Andrew Staggs - Random Thoughts on Life

Lights on the Santa Monica Pier

2010-07-21T20:56:00.001+10:00

I am currently using this photo as my phone wallpaper.

It makes me smile every time I see it.

It was taken last October when we in Los Angeles at the Santa Monica Pier.

I have always liked colourful lights at night!

Must Attend Wealth Education Event - Brisbane - 31 July

2010-07-19T20:26:00.003+10:00

I am very excited about this new wealth and finance education event in Brisbane.

It is on Saturday 31 July 2010.

You can click here to register....
http://southerncrosswealthgroup.com.au/wealth-accelerator-event

And this link will lead you to free tickets - normally valued at $397!

So you better get a hurry along!

The Growth of Social Media Networking

2010-07-19T20:15:00.001+10:00

If you still think social media such as facebook, twitter, linked-in and the like are just a fad; take a look at the following to make sure you’re not missing out on something bigger than the Industrial Revolution …

Study finds we are more receptive face-to-face

2010-05-20T07:14:00.001+10:00

A recent study has found that human contact brings the most happiness to people in an increasingly digital world.

The global study, identifies what happiness means to different nationalities and reveals that, despite the rapid pace of growth in the virtual world, human contact wins hands down when it comes to happiness.

“Our real happiness depends much more on our basic sense of self, and connecting with other people,” said Dr. Stevens, a social psychologist who specializes in happiness and wellbeing.

According to the study, chatting to friends or colleagues (17%) brings more people happiness than watching TV (14%) and connecting with others online (5%).

The Happiness Barometer surveyed 12,500 consumers across four continents, in 16 countries, including, China, Russia, the UK and the US.

Money is Neutral - Character is Not

2010-05-19T06:49:00.000+10:00

Here's a thought!

MONEY IS EITHER A GOOD OR BAD INFLUENCE, ACCORDING TO THE CHARACTER OF THE PERSON WHO POSSESSES IT.

It’s true.

Money has no character, no personality, no values.

Its actions only reflect the desires of its owner.

Money can build great hospitals and schools, or it can be gambled away or squandered on meaningless possessions. Money may build museums to house beautiful works of art, it may construct beautiful houses of worship-or it may be used to create instruments of war and destruction.

As you build your personal wealth, make sure you build your character by setting aside a portion of your income to help others. Choose a church, a charity, or a cause that you can enthusiastically support. Then give of your money and your time in support of that cause.

The primary beneficiary of such noble actions is always the one who gives, not the one who receives.

Social Media Post of the Day - @Scrapsister AKA Kerryn Leworthy

2010-05-18T12:01:00.002+10:00

This is my Social Media Post of the Day.

It appeared on Kerryn Leworthy's Facebook page this AM

WARNING! I hate it when people post bogus warnings, but this one is real.
Please repost this as your status!!
If someone comes to your front door saying they are checking for ticks due to the warm weather and asks you to take your clothes off and dance around with your arms up, DO NOT DO IT! THIS IS A SCAM!
They only want to see you naked. I wish I'd gotten this yesterday. I feel so stupid....

Life Key - The Power of Activity

2010-05-18T06:50:00.005+10:00

Here is a thought....

Activity leads to interest, and interest leads to enthusiasm and ambition.
Conversely, inactivity leads to boredom, and boredom leads to "laziness."

W. Clement Stone often says, "The emotions are not always subject to reason, but they are always subject to action!"

Determine what you are best at and what you like to do, and develop a burning desire to be the best you can be at it. Then get into action!

Inside Hillsong - The LIfe of Brian - Channel 7 Sunday Night Story

2010-05-17T10:14:00.002+10:00

If you missed the great story, Inside Hillsong, on Channel 7 last night about Hillsong Church and Brian Houston

another blogger has put it on his site -

click here.

Life Key - The Way of the Tortoise

2010-04-22T15:56:00.000+10:00

Steps are a key part of living a great life. And so is starting.

Today many of you will begin a rewarding journey. Like every journey, it starts with but a single step.

That single step is an important one. It must...

•Start in the right direction.

•Have purpose and motivation. Decide now that you, too, will succeed.

•Be only the first of many steady steps. This is not a race. Speed kills.

The most important decisions in any business are made early. Take your time and get your first step right. Don't feel you have to "do it all" by tomorrow...

Steady progress wins the day.

"I think the only way to learn is to give it a try" - Sir Richard Branson

2010-04-09T08:23:00.005+10:00

Sir Richard Branson is the bearded entrepreneur who, it seems, will do anything to gain publicity for his various enterprises.

