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Don’t point a finger, Make a solution

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Have you ever seen a troubling situation and said, “They really should do something about…” There is always someone to blame when there is a problem. Most of the time there is a clear cut person or circumstance that has initiated the trouble. Well here is a question, who is the “they that you are speaking about? If the situation has come to your attention maybe you are the “they”. Maybe no one else sees the problem or you are the one with the simple solution. What if everyone else continues to complain without acting? I created some techniques to be a better solution driven leader.

1. Ask for help from the complainers
A direct request for help acknowledges the problem and confronts the other people who recognize it. It asserts your position as a leader and points everyone in a positive direction. Complainers become comrades in the fight to right the ship.

2. Make a solution 
Positive people who can really get stuff done will immediately join your cause and carry some of the motivation burden. Allow these people to influence the complainers but do not burden them with more people who complain than they can handle. A little yeast will cause the entire ball of dough to rise. Let the positive people also encourage you because iron sharpens iron.

3. Do not fear failure
Many good causes have never been attempted due to fear of failure or rejection, especially past rejection which can hamper you for life. When fear arises began to act on the solution. No amount of positive vibes can overcome inaction. The problem or situation exists because someone was afraid to deal with it directly. Since you are a leader flee fear and run to the solution.

Creativity is the answer. I always prefer the creative solution to an expensive solution.
Keenen Ivory Wayans

Now that you have more wisdom, it is time to stop pointing the finger. Make a plan, speak to others and get moving.
Tell me about you a solution you made and acted on it in your life?

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Pride before the fall

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http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrischabot/

I threw Pride out of the window

I met a profound man, his name is Charlie. He approached me by inquiring about the type of business that I run. I told that I primarily recycled wooden pallets and he said he was familiar with the business and had even dabbled in it himself. Now, he was driving an ATV and hauling a garbage bin. He asked me if my business was healthy and I replied” thank God that this business is still open”. This set Charlie into story telling mode.

He explained that he worked for a company that had recently downsized from 120 employees to 20 employees. This pull back demoted him from a Foreman who maintained a crew of many workers to the solo act I met. He went on to recall the glory days and how he rode around in a big new truck with air conditioning and his most difficult assignment was to retrieve supplies for his crew. He is a family man who loves the Lord and he knew he had the admiration of his family and church members. He worked his way to the top in this company for almost two decades. He gave me a glimpse into the day of his demotion and said the boss told him he could keep his job if he was willing to drive this trash pickup route. Humbly, he accepted the position for he was one of the lucky ones that maintained his position. For his loyalty he was even awarded the same salary. Over the course of the next few months Charlie said he had to fight back depression because the once mighty man now was pulling garbage behind the buildings. There were no more men to command and no more supplies to retrieve. The only recognition he received was the obligatory “see you tomorrow” from the kitchen help. He told me his wife believed he would seek another opportunity. He recollected telling her that now he thinks he likes his job and plans to stick with it. She was happy and said that she admired him. Then he looked at me with the eyes of experience and humility and said, “I threw pride out of the window” that’s what got me through.
I identified with Charlie because this was my situation also, I had the pleasure of meeting him at the trash dumpster. My big fancy truck is gone and my crew is non-existent but my joy is full. Following are two Bible verses that applied to both of our situation to some degree.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world
Proverbs 16:18
Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall

So if you find yourself in any situation that seems to be a set back here are three things to keep in mind.
1. Be thankful that you are alive
You are still alive for a reason and one of them is to be a testimony to others who may believe that they are at the end of their ropes. Being alive means that there is a chance for a successful finish. Like me and Charlie realize that there are people less fortunate than you and you can thrive.
2. Worldly possessions and human accolades are not the true prize
Enjoy the fruit of your labor but do not idolize it. The positions that hard work and faith afford you are just rewards but they do not define who you are. Your character and values define you.
3. Throw pride out of the window
The preceding verses explain the destruction that follows when we are prideful. Haughty is not a word used in our common speech but it gives an accurate description of the actions of many who believe they have “made it”. We are given talents and favor to help mankind. So get rid of any pride that may be lingering around looking to destroy you.

How are you going to throw pride out of the window?

