day 1013: Memes

"...Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity."

Having just come out of the political season, I learned much about memes.  I watched and participated in the creation of memes that went no where and a few that caught wind and became a part of the social media jetstream. But, it's not as easy as putting together a few words, sticking a hashtag on it and then getting a bunch of people to tweet or share it around.  There has to be much more thinking and consideration behind it before it will become something relevant.  Timing and personal adoption are two things that I learned are so important.  A thought before or after its' time goes no where.  A thought that others can't adopt and internalize also will be die before it gets going.  But, when the two come together, lightning gets caught in a bottle. Our internal and external messaging about our companies and organizations are the same.  Timing and personalization, if focused on intently can be the difference between a successful product launch and a failure. We should always be asking, what is the right time and what do we need to do to have people make this personal?  Get those two right, and there is no stopping.

What is our own personal meme that we are trying to create?  If someone had to sum it up today what would it be?  What we need to know and recognize is that God's timing for us right now and always.  He wants us to be living out His example today, tomorrow and ongoing.  So, there is no debate on whether or not we should wait.  Sometimes we might feel like we are not good enough or ready to live for Him.  This is the same thinking that keeps us from starting to exercise until we lose a little more weight.  Irrational, but how we as humans think. So, if timing should be clear, then how is that we make this thing of our lives being lived with purpose something that is personal to others?  This is where Paul gives us the power of our example.  This is in some ways is our most powerful tool for the Kingdom. Our meme for God is in our words, our actions, our love, our grace and yes, the purity that we can pursue. Memes are infectious and memes are powerful. You are a meme for God, if you want to be.

Reference: 1 Timothy 4:12 (New Living Translation)

day 597: It Starts Here!

We want our businesses and each person in our company to be a shining of example of the brand or service image that we are trying to portray to our customers. When all of our actions and words align then we get good results and the customer sees, hears and experiences what we desire. But, all it takes is one little slip up and everything gets out of kilter and then what was supposed to be in alignment becomes mismatched, convoluted and confusing. We must work hard to keep everything in alignment and it really starts with each us having our own house in order. That house being our own values, principles, actions and words. It's amazing how quickly a bad action can spread and ruin lots of hard work that went into building a reputation. We can simply follow the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians to see how it is that we should conduct ourselves, "We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord be the way we act, and so no can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind." Yes, Paul is speaking to us as plainly as he was talking to those he taught and mentored. If we are to be people who bring Glory to God in our work and on our jobs; this being our purpose, then we have to have it start right here, right now, to get it right for the long run. We have to be ones whom others look to as examples of how they are supposed to live and work. Reread Paul's words and check and see where you might be falling short and then let it start anew right here, today for you.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (New Living Testament)

day 524: Leading By Example

Who do we look up to? Who is it in the company that we pattern ourselves after and would like to be like? Everyone has someone that if we think about it hard enough we will put in this category. Even if we are at the top of company, or a functional leader, there are still bigger companies and more distinguished peers that we can look up to and try and be like. There was a time that even the CEOs of the largest companies across America, when asked, would mention people like Jack Welch as their role model. We all look up. But, what we need to understand is that we may also be the role model of someone else. In fact, it's a pretty good chance that this is true and we probably don't even know that this is so. Just like we may have never told our role models that they are such, the same is true of someone else not talking to us. Wow, this leaves us with responsibilities and accountability that we don't even know about. But, it is does not absolve us of this responsibility. We can't be like certain professional sports athletes who think it is cool to make this counterclaim of not being a role model. It is what it is and we need to make the most of the opportunities provided to us. David talks about this in Psalm 71:7; "My life is an example to many, because you have been my strength and protection." Yes, we are the examples to many and today would be a great day to check in and ensure that we are leading by good examples. If others are watching and patterning themselves after us, then we need to do all we can to be an example to others that we should be. Moment after moment today, those opportunities will present themselves. Now, we just need to watch and lead by example.

Reference: Psalm 71:7 (New Living Testament)

day 597: It Starts Here!

We want our businesses and each person in our company to be a shining of example of the brand or service image that we are trying to portray to our customers. When all of our actions and words align then we get good results and the customer sees, hears and experiences what we desire. But, all it takes is one little slip up and everything gets out of kilter and then what was supposed to be in alignment becomes mismatched, convoluted and confusing. We must work hard to keep everything in alignment and it really starts with each us having our own house in order. That house being our own values, principles, actions and words. It's amazing how quickly a bad action can spread and ruin lots of hard work that went into building a reputation. We can simply follow the words of Paul in 2 Corinthians to see how it is that we should conduct ourselves, "We try to live in such a way that no one will be hindered from finding the Lord be the way we act, and so no can find fault with our ministry. In everything we do try to show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind." Yes, Paul is speaking to us as plainly as he was talking to those he taught and mentored. If we are to be people who bring Glory to God in our work and on our jobs; this being our purpose, then we have to have it start right here, right now, to get it right for the long run. We have to be ones whom others look to as examples of how they are supposed to live and work. Reread Paul's words and check and see where you might be falling short and then let it start anew right here, today for you.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 6:3-4 (New Living Testament)