day 1212: Crossings, Again

"The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him."

We all disagree on topics with other people. It is inevitable and expected. Not everyone will agree on all points and approaches to the task at hand or the long-term strategy, or who should make the presentation or sales call. Whenever there is a collection of people to make a decision there will be dissenters. Dissenting is not a bad thing but in the workplace a dissenting vote can mean more than just disagreeing and moving on. At work a disagreement with another person can be taken as a full-frontal assault, a stab at someone's competence, or to the person who is being disagreed with a lack of loyalty from their peers. Thus, at work, getting other people to agree and take your side can become a sophisticated weave of politicking. And, that happens whether we like it or not. We are taught early on to "have the room with us before making a presentation". That means that before the meeting we are to have gotten around to everyone who is going to be in attendance and be sure that they know what is going to be presented and get enough support that in the meeting itself there are no surprises and the pitch or proposal gets enough support to move forward. We are taught this politicking very young in our careers and then we spend the rest of our work life trying to master the lesson. By nature, I like to think I am more agreeable than disagreeable. I like to see others succeed so crossing paths with others is uncomfortable and sticks with me. I have lost many a night's sleep thinking about how someone else is going to feel about my disagreement and counter point of view. I worry about not only how they will feel at the time, but what will be the long-term ramifications and what I can expect back in return in the future? Where will my decision today sit me with this person and others in the future? It's a silly concern, but I tell you this, because I think it is one that we all face regularly in our jobs. And when we are put in this situation, we need to look beyond ourselves to bring us the peace to continue to stand by a decision and do what we think is right and correct for the issue at hand.

After many of those sleepless nights, I finally began to turn these concerns over to God and I tried to let go of my downstream worries and stay in the moment. What I have learned is that God is there to bring us peace within the turmoil of our work. He knows what it feels like to take a counter point of view and the looks, jeers and rejections that come from holding firm and resolute. Imagine the rejection and repercussions that came for Jesus when He swept through the Temple, upending the tables of the merchants! Not only was He taking a strong stand he was certainly crossing others in their livelihood and their work. Jesus knows what we feel in our jobs. God gives us His word that He will bring us the peace we need, if we will call on him; "The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in Him." Today starts a three-day weekend and I suspect that there are many of us who will go into this weekend with one or more of these nagging work problems. Before you leave the office today, take a moment to sit at your desk or work-station, and ask God to give you the peace and refuge that you need to leave the disagreements, the crossings, the politics of work, at the office for the weekend. Ask Him to take the labor out of this weekend and replace the worry and concern with peace. Honor Him this long weekend for accepting that request by replacing every doubting thought with prayer of praise and thanks for being a God who comes to work with us so that we can live out His purpose!

From one of God's Laborers to another, Happy Labor Day weekend!

Reference: Nahum 1:7 (New Living Translation)

day 1211: Alot From Nothing

I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

I am amazed at how excited Patti gets from the discount she gets off of her gas from her grocery shopping.  At our place in Rhode Island, Stop-n-Shop gives a discount on cost per gallon at participating gas stations.  The most I have seen the discount add up for redemption has been $.60/gallon.  A ten gallon fill up equals a $6.00 discount.  Not bad, or so it seems. To get to that $6.00, she has to spend $300.00 in groceries.  So, one way to look at it is that this value is really more like getting a 2% rebate.  The beauty of this program is that they have transferred a savings from something expected to something not expected. The point here is that for very little, the positioning has significant perceived value to the consumer.  It begs the question, what do we have in our business that when transferred to some other area where discounts, sales or rebates would be unusual, that it would be perceived as very high value. 

Faith is like this.  Jesus tells us that all we need is faith the size of a mustard seed to reap and receive any and all that we need.  If we approach all that we are faced, then we can reap so much from just a very little. What is it that stops us from perceiving and realizing the amazing value that God has given each of us through faith? 

Reference: Matthew 17:20 (New Living Translation)

day 1210: Milk or Wine

"My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!"

Opportunities are like wine.  They can be taken advantage of now, or they can sit and under the right conditions, and get even better.  Problems are not wine.  They are milk.  They don't get better with time, they get more spoiled, stinky and can turn into something that ruins lots of other things around them. Those that say that a problem deferred is a problem solved forget that their procrastination will only come back to bite them later. Looking at those things in front of us and asking ourselves, will this get better or worse with time and being willing to honestly accept the answer can be a true competitive advantage.