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What to do while you wait

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The following is an opening for a chapter in my upcoming book, let me know what you think. The statement, “Occupy until I come,” is taken directly from the bible. The quote from Luke 19, verse 12 and 13, is “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Patient ability describes what to do while obtaining patience. This chapter gives examples of human nature while pursuing dominance. The entire passage from Luke is used to demonstrate the rewards of occupying (performing transactions repeatedly) while gaining Patient Ability. This principle contains examples and vivid illustrations of patience. Most motivational books are “rah-rah” cheering books; there are certain aspects of upbeat encouragement throughout this principle. The main premise of Patient Ability is to demonstrate that in any worthwhile journey, there are aspects of continued endurance that propel you to success. This principle gives practical advice for lasting victory. Separate phases are outlined for gaining ability while building a crescendo to dominating life.
Patient Ability is the principle in which we must take a self test and determine our valuable attributes. One must honestly dig deep into what makes himself tick. This is the point where we take off the gloves. You must pull back the veil. There are plenty of things you may be good at doing; however, in order to reach your ultimate goals, you must uncover your true, great talent and develop it. You must determine your limitations. What should you do while being patient? We all want to hunt; however, knowing how to gather is a very important aspect of increasing your ability. The real impact makers know how to gather people, resources, and energy.

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Patience does not avoid hard work, it prepares for it

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• Schedule the things that will help you achieve your plan first
• Make a schedule and keep it

8/4/11 5:57AM (original writting)

Preparation is one of the pillars of patience because it is what to do in the interim. Preparation has many forms and differs from planning because now words take action. Use mental preparation to form pictures of success and what it looks like for your particular project. These mental sessions cause wonderful thoughts of glory that can sustain you in gaps between tangible results. Thinking will also give you opportunity to navigate around potential challenges. The path of patience chooses purposes that exceed its current comfort level. The problematic work is primarily in your belief system. Belief in a dream dictates effort towards that end. In the middle are challenging steps that give the end a smooth appearance. I often write terrific list that if accomplished would put me in the over achievers Hall of Fame. These list frequently fall victim to excuses and later I become angry at my apathy. To overcome this I force myself to perform the prepared list. Never once have I completed a list without extreme satisfaction. Hard things are not hard if you are prepared properly. Maybe better said, “The prepared mind does not perceive the difficult challenge.”

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You are standing on the shoulders of others

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• You are not the first to take this journey
• Your foundation and heritage are strong and sure
• Faith and patience are cumulative

Those that came before us built bridges from lack to abundance the foundation of which is forged with their physical and emotional souls. People in your own family that gave every ounce of energy to educate, shelter and propel you to the next level may not have had the level of free expression that you enjoy. You lean on those who promoted your goals and dreams above their own. Show gratitude to those pillars that have directly supported you by continuing to pursue your highest dreams. Some dreams need more reinforcement than others and lofty vision needs patient contractors. After the foundation has settled the contractor must test the strength of the concrete. Our concrete is made of people who had vision for a world free from hindrances to individual joy. All dreams and goals combine to benefit your heritage. The royalty of your culture expects you to represent with passion and regality. When your faith needs increasing look to past champions for inspiration. The Bible gives us some examples of those who through faith and patience inherited the promise but Abraham is one of my favorites because we can see evidence of God’s promise still working in present day Israel and all the riches bestowed on the seed of Ishmael. While gaining inspiration from faith champions and applying your current faith, no gap is too large to overcome. Slow your breathing consider well your task and exercise a patient mind because you are not alone.

Unite with faith and patience and unite with the world.

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The Prayer

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My prayer: God please order my steps in Your word.

His Answer: For I know the thoughts that I think towards you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11

God has good thoughts toward us. We have to aspire to change our minds to reach these thoughts. To change our mind we must change the things that we listen to daily. We must change the programs we watch. Enhance the people we are around. And finally, to change our thought pattern, we must change the things we read. So remember that there is always someone in your corner. This Someone is God and He desires peace and prosperity for as your end result.

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Long recovery vs. peace of mind

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We all hear the news and reports of doom and destruction. Even the reports of an upbeat financial market are viewed with a squinted eye. The reality is that from the looks of it the capitalist system is in for more than a correction. The system is in for a long punishment. This reminds me of childhood. When one of us children would mess up my parents would say “All of you guys are in trouble because I know you had something to do with it.”

Some of you are probably about to call your parents now and say “that was wrong and I would like to have a discussion, meeting or counseling session”. Well, stop the madness. Don’t do anything until you read this article. The good book tells us that we should “glory in tribulations because tribulation works patience”. Romans 5:3-4 Patience is a challenging subject for these times but it is something that is needed. For the individual it is important because it breeds peace. If a person can maintain peace and not give in to anger and frustration then they will be able to hear their inner voice. The inner voice that directs us to a truly fruitful life.

