Weekly Thought – November 25, 2025

Fred knew he had no college education, no natural network of influencers, and no financial resources, but he knew he had God-given gifts of discernment, connection, intellectual curiosity, and desire to make a serious contribution… all based on his faith in Jesus Christ.

Flying With The Eagles

I believe I am responsible for my own personal development. Only I know what I want to become. Only I know my real strengths and weaknesses, mu passion and talent. Only I know the price I was willing to pay to become who I want to be. My personal development stands on four legs.

The first leg is mentoring. When I was young I heard the expression, “Birds of a feather flock together. I knew then I wanted to associate with individuals who would serve as mentors and role models. So early in my business career, I chose six qualities I wanted to build into my life. I asked six individuals who personified each quality to send me an autographed photograph. I framed them then hung on my office wall with Hoffman’s “Head of Christ” portrait at the top and a mirror on the bottom of the square. I could look at the wall and ask myself how I was maturing. This was the first step in my development.

Reading is the second leg of my development program. I do prescriptive reading. Just as everyone doesn’t have the same eyeglass prescription, we don’t have benefit from the same reading resources. I read no novels. I concentrate on certain authors who can give me what I need, such as Oswald Chambers, Francois Fenelon, and Peter Drucker. I also read individual chapters in books that are focused on my major reading themes (philosophy, theology, mentoring, psychology, and science).These are areas for which I have a natural affinity.

The third leg of the program is writing. Until I started working for Maxey Jarman, chairman of GENESCO, I was a totally verbal person. Once I was telling him about a situation in one of the plants and he said, “Write it.” When I told him I couldn’t write it, he said, “The reason you can’t write it is that you don’t know it. Anything you know you can write.” I later came across this quote from Sir Francis Bacon: “Writing makes an exact man.” I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.

The final leg of my development plan is travel. It opens wide the window of experience and expands my viewpoint. Growing up in the mill district of North Nashville during the depression afforded me no thought of travel. But a crystal radio used in the attic of a Baptist parsonage allowed me to dream of faraway places. Mary Alice and I knew we wanted our children to love the value of travel – and we succeeded!

This week focus on: 1) What are the key elements of my development plan? 2) Which of the four legs I my strongest? Weakest? 3) How am I helping my family, my organization, my friends develop?

Words of Wisdom: “I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.”

Wisdom from the Word: “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 11, 2025

Fred viewed “goofing off” dimly. His mind worked ceaselessly. The possibility of time before the TV (unless it was golf) as a desirable activity fell into the “spent time, not invested time” category. He believed in refreshing and re-creating, but not in the meaningless waste of time and energy.

Free Time That Counts

Many times our leisure determines whether we are going to be mediocre or successful. A Christian should use leisure constructively to build and not to abuse. Weekend carousal is out. Volunteer work and healthy diversions are in.

Leisure gives us time for reading, studying, traveling, and ministering. We are to invest our leisure, not spend it. I want my leisure time to pay dividends like any other good investment. A good hobby provides relaxation – a lot of spice for life. Recreation should be re-creation. Our pleasures should restore our energy and create pleasant memories.

For many, recreation is the opposite… like the nurse sitting next to me in the adjoining seat from Miami to Chicago. I asked her whether she was coming home or going to work. She said she was returning from a long weekend of partying in the islands. Her eyes looked like two red traffic lights. She was going to have to go home to her job just to recuperate from her leisure! This, certainly, isn’t the Christian’s way. She had made a big payment for this leisure time without hope of any interest or dividends.

My friend Jed Thompson uses his vacation time to work on a boat on the Amazon River, bringing with him dentists and technicians who volunteer their time. They come fully supplied with resources donated by friends. They go up and down the river ministering to the local people… first to their physical needs and then to their spiritual ones. Other friends of mine take part of their summer vacation to go to the poorest areas in the world serving Christ.

Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish. In William Barclay’s prayer he asks for pleasure in his leisure. This only comes through the giving oneself to something greater than themselves.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I spend my leisure time? 2) When do I feel God’s pleasure in my time? 3) What defines re-creation for me?

Words of Wisdom: “A Christian should use leisure time constructively to build.”

Wisdom from the Word: “God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased all the work that he had been doing in creation.” (Genesis 2:3 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – November 25, 2025

Fred knew he had no college education, no natural network of influencers, and no financial resources, but he knew he had God-given gifts of discernment, connection, intellectual curiosity, and desire to make a serious contribution… all based on his faith in Jesus Christ.

