#271 - I'M SO HONORED BY THIS

It’s not everyday you meet someone like Jeff.

Someone who shares more than he takes.
Someone who gives expecting nothing in return.
Someone who cares about your success just as much as his own.

The truth is, if it wasn’t for Jeff,

Many of you who have been reading my blog would have never heard of me.

And, today, true to form,

Jeff is graciously featuring, on his blog, a guest post that I wrote for him.

He’s, once again, sharing my art with his “tribe.”
He’s, once again, exposing my gift to his readers.
He’s, once again, being a great friend.

Thanks Jeff.

I appreciate you.

#270 - A FEW THOUGHTS ABOUT CONSISTENCY

The benefits of consistency are many.

Consistency reveals passion.
Consistency overcomes odds.
Consistency improves ability.
Consistency develops resolve.
Consistency builds credibility.
Consistency creates discipline.
Consistency shows commitment.
Consistency kills procrastination.
Consistency sustains momentum.

Consistency is powerful.

Develop it.

The fulfillment of your life’s purpose will require that you do.

#269 - HOW TO LIVE AN INSPIRED LIFE

Inspiration favors the faithful.
Michael Warden

If you desire to live an inspired life, I have one piece of advice.

Be faithful.

To the skill that you’re learning.
To the craft that you’re perfecting.
To the discipline you’re developing.

Be faithful.

To the projects you’ve started.
To the endeavors you’ve begun.
To the commitments you’ve made.

Be faithful.

To the dream you’ve been chasing.
To the assignment you’ve been given.
To the purpose you’ve been created for.

Be faithful.

For it is in the midst of your faithfulness that…

Creative ideas will dawn on you.
Fresh approaches will occur to you.
Unique possibilities will be revealed to you.

Never forget…

Inspiration favors the faithful.

Not the flaky.

#268 - IMMEDIATELY BECOME MORE PRODUCTIVE BY DOING THIS

A distracted existence leads us to no goal.
Goethe

Unsubscribe.

From blogs.
From rss feeds.
From email lists.

Unsubscribe.

From alerts.
From updates.
From notifications.

Unsubscribe.

Un-friend. Un-follow. Un-connect.

Unsubscribe.

You’re being impacted by too many ideals.
You’re being influenced by too many voices.
You’re being inundated with too many messages.

And it’s distracting you.

Understand…

If you are consuming more than you are creating – you have a problem.

Therefore, unsubscribe.

The unfinished art within you will be glad when you do.

#267 - THE MOST UNAPPRECIATED ABILITY

To live is to think.
Cicero

It is a lost art.

A forgotten skill.
An overlooked talent.
An unappreciated ability.

It is…

The ability to THINK.

To reason.
To ponder.
To consider.
To synthesize.
To contemplate.

Thinking is beneficial.

Thinking can save you time.
Thinking can save you energy.
Thinking can save you money.

Thinking is powerful.

It is the instigator for ideas.
It is the initiator for insights.
It is the impetus for improvements.

Thinking is necessary.

Without it, the quality of your work diminishes.
Without it, the quality of your results decrease.
Without it the quality of your life suffers.

Thinking is more important than you think.

And so with that in mind, here’s a question to consider:

How intentional are you being about investing time to think?

Think about it.

#266 - WHAT EVERY WRITER NEEDS TO KNOW

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You have only 26 letters
But infinite ways
to combine them together
to create words that amaze.

You can challenge and inspire.
You can uplift. You can heal.
The full range of emotions
you can make people feel.

But because we’re surrounded
by negativity and pride
it is my deep desire
that today you’d decide

To choose your words wisely
and keep this truth in sight:
There is great responsibility
in deciding to write.

#264 - WHICH TYPE OF DREAMER ARE YOU? - PART TWO

In Part One of this two-part blog post, I discussed the first four types of dreamers that I have come across in my lifetime.

In today’s post, I provide for you four more types of dreamers that I hope you will avoid becoming!

Get Rich Quick Gary

  • Because he day dreams of his days off, he pursues opportunities with immediate payoff.
  • Defining Character Trait: Laziness.
  • Favorite Phrase: “If it means no work and lots of money…I’m in!“
  • Cure: A Reality Check.

Cautious Carmen

  • Because she’s so afraid to fail, on her every dream she’s sure to bail.
  • Defining Character Trait: Fear.
  • Favorite Phrase: “But what if it doesn’t work?”
  • Cure: Bravery.