This reminds me of another scripture. “But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience”. Luke 8:15 During the boom times we all heard that inner voice telling us to slow down purchasing and to save our money. I remember when then Fed Chairman, Alan Greenspan said that we were in a period of “irrational exuberance.”

So now that we have all been chastised what should we do to overcome or get back to our former glory. Well the first step is acceptance of your current status. Second, is to make a determination to live for today. Enjoy the space and time that we are occupying. This slowdown is a regrouping that is masked as a problem. Collect your thoughts and endure for the long haul. Endure without malice or contempt for your situation or anyone that may have contributed. As a matter of fact we should thank the contributor for our current world economic status because these contributors have given us time to focus on what is truly important.

The truly important things are your family and your peace of mind. Take a pause to remember what your first love was. What has been your calling your entire life? If you are operating in your field of choice now I ask “Are others truly benefiting from your actions?” Make the world better by maximizing your thinking and allowing peaceful guidance to have it course.

Better is the end of the thing than the beginning thereof: and the patience in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecclesiastes 7v8

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It’s okay to stop

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There is a stopping point for everyone. If there is something in your life that is hurting you or impeding your progress you must eliminate it. Shutting down is hard to do because the old you and the old ways are so familiar but, you just have to damn it, stop it up. Cut out all of the infectious material and leave only healthy and worthwhile cells. Let’s form a different thought pattern and say “Think the Maximum Good”tm There is a redirection point for every business or individual and redirection starts with self-examination and self-realization. When self-doubt surfaces you must meet it with pure, good thoughts. Focus your mind on your maximum good.

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Forever Upgrade

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Daily we must tend to the affairs of our lives and it is imperative to choose the path that upgrades our status. If we constantly upgrade we receive affirmations as patience builds. The character of patience requires a series of upgrades to achieve success. The methodical process of reviewing options must be free of emotion. We should not become mechanical but, to employ mechanisms that root out decisions that down grade our life is vital. Decisions are best made with future considerations in mind. Only think on the past for points of reference not points of definition. Our future choices determine our destiny. Right decisions are not always easy choices. Have no fear with any move that shall propel you forward. The tough part is committing to meaningful change. Consider others then consider the mission. Your mission is to serve others by being true to yourself. It takes a lot of courage to lead yourself out to your promised land but courage has a partner in a series of upgraded decisions. Always forward ever upward.

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Bullets in your Gun

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I was playing Nerf Tag in the yard with my son and the competiton was fairly even. I was given the gun that has 20 shot capacity and he chose the gun that has an 18 shot capacity but also has extra clips. After the we shot all of our rounds he proceeded to load another clip. Since mine does not take clips I had to pick up mine off the ground. When we returned to the game I had only a few bullets and he had an entire clip. I figured that I was a sitting duck with his obvious advantage but as I began to fire he returned no Nerf darts. He was disappointed in the outcome so as we sat and reloaded and looked at his gun we determined that the darts were loaded incorrectly. And I told him that he needed to know his weapon and be sure he had bullets in his gun. This reminded me of a principle that I had written for the study series “21 Days of Patience” below is an excerpt of this principle.

Bullets in your gun
• Be prepared for all that you know is coming
• Load your memory with useful information
• Have all of the things in your control accomplished
• Stack the Deck

The saying “luck favors the prepared” is true but could be altered to “the prepared find favor”. Once you understand your goals in life, it is time to prepare for you mission which is filled with tests and trials. If your goal is some athletic endeavor  at least two areas for which you must ready your self, physical fitness and the technical training. There is no sense in saying, “I do not know how to get there”. Stack the deck in your favor by training. If your goal is to spend more quality time with your family then remove some of the hindrances television, cellular phones and show up with family friendly plans that do not involve massive amounts of money and energy from you. Anything new requires new information to load into the human computer. Nominal goals oblige you to obtain information so that the deck is stacked in your favor. I watch my son read and re-read the video game manual and then watch him dominate that realm. Whenever we get a new appliance or toy I try to read the manual in its entirety including the legal. This store of information comes in handy almost every time. The deck is now stacked in my favor because less operating stress is awesome, less break down is awesome and more of life looking the way it was planned is totally awesome.

The prepared find favor.