day 1358: Controlling Ourselves

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.."

I've been at The Masters this week.  There are some very controlled golfers and then there are ones when they make one bad shot after another, they let those around them know that they have done so. Self control is one of the areas in life that others can immediately tell if you are good or bad at it personally. It is in some ways a trait that is quite different than others, as it is one that can allow for the others to either be affected by you, or not. Why I think it is important is that it is an area that is really about being human and if we don't have self-control we can end up messing up lots of good things. A few years ago the New York Times called out the CEO of Yahoo! for her continued use of expletives and then used their failing stock price and underlying business fundamentals as a way of saying, keep the four letter words in your mouth, because even if we did want to tolerate them, you don't have the business results to get us to turn a deaf ear.

Our language is a central area for our self-control (which is a fruit of the spirit) to either show itself or be hidden. It's a sure fire way yes, to let everyone know where you stand. One F-bomb in a meeting and if there was any doubt as to what we believe our actions have just settled the score. There are plenty of other ways to outburst that can cause the same reaction, but what comes from our mouth is clear and to the point. Good and bad. If today you are struggling with the language that you use, then fall back onto Galatians and go big with your prayers by asking God to give you the fruit of His spirit and especially self-control. From there, it will be up to you for that fruit to ripen to its fullest or for you to let it go spoiled. A little self control can go a long way.

Reference: Galatians 5:22 (New Living Testament)

day 1178: Distilling It Down To "Be Kind"

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

This past weekend Patti and I attended the Memorial Service of Bill Mahoney.  Bill was the first sales and marketing leader for Bridgewater Capital.  He died earlier this year of pancreatic cancer at the age of 55.  Among his many accomplishments and achievements in life, what stood out for everyone at the event, was not "what" he had done in his professional and personal life, but "how" he went about conducting his life and business. After all was said about him and the love and accolades expressed, it all came down to two words that Bill lived by and was the memorial's focus; "Be Kind".  Kindness is a great word that we don't use enough of in business.  Sometimes we pass over those who are too kind, as in, "He's a kind person, but maybe not tough enough".  The antonyms of kind are: cutting, edged, stinging, harsh, rough, hurtful, unkindly, and unsympathetic.  There is nothing in these that are positive traits to successful people.  Kindness is a trait we can adopt and establish as a part of our corporate cultures, if we so choose.  Bill Mahoney was not short on kindness and beyond being remembered, he will be long admired for keeping this front and center in his attitude and actions.

As followers of Jesus we know that kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.  Today, the question is as simple as this; "Are we showing kindness to others in our work?".  What ways can we do so?  In all ways. In every conversation, in every negotiation, in every interaction, we can, if we choose, demonstrate the fruit of Kindness.

Reference: Galatians 5:22 (New Living Translation)

day 950: Badges

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

This past two weeks what we haven't seen is the behind the scenes activities at the Olympics from the people who attended the games live.  We were fortunate enough to attend the Atlanta summer Olympic Games in 1996 and what happens is that there is a whole other economy that happens on-site with people bartering, trading and buying pins and badges for what events they attended and saw.  It's fascinating as status us earned by amount and type of badges and pins accumulated.




Companies have learned that "social status" is a powerful consumer force and a powerful motivator.  I read of the MacArthur Foundation's work with HASTAC (Humanities, Arts, Sciences and Technology Advanced Collaboratory) to create badges for proficiency of work, skills, trades and knowledge.  It could be interesting if indeed we do see these take hold.  Giving someone, anyone a way to be recognized for their achievements and advancements can be significant and it is worthwhile to explore how to use this concept internally and externally to our organizations.

We are challenged as believers to turn the concept of badges inside out.  Yes, we are to wear our armor of God, but that armor is only as good as what flows from inside of us out to others, who are watching and assessing how real and legitimate we are followers of Christ. Our badges that we are given come from the Holy Spirit and we learn that if the fruits of His spirit are not evident an growing that something isn't right.  God gives us our own internal "badge" system to evaluate ourselves.  As we start this week, let's read through the fruits of the Spirit to ensure that we are focused on what is right and best for us and consider the badges that others see us wearing.

Reference: Galatians 5:22-23 (New Living Translation)

day 779: Cyber Monday

Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous - how well I know it.

Today is "Cyber Monday". This is a term that is not that old. It started in the 2000's as e-commerce sites became popular as shopping destinations on the Monday after Black Friday. Black Friday actually has a meaning. This is the day that many bricks and mortar retailers turn profitable in their fiscal year. Cyber Monday doesn't have that level of significance as it is really a day for the digital retailing world to show off their stuff and have a big day. I have no idea what it means to productivity in the workforce today, but it is a big day that anyone who sells online has been gearing up and preparing for. That is the case for all of our businesses. We each have a big day, or a big season, when we show off our stuff and we have to be at the top of our game. That level of preparation and gearing up is important to us as it sharpens and makes us better each year. If your business doesn't have a time like this, then it's worth thinking about how to create that level of focus, attention, and hype. Everyone is at their best at this time and it brings out the best in the organization and people. We all look forward to a time to rally and put ourselves out there. For many, that is today and this holiday season as the rest of this calendar/fiscal year unfolds.