As believers we also have God's wisdom, guidance and will to assist us in sorting out the wine and the milk. God delivers on opportunities in His own time and if we are in tune with His will then we can accept and be ready for when the opportunity is ready to be grasped. Our problems are His problems to help us accept and fix.  Giving these over to God for Him to solve can provide us peace and assurance that nothing else can. We will face both opportunities and problems today.  Both, if we follow God's lead can be the sweeter of wine and milk.

Reference:  Psalm 25:17 (New Living Translation)

day 1209: Being Disruptive

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations..."

Consider this.  Someone says that you are being disruptive. What do you think they are saying and how should you take this?  Up until very recently, you would have felt corrected and would be trying to figure out how and who you need to go apologize to for disrupting.  That was, until now, when the word disruptive has taken on a new meaning.  Now when you are called disruptive, it can mean that you are being entrepreneurial, visionary, courageous, etc.  Bill Jensen, a business thought leader I respect a lot just published his new book, "Disrupt! Think Epic. Be Epic".  I was fortunate enough to be one of his 100 Disruptive Heroes within the book. I had to smile and wish I could go back and let me first grade teacher know that being disruptive turned out okay. To be fair, Bill also acknowledges those who are anchors; the steady, the voices of reason, those who have proven wisdom.  To make it all come together, we need both and what we can learn is that we can create strength from both sides of the coin, if we only choose to learn and view all as additive and able to advance and improve what we find as our challenges.

Who would ever argue that Jesus was not the greatest disruptor to ever walk the earth?  He turned the world's thinking upside down and inside out.  But, as He disrupted, He did so in a way that others joined his movement of disrupting with love.  He today looks for more disruptors to join Him in showing the world that there is another way.  He wants us to start that disruption right in front of us with those that are closest to us, working inside out through those we love, those we work with, those we associate, those we happen to meet.  We are faced with the question today, will be a disruptor for Jesus?

Reference: Matthew28:19 (New Living Translation)

day 1208: Split Time

"So listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words."

I am constantly challenged with scheduling issues.  It is not unusual for me to get double booked more than once a week.  What I usually try to do is split the difference and make some of each meeting or event. This is probably not the most effective of time and effort management, but it's my tactic in most cases.  When this tactic fails miserably is when in attendance at a meeting, event or even at a dinner, that we allow our minds to drift and we start splitting our time and attention from where we are the time.  I'm guilty of this as well.  Imagine how much more effective and productive we could be if we never split time, but instead kept our energy, focus and attention always full and whole?

We are all so guilt of this spiritually as well.  We go through our day splitting our time and attention away from God.  Life is like one big meeting.  God is sitting across the table talking to us.  We are trying to pay attention, all at the same time keeping the world's smart phone on the desk in front of us, allowing ourselves to be distracted, scrolling through the senseless news feed of the world.  What if we could/would shut the world off for a day, or turn it over so it can't distract us? What if we could make today a day of no split time, but complete focus on what God is saying and asking us to do today?

Reference: Proverbs 7:24 (New Living Translation)

day 1207: Sweet Words

"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare"

"But she is treading all over what I am supposed to be doing!" 

This was from a person I know who is on a non-profit board and she was "fit to be tied" because someone else on the board was treading all over a project that she is trying to lead and get off the ground. She was upset and trying to figure out how to diffuse the situation but still get the point across. That same conversation, change the names and the reason, was happening at that time (and is probably happening right now) across any number of companies across the country and around the world. Who does what, who is in charge, who is taking the next steps and who is trying to one up the other person is a constant dialogue thread at work. As this person and I settled on the best way to talk to the other person to calm the situation and make everything as productive as possible we fell back on the axiom that honey always works the best and that she should be talking to the other person in a way that acknowledges that everyone has been heard and that their thoughts and feelings will be considered.