Branson says, 'If you sit down with accountants and look at profit and loss projections, they will manage to come up with all sorts of reasons why something will not work well. I think if you have a gut feeling about something, then trial and error can produce the best results. I think the only way to learn is to give it a try.'

It is this very attitude that contributed to his huge success!

What are you going to "give a try" to today?

A Shaft of Light from Igor Stravinsky

2010-04-08T08:58:00.000+10:00

"Even when I do not feel like work,

I sit down to it just the same.

I cannot wait for inspiration, and inspiration at best

is a force brought into action by effort."

Igor Stravinsky

Seems like HARD WORK is again the key.

I had better get back to work!

Arts and Movie Festival - Easter Sunday @Hillsong Church Brisbane

2010-04-05T14:21:00.000+10:00

Wow!!! What a great night at the Arts and Movie Festival - Easter Sunday @Hillsong Church Brisbane last night.

And Stan Walker sang the amazing song, I Surrender.

Here are a few photos I snapped on the iPhone before, during and after the diverse displays and service.

The Easter Monday Sun Rises over the Backyard Tent

2010-04-05T09:23:00.000+10:00

And I notice that the moon is still up in the western sky... "Go to
bed, moon!"

Wonderful Weathered Wooden Texture

2010-04-03T15:07:00.000+10:00

Sunny Saturday Arvo @ Bribie Island

2010-04-03T15:04:00.001+10:00

Camping in the Backyard at Springfield Lakes

2010-04-02T19:59:00.001+10:00

We are having a BLAST trying something new as a family this Easter.
The photo tells the story.

The Secret in the Geode - and the Link to New Success

2010-03-29T05:56:00.006+10:00

I got this thought hook from a recent email from the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

A CLOSED MIND STUMBLES OVER THE BLESSINGS OF LIFE WITHOUT RECOGNIZING THEM.

To the untrained eye, a geode looks pretty much like an ordinary rock.

But a trained geologist knows that inside the geode there is a beautiful crystal lining.

The story is the same for those who refuse to examine new possibilities because their minds are closed. Life’s greatest opportunities, like the geode, often come in ordinary packaging.

Do not allow yourself to become such a creature of habit that you simply go through the motions and let life happen to you. Just taking a new route to work, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, reading a newspaper instead of watching television, or visiting a museum at lunchtime will stimulate your thought processes and may help you open your mind to new possibilities.

Have a great new week!
and make it a GREAT day today!

Mt Gravatt Mountain Coffee Shop Finally Open

2010-03-28T18:28:00.000+10:00

Jethro and I grabbed a coffee today on Mt Gravatt Mountain.

The coffee shop is FINALLY open!

Power Tower in the Sunshine @ Bulimba

2010-03-28T18:04:00.000+10:00

I snapped this photo by the Brisbane River yesterday.

Arvo Tea @ the Baxter's Lakehouse @ Loganholme

2010-03-27T16:22:00.001+10:00

Check this out for an afternoon tea!!!

And with a view!

My Mind is a Distillery - Paul E Grant

2010-03-27T05:27:00.007+10:00

This is a great poem by a real hgero of mine, Paul E Grant. I have written about him many time sin my blog.

Over to you now, Paul, for another potent poem....

MY MIND IS A DISTILLERY

My mind is a distillery
Separating all kinds of elements,
A depot also, storing deliveries
Of many kinds of rudiments

My mind becomes a clearing house
A kind of encyclopedia
In which I’m challenged to examine
Items from all kinds of media

Daily and hourly, incessantly,
Details invade its capacity,
Each of them demanding attention,
Data of wondrous diversity

God made this amazing organ,
A body-top computer,
Programmed to function for our good
It becomes a kind of tutor

It helps me to distinguish
The important from the trivial,
It also helps me segregate
The evil from the moral

It challenges me to discovery
To exploring things unknown,
To ascertaining accuracy
To accept or to disown

I’ve learned to give priority
To things of enduring worth,
For really and truly we have only
A very little time on earth

So I learn to distil the mysteries
Of God’s wonderful creation,
Best of all the provision
Of his amazing salvation

This world quickly passes away
That which is seen is temporal,
The things I really love to distil
Are the things that are eternal

Paul E. Grant
May 2009

My WEALTH Thinkmap

2010-03-26T05:46:00.003+10:00

I have been working with the richness of the word "wealth" recently... and have developed a thinkmap... and got some help from the visual thesaurus people.

Here is it......

How to Approach Your Work Today!