Flying With The Eagles

I believe I am responsible for my own personal development. Only I know what I want to become. Only I know my real strengths and weaknesses, mu passion and talent. Only I know the price I was willing to pay to become who I want to be. My personal development stands on four legs.

The first leg is mentoring. When I was young I heard the expression, “Birds of a feather flock together. I knew then I wanted to associate with individuals who would serve as mentors and role models. So early in my business career, I chose six qualities I wanted to build into my life. I asked six individuals who personified each quality to send me an autographed photograph. I framed them then hung on my office wall with Hoffman’s “Head of Christ” portrait at the top and a mirror on the bottom of the square. I could look at the wall and ask myself how I was maturing. This was the first step in my development.

Reading is the second leg of my development program. I do prescriptive reading. Just as everyone doesn’t have the same eyeglass prescription, we don’t have benefit from the same reading resources. I read no novels. I concentrate on certain authors who can give me what I need, such as Oswald Chambers, Francois Fenelon, and Peter Drucker. I also read individual chapters in books that are focused on my major reading themes (philosophy, theology, mentoring, psychology, and science).These are areas for which I have a natural affinity.

The third leg of the program is writing. Until I started working for Maxey Jarman, chairman of GENESCO, I was a totally verbal person. Once I was telling him about a situation in one of the plants and he said, “Write it.” When I told him I couldn’t write it, he said, “The reason you can’t write it is that you don’t know it. Anything you know you can write.” I later came across this quote from Sir Francis Bacon: “Writing makes an exact man.” I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.

The final leg of my development plan is travel. It opens wide the window of experience and expands my viewpoint. Growing up in the mill district of North Nashville during the depression afforded me no thought of travel. But a crystal radio used in the attic of a Baptist parsonage allowed me to dream of faraway places. Mary Alice and I knew we wanted our children to love the value of travel – and we succeeded!

This week focus on: 1) What are the key elements of my development plan? 2) Which of the four legs I my strongest? Weakest? 3) How am I helping my family, my organization, my friends develop?

Words of Wisdom: “I learned to write to burn the fuzz off my thinking.”

Wisdom from the Word: “We proclaim him by instructing and teaching all people with all wisdom so that we may present every person mature in Christ.” (Colossians 1:28 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – October 28, 2025

Fred did not “goof off.” His mentor, Maxey Jarman once sent him a leather Eames chair – the ultimate in luxurious lounging. He pulled it out on to the back deck, reclined, and covered himself with a very large IBM blanket emblazoned with the word THINK. He had one of the children capture it on their Kodak Brownie camera and sent a photo to his mentor.

Free Time That Counts

Many times our leisure determines whether we are going to be mediocre or successful. A Christian should use leisure constructively to build, not to abuse. Weekend carousal is not an option. Volunteer work and healthy diversions are positive activities to include.

Leisure gives us time for reading, studying, traveling, and ministering. We are to invest our time, not spend it. I want my leisure time to pay dividends like any other good investment. An excellent hobby can provide relaxation and a bit of spice for life. Recreation should be re-creation. Our pleasures should restore our energy and create pleasant memories.

For many, recreation is just the opposite. For example, a nurse sat in the adjoining seat on my flight from Miami to Chicago. I asked her whether she was coming home or going to work. She said she was returning from a long weekend of partying in the islands. Her eyes looked like two red traffic lights. She was going home to her job so she could recuperate from her vacation. This sounds backwards, to me. As I see it, she made a big payment for this leisure time without hope of any future dividend.

My friend Jed Thompson uses his vacation time to work on a boat on the Amazon River, bringing with him dentist and technicians who volunteer their time. As well, they bring dental and medical supplies. They go up and down the area ministering to the local people – first to their health needs and then to their spiritual ones. Another family I know takes part of their summer vacation to go to the poorest areas in the world to serve Christ. These as well as those who participate in mission projects to erect buildings, put on vacation Bible schools, join in with Habitat for Humanity, and other groups like Samaritan’s Purse understand a way to invest their time and energy, not just spend them.

Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish. In William Barclay’s prayer he asks for pleasure in his leisure. This only comes through the giving of oneself to something bigger.

