There is a common myth that many people have about those who are successful. It gets passed around in conversations. It might be used as a dig or jab. In some ways, the myth is used to justify a person's own lack of success. What is the myth? Success comes easily for successful people. "They didn't have to face the same challenges I did." "They didn't grow up in my family." "They had everything handed to them." According to the myth, successful people never had to overcome hardships, face down any challenges, or start over due to failures. At this point, it might be helpful to return to a distinction I made at the beginning of this series. Here is what I wrote in the first article: "Not all of them were 'successful' by conventional standards, if you’re simply talking about net worth or square footage. But if you define…
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As much as are enamored with the idea of being self-made, self-taught, self-anything-that-is-good-or-positive ... we also know it isn't true. Behind every self-made person is a network of individuals, teammates, coworkers, clients, and more than a few surprised in-laws. The Scottish poet John Donne is the one who wrote this famous line: "No man is an island." It is actually the opening line from a longer poem. Here is the opening stanza: No man is an island, Entire of itself, Every man is a piece of the continent, A part of the main. The successful people I have known understood the interconnectedness of success. While they might have been the innovator or visionary, the execution of their vision depended on the efforts of other people. Rather than see this dependency as an indication of weakness, it was a strength to be nurtured and developed. To move up the ladder as…
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Years ago, I had a conversation with a retired fellow about what he did for a living. I'll paraphrase his response: "I really didn't like my job but it paid the bills and allowed me to do a few things I enjoyed on the weekends." Even though that conversation was almost twenty years ago, I still remember the profound sense of sadness I felt. Not for me, but for him. For over 30 years, he had worked a job that he really didn't like. Out of 168 hours a week, the average person will spend 40-60 of those hours at work - if not more. That's a significant chunk of time to spend doing something that you don't enjoy, or even worse - that you dread. I believe our Creator has designed us with an internal need for meaning. I am at my best when I can connect the task…
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Generous people inspire others to be generous, too. Just like certain diseases can spread directly or indirectly from one person to another, values and attitudes are contagious, too. Not only does our generosity benefit others in practical ways, it also serves as an inspiration to fellow believers. When Paul shared with the Macedonian Christians what the Corinthian church had done, it stirred many of them to be generous as well. This is true on individual and congregational levels.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia former former president, Church Planters of the Rockies helped start 2 for-profit tech companies Need a Speaker or Presenter? Interested in…
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We are most like Jesus when we have the desire to give. Several times in this passage Paul refers to the attitude of the Corinthians. They were not only the first to give, they were the first to desire to give. Paul goes further and talks about their eager willingness to help their struggling brothers and sisters. Where does this desire come from? According to Paul, our model for giving is the example of Jesus. He became poor so that we might become rich. Just as Jesus willingly gave his life, we should be willing to give to others.Watch more videos at the Mountainview YouTube channel. Looking for a Speaking Coach? The most successful people are not always the smartest people. But they have one thing in common: they communicate well. I'd love to help you become a better communicator. Click here. Professor at Warner University church planter with Stadia…
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