2010-03-25T05:59:00.001+10:00

The good book again provides some great wisdom about how to negotiate your work day TODAY.

And after the last season in my life I am very grateful that I have a GREAT job!

Here goes:

Don't give up your job when your boss gets angry. If you stay calm, you'll be forgiven.

Ecclesiastes 10:4 (CEV)

A lazy employee will give you nothing but trouble; it's vinegar in the mouth, smoke in the eyes.
Proverbs 10:26 (MSG)

Bad work gets paid with a bad cheque; good work gets solid pay.
Proverbs 11:18 (MSG)

The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.
Proverbs 12:24 (MSG)

Hard work always pays off; mere talk puts no bread on the table.
Proverbs 14:23 (MSG)

Diligent work gets a warm commendation; shiftless work earns an angry rebuke.
Proverbs 14:35 (MSG)

Put God in charge of your work, then what you've planned will take place.
Proverbs 16:3 (MSG)

Slack habits and sloppy work are as bad as vandalism.
Proverbs 18:9 (MSG)

Blockheads shouldn't live on easy street any more than workers should give orders to their boss.
Proverbs 19:10 (MSG)

If you care for your orchard, you'll enjoy its fruit; if you honour your boss, you'll be honoured.
Proverbs 27:18 (MSG)

Committed and persistent work pays off; get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.
Proverbs 28:20 (MSG)

Hard and honest work earns a good night's sleep...
Ecclesiastes 5:12 (MSG)

Yes, we should make the most of what God gives, both the bounty and the capacity to enjoy it, accepting what's given and delighting in the work. It's God's gift!
Ecclesiastes 5:19 (MSG)

Character Isn't and Is .....

2010-03-24T05:54:00.001+10:00

Character isn’t something you were born with and can’t change, like your fingerprints.
It’s something you weren’t born with and must take responsibility for forming.”

— Jim Rohn: Entrepreneur, Author and Speaker

Book Publishing Myths - Dale Beaumont

2010-03-23T05:34:00.009+10:00

In the last view weeks I have been devouring Dale Beaumont's material getting ready to write my first book.

Here is a sample of one of his punchy motivation video clips from his YouTube site

Over to you, Dale

If the video does not pop up in auto click the link here.

Dale Beaumont is a best-selling author, international speaker and creator of the 'Secrets Exposed' series.

Dale's career began at the age of nineteen when he co-wrote his first book titled: "The World at your Feet". Since then, Dale has run self-development and life-skills programs for over 15,000 young people across four countries.

In 2005 he created the 'Secrets Exposed!' series; a selection of books that takes you up-close and personal with hundreds of Australasia's most successful people, in a range of topic areas.

To-date a total of fifteen Secrets Exposed book have been successfully released into bookstores and over 250,000 Secrets Exposed books are now in print. The series is now sold across Australia and throughout South-East Asia receiving exceptional feedback from readers everywhere.

Dale has been interviewed on Sunrise, Today Show, Mornings with Kerri-Anne, ABC Radio, Radio 2UE and well as being featured in over one hundred newspapers and magazines, including Wealth Creator, My Business, AFR Boss and Virgins In-flight magazine.

How to Set Your Kids Up For Success!

2010-03-22T09:52:00.000+10:00

I was inspired by this quote that I found recently

"A man who gives his children HABITS of INDUSTRY provides for them BETTER than by giving them fortune."

Richard Whately

This adds to some other great biblical wisdom:

Discipline your children; you'll be glad you did— they'll turn out delightful to live with.

Proverbs 29:17 (MSG)

Our children and their children will get in on this as the word is passed along from parent to child.

Psalms 22:30 (MSG)
What are some of the valuable "habits of industry" that you have taught your children?

Can You Give GOD a Loan of Money?

2010-03-21T06:49:00.002+10:00

Some of you saw me write this during the week on Twitter - but the thought is still sticking with me.

Can You Give GOD a Loan of Money?

Proverbs 19:17 says you can.

Mercy to the needy is a loan to God, and God pays back those loans in full.

Proverbs 19:17 (MSG)

Jill and I gave $32 this week to the Christian Blind Mission. We just had to when we heard their story.

$32 and a 10 minute operation restores someone's sight. That's a MIRACLE. We both have glasses, but that is nothing compared to a lifetime of blindness.

That's an INVESTMENT in mercy.

Change Schizophrenia - My Head Says "Yes" & My Heart Says "No"

2010-03-20T05:43:00.015+10:00

Lee Colan wrote something great recently.......

