers and writers of our time.  Most people wouldn't know the name Harry Levinson but they have likely benefited in their jobs from his thinking and writings.  All across America and the world there are positions in corporations called, "Chief Learning Officers".  This position emanated from Levinson's 1968 book titled, "The Exceptional Executive".  Quoting from this obituary in the New York Times, "Dr. Levinson argued that a psychological contract existed between employees and employers, laying out the expectation each had of the other.  Employees who feel that their employers have violated that contract will feel depressed, he said, and may well become underachievers".  Probably the most influential CEO to adopt Levinson's teachings was long-time General Electric CEO, Jack Welch.  Welch built a powerful leadership team and modeled Levinson's theories in how he set up the HR philosophy and practices at GE. Dr. Levinson's passing is a reminder of how influence can occur for generations when the most of us would have no idea where that influence started.

Paul was a also a believer in motivating each other, encouraging and ensuring that there is strong support among believers. What a powerful force each and every one of us could be if we were to be knows as the influence and motivator of others.  Consider today whether or not you are modeling being a motivator of the others around you? If you have doubts, then it is time to spend time with God asking Him to what it is needs to change for you to be so.

Reference:  Hebrews 10:24 (New Living Translation)

day 924: Declaration of Dependence

"Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart."

The topic of the day today will be, "What are you doing for Independence Day?"  For many, it's the beginning of a very long weekend or vacation week.  I am a big fan of the Fourth of July for what it stands for in our country and the freedom that was won for each of us.  It's in our DNA to want our independence.  We want it at work, at home, in our society, etc.  When taken from us, we fight.  When asked to give it up, we rebel.  The same is true in business and in our jobs.  Some of the toughest times in our careers are when our independence is challenged.  We should think about that when we make organizational changes, restructure, or how we assign work and responsbilities.

In our quest to live a life where we bring glory to God in all that we do, it not about independence, it is about surrendering this to be dependent on God for all that we do and have. God gives us freedoms but he does not want us to be independent from Him in any way. It is a gift that we can be so assured and safe in His arms that we give up our independent streak to allow Him to work within us. Today and tomorrow as we celebrate our country's independence, let's also restate our own personal "Declaration of Dependence" to Him!

Reference: Psalm 119:34 (New Living Translation)


Purposed worKING will resume on Monday, July 9th!  Happy Fourth of July to you and yours!

day 923: The Boardroom

"And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

The first time we are allowed into the Boardroom is a momentous time as for the first time we are exposed to how the business operates at the highest level of decision making.  I still remember my first time and what I walked away with was some shock at how the group was really no different than any other team who fought, persuaded each other, argued, passively aggravated, agreed, spoke, complained, praised, and joked like any other group that we might work with at our own level of the company.  Gosh, they were just like the rest of us.  But, I also remember being in awe of a few people in the room who were amazingly smart and laser focused in their thinking and communication.  I immediately looked to these people and thought, "That is what I want to be like when I sit in their chairs someday.  While we are all the same, there are certain individuals who can create that awe when you are in their presence. Every Boardroom should have a few of these people if we are to have a Board that the rest of the Company aspires and wants to follow.

When Jesus calmed the storm, His Disciples, men who knew Jesus well were in "awe" of Him. What an experience for these men to have been in the presence of Jesus in such an environment where they could be in real-time awe.  It's easy to get jaded in business and life and lose the sensitivity to be awed.  But, with Jesus there is always a reason to be in awe of Him.  He is inviting us today into His boardroom and wants us to sit at the table with Him and be in full awe of His power and what he can do within our lives.  What boardroom are paying most attention to today?  Is it the one down the hall or on the top floor of our building, or the one that is in God's Kingdom?

Reference:  Mark 4:41