Weekly Thought -September 2, 2014
Fred considered his ability to think one of his gifts. His abundant notes scribbled on everything from matchbooks to church offering envelopes supported this belief. Recently a spiral notebook was uncovered containing outlines for Sunday School lessons at Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas, a school board, and other speaking venues. One section outlined four months of thoughts. For each day a one line subject is assigned. His goal was to devote thinking time each time to an independent concept. The breadth of these musings is amazing. For example, Jazz versus classical music, family values, or marks of mentoring. There is no text – just the notation.
Thank you for praying as we strive to share the fruit of his thinking with others. We appreciate your prayers, your emails, and your financial support.
Redefine Achievement
A noted organizational development expert recommends to his clients they segment their lives into business units. He tells them to see themselves as CEO with each area a corporate division. In this model, they have direct reports for the physical, financial, spiritual, relational, career, and intellectual division of their company. Quarterly reports are required. It is great if all divisions are profitable, but when they aren’t, strategic plans are developed to ensure a healthy bottom line. For example, when a report is submitted showing a 10 pound “overage,” the physical division is running in the red. A plan for weight loss is immediately put in place. The other divisions with positive results get the “attaboys.”
When the career division is deficient, we often think the game is over. But another way to look at this is to look for accomplishment in the other areas. I call this reattaching our egos. During rough, dark times our egos take a beating. It is critical to control our egos during these seasons.
Part of that process is maintaining a balanced view of oneself. A loss in one area does not allow us to do an across the board declaration of failure. A specific loss needs to be overcome by redefining achievement and finding success in another area.
Often we ignore areas of highest return. A profitability assessment of our “corporation” is helpful in focusing. The fine line we walk is maintaining a healthy ego by shifting our accomplishment without dropping into escapism. A steady flow of productivity is the goal.
Have you ever pruned a tree? I am not speaking from much experience here, but I have friends who tell me about such things! When a branch is removed, the tree doesn’t die. It transfers it growth energy in another direction.
Are you suffering through a painful time because you recently retired and miss the corporation environment? Has the graduation of your youngest child created an empty nest? Or has a physical incapacity robbed you of the sport you love? You are not at the end. The juices can be redirected to other areas and fruitfulness will occur.
This week think about: 1) How is my personal corporation operating? 2) What keeps my ego under control during loss? 3) When have I redirected my achievement?
Words of Wisdom: “The fine line we walk is maintaining a healthy ego by shifting our accomplishment without dropping into escapism. A steady flow of productivity is the goal.”
Wisdom from the Word: “For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7 NET Bible)