As humans, it seems like we are hard-wired for comfort. As a result, change does not come easily. As the saying goes, "Change is like rain. Everyone knows it's good for you, but nobody wants to get wet."

We resist change so much because we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to and underestimate the value of what we are moving toward. Sometimes, we need to turn our world upside down to see a new perspective.

Good one, Lee.

This is a short post because I need you to think about this for a bit again...

"we overestimate the value of what we are clinging to
& underestimate the value of what we are moving toward."

Is this how you see it?

I would be very INTERESTED if this is YOUR experience!

Have a think about it and post a COMMENT - thanks.

Which President Makes Me the Most Money - Great Question but the Wrong Question

2010-03-19T09:49:00.000+10:00

I really enjoyed this recent article from Dave Ramsey about investment returns under various US Presidents.

Here is a snapshot....

The truth is, investment success depends more on the resilience of the U.S. economy and your dedication to a long-term goal than on which candidate or party is in the White House.

Presidential Performance

For fun, let's say you made a hypothetical investment in the first year of each president's term. Ten years later, what kind of average annual return could you expect for investments made under the different administrations?

Good question. Let's start with President Bill Clinton. During his tenure, the economy experienced phenomenal growth, so you would expect a stellar average annual return. Ten years after Clinton took office, the S&P 500 was averaging 12.5% returns each year. Annual returns averaged 10.1% after his second term.

Now, let's look at President Jimmy Carter. His term saw the energy crisis and a tough recession—not the best and brightest of times. But the average annual return 10 years after he took office was16.4%, topping performance during Clinton's administration by several points.

The best 10-year average annual return occurred after President Ronald Reagan took office—17.4%. The worst was 4.8% after President Richard Nixon's first term.

Remember you can read the full article here.

You Must Get Busy Doing Something About Going the Extra Mile!

2010-03-18T05:31:00.010+10:00

I really enjoyed this thought recently from the Napoleon Hill Foundation.

It’s well and good to feel as though you have changed the attitude with which you render extra service, but if that service is in truth no more than anyone else’s, then you aren’t doing yourself much good. You need to examine your co-workers and competitors to understand just what it is that will make you stand out.

If there are job performance standards, exceed them. If you’re fulfilling a contract, make sure you offer more than you promised. You cannot confine extra-mile service to your work alone. You must make it part of your philosophy for dealing with every person you encounter.

Imagine how others will be delighted to find that you are the type of person who not only does what is promised but even delivers more. The true benefit of going the extra mile is in teaching yourself to strive always for better and greater achievement in all that you do.

SO..... YOU MUST GET BUSY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT GOING THE EXTRA MILE.

A man’s ledger does not tell ______________

2010-03-17T17:30:00.000+10:00

I really enjoyed this POTENT quote:

A man’s ledger does not tell what he is, or what he is WORTH.
Count what is IN man, not what is ON him, if you would know what he is worth-whether rich or poor.

-- Henry Ward Beecher

What do you reckon you are worth? Just a thought!

Wisdom from an Entreprenuer - Peter J. Daniels

2010-03-10T16:50:00.000+10:00

I first heard Peter Daniels speak in approx 1984 as a young man. He made a big impact on my life. I think he may have been the first Christian entreprenuer I heard.

Peter J. Daniels came from the other side of the tracks with every reason to become a victim and statistic of life. Yet, he chose to go the other direction becoming a success story. As you watch, you will remove all your reasonings and handicaps to move forward in becoming what you were created to be.

Click the link here to view part 1 of one of his keynote addresses.

Have You Got "A Mind to Succeed" - A Great New Book by @stevepenny

2010-03-03T11:25:00.001+10:00

I have just been sent a copy of the new Steve Penny book, "A Mind to Succeed."

And it is VERY HARD to put down!

Check out some these quotes:

Success comes from the inside

Success comes from successful habits
Your thoughts are building your world
Everything you presently are – you built
What you think, you are
You will instinctively choose to walk in the direction of your dominant thoughts

Here are some more:

What you consistently think about will produce spontaneous actions

Your thoughts control everything you do
Thoughts are the language of your inner world
Thoughts are God’s way of communicating with us from His eternity

You can check out Steve here - http://www.stevepenny.org/

And his books are here with an online shopping cart - http://www.stevepenny.org/products-page/

Your mind is greatest untamed frontier of humanity. So many of us want to live a life of success, but we think success comes from the outside. Learn how to live from your inner world out – rather than from your outer world in – and discover the ETERNAL PLAN for you. Your life here on Earth will only be fulfilled once you gain control of your inner world.

