#153 - THE CAUSE WITHIN YOU BY MATTHEW BARNETT

This month’s book was The Cause Within You by Matthew Barnett and in the chapter entitled, “The Right Time to Quit” he writes,

One of the most important insights to remember about perseverance is that the pressure to quit often happens just before a major breakthrough occurs.

This was refreshing.

Though I have written on the subject of perseverance before, the idea of a “major breakthrough” following the pressure to quit was encouraging. It put the pressure to quit in perspective.

Though money may be low.
Though resources may be waning.
Though help may be nowhere in sight.

Continue.

Though you can’t imagine going another day.
Though you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel.
Though you can’t fathom how it is going to all work out in the end.

Continue.

Your breakthrough is closer than you think.

#152 - WHY YOU WON'T CHANGE THE WORLD

You have yet to be moved.

By a particular pain.
By a specific suffering.
By a distinct dysfunction.

You have yet to be wrecked.

By a social injustice.
By a prevailing disservice.
By an unresolved inequality.

You have yet to be burdened.

By a need that needs filling.
By an issue that needs healing.  
By a hardship that needs resolving.

Ultimately, you will not change the world because…

You have yet to have your heart broken by that which breaks the heart of God.

Your wants have been your focus.
Your needs have been your priority.
Your desires have been your motivation.

This is why you won’t change the world.

BUT…

The moment you allow yourself to be deeply moved, wrecked, burdened and broken by a specific problem that exists in our world today…

You will change the world in ways you never thought were possible.

Believe it.

#151 - GET IT DONE

The first draft.
The opening scene.
The initial application.

Get it done.

The unwritten lyrics.
The unfinished project.
The uncomfortable move.

Get it done.

The much needed transfer.
The highly anticipated goal.
The long overdue conversation.

Get it done.

Stop playing.
Stop pretending.
Stop procrastinating.

Get it done.

Stop waiting.
Stop justifying.
Stop making excuses.

Get it done.

The next thing you need to do will not be revealed until the last thing youknow to do has been accomplished.

Get it done.

Your next assignment awaits.

#150 - YOUR MOST IMPORTANT DAY

In regards to your work
In regards to your dreams
In regards to your business
In regards to your marriage
In regards to your education
In regards to your friendships….

Your most important day is not the first day.
Your most important day is not the middle day.
Your most important day is not even today.

Your most important day is the last day.

The last day of your career is what matters most.
The last day of your studies is what matters most.
The last day of your business is what matters most.
The last day of your marriage is what matters most.
The last day of your friendships is what matters most.

How you finish is more important than how you begin.

It’s OK if today your goals are unmet.
It’s OK if today your dreams are unrealized.
It’s OK if today your purposes are unfulfilled.

Do not worry. Instead, be encouraged.

Today is not the last day.

But an important decision must be made.

Will you re-commit? Will you persist? Will you finish well?

If so, I am convinced,

Your last day very well could be…your best day.

#149 - HOW TO BRING A DREAM TO LIFE

Excessive television.
Excessive video games.
Excessive internet surfing.

Kill the distractions.

Uninspiring associations.
Unsupportive friendships.
Unproductive conversations.

Kill the distractions.

Other opportunities.
Get rich quick schemes.
The thought of there being an easier way.

Kill the distractions.

If your calling has been made sure.
If your purpose has been determined.
If your assignment has been accepted.

Kill the distractions.

They are robbing you from great joy.
They are preventing you from creating.
They are sabotaging you of your destiny.

Kill the distractions.

And of this truth be aware,

When a distraction is killed, a dream comes to life.

Kill the distractions.

Your dreams deserve life.

#148 - STOP RUNNING

From the goal you once wrote down.
From the dream you once envisioned.
From the assignment you once accepted.

Stop Running.

From the calling that is on your life.
From the purpose for which you were created.
From the destiny that you were uniquely designed to fulfill.

Stop Running.

Your family needs your courage.
Your friends need your example.
Your community needs your contribution.

Stop Running.

The longer you run, the longer your work goes undone.

Stop Running.

Your work will bless everyone it touches.

Why would you run from it for another day?

#147 - HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT?

Your deepest hope?
Your wildest dream?
Your clearest vision?
Your grandest ambition?

How bad do you want it?

Your perfect job?
Your ideal career?
Your desired lifestyle?
Your preferred future?

How bad do you want it?

Will you fight for it?
Will you persist for it?
Will you endure for it?
Will you develop for it?

How bad do you want it?

Do you want it more than your comfort?
Do you want it more than your security?
Do you want it more than your approval?

How bad do you want it?

Because the truth is, if you don’t want it bad enough…

You’re not gonna’ get it.

#146 - A MONDAY MINDSET

This week I will…

love others.
serve people.
give generously.

This week I will…

be responsible.
handle business.
put first things first.

This week I will…

take risks.
display courage.
walk by faith.

This week I will…

pursue my dreams.
take on my assignments.
move one step closer to fulfilling the purposes for which I was created.

And in doing these things,

This week I will…

LIVE.

