Planning by Guessing

Unless you’re a fortune- teller, long- term business planning is a fantasy. There are just too many factors that are out of your hands: market conditions, competitors, customers, the economy, etc. Writing a plan makes you feel in control of things you can’t actually control.

Why don’t we just call plans what they really are: guesses.

Start referring to your business plans as business guesses, your financial plans as financial guesses, and your strategic plans as strategic guesses. Now you can stop worrying about them as much. They just aren’t worth the stress.

When you turn guesses into plans, you enter a danger zone. Plans let the past drive the future. They put blinders on you. “This is where we’re going because, well, that’s where we said we were going.” And that’s the problem: Plans are inconsistent with improvisation.

And you have to be able to improvise. You have to be able to pick up opportunities that come along. Sometimes you need to say, “We’re going in a new direction because that’s what makes sense today.”

The timing of long- range plans is screwed up too. You have the most information when you’re doing something, not before you’ve done it. Yet when do you write a plan? Usually it’s before you’ve even begun.

That’s the worst time to make a big decision.

Now this isn’t to say you shouldn’t think about the future or contemplate how you might attack upcoming obstacles. That’s a worthwhile exercise. Just don’t feel you need to write it down or obsess about it. If you write a big plan, you’ll most likely never look at it anyway.

Plans more than a few pages long just wind up as fossils in your file cabinet.

Give up on the guesswork. Decide what you’re going to do this week, not this year. Figure out the next most important thing and do that. Make decisions right before you do something, not far in advance.

It’s OK to wing it. Just get on the plane and go. You can pick up a nicer shirt, shaving cream, and a toothbrush once you get there.

Working without a plan may seem scary.

But blindly following a plan that has no relationship with reality is even scarier.

Rework book review: Workaholism

Our culture celebrates the idea of the workaholic. We hear about people burning the midnight oil. They pull all- nighters and sleep at the office. It’s considered a badge of honor to kill yourself over a project. No amount of work is too much work.

Not only is this workaholism unnecessary, it’s stupid. Working more doesn’t mean you care more or get more done. It just means you work more. Workaholics wind up creating more problems than they solve. First off, working like that just isn’t sustainable
over time. When the burnout crash comes— and it will— it’ll hit that much harder.

Workaholics miss the point, too. They try to fix problems by throwing sheer hours at them. They try to make up for intellectual laziness with brute force. This results in inelegant solutions. They even create crises. They don’t look for ways to be more efficient because they actually like working overtime. They enjoy feeling like heroes. They create problems (often unwittingly) just so they can get off on working more.

Workaholics make the people who don’t stay late feel inadequate for “merely” working reasonable hours. That leads to guilt and poor morale all around. Plus, it leads to an but- in- seat mentality—people stay late out of obligation, even if they aren’t really being productive.

In the end, workaholics don’t actually accomplish more than nonworkaholics. They may claim to be perfectionists, but that just means they’re wasting time fixating on inconsequential details instead of moving on to the next task.

Workaholics aren’t heroes.
They don’t save the day, they just use it up.
The real hero is already home because she figured out a faster way to get things done.

-Breathe Again

Anthony,
Keep it together today.
Gotta be stong so my family doesn't fade away

Stranger,
If you get out and walk around in this valley of pain,
I'd bet your heart and mind would almost go insane.

"Lord help me be stong" I pray;
Right now -this is all I can ask for
It is all my lips can conjor up to say.

Because a crevis has been dug,
A well deep within;
And an open gash lays bare in my soul
Baby Anthony, your memory takes it toll-

So I sit here. Still.
Telling myself, "you've got to be strong"
Remember ... always, 'Tougher than the Rest'
Forget yourself,
You are strong ... Take it all on the chest.

Anthony,
Straighten up your back ... your OK.
Be the man.
Throw off that old beaten up raggedy man.
Jesus, your grace
Make it easy for me to Breathe again.

I miss you, my son.

Anthony 

At times, I am scared to let you in.

Because I know the pain that will be ushered in

It is relentless; like a whirlwind.

In this picture, I just looked into your eyes,

and the hurt that was there was too much.

I miss you

my son

I can't help but wonder, "why did this happen to us?"

The Most Useless Machine

This one could go in a lot of directions.

I could think of two:

 1. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.

2. "A good memory is one that is trained to forget the trivial." Cliff Fadiman

Let us see just how creative you are!

Can you think of anything that could fit this video?

Mom encourages fight!