Your mental attitude is the X factor that determines your destiny. You can’t improve your outer world until you’ve renovated your inner world. When you control your mind, you control the way you live. When you renew your mind from wrong thinking, a whole new way of living begins to materialize before your eyes.

This book reveals simple steps that will show you how to bring your thoughts into subjections to your will. You can control your thoughts. You can enjoy a life full of, love, joy and peace.

So make up your mind today that you want to be in control of the real you – your mind. Take the first step now to change your mind… to change your world!

How You Can Say "I am the Greatest!" - Muhammad Ali

2010-03-03T09:30:00.000+10:00

World champion boxer Muhammad Ali was asked "what would you do if you were not a boxer?"

He replied, "If I was a garbage man I would be the best garbage man in the world."

If you are wildly passionate about becoming the best then you will always be looked after.

Over to you, go now and be the best at what you are doing!

PS - here is a clue - it will cost you/require and investment!

How to Really Connect - Using The Conversation Prism - Brian Solis

2010-03-03T07:07:00.001+10:00

If you want to be more effective as a communicator or you are wanting to understand the strategic impact of social media then this post is for YOU!

I came across this very useful model recently called The Conversation Prism developed by Brian Solis.

It is all about the "art of listening, learning and sharing.

It is well worth clicking on this image and having a very close look at the diverse components.

Solis notes that "understanding that the Social Web is far more extensive than Twitter, blogs, and Facebook.... brand managers search across the entire Web using listening services or the methodologies rife within the Conversation Prism to locate where influential dialogue transpires."

You can check more about the Conversation Prism here - http://theconversationprism.com/

I Haven't Seen BOM Radar Look Like This for Awhile!

2010-03-02T07:17:00.000+10:00

SE Qld is blanketed by rain - I like to see that!

The "Why" and "How" of 2010 being THE Year for Social Media

2010-03-02T06:20:00.003+10:00

This post will really help you ride the wave of social media and understand what you can do now.

Interested? Well then read on.

I was reading an article recently by Brian Solis. He said this:

2010 is designated as the year Social Media proliferates mainstream businesses. Indeed this year will showcase the transformation of business acumen while also shifting the culture and the communication that embraces an inward and outward flow for listening, interacting, learning, and adapting.

Social Media Marketing is exhilarating to behold as it evolves “media” from a broadcast platform to a sophisticated network of connections and rewarding engagement. We learn that through participation, we ultimately eradicate the myths that initially fueled skeptics and prevented early experimentation. The perceived loss of control was in actuality, the ability to realize public sentiment and the gatekeepers who could help us actively steer perception. It is a chance to actually gain control rather than simply possessing the illusion of it.

As 2009 raced to an end, Social Media marketers realized that listening to the proverbial conversation offered very little in terms of influence. In fact, it was the listening that would eventually set the stage for intelligent participation.

It was the realization that listening would only engender empathy. But, in order to truly shape and guide market sentiment and hopefully one day empower advocacy and a new workflow, a supporting infrastructure would require construction.

We are only as relevant as our ability to not only realize the state of affairs, but also have the prowess necessary to define and also adapt along with it.

The next stage of Social Media Marketing will mature from one of listening and unguided participation to one of strategic observation, analysis and informed engagement. It is how we can shift from a state of awareness to one of intelligence, setting the stage for relevance and affinity. It is a new age of “unmarketing” inspired by purpose and vision.

As Social Media evolves, behavior and intention modifies, mirroring the depth of learning and confidence that develops with experience. In New Media, we are always learning and as such, we are forever in pursuit of the next stage.

Brian then goes on to write about The 10 Stages of Social Media Integration in Business.

Click here to keep on reading and get the "gold."

The Conversation Prism in stage 4 is well worth looking at!

I'll also do a blog post about tomorrow.

10 Really Useful Blogging Tips

2010-03-01T10:31:00.001+10:00

I did a blog post back in August 2009 about "10 Blogging Tips."

You can click the link here
or click on this link http://andrewstaggs.blogspot.com/2009/08/10-blog-tips-mark-batterson.html

Why I Blog

2010-03-01T10:25:00.003+10:00

I am talking to a group of pastors Tuesday night about social media and social networking. I will put some resources up on the blog to help them along a bit.

So here goes!

Here is a post I did August 2009 called "Why I Blog".

Click the link here to read it or
click this link http://andrewstaggs.blogspot.com/2009/08/why-i-blog-mark-batterson.html

If Ever A Picture Was Worth 1000 Words...

