There is this story in the Bible about building. The story speaks to the idea that if a man was going to build a tower, he would certainly need to count the cost of the building so that he would not get half way through and not have enough to finish it. He would be seen as a foolish man for doing such a thing.

For the longest time, as I thought about that story, I thought only of the price of the tower as the “cost” he was to count. While I understand that this is absolutely the primary interpretation of this passage (Luke 14:25-35, by the way) the bigger consideration might well be if he has the passion to fulfill his purpose for the tower.

No one builds things for no reason and the reason for building the tower has to be powerful enough to get the builder through all of the difficult times that will surly come through the course of the project. Even with plenty of money, the stress of building without purpose (or a half-hearted purpose) would never withstand the whole process.

In the end, building with purpose (created by your passion) is the key ingredient in helping you become successful in anything God leads you to do. So, take time to think things through and make sure that God has directed you and filled you with passion and purpose. Otherwise, when you quit halfway through, your testimony will be damaged and people’s confidence in you will be hard to repair.

Talk more later ….

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I have made a choice. I am going to change my world. I am going to build organic friendships and an organic business. I don’t know how things are going to work, but I have faith that they will.

I believe that my faith is the most powerful gift that God has made available to me and I have chosen to live that faith with reckless abandon. This blog will be the platform for the life that God has told me to live. It will include every aspect of life and will hopefully encourage others to make a similar choice.

I will talk about life in general, relationships, business, health and how all these fit into a life of faith. I hope to be a blessing to everyone who reads while challenging people to think in new and fresh ways.

This declaration is a promise that I am making first to God and then to you. It is not a “pat on the back” or a “look at me” declaration, rather it is about walking worthy of the vocation to which I have been called. May God bless you as you read. Please comment, please challenge me, please step up to change your world.

May God bless you as we change our world ….

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This weekend I have been busy with the first thoughts about my online strategy for 2011. (I posted about this process last week.) It has been an interesting exercise for me. Primarily because I hate to plan most of the time and in the few times that I have tried to plan, I got so bogged down in the planning, nothing ever got done.

This time, things are going to be different! How, you say? That’s a very good question and I hope my answer will help many others like me who struggle with this whole “creating a strategy” kind of thing. This thing breaks down into three basic thoughts:

1. I need to analyze, but I cannot “over-analyze.” I have been know to enter into the paralysis of analysis in times past. What I am doing this year is to start with a big picture strategy, but then focus on the day to day action steps that will bring me to the big picture.

2. I need to find ways to test and refine my strategy throughout the year. Much of what I have done in the past has been to simply throw stuff out there and hope that people are reading it and benefit from what they are reading. In 2011 I am going to have a way in place to test the reach of what I am doing and make adjustments throughout the year.

3. I need to make sure that I stick to the plan. Only I can make this happen. It’s all on me (or you in your case). The best laid plans may look good on paper but they are worthless if they are not executed in the real world. If I ever want to be in the place to successfully monetize my efforts, I need to be consistent and beneficial to my readers.

So, plans are taking shape and that’s a good thing. I have the remainder of this year to “test the waters” in some new areas. I can already feel a new excitement in me concerning the new year. However, nothing of value for my readers or myself will come to fruition unless I commit to bring this  new strategy to play in the new year. (The same is true for every business, church, family, or relationship.)

Success is a process, not an event. Plan well, but don’t forget to execute!

Talk more later ….

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Have you ever sat in your office looking at all the work in front of you wondering if this was really what life was supposed to be about? Now, I’m not talking about chucking everything and living the life of a starving artist on some exotic beach somewhere (wait a minute – that does sound good today!) No, really, I believe in the thought that if a man won’t work, he shouldn’t eat, but shouldn’t the work you do make you happy and allow you to make a difference in people’s lives?

I have been thinking a lot about this lately (maybe that’s why the beach sounds so good). As my thoughts have drifted from what I must have to what I want to have and how all of that mixes with my unquenchable desire to be a blessing to my world, I have come to several conclusions that I would like to share:

1. I want to live my life for something other than things. If all life is about is the collecting of things, then there are way better ways of doing that than honest, ethical, integrity filled work (most of then are illegal however).
2. My business is not my life. It is merely a means to an end and while I should have a passion for what I do, I don’t create identity by my business.
3. My business needs to work around my life, not the other way round. Enough said!
4. My business should serve the greater good of my team, my clients, and my world. My greatest joy in business should be “raving fans” who join me in business and in positive life goals.
5. I need to stop listening to people who only want “in my pocket.” I respect people who have gone before me and met the challenges of the business world, but I don’t want to pay them for everything they know. I am going to give more away than I ever charge for, not because  I should but because I want to.

I would love to work with and around a whole “Tribe” (thanks Seth for the word) of like-minded people. It would make life way more exciting and much simpler. If you are like me and would like to know more or know someone like who might like to know more, I would love to talk.

Then, one day soon, maybe we can all be on that beach, enjoying the sun, the sand, and the surf while working hard to make our worlds better and our lives more meaningful.

As always, your comments are appreciated!

Talk more later ….

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