Over the course of my adult life, I've been privileged to know many successful people. Not all of them were "successful" by conventional standards, if you're simply talking about net worth or square footage. But if you define success as making a positive, lasting difference with the one life you've been given - each of these folks would unquestionably successful. As I've been able to watch and learn from these people, I've noticed they each share a set of common characteristics. Over the next few posts, I'll unpack four of them: They held higher standards. They worked their values. They had relational strength. They refused to play the victim card. Standards, Values, and Success If you hold only low standards, then you will find yourself right in the middle of mediocre. If you settle in for too long, the mediocre middle becomes comfortable and cozy and harder to leave. Successful…
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I believe two things are true about most people I meet. First, they want the world (their family, neighborhood, school, planet) to be a better place. Second, they would love to help make that happen. The space in-between intentions and actions is where the answer is found. I want to share with you one powerful shift that I believe has the potential to bring about transformational change. It's what I call "progressive generosity." But what is it? Conventional thinking: My income increases, I have more to spend. As a result, my expenses, debts, and obligations increase as well. Transformational thinking: My income increases, I have more to save, invest, and give. As a result, I have more saving and giving power. Which of these two ways of thinking do you believe is most common? It's unfortunately obvious -- conventional thinking. All too often, our spending increases to the level of…
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Each month I do one-on-one coaching with all of our ministry leaders. Each person discusses the same questions (which change from month-to-month), allowing me to listen across the spectrum for common issues, patterns, and opportunities. It also ensures all of our leaders are reflecting on the same themes at the same time. Yesterday, I sent all my monthly coaching appointments their questions for December. While not likely to generate as much intense debate as Christmas advertising before Halloween, it did feel a bit strange doing so before Thanksgiving. What I like to do at the close of each year is ask them to reflect on the past twelve months. By sending out the questions early, it allows them time to go a little deeper than just responding off the top of their head. Here are the questions I'm asking them to reflect on: During 2019, where did you most feel…
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Approaching one's 50th birthday can lead a person to thinking crazy thoughts. One crazy thought that popped in my head - and decided to stay there - was the idea of running a 10k during my 50th year. That thought turned into a goal, which led to buying a new pair of running shoes (Hoka's!), and researching training programs. Having found one that seemed reasonable, my wife and I recently began a training program designed to take you from the couch to running a 10k ... in only ten weeks. It's based on interval training: run for one minute, walk for a minute, repeat ten times. Each week it gradually increases the duration and number of intervals. While we weren't exactly couch potatoes, we weren't really runners either. In fact, I often joke with audiences that if you see me running, do me a favor and call the police. After…
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Contrary to popular opinion, generosity is not about your finances or how much you give, or even how you give. If popular opinion decided to award Will Ferrell an Emmy for Anchorman, I might agree with popular opinion. But when it comes to generosity, popular opinion is often wrong. Unfortunately, this faulty reasoning often leads to inaction. Sometimes we use the excuse that because we cannot give a lot (meaning the amount of money) we’re not going to give at all. This is because another popular opinion in our cultures says, bigger is better. Here's the reality: Bigger giving is not better. Better giving is better. Generosity is more about your heart than it will ever be about your wallet. Some of the most generous people I know give out of relative poverty. I know very busy people who find time to volunteer and serve. It's not the amount but…
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