Each and every day we are asked to "show our stuff" and be at our best. God challenges us in all aspects of our life to be at our best and to bring glory to Him in all that we do. During our own busy and peak seasons it can be hard to remember that that these are also the best times to be focused and cognizant of the example that we are living for Christ. When everyone else is stressed and at their breaking points, if we can be a role model for patience, gentleness, kindness, peacefulness, joy, etc. then the fruits of His spirit will be contagious. Others are looking to see His workmanship in you. Can you make today, and this busy season the time when He shines through?

Reference; Psalm 139:14 (New Living Testament)

day 460: Self Control

Self control is one of the fruits of the spirit that we read about in Galatians 5:22. It is in some ways the one that is quite different than the others, but the one that can allow for the others to either be manifested or not. Why I think it is there is that it is the one that is really about being human and if we don't have self-control we can end up messing up lots of good things. A few months ago the New York Times called out the CEO of Yahoo! for her continued use of expletives and then used their failing stock price and underlying business fundamentals as a way of saying, keep the four letter words in your mouth, because even if we did want to tolerate them, you don't have the business results to get us to turn a deaf ear. Our language is a central area for our self-control to either show itself or be hidden. It's a sure fire way yes, to let everyone know where you stand. One F-bomb in a meeting and if there was any doubt as to what we believe our actions have just settled the score. There are plenty of other ways to outburst that can cause the same reaction, but what comes from our mouth is clear and to the point. Good and bad. If today you are struggling with the language that you use, then fall back onto Galatians and go big with your prayers by asking God to give you the fruit of His spirit and especially self-control. From there, it will be up to you for that fruit to ripen to its fullest or for you to let it go spoiled. A little self control can go a long way.

Reference: Galatians 5:22 (New Living Testament)

day 458: Control Freaks

I have a dear friend who is a senior executive who has become a control freak. Control freaks are people who can't let go and have to have everything within their life totally under their control at all times. Spontaneity disappears and what takes over is some kind of micro minutia management approach. The sad part about this is if we are doing it at work, we are doing it at home. Real trouble can brew if this happening. Now, there are those who have worked for me who would tell you that this is the kettle calling the pot black. Yes, it is true that I have the tendency to get into the details and manage the small when the bigger picture is hanging over me. That being said, I also recognize when I am doing it and then try and course correct. Control freaks don't care. It is what they do. They don't respond when their staffs tell them that they don't want to be checked up on constantly or be called on the weekends to provide an update or have to meet incessantly so that the boss has every piece of information and data. It's hard to let go, but when we do we are looked at in a much more favorable light from those who work with us. Nowhere is this lesson more clear than what we are taught in Galatians Chapter 5. Paul tells the Galatians to quit hiding behind the rules and the controls and instead find a new way of operating. Paul says for us them/us to allow God's Spirit to flow through us without over controlling the situation. He says let the fruits of the Spirit grow and be what takes over. Today, are you over controlling something or someone at work? If you are, then today is a great day to change directions. Today, think about allowing yourself to be guided by God's Spirit and call upon the fruits of the Spirit to be what shines through from you. It's hard to change but the peace and the confidence that can come from allowing Him to help you work, can be positively overwhelming and as far from being a control freak as you might imagine.

Reference: Galatians Chapter 5 (New Living Testament)

day 304: Appropriate Office Gifts

By the end of this week people will be leaving for the Christmas week, so between now and Friday whatever gifts that are going to be exchanged in the office will likely be given. As such, the business media pulls out their annual stories about the gifts that are given in the office and what is appropriate and what is not. Some companies have their own rules around what can be given to vendors or customers and those policies have to be followed. But few talk about what is okay to pass along to other co-workers, the boss, and subordinates. I was never much of a gift giver but if I did give a gift I played it safe and I would give, for example, the same book to all my direct reports. The reason we have to play it safe is that even a gift can be misinterpreted or worse yet animosity can be created if one person gets one gift and another gets something else. So, whether we like it or not, we even have to think hard about the gifts that we give at work. Another reason, I guess why we call it work. Here is a set of appropriate gifts that you can give to anyone and a set of gifts that can be given all year long, every day, to everyone. No, they are not Harry and David fruits. They are even better. The fruits of the spirit are the gifts that are all age, people and job appropriate. We read in Galatians 5:22; "But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." I cannot imagine a better set of gifts to give to others for this coming year. And how these gifts would multiply if we were able to give them daily and consistently. As we think about what it is that we can give to others, before we go to the superficial and the ones that are soon forgotten, used up, or thrown away, think about the gifts that you have as a believer and follower of Jesus and see if you can't start giving these gifts away, right away, even starting today.

Reference: Galatians 5:22 (New Living Testament)