Pile of Dirt

Yesterday I had four cubic yards of topsoil dumped on my driveway. That equates to about five tons of dirt. The reason? I had this crazy landscaping idea that everyone in my family thought was nuts. After my first wheelbarrow full of soil, I began to share their opinion.

Monday evening I began this process. After several loads had been moved via wheelbarrow, it seemed like we weren't even putting a dent in the pile. I was beginning to wonder if we would ever get done. I really wanted to give up because it seemed hopeless. Yet, shovel full after shovel full, wheelbarrow full after wheelbarrow full, we finished late this afternoon. In all, it really didn't take as long as I thought, but at first the task seemed daunting. (And by the way, everyone loves how it turned out!)

In the midst of my perspiration producing and back breaking labor (don't you feel sorry for me?), I was thinking of how similar this project is to life. There are things in my life that I know God is working on in me. At times those projects seem so impossible, the goal so unattainable, that I just want to give up. I think, "There's no way I can change." Yet, God is not concerned. Shovel full after shovel full, God refines me. He is never in a hurry.

So even if there is more dirt on your driveway than clean areas, let the Master Gardener do His job one shovel full at a time. Before you know it, your pile of dirt will be gone.

Change

I think all of you can agree that we are living in different times. The same old way of doing things may not work anymore. As a result, changes will need to be made in some, if not many, areas of our lives.

The problem is...change is typically painful. Have you ever started lifting weights for the first time. How do you feel the next day? That's right, very painful. Yet, if you continue with the program, that pain will diminish and eventually go away altogether. That pain will also go away if you quit the program; however, you will not change and see any new results.

As a leader, helping other people to change can be very difficult. Change requires that people break out of their comfort zones...and we as humans, like to be comfortable so we resist. This short video (click on the purple box) gives some great pointers on helping others to change. I hope you enjoy!

The Power of Accountability

Yesterday, we had our first Truth At Work roundtable meeting in Toledo. It was incredible! In this group we have 10 executives who want to grow their businesses and grow in their walk with Christ.

We meet for four hours once per month and each member pays a fee to be a part of this group so this is a major commitment. Part of our time together was spent in telling everyone what our one personal and business goal was for the month...that one thing we absolutely want to get done this month at home and at work.

As we went around the room, it was cool to see what each person was saying. Some said they wanted to go on a date or two with their spouse. Others wanted to exercise 6 times per week for 30 minutes. Some wanted to have some tough conversations with an employee that they had been putting off. All lofty goals.

Here is where this is a little different. At the end of that time, we told each of them that if they don't accomplish their goal before our next meeting, they will need to pay $100 into our "giving fund" (will be given away to worthy causes periodically). Let me ask you this. Do you think each of their goals are more likely to be done knowing they are truly being held accountable? Of course they will!

So why is this important? Because most of us need accountability to change.

I recently read in Fast Company Magazine titled Change or Die. In the article they cited a study in which patients with severely clogged arteries were told they needed to change their diet and begin exercising or they would die soon. Seems like pretty good motivation right? Not so.

According to studies, only 1 in 10 (10%) of those told this news did anything about it. Can you imagine that? Being told you are going to die unless you change and yet still not changing. We all fall into this.

However, they did a study with 333 patients and they put them into a group that helped to support them and hold them accountable. You know what happened? 77% of the participants changed their eating and exercise habits!

That is the power of accountability. If you truly want change to happen, find a way to be held accountable!

Change

The US Treasury Department announced yesterday that for the first time in 50 years, the penny will be changed...actually four times. Starting on Lincoln's birthday, February 12, the first coin will be released with a change to the "tails" side (shown above). Then every three months after that a new one will be released. Lincoln's head will still adorn the front of the coin.

I remember when the state quarters came out and I thought that was a pretty neat change. I think this change to the penny is also. But why? Change is typically something I am not a fan of. But I suppose this change is OK because it doesn't really impact me. I am sure that is why I think this is a neat thing.

As soon as I need to change or something in my environment changes that impacts my comfort, you can be sure I won't be excited about that. However, as much as I would like to stay in my comfort zone, I also know that the only way I can grow and get better is to get outside of it.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Romans 12:2

The Only Constant Is Change

Doesn't it seem like the only thing that is a constant is change? Everything changes it seems, especially the prices at the gas pump!

Leading a group to change can be very difficult but it doesn't need to be. This simple 3 minute video shares some great truths about leading through change. Check it out here.

One Bite at a Time

Yesterday I met with three other guys who each have their own business. We meet once per month as what we call a "Mastermind Group." This term comes form Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich and involves like minded people coming together to make each other better.

Yesterday was my day to be on the "hot seat." The hot seat participant is to discuss the issues he is having in his business and to solicit ideas and feedback from the others. It is always very helpful.

During our meeting I presented some information about my Bleedership business/ministry and I received a lot of constructive ideas. On my way back to my office afterward, my head was spinning. I was really in angst about all of these ideas. I felt like I needed to implement them all right now, yet I didn't (and still don't) feel I had the time to do it. This feeling followed me for the rest of the day.

This morning I was thinking about that and how that really applies to me, and to all of us whenever we realize we need to make a change in our lives. We may feel like it is too difficult or will take too much time so we may never do it.

However, I believe God is telling me not to stress about it and to do what I can today and eventually it will be done. True for all of us!

I have heard it said that the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

Under the Knife II

If you read yesterday, you know that I had minor surgery to repair an umbilical hernia. The procedure went well according to the doctor. Yesterday, once I got home, I was doing fairly well--in a little pain, but manageable.

This morning I got up and my pain level is up there higher than I anticipated.

Two things occurred to me about this.

First is a verse from Proverbs: Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall (16:18). I totally thought this was not going to be a big deal (my pride) but I have found it is a little more painful than I thought it would be (my fall).

Second, I thought about how I traded something that was a minor irritant (but one that would continue and probably get worse over time) for something a little more painful (but would be temporary). I traded more pain for a short while to remove a little pain for a long while.

This is a metaphor for life and changes we need to make in our lives. Things we don't want to give up but we know we should can be viewed as minor irritants. You know what they are, you might say something like this about them, "It doesn't hurt anyone" or "I'm an adult and I can do whatever I want" or "This is just the way I was made and I can't change."

Whatever it might be, change of any type is difficult and painful in some way. However, just like my surgery, it is a choice to accept a little more pain in the short term for much greater gain in the long term. If it is a change to line up with God's Word, you can be assured it is ALWAYS worth it!

The Big 5 Challenges in Life - Part 3

Part 3 of John Maxwell's Big 5 Challenges in Life is:

3. Change

Change is an unavoidable and often unwelcome part of life. Change pushes us away from comfort by refusing to let us settle. By constantly forcing us to adapt, change sparks growth in our lives.

Coming to Terms with Change

(1) Determine that Change Will Be an Ongoing Part of Life.Years ago, Alfred P. Sloan made the statement that the key to success in management does not lie in your ability to adjust to change; it lies in your ability to anticipate change. When we see change coming we can move along with it rather than being blindsided by it.

(2) Make a Commitment to Pay the Price for Change.Along the journey, a leader must make sacrifices to stay abreast of change. If change doesn’t cost you, it’s not real change.

(3) Decide What You Are Not Willing to Change.Leaders have a general openness to change, but they refuse to be swayed in their convictions such as faith, values, and family.