Tag: work

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motivation productivity

Working Hard or Hardly Working

I used to believe that hard work was the only thing that makes a person or business prosper. While I believe it is still key, I have observed that hard work is only part of the formula.

Hard work can only get a person so far if they are not kind and empathetic towards coworkers and clients. A person can do superior work, but nobody wants to do business with them because they are a bear to be around. Our emotional intelligence, or EQ, is as important as our IQ.

Hard work doesn’t mean much if a person is working hard at the wrong things. Anyone can work hard at digging a hole, but is the hole good for anything? Does it have a purpose? Is the action in line with the company’s goals?

Hard, good work is essential. It is the fuel that powers creation. It creates value. But hard work without vital relationships and purposeful focus is like the Myth of Sisyphus. A person can roll that boulder up a hill, only to see it roll down and repeat the action.

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Business teaching

Teaching in Order to Learn

It amazes me whenever it happens. Whenever I teach, I learn just as much as the students. I have seen it when I lead kids in large group on a Sunday morning. And I have seen it in the workplace as well. 

For the last two weeks at work, I’ve had the opportunity to teach a person my duties. I’ve been in my role for under ten months and there are many things about my job that are still new to me. The person who taught me retired in late June. Since then, I have been applying what she taught me. Now I have the chance to do the same for another person.

As I have shown her the systems, the exceptions and the why behind the way we do things, I have been energized. Sure, I am not using the same words, and every experience is different. In fact, that is part of the teaching/learning process that thrills me. I can paraphrase what I was taught and see the results in a whole new way.

We have this tendency to believe once we are done with our formal schooling, we are done with education. This fallacy keeps us from growing. I have found it is much better to keep learning. And one of the best ways to learn is to teach others what we do.

Blogging is one way we can do that. And that is why I am going continue writing about my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned through being a writer, illustrator, and a graphics manager.

Categories
Book Review growth

Genius and goal setting

Quote: "Genius is the ability to clearly visualize the objective." Dan Miller

I am reading, 48 Days to the Work You Love. The above quote was in his chapter on change. It reminded me of Albert Einstein’s quotes on the importance of imagination. 

It takes a massive amount of imagination and faith to visualize the future. With imagination, we can see what has yet to be developed. With faith, we can pursue something others can not.

When President Kennedy said the United States would put a man on the moon by the end of the nineteen-sixties, it was technically impossible. Yet it was a vision the country embraced and did. It took courage, faith and a little vision casting.

Dan Miller’s quote just change my definition of genius.

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Sermon Notes Sketch notes

Do it Today | Sketch Notes

Sermon notes based on Proverbs 6:4-11, page 1


These notes are based on Proverbs 6:4-11. Don’t put off for tomorrow what you can do today. It’s so easy to talk about, and so hard to do, isn’t it? The pastor really hit me with the remark, “Inspiration doesn’t change your life if you do nothing with it.” We must be intentional with our time. I have learned this as I have managed my time over the last year. When you are working for yourself, being a self-starter is critical!

These sermon notes are based on Salem Church of God‘s New Years Day 2017 sermon from Nathanael Lyon. Here is the video link.

Categories
morning people motivation

Keep getting back up

If there is one thing I’ve learned from searching for work in Arizona, and now Ohio, it’s this: Get up every day.

That may sound too simple, but I’ve seen so many people trip over this truth. When you don’t have a job to go to, and you aren’t freelancing, it can be tempting to sleep in or decide it’s too much work to leave the house. Push back on that temptation! Get up early and get out the door!

I am thankful I’ve had the chance to ride with my wife each morning. It has been so important for me to keep the morning ritual going. I get so much done when I start the day the same time each day.

This has allowed me to get some writing done, search for the next great opportunity and set up networking appointments. It has also allowed me to do volunteer work for the church she serves. So if you are in a transition, don’t let bad habits. Get up early, rise consistently, and let’s get some work done!