Tag: growth

Categories
motivation

Bloom Where You are Planted But Don’t be a Vegetable

Yellow Wildflowers along a running trail

The other day, I met an old friend. He is a steady, dependable guy if there ever was one. He epitomizes the phrase, Bloom where you are planted. He’s done so and has been quite successful at his work and life.

He was shocked when my wife and I moved from Indiana. And I suppose he is still shocked because he said, “It appears you’re no longer concerned with becoming rooted.” Of course, he forgets we have roots in Ohio as well as Indiana.

My wife and I felt led to move five years ago. I am glad we did. Yet I still agree you are to bloom where you are planted. While goals are important, those goals can be where you are or in a new place. The important thing is you keep growing no matter if you never intend to move, or if you have a case of wanderlust.

We are not vegetables. Yes, we are to make a difference where we are right now. At the same time, You can grow where you were born, or you can grow if you are transplanted in a new place. Just keep growing!

Categories
Attitude

Took a risk, no regrets

Last year, my wife and I took one of the biggest risks of our lives. We moved away from everything and everyone we knew to do what we were called to do. I resigned from a steady job where I had a recent promotion to join my wife in this new adventure. Like the legend of Hérnando Cortéz, we burned our ships didn’t look back and headed for Arizona.

It didn’t work out the way we had hoped. I thought I could immediately land a new job right away. It took eight months. My father-in-law was gravely ill and eventually passed away. This caused us to make many trips back to the Midwest. A five-year commitment was cut to one year.

Yet, we have no regrets. In fact, I am glad we took a risk. It taught me a few things I never expected. 

Continue reading “Took a risk, no regrets”
Categories
growth

Change Happens

Cartoon of a boy and his grandfather. The boy says, "If you don't like change, Grandpa, why didn't you stay a kid?"

Change happens! It happens whether we want it or not, doesn’t it? If you don’t believe me, work with children for a few years. Sooner or later, they grow out of your class. Take a look at a photo of you several years ago. Yes, we change! Some of us lose hair, some of us gain it, Children grow and get stronger while adults age and wonder why things aren’t the way they used to be.

Change happens whether we want it or not. The question isn’t if it will happen. The question is how will you deal with it? Will you refuse to admit change is happening and live in denial? Will you refuse to accept it and become bitter? Or will you acknowledge change it always happening and learn how to deal with the new normal?

A few months back, I revisited the book, “Who Moved My Cheese?” I got a lot out of it ten years ago. Of course, now, I could get it on the Kindle, iBooks, or any other e-reader. What a testament to change!

Whether you’re in publishing, the classroom or another business, change is happening. How are you going to deal with it?

Categories
creativity

Accounting for Creativity

Do you want to enhance your creativity? Take an accounting class! No, I never thought I’d say that either. In fact, I never thought I would be in one until this year.
I’m not saying we should get creative and cook the business books either. What I am saying is I learned there was this whole world I knew little about. Sure, I run a a business and balance my books, but there is so much more to it.
I’ve learned how to read an annual report. I now know how a balance sheet balances, and I learned different terms mean the same thing. But even more important, I have some more knowledge that helps creativity.
Whenever you learn something new, you have have new possibilities for writing, and new metaphors for design and illustration.
What is something new you want to try today?