If I had been faster on my Scripture feet I would have been able to have quoted Proverbs 15:1 for the situation at hand: "A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare". What a great lesson to hide deep within ourselves when faced with these moments that we feel we need to be sure and get our point across in response to something that is out of bounds, off alignment, or crosses a line with us. A gentle word of understanding, a soft response of recognition, or a calming set of words coming from us can suck the negative energy from the conversation and the room, leaving all of us able to to communicate more openly, positively and productively. One of these instances is hiding around the corner for you. It might be today that it flares. When it does, remember the words of Proverbs and see if you can find the gentle answer within you and add your own sweet words  to the situation.

Reference: Proverbs 15:1 (New Living Translation)

day 1206: When 1+1 Can = 3

"Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose."

The word synergy gets used frequently in business. We hear it most when companies are merging and the business leaders say, "This deal will create synergy between the two entities".  We just read these words with the merger of the two largest global advertising firms. That is usually code for cost reductions and potential lay-offs so the word takes on a negative meaning. It is not a negative word at all. Synergy is a great thing and is defined as; "The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects." That does sound good doesn't it? We all want more of that at work, but why is it so hard to get? It's a great question. It shouldn't be hard at all to get two or more people together to combine their efforts so that the result is much stronger than what the individuals could do by themselves. But, somewhere this breaks down and we can't find the synergy and we instead have to reinforce and teach the importance of teamwork and the leaders of the organization have to spend extra time and efforts to get people to work together. It shouldn't be hard at all to get people to want to work together and to get more done with each other than alone. But, many a company talks a good game about teamwork but when it comes down to it, the incentives and rewards (whether spoken or not) are all about the individual and not the team or partnership.

Paul and Timothy tell the people of Philipi what they think synergy should be and we would do well to take their message to heart; "Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose." We have the opportunity today to be synergistic leaders in our workplace. If we take the challenge of Paul and Timothy to find those who we can align with and we, through our own life example, model what it means to love one another, be in agreement and work together with one mind and purpose, then we will be modeling the life of the One we follow. And who at work will not want to be on your team? What an exciting company it would be if there were people all over the organization modeling these behaviors. As it is said, "it only takes one to get it started". Can today you be the one?

Reference: Philippians 2:2 (New Living Translation)

day 1205: Carrying The Load

"Now I will take the load from your shoulders;I will free your hands from their heavy tasks."

Finishing up the last weeks of summer can feel like you are carrying three months of work back into the office. No matter how hard you try to ensure that you have "kept up" there are things that just got pushed to the back burner all summer and when talk turns to Labor Day, well, here comes the work. Carrying the load and the bags of work is all part of the job. For some people that is what they do, they "carry" the bags of others. And, they usually get looked down on because that is their job. I have been in many a job where it was my responsibility to carry the bags of my bosses and I always felt that it was an important part of business and an honor. It's kind of like the caddy for a pro golfer. Without them, a pro golfer wouldn't get too far. They are there for knowledge, instinct, advice, counsel, nerve-calming, encouragement, and strength. I know a very high profile executive in a very high profile job right now who could use someone like this. He needs someone with him to fill in the gaps in his skill set and his intuition. Without someone to help him he has a hard time navigating certain areas. With someone by his side, he is the full picture. The problem is that he thinks he is the full equation regardless and doesn't recognize his deficiencies. Many a person is like him and miss so many opportunities because they don't let others carry the bags and some of the load.

As believers, we are so fortunate in that we recognize that God wants to be there for us to carry the load and do all the things that a great caddy would do. And if we really understand how it all comes together, we know that even when we make the shot, we are to give Him the credit and He gets the glory, not us. We are so many times like that executive. We want to carry all the load and we want to do it all ourselves. But God wants to carry the bag and the load for us and He wants to be the one that can call the club and the shot, all the while coaching and having great things done in His name. Today, think about what it is that you are carrying versus what you should be handing over to God. You will find that he wants us to give it over, like he tells us in Psalms 81:5-7; "Now I will take the load from your shoulders;I will free your hands from their heavy tasks." Today, you need to shed some of the baggage and let God start carrying the load for you. If you try to hold on you will only falter under the weight that you have and the weight and tasks that is yet to come. Let God give you a hand today at work!

Psalm 81:5-7 (New Living Translation)

day 1204: Early The Next Morning

"So the Israelites left early the next morning and camped near Gibeah."