Just the other day I saw this on the news. 
A mother taped and encouraged a fight with her son and an alleged "bully". 

At first, it is shocking that a mom would stand by and allow something like this to happen.  But after reflection, maybe it was a good thing that these two boys threw down man to man. 

In the old days, men used to settle disputes with there fists (a lot of times in a boxing ring) ...now they generally resort to murder and extreme violence.

What do you think?  Is this type of behaviour ever justified??

20 ways -How NOT to wreck yourself!

20 areas that can help save you from wrecking your life:

1. Winning too much: The need to win at all costs and in all situations.

2. Adding too much value: You gotta add your two cents to every discussion. One thing to learn here: Stop this action.

3. Passing judgment: Stop monitoring others and imposing your standards on them. (unless they want you to!)


4. Making destructive comments: Needless sarcasm and cutting remarks that you think make you sound sharp and witty. They serve no other purpose...other than making people not like you.


5. Starting with No or But:  "Hi everyone...'I am right'. You are wrong.”

6. Telling the world how smart you are: The need to show people that you are smarter than they think we are. "Wow!  nobody is impressed!"

7. Speaking when angry:  When you get angry, you are usually out of control. Normal people, usually avoid people who continually 'lose it' all the time.  Maybe this is why you are the last person to get the news in your team??

8. Negativity:  We will call these folks...Negatrons.  Remember, when you start complaining...people stop listening!

9. Withholding information: Start sharing your information! Or I'll put you on the hit show hoarders.

10. Failing to give proper recognition: This is your secret weapon!  Find something great about someone and then bring it up and bring it up often! 


11. Claiming credit that we don't deserve: Again, if you rob someone of there ideas or work, you are not only hurting them you are hurting yourself as you just cut off your nose to spite your face. 


12. Making excuses: I get it.  There is a time and a place for making excuses.  But by in large, don't be known around town as the guy who never takes the blame.  People will end up not liking you and you will not be invited out for drinks after the meeting. 

13. Clinging to the past: OK, so you played football in high school and set a track record in college.  Guess what Al Bundy...You are now 45.  Nobody remembers -which is a good indicator that you shouldn't either.

14. Playing favorites: This one I take issue with.  In life, you will undoubtedly gravitate toward some people more naturally than others.  I guess, as a leader, you have to be aware of this and keep it in check...at least out in the open. 

15. Refusing to express regret: Try this..If you have done something wrong/dumb, use these 2 words.  I'm Sorry!  Just walk right up to the person and apologise. I know that song says its "too late to apologize" but don't listen to him.  I'm the one with the Bible knowledge and you should most definitely say sorry and apologize.

16. Not listening:  God gives us two ears and one mouth for a reason. 


15. Refusing to express regret:  I know, your macho.  You can't say sorry even if you know in your heart you should.  Here is something else you should know...Nobody will end up liking you and you will be known as the "guy that is really tough that nobody likes."


17. Failing to express gratitude: Again, be on the lookout for the positive in people.  This will go far for you!

18. Punishing the messenger:  This is where common sense kicks in.  Use discretion. Sometimes the poor gal is just doing her job...so go easy!

19. Passing the buck: This one goes into the "no one is going to like you real fast if you always do this category  ."  Just be a man and admit wrongdoing.  BTW: This is your first step to becoming THE man.  

20. An excessive need to be me: I get it.  It is not YOU to dress up on Sundays.   It is NOT you to take notes.  Guess what?  Your work will find someone else that will!  And YOU will find being YOU really is like being 13 again. 

*As you probably guessed, all commentary is added by Anthony.

You better check yourself before you...

Above is the Latin phrase for,   
                                                          Know Thyself. 
Lets face it.  If you plan on rising above average in this day and age. 
You better get a firm grasp on that person looking back at you in the mirror when you brush your teeth in the morning.

Consider today your lucky day! In the following post, I will give you a head start on getting acquainted with your potential worst enemy...Yourself!
-I will do this by summarizing a helpful book appropriately titled,

         "What got you here won't get you there."
 
Enjoy...

How far is TOO far?? Pastor saying F- YOU while preaching!

How far is too far?      What is your opinion on this?

How to Boil Frogs!

Today's Topic. 

                           Leading Change when no one wants to Leap!

-Let's start off with a little trivia Q.  What is the best way to boil a frog? 

Answer:  Slowly.

The reason is, of course, if you put a frog into lukewarm water and then very slowly turn up the heat, the frog will just sit around, swim and relax.  Simply put, the frog has no idea that it is actually being boiled. 

