Category: motivation

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motivation Quotes

Leading an Excellent Life

“One cannot lead a life that is truly excellent without feeling that one belongs to something greater and more permanent than oneself.”

MIHALY CSIKSZENTMIHALYI in Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us

Daniel Pink’s book, Drive, reminded me that all of us long for something more permanent and eternal. We know we are limited by our abilities and age. We can delude ourselves into thinking we are immortal, but deep down, we know we aren’t. If anything good can come from the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s that all of us are forced to face our mortality. This disease may not take us down. But sooner or later, something will.

Who or what do you belong to? Is it a firm foundation that will carry you through difficulties? Is it something that will last long after you are gone? Is it something that gives you hope and a future when everything else crumbles around you?

Businesses and organizations have life cycles just like people. Governments will rise and fall. The latest fad and fashion will look so dated in a few years. Where you put your faith will determine if and how you can lead a life of excellence.

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Leadership motivation

Are You Still a Great Leader?

smiling adult businessman at table with gadgets holding presentation
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio on Pexels.com

COVID-19 has changed business in monumental ways, including the traits of effective leadership. The other day, I read an article on Inc.com entitled, If You Don’t Make These 5 Changes, You’re Not a Great Leader Anymore by Bill Murphy, Jr. He followed a study that tracked emergent leaders. It found that today’s effective leaders take actionable forms of leadership are more likely to be seen as great leaders.

The findings in the article state that there are five necessary qualities to be an effective leader in today’s climate:

  1. Monitor More
  2. More Feedback
  3. Coordinating Teamwork
  4. More Altruism
  5. Recognizing a New Paradigm

What I got out of the article is that effective leaders change with the times. Much of office leadership today is done virtually. A good leader observes what continues to work and experiments with the factors that no longer serve him or her.

People change, technology changes and situations change. The leader that acknowledges this and changes as well will continue to make great strides. Leadership takes responsibility and changes with the times.

What are you changing today to keep your leadership effective?

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motivation

Is Your Soul for Sale?

What have you sold your soul to today?

  • Is it media?
    • Your favorite news source?
    • Social Media?
    • Music
  • Gossip?
    • Celebrity gossip?
    • Workplace gossip?
  • The promise of quick relief through a chemical?
    • Legal?
    • Illegal
    • Prescribed?

Mark Batterson’s quote struck a nerve with me:

Quote by Mark Batterson: "Not many people sell their souls to the devil, but many of us sell our souls to the culture."

We sell our souls daily. What are you selling it to? Make sure it is a wise investment.

Categories
motivation

This is all Temporary

Cartoon of a boy doing his homework and a mom. The boy says, "I wouldn't have to do my homework if you'd just let me flee the state."

The other day, I read an Inc.com article entitled, 3 Phrases That Stop Anxious Thoughts. Let’s face it. If you keep up with the news at all, you’ll have some anxious thoughts! The first phrase stood out to me.

“This is temporary: This doesn’t just apply to the current pandemic and resulting economic turmoil — it’s true in nearly every anxiety-provoking situation.”

— Hilary Jacobs Hendel

We tend to forget this because the present dominates our thoughts and actions. But the longer we live, the more we realize how true this is.

Seven-Year-old Philosopher

I remember a school bus trip I had when I was seven-years-old. It was a dreary winter morning in Indiana. In January, it feels like clouds will never go away. I remember thinking, “Will I ever get out of second grade? Will I ever go anywhere outside my hometown?”

I smile when I think of that little second grader. The thought of growing up, going to college, meeting a lovely Ohio lady, marrying her, and having two great kids seemed impossible to him. It was just as likely to him that he would grow wings and fly. Homework was my biggest problem.

Yet to that little boy, his present reality seemed so overwhelming. He couldn’t see beyond his present situation. He had no concept that all of what he was experiencing was temporary.

Today is Temporary

There are plenty of reasons to have anxiety today. There is the COVID-19 pandemic, racial tensions, and political polarization. Ironically, you may be reading this in the future and those issues aren’t at the forefront of the news cycle. Who knows what we’ll be discussing in the future! But whatever it is, whatever personal situation you are facing, it’s only temporary.

  • None of us can predict the future
  • What’s important today may be old news tomorrow
  • It’s just as likely things will be better for you tomorrow instead of the same or worse

There will always be a part of us that longs for the good old days of the past. For someone, today will be the good old days in twenty years. So if you are struggling today. Hold on and be patient. This is all temporary!

Categories
motivation

The Cost of Negativity

Quote: "Negativity can keep us out of the Promised Land and cost us forty years." Mark Batterson

We all go through wilderness experiences. Everybody has gone through one in 2020. The pandemic has made that a virtual guarantee. Today’s quote by Mark Batterson reminds me we don’t have to stay there.

When things get rough, do you let negativity creep in? Do you feel a sense of entitlement and believe you are too good to have bad times? Perhaps you let despair make you believe that things will never change.

Don’t let negativity keep you in the wilderness! Yes, we all face hard times. There are events, circumstances, and people we’d all like to change. Start believing and claiming the positive by faith.

  • Things will change for the better eventually
  • You can walk by faith instead of fear
  • Temporary setbacks need not define you
  • Speak positive and encouraging words
  • The solution will come

Nobody wants to stay in the wilderness. Don’t let negativity keep you there.