I am not just a morning person, I am an "early the next morning" person.  The distinction and difference is that when I have something important to get done, I will wait until early the next morning to work on it or to get it completed.  Against the advice of those who tell us how to rest and sleep best, I take what I have to do to bed with me, let it sit in my mind, knowing that early the next morning I will be able to tackle it in the quiet before others rise and as the sun and the birds welcome the day. It is when I work best and when I am clearest in my head. Early the next morning also allows for me to be done with that matters most before the mundane and the urgent take over the day.  I remember distinctly once taking this approach to a problem I was trying to solve, only to find Patti standing at the door of my office at 3:00AM asking me what I was doing and me being wide-awake telling her that I had figured out what we (me and others) had been trying to solve.  Later that morning when others got to the office I had more prepared and solved then they imagined could happen.  It was a very good morning and has always reminded me of what can happen "early the next morning."

The Bible is filled with many references of "early the next morning".  Morning is a magical and special time of the day. Our bodies are rested and our minds  renewed.  It is why we also have many Biblical references that we should spend our personal time in prayer and Bible reading early in the morning. What do you think tomorrow could bring if tomorrow, you were commit, as an "early the next morning" time of preparation for the day in front of you, but not doing so alone, but asking God to start this day with you?  I suspect that  early tomorrow morning would be the start of an amazing day!

Reference: Judges 20:19 (New Living Translation)

day 1203: New Year Today!

"At daybreak the next morning, Samuel called to Saul, “Get up! It’s time you were on your way.” So Saul got ready, and he and Samuel left the house together."

I was thinking over the weekend that I have a different "New Year's Day" than when the calendar does.  Of course, I look at January 1 as the official New Years, but for me I count the year as September 1st - August 31st.  I'm not alone in using that calendar, but it's not because I am an anxious and giddy schoolchild looking forward, or dreading, that first day back to school.  For me, I have found this annual pattern because the beginning of September signifies when Patti and I come off of our summertime in New England and head back to the West coast.  Lots of new activities pop up, meetings are set for strategies and plans, etc.  For me, it feels like the beginning of the year and and sadly, the end of August the end of year.  Leaving my mental year at the end of the summer also always makes me appreciate what blessings we have in this life and how I can look forward to summer returning as quickly as I felt it flee.  Our businesses also may have fiscal versus calendar years so we get another new year put upon us.  Consider how fresh and new each month, each week, or even each day can be if we bring to it the feeling of the beginning of a new year.  So, on this Monday, let's look to the new year that is in front of us and start today in making the most of it!

The Bible tells us that all is new every morning and that we are to remember God's faithfulness to deliver us also anew each day.  Each morning can be a new year for us spiritually and as Samuel said to Saul, "It's time you were on your way".  Today, "it is time" to get up and get on our way.  Our way is God's way to bringing glory to Him in each and everything that we do.  Today is a new and fresh start.  Let's make the very, very most today of what we can of ourselves for Him!

Reference: 1 Samuel 9:26 (New Living Translation)

day 1202: Protected Interests

"Workers who tend a fig tree well are allowed to eat its fruit. In the same way, workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.”

We all want to do well at work. We all want to also be rewarded for doing well. It is when we think we are doing well and we are not rewarded to our expectations that we tend to get antsy, upset, disheartened and worse yet, disenfranchised. We then make decisions on how long to stay at the same job and how hard we will work and how much we will or won’t put of ourselves into the job at hand. We all have examples of when we think the rewards and recognition doesn’t match up to our expectations and how we feel when that happens. It is a very hard conversation to have with our employers and sometimes we don’t even know with who we should have the conversation. Should it be our boss directly or some intermediaries like an HR person? Regardless of who it is, it is still a difficult conversation to have and one that if you can avoid entirely, then all the better. But what are we to do in the situation where something has to change? Other than the leverage of leaving the company, which is not the purpose or the desired outcome, there is not much we can say to potentially change the results.  On the other hand, there are rewards to be gained if know the game that is being played. The key to the rewards desired is in knowing, fulfilling and protecting the interests of our employers. This sounds so simple and should be easy to do. But, it is not as clear as it looks on the surface. What are sometimes hard to discern are the true interests of the company, the ones that when pressed and threatened that the company would be stopped in their tracks. Listen carefully to what you hear your boss and CEO saying about where the company is putting its resources (human and financial) and align your work to those goals and objectives. If you are seen as one who is committed to protecting those interests you will be rewarded.