This week look at your schedule and ask: 1) How well do I steward my leisure time? 2) What comes to mind when I think about the difference in investing and spending my time? 3) Who can benefit from my example of investing time wisely?

Words of Wisdom: “Service to others is a pleasure unknown to the selfish.”

Wisdom from the Word: “O LORD, restore our well-being, just as the streams in the arid south are replenished.” (Psalm 126:4 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 30, 2025

Fred believed one of the key elements of maturity came through reading, association, and travel. Almost monthly he received books on a wide variety of topics from friends and acquaintances. He appreciated their thoughtfulness, but he had a basic principle: “I do not feel the obligation to read a book just because someone sends it to me. I also do not believe reading requires me to start at the beginning and complete the entire book. I search for the excerpts which are helpful.”

The Wise Reader

In a book I read recently the author says that some people get to age 35 or 40 and then level off in terms of their personal accomplishments, never climbing any higher. He said that during the younger part of your life, just being alive is enough to drive you forward, but that energy begins to wane. Unless you have a spiritual drive that urges you forward, the physical runs out and you peak.

One of the sources of motivation for me is reading. We can’t keep up without it. Let me ask you something: “What do you read? Do you read objectively? Do you say what do I need to read to improve?” Until you do, you miss the best of reading.
Of course, it is impossible to read everything. I learned a long time ago that my particular interests and gifts are in three areas: theology, philosophy, and psychology. I am an eclectic reader and intrigued by ideas, but since I am a slow reader, concentrate my reading in these three areas. Make clear decisions about what you read and why.

I wear glasses and maybe you do, too. Mine probably cost about the same as yours. Would you trade lenses with me just because I asked you to? Of course not! That would be silly because yours fit you and mine fit me. Reading works the same way. Are you reading what the boss is reading or are you reading what fits you? Are you reading a book because someone sent it to you or because it was on the best seller list?

You wouldn’t wear someone else’s glasses so don’t let someone else’s interests, enjoyment, or career direction determine the use of your reading time.

Understand what your purpose is for reading and carefully discipline your choices.

This week think about: 1) What three books have most profoundly influenced me? 2) What am I reading right now? 3) How would I begin a conversation with my favorite author?

Words of Wisdom: “Make clear decisions about what you read and why?”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then books were opened, and another book was opened – the book of life.” (Revelation 20:12(b) NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – September 23, 2025

Fred expertly made decisions. He skillfully separated the objective from the subjective modes. One of his frequently used “Fred Saids” was “keep current on the facts.” He emphasized the importance of correct data in the process.

Making Good Decisions

Our life is a network of decisions. A few are vital, but many are less important. For example, the choice of a spouse and the decision to have children are two of life’s most critical decisions. Buying a new suit may seem to be critical at the moment but unless your choice creates a serious fashion faux pas it falls into the “middle of the road” category. As I say this I think of an impertinent waitress in our vacation home’s local restaurant… “Well Mr. Smith, I see you dressed yourself this morning.”

Decision making is both an art and a science. There are a few who are intuitively gifted to do this well by being able to see the problem and possible solutions in the same exercise. Charles Kettering, the automotive genius said, “A problem well defined is half solved.” One of my mentors often said, “The secret of good decisions is in knowing all the options.” His process was to outline them all and then choose the best one.

Before Robert McNamara when he was president of the Ford Motor Company was well known for his practice of accepting a colleague’s suggestion, then quickly responding, “What other possibilities did you reject in order to accept this one?” Many times the individual would have to admit that the one offered was the first one to be considered. McNamara would then end the conference and excuse the person to go back and consider other alternatives.

In order to pick good options, you first have to know the object of the decision: what is it supposed to solve; does it apply to the problem or to the possibilities.

I try to first define the current reality by establishing the current facts… not what I wish they were, but what they actually are. Then I think about how each option can be implemented and activated. Solutions that cannot be executed are impractical and unusable. I have seen executive decision makers who put policies in place which were unenforceable and subsequently made management look weak.

A good decision is structurally sound and effectively executed.

Carefully consider this week: 1) What decisions do I have before me this week? 2) How do I establish my priorities? 3) Who models effective decision making for me?

Words of Wisdom: “I try to first define the current reality by establishing the current facts… now what I wish they were, but what they actually are.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Now give me wisdom and discernment so I can effectively lead this nation. Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.” (2 Chronicles 1:10 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – August 5, 2025

Fred made no effort to excel at all endeavors. He established his core values early in life and designed his goals to be in sync with them. He had clear priorities and held to them in respect to the investment of his time, energy, and financial resources.

