Tag: vision

15,492 Days

Tea Brewing

Updated post from the spring of 2008.

Sometimes the calculator can be your best friend.  Today I decided to do an exercise long overdue.

I added up the sum of my days on this planet we call earth.  That number turned out to be 15,492 days.  Birth, school yard wonder, working for a living, falling in love, and being found by the vision.  What a statement in a time when we have little time to stop and think.

The numbering of your days is important.  The following are my reasons for embracing the miracle and exercise:

  1. Numbering your days sobers you.  We can get drunk on success, materials and prestige
  2. In the words of a great songwriter; “we’re only immortal for a limited time“
  3. Creates urgency to do and to dream
  4. Settles you down from worrying about things you’ve got no control over
  5. Makes you realize that safety is a myth.  God wired us for risk and adventure
  6. Helps you avoid regrets
  7. Kills the counter-genuine cells.  Screams the importance of keeping things real
  8. Makes you realize your terminal and that you don’t have to wait for a diagnosis
  9. Builds courage
  10. Makes every smell, taste and delight precious.  Sort of like a 2000 Barolo or the voice of Michael Franks

Number your days, because they’re numbering you.

What You See In the Valley

My friend Marc sent the above short to me today…it is well worth the 5 minutes  It appears it was made a couple of years ago.  I think about where I was at then.  Trying to make sense of a new way working and living.  Not having the energy anymore to grade people on "style points."  Funny how certain images/places in time stir you.

This short clip was timely, considering my struggle to learn how to live differently-in light of my father's passing. 

I've cried today more than I have in a while.

Here's what crossed my heart and mind as I watched the above video:

  1. The last communication I had with my father was a kiss.  No words, just a kiss.
  2. It's never a good idea to pretend…be vulnerable.
  3. I'm glad God introduced a level of humility to me 3 years ago that I needed desperately.  It softened my heart and allowed me to see with eyes of forgiveness and tenderness-specifically toward my father.
  4. I hugged and kissed my son when he got off the bus today.  We've always shared physical affection, but today I needed to plant a seed.
  5. I don't know when my heart will mend.
  6. Maybe what's inside me has changed the world (thank you, Robin).
  7. Even the strong need to allow themselves to be weak.

I have been brief here. 

After the Dream

What do you do after the dream? Do you revel in the possibility of what, at this point, exists in your head alone?

The best dreams, dare I write, the type that come to pass are mixed with vision and deliberate will. 

I've read it many times the quote of success being able to move from failure to failure and not lose enthusiasm for what could be. I tend to agree with that, even as I live in an environment that prizes winning to the point of obsession.

This lyric is appropriate:

    And the dreams that you dare to dream

    Really do come true.

The emphasis is on the dare my friends.

Looking Past the Transaction

Rare is the organization that can look past the transaction.  Often, they're so fixiated on sales and sales forecasts.  The better idea here is found in the faith-based (not speaking about religion) approach to selling and relationship-building.  The belief in your product or service in such a way as to having faith that it will solve a problem or create a desired breakthrough.

This is tough work and it requires a steadfast reliance on the mission.  A career, a transaction-based business model or protecting market share will never do.

So the next time you look at that client or prospective client, do you see a transaction that benefits your business model?  I hope not.  You should see someone who has a problem you can solve and a relationship to be built.  There's no substitute for the latter.

What A Florist Taught Me About Life and Work

Spring_Crocus 

I've taught people about the idea of "doing" what makes you come alive many times in my work.  You've either witnessed it in other people or discovered it within yourself.  Regardless, it's priceless and leaves a mark on you.

A couple of weeks ago I went to a florist in my city to buy my wife flowers.  I went to this small business because a couple of friends had just purchased it and I wanted to give them my business.

When I walked in I greeted Amy and congratulated her on the purchase and asked her how things were going.  She talked about the various marketing ideas she had, the changes to the look and feel of the store that were to come and how crazy things were going into the Valentines Day holiday.  But there was one thing she said that left a big mark on me.  The following are her words:

    "When I'm in the back working on arrangements, that's my place, that's my time to be."

Here's what I learned, and am still learning, from her words:

  1. Knowing who you are versus who you are not makes a big difference.
  2. Epic Living is defined by the individual and looks different for each person.
  3. Our Life is screaming out to us to pay attention.
  4. You have to have the vision, the willingness to act and the patience to experience your dreams.
  5. Entrepreneurism is a road filled with opportunity and risk.
  6. Doing a work that requires you to show up is essential.
  7. It's very important to listen to the stories of others.

I'm sure there's more I could add to the list, but we all can utter the words Amy did if we truly are willing to go on the journey.  It's my life's work to help you.

A Glimpse Of A 2011 Growth Plan

As we've crossed over into a new year, and decade for that matter, I thought I would share some of what I'm planning for 2011.

The importance of having a growth plan is nothing new to you if you've read my work before.  It truly is the fuel behind any vision.  If you haven't embarked on this type of journey, I highly recommend you do and we can help.  Click here to learn more.

The following is my vision and some bullets from my 2011 growth plan supporting it:

    God’s destiny for me is to have and live an Epic Life.  This life will address multiple facets of living.  My life will be a motion picture that births joy and changes lives.  My legacy will be built accordingly.

    I see myself as an excellent husband and father.  Eileen, Lauren and Grant are my most important priority.  Their lives will be wonderfully impacted by my love, time and influence.

    As it relates to Influence, God intends for me to lead on a large scale and stage.  I will communicate encouragement, development and opportunity to people of diverse backgrounds. The marketplace is the arena in which He intends for me to have impact.  I see myself expanding that influence through speaking, writing, teaching and one-to-one mentoring.  I also see Epic Living as the organization focused on developing and reproducing people of influence within the public and private sector.

    My physical and mental health will be strong due to the conscious choices I will make.  I see a long an vibrant life ahead as God allows.

    I see my finances reflecting strength, knowledge and wisdom.  I will make decisions that are investor-minded versus consumer-minded.

    In His church and community, I will minister to individuals and groups by the same methods above.  My key focus areas are influence development and personal growth.  God will also use me as source of encouragement to all I encounter.

  • 30 minutes of silence to listen to God
  • Two dates per month with Eileen
  • Incorporate Yoga into my exercise plan
  • Network on behalf of job seekers in my community
  • Execute on a “stop doing list”
  • Look into natural resources investments
  • Complete second book

My vision and growth plan have more elements than what I've listed, but I wanted to give this to you as source of "example."  I hope it will stir you.

Everyone Has A Story

I subscribe to the Pigg Pin because I need help in the garden.  Kevin dispenses in an understandable way, and I don't have to spend crazy amounts of time implementing the advice.

His post is more about his journey in life and entrepreneurism.  It's rooted in accidents and attraction, but one that I share on a different path.  I believe we all have something in common with Kevin.  Shame that so many spend a lifetime denying it.

Cheers to you if your living the dream, and to Kevin for the gardening and entrepreneur advice.

The Meaning of Vision and Goals

Mountain range photo

 

Conducted a workshop this weekend for a company around vision and goals.  It was a great group to work with.  I was truly honored to leave my imprint on their management team.

I got to thinking this morning about why vision is a necessary part of goal setting.  The formula goes something like this:

Vision is the why and what, while goals are the how.

It’salso important to rememberber that vision develops over time (Thank you, Rick and Terry).  The old Polaroid camera can be a great object lesson here.