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.
** 46/365 **
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?
** 45/365 **
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.
** 44/365 **
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.
** 43/365 **
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.
** 42/365 **
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.
** 41/365 **
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.
* 40/365 *
Two Warnings
In addition to the “Three Reminders” that I posted about yesterday, there are also “Two Warnings” that I want to keep in my mind as I prepare for my much anticipated presentation this Thursday.
Hopefully these warnings can be a value to you, as well, in whatever endeavors you may be pursuing in the near future!
Warning #1 : If I fail to prepare, I must prepare to fail.
I must come prepared.
My outline must be ready. My powerpoint presentation must be tested and ready. My handout must be ready. The props I am using on stage must be ready. My outfit must be ready. My introduction must be ready. My conclusion must be ready.
Over the next couple of days, I must take the time necessary to make sure every aspect of my talk, from start to finish, is ready. I must come prepared.
Warning #2 : Pride comes before the fall.
I must remain humble.
Though I’m being flown in to give this talk, though my hotel is being comped by the company to give this talk and though I’m being paid a “pretty penny” to deliver the talk…I cannot allow myself to become prideful.
This is an honor. This is a privilege. Let me not forget that it wasn’t too long ago when I was giving these talks and presentations for free. Let me not forget that every blessing comes from above. Let me not forget that everyone whom I meet this week has equal value in the sight of God. I am not a big deal. I must remain humble.
Come prepared and remain humble.
Will you heed to these two warnings as well?
** 39/365 **
Three Reminders
This Thursday, February 10, is a very big day.
I have been given the high privilege and responsibility of delivering a “motivational talk” to the senior leaders of the Western Region of the Iron Mountain Corporation.
Though I am very excited about the presentation I will be giving (they are flying me out to the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas to give it!), at the same time, I am also pretty nervous. Not only will I have the daunting task of inspiring this group of managers and executives, but I will have to do it knowing that I am very likely the youngest person in the room!
With that said, in an effort to keep myself focused on the task at hand and not overwhelmed by the size of the opportunity, I have come up with three reminders that I am hoping will assist me in delivering this talk with excellence.
1. Be Yourself
The talk I will be giving, I have given many times before. Don’t try to get fancy.
Though this will be a “high caliber” audience, I must not attempt to be someone I am not. They will be able to sniff that out from a mile away! I must be myself.
2. Be Enthusiastic
The information I will be sharing, if applied, can be life changing. If these leaders take this information and apply it to their business and personal lives, the course of their lives could be changed forever!
With that in mind, I must present the information with energy and passion. I must transfer my belief in the concepts to the audience. I must be enthusiastic.
3. Have Fun
To give this presentation is a dream come true! To share my goal-setting materials (that I started sharing with my family members over five years ago) to corporate leaders, in Las Vegas…what an opportunity!
I’m confident that if I’m having full while I present, the audience will have fun too. If I am enjoying myself while speaking, the audience will enjoy themselves too. I must have fun.
Though writing this post was an exercise that I wanted to do to prepare myself for my talk, it is my hope that you can use the concepts of “Be Yourself,” Be Enthusiastic” and “Have Fun” in whatever opportunities or experiences lie ahead of you!
** 38/365 **
What Should Be?
If you desire to start a movement
you need to know this key:
It begins with clearly seeing
a vision of what should be.
** 37/365 **
A Very Important Word
Three letters. One syllable. Many implications.
Try.
Try the idea.
Try the dream.
Try the endeavor.
Try the experience.
Try the opportunity.
What if it works?
What if it goes viral?
What if it helps others?
What if it solves a problem?
What if it makes an impact?
What if it changes the world?
You’ll never know unless you try.
The bad news: Everything you try will not turn out great.
The good news: Everything that turned out great began with someone who decided to try.
Start your process of becoming great today.
Try.
** 36/365 **
Failure
Failure stinks.
It hurts.
It’s costly.
It’s demoralizing.
It’s embarrassing.
But after 28 years of failing, I can also say this about failure:
Failure has matured me.
Failure has developed me.
Failure has prepared me.
Failure has enlightened me.
Failure has toughened me.
Failure has humbled me.
Failure has relaxed me.
Failure has inspired me.
Failure has blessed me.
It has been the reason for every positive improvement.
It has been the catalyst for every positive adjustment.
It has been the motivation for every positive change.
Failure has transformed my life…for the better.
So if failure had such a positive impact on my life, why do I despise it?
Well the truth is, for the many compelling benefits listed above…
I shouldn’t despise failure.
I shouldn’t regret failure.
I shouldn’t avoid failure.
And neither should you.
** 35/365 **
Today’s Not That Day
Today will not be the day that you quit.
Whether you believe it or not…
Your victory is on the horizon.
Your opportunity is around the corner.
Your breakthrough is closer than you think.
Today will not be the day that you quit.
I know you are growing weary but…
Your assignment deserves one more attempt.
Your purpose deserves one more push.
Your dreams deserve one more day.
Today will not be the day that you quit.
Give it one more shot.
Make another attempt.
Try again. Try again. Try again.
Today will not be the day that you quit.
Now, if things don’t eventually work out there may come
that day when you quit.
that day when you give up.
that day when you throw in the towel.
And that OK.
But…
Today’s not that day.
** 34/365 **
Who Will You Offend?
The truth is offensive.
And whether you like it or not, there will be many occasions that, as you pursue your life purposes and dreams, you will be required to stand for the truth.
The reality is, when you do stand for truth, people will be offended.
People will be turned off.
People will be uncomfortable.
People will have their beliefs challenged.
You will be offensive.
And being offensive is not easy.
We want to be liked.
We want to be accepted.
We want to be appreciated.
But many times,
The truth is not liked.
The truth is not accepted.
The truth is not appreciated.
So how can we stand for what is true in light of our desire to not be offensive?
Well, we must realize that the issue is not whether or not we will be offensive.
But the more important question to ask is, who will we offend?
In standing for the truth will we offend people?
Or in not standing for the truth will we offend God?
It is my sincere prayer that we have the courage to offend people with our boldness rather than to offend God with our cowardice.
The progress of our communities, nation and our world depends on it.
** 33/365 **
Dream Bigger
Small dreams don’t change lives.
Small dreams don’t leave a mark.
Small dreams don’t inspire anyone.
Dream Bigger.
Small dreams don’t fulfill you.
Small dreams don’t re-write history.
Small dreams don’t develop your greatness.
Dream Bigger.
Up until this point you have not considered bigger dreams.
Up until this point you have been content with the status quo.
Up until this point you have satisfied yourself with small ambitions.
Dream Bigger.
Your influence can be deeper than you think.
Your ideas can spread farther than you think.
Your movement can be bigger than you think.
Dream Bigger.
Your art can have a wider audience than you think.
Your work can have a greater impact than you think.
Your passions can inspire more people than you think.
Dream Bigger.
Or suffer the alternative: A life marked by purposes unfulfilled.
This will not be my story.
Please don’t let it be yours.
** 32/365 **