#145 - THERMOMETERS VS. THERMOSTATS

Which one are you?

Thermometers measure the temperature.

Thermometers react.
Thermometers respond.
Thermometers follow.

A thermometer’s highest value comes from its’ ability to calculate.

Thermostats set the temperature.

Thermostats act first.
Thermostats initiate.
Thermostats lead.

A thermostat’s highest value comes from its’ ability to create.

A thermometer or a thermostat.

Which one are you?

#144 - THERE'S MORE

More to your life than just work.
More to your life than just paying the bills.
More to your life than just waiting for the weekends.

There’s more.

More to your existence than just pursuing your desires.
More to your existence than just getting by.
More to your existence than just existing.

There’s more.

More joy.
More impact.
More influence.
More creativity.
More fulfillment.
More opportunities.

There’s more.

More dreams to discover.
More purposes to pursue.
More experiences to enjoy.

For you…there’s more.

I believe it.

Do you?

#143 - HOW TO FULFILL YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE

Though the process of fulfilling every purpose for which you were created is a long and challenging endeavor, getting started is actually quite simple.

Only two steps are required.

Step 1 : IDENTIFY what you are uniquely gifted to do.

* What skill, talent or ability comes easily to you?
* What skill, talent or ability do you enjoy using the most?
* What skill, talent or ability have others identified as your strongest?

Step 2 : SERVE people using the unique gifts you possess.

* Serve your family.
* Serve your friends.
* Serve your co-workers.
* Serve your classmates.
* Serve your community.
* Serve your social network.

Two steps.

Identify.  Serve.

Don’t worry about making elaborate plans.
Don’t worry about what people are going to say.
Don’t worry about whether or not it will work.

Identify.  Serve.

Regardless of your age.
Regardless of your doubts.
Regardless of your limitations.

Identify.  Serve.

I know you’re not ready.
I know you’re not sure.
I know you’re not convinced.

But what I’ve learned is this…

The specifics of your life’s purpose are revealed when the generalities of your life’s purpose are acted upon.

Put yourself in motion. Act. Do something.

Two steps is all it takes.

Identify.  Serve.

Your destiny awaits.

#142 - CELEBRATE YOUR FIRSTS

There was a day when…

Michael Jackson wrote his first song.
Mozart composed his first symphony.
Michelangelo created his first work of art.
Michael Jordan scored his first two points.
Mother Teresa went on her first missions trip.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his first speech.

These were great days.

Greatness was put into motion.

And though we do not recognize these “greats” for their firsts,
the truth is, before they produced their best, they had to produce their first.

Celebrate your firsts.

The first risks you take.
The first rules you break.
The first moves you make.

Celebrate your firsts.

The first people you impact.
The first projects you complete.
The first programs you implement.

Celebrate your firsts.

The first victories you attain.
The first compliments you receive.
The first breakthroughs you experience.

Celebrate your firsts.

They’re where your greatness begins.

#141 - LEADERS INSPIRE CHANGE

Leaders are catalysts.
Leaders are initiators.
Leaders are jump starters.

Leaders Inspire Change

They envision the change.
They help others envision the change.
They, along with their team, make the change.

Leaders Inspire Change

A solution is conceptualized.
A team is formalized.
A dream is realized.

Leaders Inspire Change

In direction.
In attitudes.
In the norm.

Leaders Inspire Change

In themselves.
In their communities.
In their world.

Leaders Inspire Change

Why?

Because they understand very clearly that…

If I don’t inspire change, no one else will.

#140 - HOW TO BE SIGNIFICANT

Avoiding risk?
Pursuing money?
Seeking normalcy?

You are very likely pursuing security.

Dreaming big?
Serving others?
Leading people?

You are very likely pursuing significance.

The truth is, in my lifetime, I would like to achieve both.

But what I’ve learned is this:

Very few people who first pursue security achieve significance. But many people who first pursue significance also achieve security.

If a significant life is your aim, the question you must ask yourself every day is this…

Am I willing to sacrifice my short-term security for a life of long-term significance?

I am.

Are you?

#139 - 4 PHASES OF PURPOSE FULFILLMENT

As I aim to fulfill every unique purpose for which I was created, I find myself going through the following four phases over and over again.

Prayerfully, a description of the following phases can provide some insight as to where you are in your journey and how you can go about moving forward.

Phase One : Awareness of Purpose

In the beginning, you realize…

There is a unique purpose for which you were created.
There is more to life than just paying the bills and living for the weekends.
There is discomfort that you will experience until you start pursuing your purpose.

Phase Two : Pursuit of Purpose

As a result, you begin…

Taking action. Trying ideas. Serving people.
Using your gifts, talents and abilities regularly.
Realizing that apart from God’s blessing and guidance your efforts are futile.

Phase Three : Surrender of Purpose

At that point, you submit…

Your purpose back to God.
Your control over the results.
Your idea of fulfillment for God’s idea of fulfillment.

Phase Four : Fulfillment of Purpose

And before you know it, you accomplish…

More than you thought you would.
Things you never thought were possible.
Results that lead you to your next assignment!