One thing the Bible tells us is that there are certain areas that an employer cares more about than others and that if we are concentrating our efforts and work in those areas that "protect the interests" that we are more likely to be rewarded than not. See the verse above from Proverbs. I would also add that if you are one who shows other that you care this passionately about the success and sustainability of the company that you will be a role model to others. That in itself gives you a platform to share and tell others why you are so committed.

Reference: Proverbs 27:28 (New Living Testament)

day 1201: Associates and Friends

Today's post is a repost of one from the late David Wilkerson.  I first read David Wilkerson's words when I was 12 years old from his book, "The Cross and the Switchblade".  Today, I still read his words as his ministry continues to publish daily.  I've recently been thinking about those whom we surround ourselves with in the business world and in our personal lives and this message struck home and I wanted to pass it along.

Pastor David Wilkerson:

Who do you name as your closest friends? Believe it or not, this question is a matter of great concern to the Lord because your friendships speak loudly, both to God and to the world, about the condition of your heart.

"Lord, what do You think of my friendships? Are they pleasing to You?" Have you ever thought to ask Him these questions? The fact is, a righteous friend can provide a link to the blessing and favor of God, because he encourages you toward a godly lifestyle. On the other hand, an unrighteous friend can be a chain to every kind of evil, leading you into terrible bondages.

As I use the word friend throughout this message, I am not referring to immediate family members. My definition of a friend here is someone with whom you are closely associated, one in whom you naturally confide. In short, a friend is someone with whom you walk and talk and to whom you bare your soul.

You probably have various circles of friends: a "business" circle, which includes your coworkers, partners or clients; a "social" circle, which includes those with whom you associate on a surface level. You also may have contact with ungodly acquaintances. The apostle Paul says it's impossible for us to avoid these kinds of contacts; otherwise, we would have to leave the world altogether!

Yet the circle God cares about most is your intimate circle, your bosom pals.

These are the people you love most, and who most influence your life. You are naturally attracted to one another, and you agree on most things so you feel safe opening your heart to each other.

The Bible tells us we are not to be ignorant concerning Satan's seductions. And one of the devil's most common attacks against us is to bring into our inner circle of friends someone who is walking in deception, an agent of hell who is on a mission to destroy us. Satan especially uses this ploy with lonely or compassionate Christians. He tries to turn an undiscerning person's kindness into an affinity with an evil spirit!

“Do not be deceived: evil communications [companions] corrupt good manners [people]” (1 Corinthians 15:33).

 

day 1200: Willingness

Jesus replied, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."

The adage is, "Where there is a will, there is a way."  That's mostly true, but maybe not always.  I am sure that the Boards of American Airlines and US Air don't feel that way this morning with the news that the Justice Department wants to block their merger.  That probably feels like it is out of their hands at this point, but still if they have the will to do it, then with some compromises and changes, they can probably make it happen.  Having the will is easier said than done.  Sometimes the will means decades of work, or the draining of every cent we have and more, or giving up weekends, or subordinating our egos so that others can succeed.  The will is not an easy thing to have and something that we have to really understand if we are truly willing to to do what it takes, or not.  I told a friend this about a project he is working on, "Somethings are better left not started, than to start it and not finish".  It takes some will to start, it takes all-in will to finish.

A great man of faith died recently.  His name was Dallas Willard.  He was tremendous writer and found ways to explain God's Word that rang true for so many people.  He was quoted as saying, "God will certainly let everyone into heaven that can possibly stand it."  That is a great line to ponder and think about the layers that come with it.  We must be willing to serve God above ourselves and all else. So to stand what heaven can bring for us, is to be willing to be all-in for Christ. Something for us to think and pray hard about today.

Reference: Matthew 22:37 (New Living Translation)

day 1199: Blurred Lines

"Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."