Prideful Patrick

  • Because he has all the answers, he never asks any questions.
  • Defining Character Trait: Cockiness.
  • Favorite Phrase: “Yeah, I know how to do that already.”
  • Cure: Humility.

Tag Along Tammy

  • Because who she’s with is more important than what shes’ doing.
  • Defining Character Trait: Follower.
  • Favorite Phrase: “If you do it, I’ll do it!”
  • Cure: Initiative.

#263 - WHAT TYPE OF DREAMER ARE YOU? - PART ONE

Having interacted with hundreds of “dreamers” over the last several years, I have come across a few common profiles that I’m hoping you will avoid.

Overambitious Oliver

  • Because he’s doing it all, nothing is being done at all.
  • Defining Character Trait: Overcommitment.
  • Favorite Phrase: “Yeah, I’m gonna’ pursue that too!“
  • Cure: Focus.

Backburner Brenda

  • Because the timing is never right, her dreams never see the light.
  • Defining Character Trait: Procrastination.
  • Favorite Phrase: “I just don’t have time for that right now.”
  • Cure: Urgency.

Parental Pleasing Peter

  • Because he’s trying to make daddy proud, pursuing his real dream is not allowed.
  • Defining Character Trait: Cowardice.
  • Favorite Phrase: “I’m not sure my mom would be too happy about that.”
  • Cure: Courage.

Super Spiritual Samantha

  • Because she’s so heavenly minded, she’s no earthly good.
  • Defining Character Trait: Apathy.
  • Favorite Phrase: “I wish the Lord would just take me to heaven already!”
  • Cure: Compassion.

In tomorrow’s post, I will share four more dreamer profiles. Stay tuned!

#262 - IT'S OK TO HAVE THIS DESIRE

It is very likely that, whether you know it or not, you have a desire to…

Have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

You write…
to have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

You create…
to have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

You produce…
to have a positive impact on the lives of those around you.

And the purpose of this post is to simply let you know…

That’s OK.

It’s OK to desire impact.
It’s OK to desire influence.
It’s OK to desire a life that makes a difference.

The truth is, it’s actually more than OK…

It’s necessary.

#261 - ANYTHING YOU WANT BY DEREK SIVERS

Success comes from persistently improving and inventing, not from persistently doing what’s not working. – Derek Sivers

Persistence isn’t always the answer.

If your art isn’t selling…
If your ideas aren’t spreading…
If your talent isn’t being appreciated…

Persistence may not be the solution.

If your reach isn’t widening…
If your influence isn’t increasing…
If your leadership isn’t improving…

Persistence may not be the remedy.

The truth is…

Consistently and persistently being ineffective is stupidity.

The answer is not always to…“Stick it out.”
The answer is not always to…“Try harder.”
The answer is not always to…“Just keep going.”

I don’t mean to be rude, but, maybe this time around, the answer is to…

Drastically improve the quality of what you do.

Don’t just persist.

Get better.

#259 - THE BEAUTY OF VARIETY

If I’m going to sing like someone else, then I don’t need to sing at all. Billie Holiday

Variety of pursuits.
Variety of passions.
Variety of personalities.

There is beauty in variety.

Variety of concerns.
Variety of conditions.
Variety of convictions.

There is beauty in variety.

Variety of styles.
Variety of methods.
Variety of approaches.

There is beauty in variety.

So what does this mean to you?

Stop defending your obvious originality.
Quit avoiding your perceived peculiarity.
Cease despising your interesting individuality.

Your uniqueness makes the world a more beautiful place.

Embrace it. 

#258 - THE 3 REPULSIVE CONSEQUENCES OF COMPLACENCY

It is my hope that this series has encouraged you to be more intentional about pursuing your full potential in the areas of your life that have room for growth.

But if it hasn’t…

I must forewarn you that there does exist…consequences of complacency.

1. Complacency leads to boredom.

If you’re convinced you’ve already “made it,” a life of boredom awaits you.

Boredom with work.
Boredom with relationships.
Boredom with living.

Avoid boredom, pursue “The Next Level.”

2. Complacency leads to selfishness.

If you haven’t any “new heights” to attain, a life of selfishness will be your reality.

Your community is filled with so much pain, how can you be complacent?
Your state is filled with so much so much need, how can you be complacent?
Your world is filled with so much suffering, how can you be complacent?

Avoid selfishness, pursue “The Next Level.”

3. Complacency leads to isolation.

If you are content with a life void of pursuit, isolation will be your prize.