Realize. Begin. Submit. Accomplish.

Four Phases. One Result.
God’s purposes for your life…fulfilled.

#138 - SMALL OPPORTUNITIES

My talk went great.

I was enthusiastic, the crowd was involved and when I stepped off the stage, the VP that had hired me to give the presentation said…You nailed it.

In addition to his kind words, I also had several of the other VP’s in the company express interest in me doing some local presentations in their Sacramento, Southern California, Seattle and Denver markets! To say that I was overwhelmed by the positive feedback would be an understatement!

My dreams are coming true!

But as I reflect on this journey, I realize, more than ever before, the importance of my attitude towards the “smaller” opportunities that preceded these “bigger” opportunities that are being made available to me.

I am convinced that if I had not given my best effort to the speaking opportunities where:

• I wasn’t paid
• I wasn’t appreciated
• only one or two people showed up

these current opportunities would not even be a possibility.

And how exactly does this apply to you and your dreams?

Here’s what I’ve learned:

Your faithfulness in smaller opportunities determines the possibility for bigger opportunities.

Small opportunities are a test.
Small opportunities are a blessing.
Small opportunities are a necessity.

Through small opportunities you will…

Gain experience in your field.
Build confidence in your abilities.
Develop mastery over your craft.

Small opportunities come first.

Enjoy them. Appreciate them. Embrace them.

#137 - PURSUE IT

Are you pursuing the assignment for which you were anointed?
Are you pursuing the burden for which you were born?
Are you pursuing the cause for which you were created?
Are you pursuing the destiny for which you were designed?

Whether you are aware of it yet or not,

There is a purpose for which you have been prepared.

Pursue it.

#136 - EFFECTIVE DREAMERS APPRECIATE

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
Marcus Tullius Cicero

Effective Dreamers are Grateful.

Because their journey is long and difficult, effective dreamers understand the important role that gratitude plays in keeping them motivated and encouraged to see their goals and dreams to completion.

They have made a habit of recognizing the various “good things” that they are experiencing along their dream journey and they use those things as fuel to keep moving forward.

There are many things that an effective dreamer can be thankful for, but when they consistently take the time to appreciate the following three occurrences, the journey gets much easier to endure:

1. Gratitude for DECISIONS

Be willing to make decisions. That’s the most important quality in a good leader. – George S. Patton

Effective dreamers do not underestimate the importance of the decisions that they make. Therefore, when a big decision has been made, they celebrate it. They appreciate and are grateful for the beginning as much as they are for the end. They understand that the outcome they are looking to see is not possible without first making the decision to pursue that outcome.

Key Question: What critical decisions have you made that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

2. Gratitude for PROGRESS

The aim of argument, or of discussion, should not be victory, but progress. – Joseph Joubert

The goals and ambitions of an effective dreamer are many times so lofty that their completion could be years away. With that in mind, effective dreamers understand the importance of appreciating and being grateful for milestones.

• Customers/Clients served
• Months/Years in business
• Testimonials/Appreciation received
• Gigs/Shows played

Though in a given week or month, the dreamer’s vision might not fully come to fruition, by consistently taking the time to celebrate specific instances of progress, the effective dreamer is energized and confirmed in the fact that the journey they are on is indeed the right one for them.

Key Question: What milestones have you achieved that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

3. Gratitude for COMPLETION

The little that is completed, vanishes from the sight of one who looks forward to what is still to do. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In an effort to not fall victim to the reality expressed in Goethe’s quote above, effective dreamers do not just overlook a particular project, task, event or work of art being completed. Completion is a big deal in the life of an effective dreamer. Completion motivates effective dreamers like nothing else, therefore when goals on a dreamer’s list are completed, time is always made for gratitude and appreciation.

Key Question: What have you completed on your dream journey that you can appreciate and be grateful for?

#135 - YOU ARE

You are created by God.

You are His delight.
You are His masterpiece.
You are precious in His sight.

You are a child of God.

You are His son.
You are His daughter.
You are loved by His unconditional love.

You are chosen by God.

You are created for His causes.
You are designed for His purposes.
You are destined to bring glory to His name.

You are a miracle of heaven.

And it is my prayer is that, on this day, you would start to see yourself as such.

#134 - ONE PROMISE

Tomorrow is the big day.

I have been given the opportunity to give an inspirational talk to a group of very influential managers and executives and I am excited!

In addition to the THREE REMINDERS and TWO WARNINGS I have written about over the last couple of days in preparation for my talk, in today’s post I would like to make one promise:

I promise to do my very best.

I have planned to the best of my ability. I have prepared to the best of my ability. All I can do now is “perform” to the best of my ability.

I promise to hold nothing back.
I promise to share my ideas with enthusiasm.
I promise to give the audience everything I have.

I promise to do my very best.

Stay tuned to tomorrow’s blog post as I will let you know how the talk went!

Have a blessed day and be sure that on this day that, in all of your commitments and responsibilities, you do your very best as well.