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Direction not Goals
Weekly Thought – November 5, 2013
Fred sat on a tombstone when he was in his twenties thinking about the direction he wanted for his life. To codify his thinking he wrote out an epitaph: “He stretched others.” He said, “I enjoyed seeing people productive and growing.” His tombstone in Dallas, Texas bears those three words for indeed, he did!
“Thank you for last week’s email. I really needed to hear that and I am sure many others did, too.” The Weekly Thoughts are sent as an encouragement and as a way to allow Fred’s work to keep on stretching others. As you know we are currently having a critical fundraising drive and your help in large and small contributions is needed.
Direction not Goals
Choosing a life direction is more important than just focusing on goals. Enticing short term goals can take one off course and in a faulty direction. Mature success and satisfaction come in the direction we move, not in the goals we attain.
I oppose setting an ultimate goal for one’s life, in the sense of a specific, definable, measurable, figure-oriented place in life — the place for arrival. This puts too much importance on one decision. This closes off the serendipity of life which leads to magnificent adventures.
I have known too many executives who set a title as their ultimate goal only to realize that the joy was in the challenge of achievement, not the actual job attained. The old song says it well, “Is this all there is?” I laugh at the picture of the man spent a lifetime climbing a ladder only to realize at the top it was leaning against the wrong wall. (more…)
Clarify Your Thinking
Weekly Thought – October 29, 2013
Fred’s understanding of human nature resulted from lifelong study and observation. He found patterns in thinking and behavior. He talked of the modus operandi – the method of operation. He strongly believed in finding the basis from which our life’s philosophy derives.
The tenth year of Breakfast With Fred is nearing its completion. In these years a website, a book, hundreds of weekly thoughts, and eight Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institutes have touched thousands worldwide. Beginning during Fred’s lifetime, the work goes on striving to expand, deepen, and preserve. Thank you for supporting us. We are reader-supported and we are currently having a critical fundraising drive. Your help is needed.
Clarify Your Thinking
Behind every plan of action, every commitment of time, and energy should be a solid philosophical base. From it comes our answer to “why?” Why should I be a leader? Why should I pay the price of success? Why not stay where it is comfortable? Why push ahead risking failure?
Is it just for ego? Or do I feel I have been given a talent, an opportunity, and I don’t want to miss to excitement of worthwhile accomplishment? Do I see this accomplishment can be made in any period of my life? (more…)
Lead On
Brenda’s Blog – October 29, 2013
“God loves us. God is not a meanie. I am not afraid. Say it Mommy, ‘I am not afraid.’”
These words were spoken by a 3 year old girl dying of brain cancer. Leadership is not age sensitive. No degrees, no certifications, no titles, no powerful positions — just qualities that cause others to follow.
Phoebe Fair led all of us during her 21 months of illness. Why? She had vision; she had passion; she had direction. She understood her mission, and stayed the course.
Most of us will not be asked to travel Phoebe’s path, but each of us is asked to be faithful to our calling. Leading a corporation, a Christian organization, a family unit, or a campus ministry….all share the same common elements: defining reality, setting the vision, understanding constructive strengths and destructive weaknesses, capturing the loyalty of others to the vision, effective communication of direction, and the ability to move the group forward.
How could a 4 year old do this? During her lifetime she received thousands of personal messages weekly, had 75,000 followers of her Facebook page, filled the sanctuary of a major church for her service, and continues to touch lives worldwide. How could that not be leadership? Her life was her mission; her love for Jesus was her passion; her eagerness to encourage others was her uniqueness.
Never underestimate your LQ – leadership quotient. You don’t need position, power, and prominence…you simply need to influence and move others to action. Lead on!
Who You Are Meant to Be
Weekly Thought-October 22, 2013
Fred was blessed with a network of friends who strengthened him and lived out the “iron sharpening iron.” He gathered a cadre of truth-tellers who walked in integrity. He knew who he wanted to be and chose an inner circle of those who, like him, understand their gifts and their missions.