No, this is not a post about the hit pop song of the summer.  This post is about what happens everyday in our work that causes all kinds of problems but can so easily be avoided.  Blurred lines are the discrepancies between what someone thinks they are supposed to be doing and what is actually expected that they do.  Let me give you an example:

"Can you update the group next week on our deal flow?"

"Sure, I've got it."

Next week the CEO asks for the update on the deal flow:

"I'm here to give the update"

"Great, can you pass around the reports?"

"I, uhm, didn't actually prepare any written materials. I thought I was just supposed to give an update".

"How can we understand the flow if we can't see the deals in process.  Go back and get this ready for next meeting and in the meantime, I guess we will just have to wait on you (said snarkily)."

In the debrief the conclusion is that this was a series of honest mistakes but no one is happy and the business has stalled because of blurred lines of what was supposed to have happened and what didn't.  A few clarifying questions would have solved the whole problem.  When in doubt, there is a high chance of blurred lines happening.  Following up with one question can nail it all down,

"So I am sure I have this right, what would be the definition of a home run success from what you are asking me to do?"

That will do it...no blurriness.

Sometimes we need to go back and take out the blurriness of what is expected from us as we do our best to bring glory to God in our work and lives.  Jesus removed the blurred lines when he boiled down all of the commandments and said that we are to live with this as our most important commandment: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind."  If we truly were/are to follow this commandment then we would find that all else falls in place. As we head into the office today, let's step back and ensure that our actions, thoughts and energies are all factored against what Jesus gave us a clear line of what we are to do and be.

Reference: Matthew 22:37 (New Living Translation)

day 1198: charity:water

"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"

Yesterday's New York Times Sunday Magazine ran a great story on charity:water and its' founder Scott Harrison.  It is worth reading on many levels as Scott, who was an accomplished club promoter in NYC saw a need (clean water in Africa), felt a burden to solve the problem, and identified a gap in the market to meet the challenge (give people a way to see proof of their contributions).  Along with ensuring his funding through a very business like way of approaching the market, he has grown charity:water, as a non-profit to nearly $100MM in revenue and impact.  It's a fantastic story and we can all take lessons from Scott and his approach.  A non-profit that we can learn from in our for-profit businesses, that in itself is novel.

Underlying Scott's passion for charity:water is a courage and conviction as a follower of Jesus.  In the article, Scott tells his story of conversion and how his faith has girded and been the underpinning of all that he does.  If you read the article, you will see Scott's courage come through that when while doing the interview with the New York Times, he invites the reporter to church. While it might seem like a small thing to do, it is something we all can do, anytime, anywhere and without being over the the top in the eyes of others in the office, we can do our part to expand God's Kingdom. I am moved, inspired and encouraged by those who are courageous in their faith. Others are also similarly moved.  We just have to bring that courage forth and put it to work for Christ.

Reference: Psalm 31:24 (New Living Testament) 

day 1197: Courage Up!

"So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!"

The Wizard of Oz. When stumbling on it on TV, it's almost impossible to not stop for at least a few minutes and watch. My favorite part of the movie is where the cowardly lion is coming to grips with his own lack of courage. In the movie he finds his courage with the medal that is given to him by the Wizard of Oz. I have known in my career a few cowardly lions at work. These were people who just wouldn't step forward with their point of view until someone else would validate them or give them license to speak or express themselves. There is no reason to not have courage and to not be confident in yourself and who you are.

We are told this is in Psalm 31:24: "So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord!" Unlike the cowardly lion, or those who feel as though they need validation, we already have our validation with the hope we put in our Lord. We have to start with ourselves inside first and then we can outwardly change. We are put in situations each and every day to express courage and to be strong in who we are and in our faith. Take heed today in the office that we can have true hope that allows us to have that unique and significant strength and courage so that we can be a courageous lion at work!

Reference: Psalm 31:24 (New Living Testament)

day 1196: The Need For A Good Night's Sleep

"You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams"

When I was growing up I was told that "the best thing between hope and despair is a good night's sleep". I have hung on that statement many times in my work career, especially on those days and nights when I knew that there was a big problem tomorrow to be resolved, a contentious person to deal with, a major presentation to make, or a set of difficult decisions to be made. We far too many times overlook the need for sleep as a part of how productive or inefficient we will be at work. You can see it on people's faces as the week wears on and sleep deprivation takes over. I am sure that we all have had the same tough night before those next important days as I have; we toss and tumble, we stare at the ceiling, we fret and we worry. And before we know it the night has passed and we wake not as good or as ready for the day as we need to be.
I have found myself many a time praying in the middle of the night to just ask God to give me peace to let me get the sleep I needed (at the time needed so desperately).

