Tag: challenges

Categories
motivation

Change Comes When You Accept Responsibility

Cartoon of a dog retrieving a laptop

The other day, I had a conversation with two people at different times in the same organization.

One said, “Things aren’t the way they used to be!” And I suppose they are right. Things always change. I’ve also noticed our perceptions change over the years. We look at the past as the good old days no matter how hard or brutal they were.

The other person said to me, “Oh, that’s just the way things are here! It’s always been that way. They’ll never change!” Wait a minute! They can’t both be right. Either things have changed or they never have. They were both looking at some challenges, but had two very different perspectives.

Yet, both views had a few things in common.

  • They were frustrated and didn’t see a solution
  • They weren’t taking responsibility for a solution
  • They decided the challenges were someone else’s problem

As a person who has worked in publishing, I’ve seen many changes. I have also seen businesses that have had trouble adjusting to change. Newspapers are a big example of that. I get that the glory days of newsprint are gone. And it’s just not the same.

Cartoon of a dog retrieving a laptop

But at a certain point, organizations (which are the people within an organization) must change. The past is gone. We need to deal with the present, not live in the past.

At the same time, if a challenge has always been in an organization, it is the responsibility of each person to change for the better. Everyone has the ability to grow, adapt and improve. When each person accepts that responsibility, businesses, and organizations grow with the new and improved workforce.

We can all be change agents. Let’s make it happen!

Categories
motivation

Disappointments and Experiences

Cartoon of a mom and two boys

Every one of us go through hard times. It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are, famous or obscure, talented, or believe you have nothing to offer the world. Every one of us go through situations we’d rather not endure. When those times come, how do you view them?

Some name it disappointment and become poorer, others name it experience and become richer.

Siegmund Warburg

You can see the hard times as a great teacher or a harsh punisher. They can be the secret to your success or the excuse for continued failures. Two people can go through the same situation and react in opposite ways.

Whatever you are going through today, ask yourself:

  • What can I learn from this?
  • What does this make possible?
  • What will it look like in the future when I have overcome this?

May today’s double trouble be your double portion of success in the future.

Cartoon of a mom and two boys
Categories
motivation

Start Small to Achieve Big Things

Cartoon of two babies. One says, "My first birthday is next week. Talk about pressure!"

My featured cartoon reminds me that one person’s challenge is a cinch to another. After a few decades of birthdays, I have no problem with facing another. But I remember how overwhelming that first birthday party was for my kids. It was quite the big deal! They acted as if it was their first debut to the entire world!

If you are doing anything of value, if you are working with people, things or ideas today, if you are growing at all, you will be under some pressure. How do you build yourself up so that when the big pressures come you are ready?

I began to write this blog daily because I wanted to hone my writing skills. I enjoy writing. If I want to tackle larger projects later, it’s good to keep writing daily and consistently.

I learned to do this when I trained for half-marathons and my first marathon. In order to run 26.2 miles, you need to start small and work your miles up. Eventually, I worked up to the goal.

You may have a goal or a challenge that is facing you today. It may seem too insurmountable to conquer. Start out by taking on the small challenge. Work yourself up to the larger one. One day, you may be surprised how far you have come.

Categories
children's ministry children's ministry cartoons

A Clean, Janitor-Free Dream

Cartoon of two women having coffee. One says, "I have a dream. One day, our children's ministry will skip a whole day without calling for janitor backup."
Copyright ©2017 Kevin Spear & Kidzmatter Magazine

True story: I was a church janitor once. Actually, I was a teen church janitor for over two years. When your grandfather is the pastor and your father is the Maintenance Supervisor you get those kinds of perks. I have maintenance supervisor in italics because it was a small church, Dad was a volunteer and he had the job because no one else was available on a Saturday morning and Grandpa trusted him with the keys. (My brother and I must be the only church janitors in modern history that never had an impressive set of keys.)

Continue reading “A Clean, Janitor-Free Dream”
Categories
holiday motivation

Happy New Year, 2017!

Happy 2017! We do not know what the next year will bring. But we do know every era had its challenges as well as opportunities. Many are both. For every challenge brings opportunity.

This year, I resolve to find each opportunity, to continue to learn, innovate and communicate. In short, I will continue to improve. May your new year be your best yet!