As October nears a close, we thank you for your support. These Weekly Thoughts are a unique way of continuing Fred’s legacy. Please continue to share ways they are meaningful and helpful. Breakfast With Fred is reader-supported and we are asking you to support us with donations large or small at this important time. If you receive encouragement from these emails, we need the encouragement from you in the form of your support.
Who You Are Meant to Be
We are in a time when ne’er-do-wells (particularly young ones) persist in saying, “Love me for myself!” When I hear that I think of the sign in the store, “Sold as is.” That always denotes damage to the product or something that reduces value. I want to see people striving to fulfill their gifts, not sitting idly by accepting “as is.” (more…)
You and Your Network
Weekly Thought – October 15, 2013
Fred enjoyed connecting friends with others. Way before networking was a commonly accepted business practice, Fred understood its value. And it was always for mutual benefit, never for manipulation or selfish ends.
As you are reading this, the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute team of 21 will be “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders…for the glory of God” at East Texas Baptist University. Thank you for praying for God’s work. Breakfast With Fred is reader-supported and we are asking you to support us with donations large or small at this important time.
You and Your Network
Networking is the way most things happen. Great achievers have always understood the necessity of organized assistance.
Successful businesses depend on a network built of suppliers, customers, government agencies, stockholders, employees, and management.
The human body is probably the oldest network — the many parts are connected. The foot depends on the eyes to keep from stumbling… and the eye depends on the eyebrow to keep sweat from running down. (more…)
Never Again
Brenda’s Blog – October 15, 2013
“Why ‘Fortitude’?” I surprised myself as I asked the young man about his arm’s length tattoo. His response got my immediate attention. “It means courage. There is a story behind it and it reminds me I will never be a coward again. I will never let fear make me cower.”
The chairs in the coffee shop became pew-like in this sacred space. The conversation unfolded easily.
“The do-not-fears in the Bible have really helped me this year. Fighting fear is real to me, as well. I started studying this because it dawned on me even in the Bible fearful people made really stupid decisions. I looked at my life and saw the same pattern. Fear is no friend of clear thought.”
He nodded, picked up his iPad and started searching the do-nots. His face brightened and the interest increased. Two strangers engaged in life-strengthening.
We talked for a few more minutes, and as he left he stopped to say, “This was meant to be.”
“Start with Joshua 1:9 – it is the cornerstone; and be fortified.”
A brief exchange with the thumbprint of God all over it.
I have no idea why he fervently inked the reminder on his arm…it doesn’t matter. His resolve to stand fearlessly marks him more deeply than the tat.
What is your word? What is your story? Then whose story are you missing because you don’t ask the question? Open eyes, minds, and hearts lead us into the most exceptional surprises.
Welcome to BWFLI
Brenda’s Blog – October 1, 2013
Welcome to the Breakfast With Fred Leadership Institute website. Our organization’s mission is “stretching and blessing the next generation of leaders…to the glory of God.” The on-line archive of wisdom God gave my Dad, Fred Smith,Sr., is housed at breakfastwithfred.com You will find a leadership library filled with timeless principles, pithy statements of truth, and challenging questions.
Our on-campus events are affectionately known as “24 hour leadership blitzes” because a team of leading men and women (mostly over 65) land on campus and immerse themselves in the community for a power-packed 24 hours. We come to start conversations and create connections. We are in classrooms, chapel, athletic sessions, community outreaches, dorm conversations, mealtimes, and any other possible venue that gives us a chance to share leadership principles and our faith experience.
Bwfli.com is a way to continue the conversation.
Periodically I will host this blog spot. It will be a place to think about leadership in light of everyday experiences. I am an “out and about” person. I love listening to people’s stories and finding transferable themes!
Enjoy the website then grab a coffee and join me as we explore the paths God creates for us. Come back and we will start sharing ideas.
Please think about: 1) Who first said, “I believe in you?” 2) How has it impacted your direction? 3) What is the power of belief?
Dad once told me, “There’s magic in believing as long as you don’t believe in magic!”