*(Is that a fact?...I have no clue.  I just hear people using it like one, so for the sake of this post just go with it.)

The same can be said about the nature of leading change in your organization. 

 -People, like frogs, will just leap right out of the pot if they are exposed to something drastic- 

Therefore, as a leader, you must proceed with Wisdom...

-Have a well thought-out implementation plan. 

-Present this plan to your leaders. 

-Remember to show everyone how you came up with your final result. 
...It would not hurt to have a chart taking your team from point "A" to point "Z". 

Try this and you will see how much those little resistant frogs stick around and smile at you. 
                                     All the while your hand is on the heat dial!

*This post is not  PETA endorsed.

(Possible) Danger of Youth Ministry!

Voddie, is right on the $ here.

I always incorporate our youth and young adults into the "broader" church for the very reason he speaks about in this video.

I like to think of my ministry as "family" rather than just youth...
This is a much healthier outlook.  I always try to enfold the youth into the church.
This way, they will see themselves as part of the larger body.

Today, Make a Difference.

It is the name of a girl.

It is also, a thought that can change the World.

Bono, u2.

Mc Donald's Shamrock Shake Commercial

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Go get a Shamrock Shake today...yum!
They taste real good.

They also come equipped with more calories that a Big Mac. Enjoy!

Uncovering Your Blindspot.

Bruce Springsteen wrote a song titled, Dancing in the Dark in 1984. 
You probably have heard it.
And love it.

I guess there are benefits to Dancing in the Dark if you think about it. 

-No one will see how badly you move on the dance floor.

-When you elbow the person next to you, they won't know who it was.

-When you trip, you can just pretend it is a new dance groove called Break Falling.

Dancing in the Dark may be fine for some ungroovy person, however, there are a lot of people who just don't dance in the dark...they live in it. 

Every day scores of good people walk around, unaware of the aspects in their lives that hold them back. 

---Let's call these areas BLIND SPOTS. 

Look at the figure below, called the Johari Window (named after...you guessed it, Joe and Harry).  Real creative

This is a great tool in helping you become more effective as a person.
In life you will no doubt receive feedback.  Whether you solicit it (asking your friends to critique you) or whether you get it unsolicited (when you don't ask you friends and they tell you anyway). 

If you are wise, you will surround yourself with good people who will help strip away your delusions and start telling you the truth. 
In short, they will be getting you to see your BLIND SPOTS.  This will be painful, but it will help you! 

The thing about when you have your BLIND SPOTS unveiled is
------It will hurt.  It will agitate.  You will want to defend yourself & your actions.  WHY?

-Look again the Window-  

Your BLIND SPOT is known to others BUT not to yourself! 

This means you are walking around unaware of what everyone else is watching you do.   

Look, no one said that this was going to be easy.
And I guess it all depends on what you want out of life.

-If you want to be average...just ignore this.

If you want to be good...be aware of this.

If you want to be Great...you will print this out, ask someone to be honest with you and start your journey to Greatness.

 -Proverbs 26: 12

Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?

There is more hope for a fool than for them.

Get Sticky! Being creative with your ideas.

Chip and Dan Heath wrote a neat little book titled, Made to Stick. 

In it, they give 6 helpful ideas on how to make anything you do MORE STICKY.

That is, more creative. 

WHY is this important?

Remember, the more creative you are. The more effective you communicate.  And the better at communicating you are, the more people will want to hear what you have to say. 

-So grab a pencil and write down the below synopsis...

-Made to Stick:

1. Simple- K.I.S.S. (Keep your message/points concise.)

2. Unexpected (Things that are not expected make an impression in peoples mind.)

3. Concrete (Break things down to the point that a 5 year old will understand.)

4. Credible (Get reliable resources, this will give you street cred.)

5. Emotional (If it does not move you ... it will not move them.)

6. Stories (This is the key to bridging the gap in your presentations.)

Got it? 

Good!  Now start getting Creative!

You will thank me later.

The "A" Team

Meet

The "A" Team

Pastor Andrew

Pastor Anthony

Together 

we form a team so powerful,

so compelling,

so Christmas-y,

that people all over

come to see and experience  

our pastoral skills.

Will you be next?

Hello my name is...

Elevation Youth Group

We made this on the fly...with no budget.

It is in the tradition of Old Martial Arts Movies

(just watch and you will see what I mean)

-Hope you like it-