Viewing Our Values

The simple life is balanced. It is not necessarily devoid of tensions, but the stresses are balanced. The wife of my good friend John Bullock told me she always wanted her husband to have two irritations at a time. Why? Because, while having one just about drove him crazy, with two he could oscillate between them and keep his balance. She was a wise woman.

If our core values were manifested physically we could see the grotesqueness of imbalance. Years ago I saw a man with elephantitis. It was hard not to notice his distorted features. I started thinking about the impact if our value systems resulted in a physical representation. What if people could see externally who we are internally? What would a person given over to greed look like? How difficult would it be to overlook the deformity of self-absorption, uncontrolled lust, or unchecked ambition? On the other hand, we often do see an external demonstration of self-sacrifice, loyalty, truthfulness, and love, don’t we? Have you ever thought about the external presentation of your values?

Great sculpture has to be balanced. Skilled artists can look at a mass of stone or clay and see where the center of gravity is – where the balance exists. A mistake can result in destruction of that balance and cause artistic disaster. Purpose is shown through the balanced life, just as the purpose of the artist’s material is displayed through his capable, disciplined work.

Remember the great story of the statue of David? When Michaelangelo was asked how he carved such a splendid work out of a flawed piece of marble. “Simple,” he replied. “I just cut away everything that wasn’t David.” A balanced, healthy life is the result of having a values vision and consistently cutting away everything that doesn’t fit. Sometimes it is tedious, even sacrificial, but it is essential. A life driven by Godly values reflects the nature of the Holy.

Balance doesn’t mean devoting equal energy and resources to each and every endeavor… that would pull us apart. Identifying our purpose and designing life habits to maximize our gifts creates a life of beauty. Living with values that allow our outer person to reflect our inner being results in consistency.

This week think carefully about: 1) How satisfied am I with the inner person’s values? 2) What can I do this week to bring beauty to my purpose? 3) Where do I need to rebalance?

Words of Wisdom: “Balance doesn’t mean devoting equal energy and resources to each and every endeavor… that would pull us apart.”

Wisdom from the Word: “An honorable man makes honorable plans; his honorable character gives him security.” (Isaiah 32:8 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – July 15, 2025

Fred understood the gifts God gave him. He called them his “uniqueness.” He challenged others to identify and nurture their own. He firmly grasped the concept of rhythm in life and leadership writing and speaking about its effective use.

Keeping the Engine in Gear

During times when we have no great career accomplishments, it is important to have outside achievements. This is the way to re-attach our ego and grow again.

A friend came to see me after selling his company. He was experiencing the “what’s next” low. I suggested he find satisfaction through a non-career endeavor. Several months later I saw him. To my surprise, he was 40 pounds lighter and walking with a distinctly positive gait.

“Fred, I took your suggestion. Not only have I lost the 40 pounds I carried around for so long, but I am the club doubles tennis champion.” He rediscovered the joy of achievement.

Every career has its dead spots. Inevitably, there are idling times as we hit plateaus on the climb. It is critical to remember we haven’t failed – just our plans have. Rather than throwing us off track, we can redirect our productive energies in an avocational direction. For example, we can channel our drive into ministry, or community leadership. It is important to acknowledge the value of productivity.

The lull in the career won’t extinguish the proper use of ego gratification. Of course, it is key that these ancillary accomplishments don’t become an escape. Recognizing that they are part of career rhythm should always be uppermost. Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.

The overriding principal: keep on experiencing a productive rhythm in life in order to contribute. Accomplishment and achievement are the mature use of our God-given uniqueness which is to be used for the good of others.

If we miss the opportunity to grow in the plateaus we end up simply going round and round without forward progress. The proper use of these times is to refocus, clarify, and strengthen in order to keep climbing.

The mature man or woman recognizes achievement breeds achievement.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I satisfy my need for accomplishment? 2) What strategies do I use in the plateau times? 3) Where are my avocational as well as vocational growth areas?

Words of wisdom: “Running away and hiding is not the healthy use of avocation during vocational valleys.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Then they will realize this is your work, and that you, LORD, have accomplished it.” (Psalm 109:27 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 17, 2025

Fred often differentiated between goals and direction. In consulting and mentoring he stressed the importance of understanding the nature of direction.