2010-03-01T07:04:00.007+10:00

If Ever A Picture Was Worth 1000 Words...

So how is your day going?

Email Sanity - How to Clear Your Inbox Before You DROWN In It - Leo Babauta

2010-03-01T05:53:00.000+10:00

The following article was written by Leo Babauta..

The beauty of an empty inbox is a thing to behold.

It is calming, peaceful and wonderful.

An inbox that is overflowing with actions, calls for responses, stuff to read ... it's chaos, it's stressful, it's overwhelming.

A friend recently posted: "Help! I'm drowning in email!"

Let's look at how to get your head above water first, and then how to get safely to dry land.

Head Above Water

You need to give yourself some breathing room. A flooded inbox is overwhelming, and you don't know where to start. So here's where we're going to start:

1. Create an "actions" folder or label in your email system. This is where you're going to store any emails that you need to take action on (other than just replying or filing or whatever).

2. Pick the most important. Go through your inbox and check off 10-15 that are the most urgent action emails, and file them in this new folder. If you don't get to the sections below right away, you can at least work from this folder for now.

3. Temporarily archive. Now create a "temp" folder. File everything that's still in your inbox into this temp folder. Everything. You're going to get these out of the way and not worry about them at the moment. We'll get to these, but it gives you a little breathing room.

4. Set a new policy. Every new email that comes in will follow the rules in the next section. No more allowing your inbox to pile up.

New Emails

So what to do with new emails that come in?

Set some rules, and commit right this minute to ruthlessly sticking to them:

1. Process from the top down. When you open up your email, process the inbox completely. Start with the top email in your inbox, and open it. Take one of the following actions, in this preferred order: (1) delete (use this liberally), (2) archive (in case you want to look it up later), (3) quick reply (four sentences or less) and then archive, (4) put on your to-do list for action (if you don't have a list, start one now) and then file in your "action" folder. This last item includes long replies (which should be as rare as possible). If you take one of these four actions, you should dispose of every email.

2. Go to the next email and take quick action, and so forth. Don't spend longer than 20 seconds on any one email, and even then you should only do that if you're doing a quick reply or adding the item to your to-do list. If you process this quickly, you'll be done with your inbox in minutes.

3. Only when you've processed should you start worrying about the to-do items. You can choose to do those now, or later. Don't start doing the to-do items when you're processing.

4. Newsletters, etc. You're never going to read all those newsletters, notices from services, catalogs from companies, and so on that regularly get delivered from your inbox. So go into your "temp" folder and delete all of them right now. All of them. And whenever new ones come in - emails that are not from real people directed just for you - you're going to go to the bottom of the email and click on the "unsubscribe" link. Every single one of them should have an "unsubscribe" link - if not, mark as spam. It only takes 10 seconds to click on the unsubscribe link and then go to the new page and hit the unsubscribe button. And if you do this for every single one, you'll soon get a lot less email.

Follow these four rules and you'll never have a full inbox again.

Stop the Flood

OK, things should feel a bit more manageable now. Now we want to set some long-term policies so that you get fewer emails from now on.

1. Unsubscribe from time-wasters. This was talked about in the section above, but just in case you missed that, go back and read the newsletters item. You don't need newsletters flooding your inbox.

2. Stop sending so many emails. The more emails you send, the more you'll get. Use email as little as you possibly can. Call people if you can, or walk over and talk to them. If those aren't possible, see if you can figure it out for yourself. If you send an email that doesn't require a response, say so.

3. Send shorter emails. They're more likely to get read and acted on, and it'll take less of your time to write them. Try sticking to 4 sentences or fewer.

4. Check email less often. Set times each day, and only check email on those times. When you do, process your inbox to empty using the rules above.

5. Filter out notifications. If there are notifications you do want to see, create a folder or label for them, and create a filter (Gmail is great for this) so that the notifications go straight to that label/folder and skip the inbox.

Processing the Old Emails

You're going to want to return to your "temp" folder, when you have the time, and start processing it.

1. Process it in chunks if there are too many to do now. Just do it for 5 minutes and then come back later.

2. When you process, follow the rules for processing your inbox above (under the "New Emails" section). Start at the top, take quick action on each email, moving it out of the temp folder as fast as you can.

3. Feel free to mass delete emails. If you know you'll never reply or act on emails, just check a bunch of them off and delete or archive. You can get big chunks done at once this way. Give yourself the freedom to let these go - and just worry about what you need to do from this point on.

Leo Babauta

Did anyone find this helpful?