No one wants to be around a person who is apathetic.
No one wants to be around a person who is uninterested.
No one wants to be around a person who is indifferent.

Avoid isolation, pursue “The Next Level.”

In light of the consequences listed above,

I believe “The Next Level” should be pursued by everyone.

But if you don’t agree, that’s fine.

Just don’t be surprised if a day comes when the words boring, selfish and isolated are the primary adjectives you use to define your existence.

#257 - THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY OF GETTING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The high destiny of an individual is to serve rather than rule.
Albert Einstein

So you seek to go to “The Next Level?”
A place you feel you deserve?
Well the path to take is before you:
Simply choose to serve.

Serve those you see around you.
Serve those you see in need.
Serve those you know are hurting.
Serve those you’re blessed to lead.

And after a season of serving has ended,
You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Though you didn’t see it coming…
“The Next Level” will have arrived.

#256 - A MESSAGE FROM A VERY UNLIKELY SOURCE

When we treat man as he is, we make him worse than he is; when we treat him as if he already were what he potentially could be, we make him what he should be. – Goethe

I’ve been waiting for you.

But I’ll assume you’ve neglected to attain me, because you don’t know what I’m all about.

So let me take a few moments to explain:

I am a place where deep joy is found.
I am a place where a great contribution is made.
I am a place where much satisfaction is experienced.

Though pain will be required to reach me, pleasure will be your reward.
Though fear must be overcome to obtain me, fulfillment will be your prize.
Though sacrifice will be required to find me, significance will be your delight.

So who, exactly, am I?

I am Your Potential.

And I am pleading with you to stop ignoring and avoiding me.

Because the truth is…

Until pursuing me becomes your priority, mediocrity will be your reality.

#254 - WHY YOU NEED TO QUIT BEING A COWARD

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Apathy is the glove into which evil slips its hand. 
– Bodie Thoene

Quit being a coward.

For far too long you’ve been aware of the problem.
For far too long you’ve been burdened by the issue.
For far too long you’ve been frustrated by the situation.

But apathy has taken over.

You stopped loving – because you were hurt.
You stopped caring – because you thought it didn’t matter.
You stopped fighting – because you thought it wasn’t worth it.

Well I’ve got news for you.

It’s worth it.

Your relationship with your boss is worth it. He deserves to know how you feel.
Your relationship with your friend is worth it. She deserves to know what happened.
Your relationship with your child is worth it. He deserves to know why you’re frustrated.

Understand…

Your inaction is not protecting anyone, instead, it’s hurting everyone.

Don’t you get it?

If you don’t say it, who else will?
If you don’t bring it up, who else will?
If you don’t take a stand, who else will?

Nobody.

The responsibility is yours. You’re the leader.

So,

Go. Handle business. (View this blog post as the permission you were waiting for.)

Don’t wait another day.

Evil has no place here.

#253 - THE TRUTH ABOUT CRAP

90% of everything is crap. – Sturgeon’s Law

What a thought.

I came across this “law” yesterday, and at first I found it quite offensive. But after taking a few moments to consider the validity of the statement, I was convinced of its’ truth.

We are surrounded by crap.

Crappy food. (It’s unhealthy)
Crappy music. (It’s degrading)
Crappy marketing. (It’s pushy)
Crappy websites. (They’re ugly)
Crappy advertising. (It’s deceitful)
Crappy products. (They’re useless)
Crappy companies. (They’re irrelevant)
Crappy relationships. (They’re abusive)

So with this in mind, I have to lovingly ask you,

Are you a part of the solution or are you a part of the problem?

My encouragement to you today is this: Don’t add to the crap.

Instead…

Create art worth sharing.
Create products worth buying.
Create relationships worth building.
Create experiences worth remembering.

Create beautiful things.
Create excellent things.
Create magnificent things.

Refuse to create crap.

So much of it already exists.

#252 - A YOUNG ADULT'S MANIFESTO

I’m selfish.
I think I know it all.
I assume I’m experienced.
I’m over confident in my abilities.
I’m convinced that I have all the answers.
I’m sure that I can do what you do, but I can do it better.

But because the above statements are true…

I commit to ridding myself of all unnecessary forms of pride.
I commit to waiting patiently for my opportunity to come.
I commit to honoring those who have gone before me.
I commit to learning from everyone around me.
I commit to humbling my attitude.
I commit to following well.

I am a young adult, and this is my commitment.