Reading Life’s Mile Markers

Choosing a goal in life is not our most important decision; choosing our direction is. Chasing short-range goals can take us in the wrong direction. Mature success and satisfaction come from the direction in which we move, not in the goals we attain.

Too much goal orientation brings us the same problem Harvard Business School found in the “case study” format for instruction. Bright young students learned to solve problems rather than identifying opportunities. The real progress in life comes in the recognition of potential. Problem solving is certainly key, but it part of the process of seizing opportunities. Too much focus on goal-orientation allows us to become almost mechanical in our approach to life. The totally technological perspective on life threatens to turn us into computers. Who would want that?

I oppose setting an ultimate goal for one’s life. I do not support a specific, definable, measurable place in life. In this I mean material, educational, professional accomplishments, and certainly not character and spiritual maturity aims. When one in essence says “By 45 I will have a net worth of $X, a country club membership, a luxury car, and a notable career,” it creates a system for decision making locked in by these markers.

In my experience I have seen the futility of those who used a deterministic mindset actually achieving the goals (many times before the due date) only to recognize a huge letdown. They climbed the mountain, assuming success would create fulfillment, but when they checked off the goals they realized it was too limited.

I am not opposed to planning, but I am much more interest in making decision based on the impact they will have on who I will ultimately become if I take the path being considered. I don’t want to be so focused on goals that I get to the top of the ladder only to see it is leaning against the wrong wall. A high achieving young executive stopped by the office to tell me, “I know my direction and I also know I need to seriously review my progress and revector as needed. Just a minimal move away from the chosen direction if not corrected can create disaster eventually.”

Goals are important as mile markers to confirm we are traveling in the right direction. But, I am convinced they are not to be an end in themselves.

This week seriously consider: 1) What work have I done to establish my life direction? 2) How do I answer “Am I satisfied with who I am becoming?” 3) Who serves as a model for a healthy life style?

Words of Wisdom: “The becoming is the joy in the journey.”

Wisdom from the Word: “I hereby guide you in the way of wisdom and I lead you in upright paths.” (Proverbs 4:11 NET Bible)

Weekly Thought – June 10, 2025

Fred joined a team of Baptist businessmen which formed the “Focus Week” movement in the 1950s and 1960s. He and an outstanding gathering of other dynamic professionals, scientists, physicians, academicians, entrepreneurs, and executives spent time with students on various Baptist university campuses all through the year. Fred thoroughly enjoyed these five day marathons with nonstop classroom assignments, meal times, night sessions, and chapels. In 2007 the Breakfast with Fred Leadership Institute began, built on the structure and spirit of Focus Week.

Doing My Best

As Christians we need to remember God is interested in our work. He commands us to pursue excellence, avoiding “being slothful.” In our chosen business. I am sure He is hurt when we slip into mediocrity, standing around the water cooler complaining, or wasting time on personal cell phone calls. When we use company computers on company time against policy, we dishonor Him. Scripture tells us “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all of your might, as unto the Lord.” Notice it doesn’t say, “If you enjoy your work, like the boss, enjoy your associates” then it is a good thing. That is not what scripture says. If we are going to put our life into it, then we should do it to the very best of our ability. The attitude of “unto the Lord” gives work a divine significance.

Christian executive, Mason Roberts, former President of Frigidaire, shared with me his daily closing ritual. He had a calendar on his desk with these words inscribed: “Having done my best today, it will be easier to do better tomorrow.” At the end of the day he would put his hand on the calendar, say a short prayer of thanksgiving for the day, tear the sheet off and throw it in the wastebasket, and go home. On those rare days when he could not honestly give thanks for doing his best, he would call his wife, ask her to delay dinner, and work until he found satisfaction.

It is our responsibility to bring meaning to our work. We can do it in three ways: 1)in being excellent in what we do which gives us self-respect and security; 2) in the attitude we bring to the job which helps to create a positive environment; 3)in seeing our associates as those we can encourage and perhaps even bring to the Lord.

This week carefully consider: 1) How do I measure “doing my best”? 2) What is my motivation in my work? 3) When do I feel “God’s pleasure” in my work?

Words of Wisdom: “The attitude of “unto the Lord” gives work a divine significance.”

Wisdom from the Word: “Whatever you are doing, work at it with enthusiasm, as to the Lord and not for people,” (Colossians 3:23 NET Bible)