Social Media Strategies - Social Networks - Giovanni Gallucci

2010-02-28T16:21:00.000+10:00

I have been recently watching the work of Giovanni Gallucci on You Tube - his account is here http://www.youtube.com/user/ggallucci

He did 3 short video training clips about Social Networks which people might find useful.
They will also be useful to the people I have been asked to talk to about social media and networks on Tuesday night.

The 3 links to the clips are located below. Over to you now Giovanni!

(if you are viewing this post in my Facebook notes section and cannot see the clips click on the "original post" option at the very bottom)

Wearing the "Right" Hat - Six Thinking Hats (R) - Dr. Edward de Bono

2010-02-27T05:45:00.003+10:00

I was reflecting recently on the powerful work done by Dr. Edward de Bono and his Six Thinking Hats (R).

Imagine it. Your team has the skills and techniques they need to make the best decision.
Fast. Smart. Efficient.

It's not impossible.

Dr. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats® is a simple, effective technique that helps them become more productive. You and your team members can learn how to separate thinking into six distinct categories. Each category is identified with its own colored metaphorical "thinking hat." By mentally wearing and switching "hats," you can easily focus or redirect thoughts, the conversation, or the meeting.

The difference between brilliant and mediocre teams isn't so much in their collective mental capacity, but in how well they can tap into their collective wisdom and how well they function together. After your team learns the skills behind the Six Thinking Hats® system they'll:

• Hold critical meetings without emotions or egos making bad decisions

• Avoid the easy but mediocre decisions by knowing how to dig deeper

• Increase productivity and even more important -- be more effective

• Make creative solutions the norm

• Maximize and organize each person's thoughts and ideas

• Get to the right solution quickly and with a shared vision

The Six Thinking Hats (or modes)

You can read more about Six Thinking Hats (R) here http://www.debonothinkingsystems.com/tools/6hats.htm

Which hat do you tend to gravite to?

Marketing Wisdom from @malfletcher on Twitter

2010-02-25T05:05:00.012+10:00

Here is a snappy summary from @malfletcher on Twitter.

This is great wisdom:

In #marketing you can either interrupt total strangers or win permission to speak from friends

Get past ppl's mental #spam filter: 1)be relevant to NOW 2)invite feedback/ideas 3)add a SPECIFIC kind of value

Get past ppl's mental #spam filter: 4)open up decision-mkg 5)affirm how ppl's ind/l gifts can meet a wider need

You can check out more from the London-based Mal Fletcher on his website http://2020plus.net

How do you get "Raving Fans?"

2010-02-24T05:43:00.001+10:00

Ken Blanchard, author of the One Minute Manager, has written a book entitled, “Raving Fans – A Revolutionary Approach to Customer Service.”

A summary of Blanchard’s three secrets to developing “raving fans” is below.

3 Secrets To Developing Raving Fans

1. Decide on a very clear vision.

Have a very clear picture, a clear vision of the ideal. The ideal is the clear future you envision. Make sure this ideal is centered on the people you serve.

2. Discover what the customer needs.

Discover what the people you serve want and need, and then fill in the gaps from your vision. You will only discover what the people you serve want, in small nuggets. Everyone you meet has a different focus and need, a bit. Fit that into your own vision. If you meet people’s needs, you will never lack customers. For those people who you just can't satisfy, quickly learn emotionally to let them go.

3. Discover what the customer needs -- deliver plus one percent!

After you discover what the people you serve want and need, then deliver, plus one percent! The rule of one percent is to just keep on consistently improving what you do, one percent at a time. Go the extra mile in your service, and you will never lack for a crowd of “raving fans.”

Warner guides Aussies to Twenty20 win - from ninemsn

2010-02-23T21:21:00.001+10:00

This article appears in wwos.ninemsn.com.au and I thought you should see it.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1016283

If you cannot click on the link above, copy and paste the entire address below into your web browser.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=1016283

For all the latest news around the globe, check out ninemsn.
http://ninemsn.com.au

You are a Marketer, not a just a Product/Service Provider

2010-02-23T15:08:00.003+10:00

Here is a great business key - to continue to grow your business you have to realize this important fact: you are a marketer, not a just a product/service provider.

Let me quickly show you the difference between a marketer and a product/service provider.

A Product/Service Provider:

Has products and services

Talked to prospects

Has customers

Owns a business

Hopes they'll stay in business

A Marketer:

Sells products and services

Continually talks to a list of prospects

Builds relationships with customers

Grows their business

Is building their business future

See the difference?

