Sunday, December 27, 2009

Where Are You Going?


You've probably heard it said, "If you don't know where you're going how will you know when you get there?" In the same way, if you don't set some goals or have direction for your life, how will you know when you've successfully accomplished your task? You could be wasting valuable time and energy as you wander aimlessly.

Successful people are successful on purpose, they've planned to get "there". Too often people get frustrated, discouraged and end up quiting not because of good intentions but because of poor direction...not having a clear goal. Having clear goals increases focus and helps you concentrate your energy; they help insure greater results.

As a believer in Christ, your first goal should be to consider Jesus "lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls" (Hebrews 12:3 NKJV). Get in the habit of looking to Him for guidance. He should of course, be the ultimate purpose to your life, but he also wants to help you get there. As author of many of those dreams and desires, he's committed to helping you on your journey to completion. He'll also teach you how to deal effectively with the frustrations and setbacks that arise along the way.

How are you going to accomplish those dreams? Start by clarifying your intentions on paper. Begin to set some goals. Even if you end up revising them, start by writing out your thoughts. Writing them out helps you capture what's going on inside.

Another tip to setting clear goals is to get additional input from someone you trust and can confide in, especially the larger the task. You might be surprised by what you can't see. An outside perspective can often provide an angle you hadn't thought of, but ultimately, it provides greater clarity.

Finally, J.C. Penney once said,"Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk." If you have hopes of a successful endeavor, plan on it by setting goals. They won't eliminate obstacles, but they can help insure you stay moving in the right direction to your success!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Christmas Giving- Incognito!


There are a lot of things that make this time of year special. Yet, by far and away the most meaningful for me is reflecting on Christ’s birth and the Nativity; God giving His Son. For hundreds of years humanity had longed for the Savior that was foretold. Now the time had come! Without doubt, this would become the most significant event in history.

Amazingly enough however, is the manner in which God choose to give us His Son. His arrival wasn't announced in a way that would have seemed appropriate. As a matter of fact, even though there were far more people in Bethlehem at that time than normal, no one had a clue as to what was about to take place. It wasn’t until angels heralded the news to a few shepherds in a nearby field that anyone even knew that God’s Son was being born that night.

And so it was, removed from all the commotion, somewhere in a small barn, amidst a few livestock, a young woman groaned with the pains of birth. God’s salvation was being revealed...and no one- except the shepherds- had any idea what was happening! Incredible! God had sent his Son to save all humanity, the same Son who always was and always will be (Revelation 1:8) and it nearly goes unnoticed.

It reminds me of something Jesus said during His Sermon on the Mount, "When you do something for someone else, don't call attention to yourself. You've seen them in action, I'm sure—'playactors' I call them— treating prayer meeting and street corner alike as a stage, acting compassionate as long as someone is watching, playing to the crowds. They get applause, true, but that's all they get. When you help someone out, don't think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out." Matthew 6:2-4 Message Bible.

This seems to sum up God’s giving nature; though He commands highest honor, he does some of his most amazing acts of kindness quietly and unpretentiously. He didn't need extra fanfare to announce the arrival of His Son. He's God...He doesn't need any fanfare!

Why not try giving a gift this Christmas, as much as is possible, without letting the recipient know who it's from. You'll still enjoy the reward of sharing and I think you might find the gift will still have as great an impact on the person opening it!

Do you enjoy giving? Do you prefer to put your name on gifts when you give?

Monday, December 7, 2009

The Board Room.


Dread having those annual board meetings? Never seem to get results during business or committee meetings? People will always bring differing points of view, but here's a couple of ideas to keep things on course for success.

1. Have a plan. Establish the order of business as soon as possible...maybe even ahead of the meeting. Without goals or direction too much time can be wasted wandering. Focus increases the chance for productive results.

2. Spill the beans. Create an atmosphere where hearts and minds can be shared honestly and openly. It may at first, be uncomfortable but such an enviroment can bring out some of your best ideas.

3. Avoid rabbit trails. Since business meetings can tend to be infrequent and lengthy, make the most of your time by minimizing peripheral discussions.

4. Delegate. No organizations' success is the result of any one person. However, too often good suggestions/ intentions fail simply for want of empowerment- no one was delegated the responsibility of seeing an idea through.

Meetings are a necessary part of any organizations growth and success, and everyone in the room should play a part in bringing about that success. Are you planning a successful Board Meeting?