What Do You Live For?

December 29, 2010 : Leave a comment

I try to read passages of scripture every morning before I start anything whether it be from the Holy Bible or the Book of Mormon. This morning I read a verse that really jumped out at me like it never had before. In the verse, Mormon (Author and Compiler of the Book of Mormon), says that Alma (a Prophet from the Old testament Era), “died, being eighty and two years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of God.”

It’s easy to pass over this verse positioning it simply as a “matter of fact” or historic reference. However, I think it goes a little deeper than this. To me it shows that “fulfilling the commandments of God” was everything that Alma lived for. It’s what got him up in the morning and it’s what got him through the day.

No matter what our passion is, I believe it’s vital to our success and happiness in life to “LIVE” for something as Alma did. What is that driving force that gets you out of bed everyday? It has been said that true convictions rule the world. Someone who is driven towards an end will move further along and accomplish more good in life than someone with a “pay check to pay check” attitude.

Be careful in deciding what drives you, but make sure you have something that does. If you don’t, it’s never too late to find it. So tell me, what do you live for?

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“I Don’t Like My Christmas Present”

December 27, 2010 : 1 Comment

I don't like my Christmas presentI feel like I learned something about getting the most out of employees from my sister-in-law this Christmas. Here’s how.

So, we’re in the process of hiring employees for our business to help lighten some of the heavy workload and we’ve had, it seems like, hundreds of discussions on how the process should work, what type of person would be the right fit, what attributes are we looking for, and how will we manage them once they are on board. One I’ve been thinking a lot about lately is how to manage new employees. I’ve wondered how I would teach them our processes, help inspire them to do good work, and how to let them know, in a positive way, when they’ve done something wrong or not the way we need it to be done.

On Christmas day, My sister-in-law got a backpack for Christmas. This was something that she wanted, however, you could tell immediately that she didn’t like something about it. Usually, at Christmas, a gracious recipient would say something like, “oh I love it, thank you so much.” Even though deep inside they absolutely hate it and want to exchange it for a different color. Well, Tessa doesn’t roll that way. She feels too bad about lying that, when asked if she liked it, she said… almost crying, “I… don’t like it. I’m sorry.”

I was stunned. I couldn’t believe it. Then I thought about it. She was just being honest. She new what she wanted and THAT wasn’t it. It’s easy enough to exchange the backpack for the one she really wanted. By lying, she has to live with something she never wanted and it will be painful everyday she has to leave for school. Since she was honest, she only endures a few moments of awkward silence on Christmas morning, and the next day she gets to exchange it for what she wants.

So what does this have to do with employees and or friends/relationships for that matter. It has everything to do with it because, by being honest, progress is made faster. When an employee does something you don’t like, better to let them know, lovingly and kindly, than to fake like it’s okay and then be upset with them day after day as they continue to do things the wrong way. Then, after letting them know you don’t agree, offer a better alternative without (and this is sometimes the hard part) sounding “stand-offish” or accusing.

A few moments of slight awkwardness is always better than a prolonged period of digression. How do you deal with your friends, employees, classmates when they do things that you don’t agree with?

Posted in business, family | 1 Comment

Giving NOT to Receive… and Receiving

December 22, 2010 : 1 Comment

Giving and ReceivingBeing that it is Christmas time, I’ve been putting some thought into the idea of giving and being generous with all that we have. To me, this is the entire premise of the Christmas holiday. We celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ whom the Father gave us as a Savior. The 3 wisemen brought gifts for the babe as a symbol of their gratitude for what the Father had given us and for what Christ would soon give all of us when he suffered for our sins and sacrificed his life on the cross.

If everything that Christmas is based on is about giving, why do we also RECEIVE so much during this time as well? The other day one of my friends asked if he could borrow my truck to haul a couch. I said that’s fine and he came by to pick up the keys. I told him to leave the truck in the driveway when he got finished and to place the key under the doormat.

When I woke up in the morning, I was happy to see my truck parked in the driveway just as it had been the day before. I was more than happy just to find that nothing bad had happened. However, I wasn’t done receiving yet. When I got in my truck to go to work, I turned it on and noticed the fuel needle was all the way to the top… past the full line, more than was in it before it left the drive way the day before.

The point here is that giving is a principle. Though it may seem like an oxymoron, to give means that soon you will receive. It ALWAYS works this way. In business, in families, in relationships, in life, to give is to receive. The best part about giving and not expecting the return, however, is the always pleasant surprise… like Christmas morning.

Posted in business, spiritual | 1 Comment

Defining Moments

December 20, 2010 : Leave a comment

Most of us can look back at our lives and pin point at least one, if not more, time or instance that completely changed the way we view ourselves and our goals and aspirations. For some, it may have been a very low point, a time when you had hit rock bottom and were left with only two choices, give up or grow up. Others may have experienced some glorious breakthrough or accomplishment. And yet, others may have simply had a spark or idea that stemmed and blossomed into a complete overhaul of their entire being.