What I find myself wanting at those times is to have a line of scripture that can be drawn upon to help me find peace and solace. We are told in Proverbs that if we have done our best at planning ahead and using our insight to think our best that we can rest assured that all will go well. Proverbs 3:24 goes on to say that if we have planned well and thought ahead with insight that, "You can lie down without fear and enjoy pleasant dreams". We need to listen to that message and draw upon it fully. When we have done the best that we know how and we are ready as best we will ever be, then we can put our head on the pillow and let God take over from there. He wants us to rest without fear and to dream positively.

Are you going through a time where the pressures and the stresses are high and you are finding that sleepless nights are the norm instead of the exception? One night will turn to two and then they start to stack up on you? See if tonight you can draw upon God's promise and get the better night's sleep in preparation for the next day coming. He wants us to be the best we can be.

Reference: Proverbs 3:24 (New Living Translation)

day 1195: Availability, Part 2

"Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." 

Earlier this week was the first time I had been in NYC since they added CitiBikes.  I must say, I was amazed by the number of riders I saw using the bikes. But, I was even more amazed by the people I saw riding them.  Men, women, older, younger, dressed for work, dressed for hanging out, dressed for going out at night, all kinds of people using the bikes for what they needed; to get from one place to another. Before CitiBikes, they would have been in a cab, on the subway, or walking.  But, with a little availability of another form or transportation where they didn't need to buy, maintain, store, lock, or worry about their own bike, they were using a bike to get around Manhattan.  And, they were paying for it.  What can we learn from this?  What I see is that availability of everyday products and services, that when made accessible, that we will pay for the temporary use and fulfill a need.  Provide a bike.  How simple and to think how long it took us to get here.

I come back to the fact that our availability for others is more valuable than we even imagine.  Yesterday, I took a phone call with someone who I didn't know at all, who wanted to request some information from my experience for a project he was getting off the ground.  In 30 minutes we covered a lot of ground.  At the end of the time, he told me that the number of people who he couldn't get to call him back or spend any time with him, were beyond counting.  His appreciation of our time was also beyond measurement.  In that conversation I got the chance to mention my church activities, this blog, and why I give of my time to talk to others; enough dots for him to connect that part of my expression of God's purpose for me, access and grace comes through my time allocations.  Being available to do God's work can mean doing it when we least expect it. Being always available and on call for God is what we must do.

Reference: Philippians 2:4 (New Living Translation)

day 1194: Availability - Part 1

"Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." 

I just returned from two days at GRAMMY Camp New York.  As Chairman of the Board of the GRAMMY Foundation, I absolutely love going to GRAMMY Camp and seeing the best of the best high schoolers pursuing their dreams of making it in the music industry.  The New York GRAMMY Camp happens at Converse's Rubber Tracks Studio in Brooklyn.  Converse donates the week of the studio's time and support to the GRAMMY Foundation. Having this availability to be in a state-of-the art studio is just amazing and so appreciated. What's even more amazing is that Converse makes this studio available to any musician and best of all they provide the studio for free, without any strings attached; Rubber Tracks Apply . When I tell people this they are taken back with Converse's generosity and just how cool it is that with this one gift of availability they are building deep loyalty and commitment with their consumers.  One band that forever remembers the one time that they were able to record that one album because of Converse will wear Chuck Taylor's forever. Availability of what we have to offer; be it space, knowledge, people, services, etc. are powerful, powerful consumer brand building tools!

We are God's ambassadors and message carriers.  When we make our talents, time and treasures available to others we have the opportunity to demonstrate the transfer and availability of God's love.  Being available, while not hard, does take work and sacrifice, but with all the sacrifice that was made for us making a little sacrifice to be interested in and available to others seems like not that hard to do.  Can we find one way today to do so?

Reference: Philippians 2:4 (New Living Testament)

day 1193: Show Some Curiousity

"Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing."

There is a guy I know who knows something about everything. No, really, he knows a little something about anything you mention. Sometimes it comes off a little as a "know it all" but I see it more as an admirable trait that he is curious and always learning. An executive was saying to me recently that he is so caught up in what is going on at his job that he feels like he has become myopic to other areas of his life and other people. This happens to the best of us. We have all the intentions to stay connected with others, to network outside of our jobs, to read, travel, learn, etc. But, the days turn into months and the months turn to a year and we wonder where the time went. What we realize is that we haven't put our head up or done much beyond our own jobs in quite some time. It doesn't have to be this way. We can all start today changing this pattern by just showing some curiosity with those who work around us. Just down the hall, right now, is someone who would love more than anything to talk a little bit about what they are doing right now and tell you what they have planned for the weekend. All you have to do is ask.

Paul tells us that being curious and interested in others is a good thing. In Philippians 2:4 we read; "Don't think only about your own affairs, but be interested in others, too, and what they are doing." Today, think about looking beyond what you have on your own plate and send that email, make that phone call, walk down the hall and let your curiosity show.

Reference: Philippians 2:4 (New Living Testament)

day 1192: Walking Directions?

"Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?"

Not a day goes by that at work there isn't some discussion about the "direction we should be taking". This conversation can be at the highest level about the long term strategy of the company or it can be about what we should do with a customer, a website feature, or even what direction we should take with people and the organization structure. Actually, the latter two points are the ones that get talked about the most. Just listen in on the conversations at an airport lounge and the same conversation about what direction to take with an employee, a boss, a candidate, etc. becomes universal across any company or industry. Just change the names and the conversation is the same. Being able to agree on direction is very important and without it all kinds of strife and consternation occurs. Too many companies struggle and sometimes fail over just this issue. Way too many people fail at their jobs because they don't work a little harder to either understand what the direction is, or worse, they try and fight against the direction, only to find out that they become the odd person out. It is essential that there is agreement on direction and we have to do out part to be a part of the agreement on which way we are taking; which way we are walking.

The Prophet Amos says in Amos Chapter 3:3, "Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction?". We know the answer. Who are we trying to walk with today but can't because we haven't found that underlying agreement and understanding on the direction that we all should be heading towards?

Reference: Amos 3:3 (New Living Translation)

day 1191: Shifting Sand

"And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you."

I sit on a number of corporate Boards and am asked to work with management teams and to speak on how to navigate and manage through uncertain times, shaky ground and what can feel like standing on shifting sand. In these sessions or talks I tend to spend a fair amount of time trying to address what has to be a conscious disconnection of self-worth and one’s job. It is too easy to have the two be tangled together. We get used to describing ourselves and what we do by our job, title and company. And when, for any reason, that rug is pulled out from under us; we have a hard time finding our self-worth and ego footing.  Yesterday, I heard from someone about how after almost ten years of success, his company decided to change strategic direction and are eliminating his division. He's okay, but many people just can’t accept the unpredicted and fearful change. They go into denial, anger and sometimes hiding. There is a reason that people will go an indefinite time before they tell their family that they have lost their jobs. In today’s world it is reality that we are all standing on shifting sand. Industries and products, etc. that were stable and always there before  are now gone and jobs that when lost become hard, if not what feels impossible, to replace. And so we find that we can’t put our hope of our future with the company we love, the boss we respect and want to work for forever, or the paycheck that we are counting on for the fueling of our financial future.

It is in times like these that we must remember that we cannot put our hope anywhere but with our Heavenly Father. David cried out in his Psalm as he tried to figure out where to put his hope. He says, "And so, Lord, where do I put my hope?”. He then answers himself with, “My only hope is in you." I was taught by my father to never put my faith in people, as people will always let you down. He was right. We should also not allow our hope in people or companies or jobs. We should continue to challenge ourselves to set our hope on solid rock so that when the sand shifts and we lose our balance or fall that we can pick ourselves back up with the hope that comes from our Lord. Today would be a good day to ask yourself where your hope lies. Are you putting hope in the right or the wrong place? The right place will deliver that sure and solid footing. The rest, in all brutal honesty is just shifting sanding.

Reference: Psalms 39:7 (New Living Translation)