Whatever the case may be for you, it’s vital that we remember the importance of these instances in keeping motivated to do what we’ve set out to accomplish. A widened perspective of why we do what we do always brings renewed energy and fervor to continuing doing it.

I decided when I was very young that I wanted to raise a righteous family and help as many people in the world as I possibly could. This is my whole desire in life. It is strong and it burns within me. However, when the mundane tasks of my daily work and life start to turn me into somewhat of a robot, it takes a conscientious effort on my part to remember back to the time(s) when I decided how I wanted to live my life. Each time I do, the fire is rekindled and somehow the motivation to grow, become better, and help others is increased.

A popular leader in my church once said, “Decisions do determine destiny.” Each day brings us opportunities to decide, to choose our fate and determine our destiny. Maybe today can be one of those “defining moments” for you. What will you decide?

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Eye on the Prize

December 17, 2010 : Leave a comment
I think the cause of a lot of people (including myself) not succeeding in a given endeavor is due to a lack of vision and the correct amount of discipline to maintain that vision. In their book Conquer the Chaos, Clate Mask and Scott Martineau talk about the importance of defining what success means for you or your business. They mention that, “It’s amazing to us how many people don’t do this. They’re toiling away, day after day, without really knowing what they’re working toward.”

If you don’t know what it is you want to achieve to make you happy, then how will you ever know when to rejoice? It may seem silly, but it’s true. I meet a lot of people who simply say that they just aren’t happy. However, deep down inside, most of them have never really taken a chance to sincerely ponder about what it is they think will make them happy.

By taking a few moments to think about what you’re after, you will be amazed at the progress you can make. I like to set goals for almost everything I do. Once I define an achievement, I write it down and then review it daily. When I was in high school I wrote down my goals on a piece of paper and taped it above my light switch. That way, it was the first thing I saw when I woke up and the last thing I saw before I went to bed.

It is often said that nothing can withstand human persistence. I believe that the persistence we need comes as a result of having a clearly defined goal to reach our own idea of success.

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Praise is the Fuel of Any Business

December 16, 2010 : 2 Comments
Praise is one of the most empowering gestures you can afford an individual. Not only does it promote confidence and self worth, but it has the ability to switch a mood for the better faster than any other thing.

You may feel like, as the leader of an organization or business, that it is your duty to be hard nosed and demanding at all costs. However, it is also your duty to praise. It is your duty because without it, your business will not be around very long.

A man without praise is like a chain without oil. Eventually, it will get worn out and dry. If you let it go too long, it takes more and more effort to turn the wheel with the rusty chain and in the end it will break leaving you stranded and looking for a new way to propel your vehicle.

Everyone deserves praise whether they are the highest producing asset of your company or the $10/hr receptionist. By finding things to praise others about, they are more receptive to teaching and reproving at times. They will take your advice to heart and do the best they can to change because they know you respect and recognize all the good things that they do.

Posted in business | 2 Comments

A Familiar Ring

November 4, 2010 : Leave a comment

There is something to be said about familiarity and intuition. Even amongst a crowd of thousands of talking people holding separate conversations, for some reason you are still able to pick out your name when someone says it. You direct your attention immediately to the direction from which the sound came. Even if the voice is not from someone you know, your being familiar with the sound of your name and your natural reaction tells you to respond.

I believe the same concept is true for many decisions that we face in life. Whether these decisions be personal, business related, or spiritually related, there is something inside us that tells us to act when we are faced with an option that “sounds familiar.”

Sometimes we get burned by following intuition. Sometimes we succeed emphatically. Whichever the case, by following your intuition, you can come off confident in your purpose.

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Swimming in Chocolate Pudding

October 13, 2010 : Leave a comment

Have you ever woke up on a Monday morning feeling content and ready to tackle a new week. I know what you’re thinking. MONDAY? Is he serious?

I understand your confusion but you see, despite the seemingly undying trials and setbacks coming our way on a day to day basis, there are those moments when, for some bewildering reason, “everything is right with the world.” You’ve achieved some goals, you’ve experienced some success, you have a plan for the future (if only for the very near future), and you’re all-in-all happy with the way things are going.

It’s times like these that need to be cherished. Don’t let them pass you or your business by. Share your success and happiness with those who have helped make things the way they are today. I’m speaking of family members, friends, partners, and employees. Also, don’t forget yourself. You’ve had a lot of help along the way, but without you, the feeling you’re experiencing doesn’t exist.

Appreciate the feeling, but also remember that it will soon dissipate if you are not prepared for the next twist that life is going to throw you. You may think that diving into a pool of pudding is refreshing and tasty at first. However, without a disciplined plan to return to normal circumstances, you may end up trying to eat your way out of the muck.

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