Have You Thought About Your Environment? It's Linked to Your FUTURE!

2010-02-21T16:56:00.000+10:00

If my thinking determines the course of my life, then what does my environment predict about my future?

Check out this quote.... and do the maths:

We begin to see, therefore, the importance of selecting our environment with the greatest of care, because environment is the mental feeding ground out of which the food that goes into our minds is extracted - Napoleon Hill

my environment influences my thinking = my future.

Do you need to change anything? Seriously!

Napoleon Hill Quotes - Selection #3

2010-02-20T13:35:00.005+10:00

Here is my selction #3 of Napoleon Hill quotes:

We begin to see, therefore, the importance of selecting our environment with the greatest of care, because environment is the mental feeding ground out of which the food that goes into our minds is extracted.

When defeat comes, accept it as a signal that your plans are not sound, rebuild those plans, and set sail once more toward your coveted goal.

When your desires are strong enough you will appear to possess superhuman powers to achieve.

Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent.

You can start right where you stand and apply the habit of going the extra mile by rendering more service and better service than you are now being paid for.

You give before you get.

Do you have a favourite?

How's Your Stretch? Because It's Linked to Your Effectiveness!

2010-02-20T05:50:00.001+10:00

I came across this great Steve Penny quote in one of my blog posts from 2009

"I find that a leader must reinvent themselves at least every 7 years and do the same with their team to continue going forward and expanding."

Nice one

You can read my full blog entry from July 2009 here.

Napoleon Hill Quotes - Selection #2

2010-02-19T13:29:00.003+10:00

I recently did a post on Napolean Hill - described by many as one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time.

Here is my selection #2 of Napoleon Hill quotes:

Big pay and little responsibility are circumstances seldom found together.

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements.

Create a definite plan for carrying out your desire and begin at once, whether you ready or not, to put this plan into action.

Desire is the starting point of all achievement, not a hope, not a wish, but a keen pulsating desire which transcends everything.

Don't wait. The time will never be just right.

Edison failed 10, 000 times before he made the electric light. Do not be discouraged if you fail a few times.

Have You Got a Life? Or Even a Clue of Where you Would Like to Go?

2010-02-19T08:01:00.014+10:00

Everything first begins as an idea.

You have to develop a dream of what you really want.

We create everything twice. First in our head and then physically. First we imagine, then we do.

I heard a story of someone who met billionaire, Rupert Murdoch for lunch, and they asked him what his original vision was. Murdoch replied that he literally imagined holding a globe of the world in his hand and his message spreading to every corner of that globe. This was the beginning of his huge media company.

Vision precedes goals. You have to have a big vision before you set a goal.

Developing a clear vision is so powerful.

1. Do you dream of the future and see possibilities for yourself and your work?
2. Can you see it clearly

Napoleon Hill - Success Linked to the Power of Personal Beliefs

2010-02-18T13:19:00.002+10:00

I have been inspired for some time by the writings of Napoleon Hill.

You may have heard of some of his powerful quotes:

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

Action is the real measure of intelligence.

All achievements, all earned riches, have their beginning in an idea.

All the breaks you need in life wait within your imagination, Imagination is the workshop of your mind, capable of turning mind energy into accomplishment and wealth.

Any idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.

Think and grow rich.

Here is some of what Wikipedia says about him:

Napoleon Hill (October 26, 1883 – November 8, 1970) was an American author who was one of the earliest producers of the modern genre of personal-success literature. His most famous work, Think and Grow Rich, is one of the best-selling books of all time. Hill's works examined the power of personal beliefs, and the role they play in personal success. He became the advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt from 1933-36. "What the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve" is one of Hill's hallmark expressions.[1][2] How achievement actually occurs, and a formula for it that puts success in reach for the average person, were the focal points of Hill's books.

Hill later called his personal success teachings "The Philosophy of Achievement" and he considered freedom, democracy, capitalism, and harmony to be important contributing elements. For without these foundations to build upon, Hill claimed throughout his writings, successful personal achievements are not possible. He contrasted his philosophy with others, and thought Achievement was superior and responsible for the success Americans enjoyed for the better part of two centuries. Negative emotions, fear and selfishness among others, had no part to play in his philosophy, and Hill considered them to be the source of failure for unsuccessful people.[7]

The secret of achievement was tantalizingly offered to readers of Think and Grow Rich, but was never explicitly identified. Hill felt discovering it for themselves would provide readers with the most benefit. He presented the idea of a "Definite Major Purpose" as a challenge to his readers in order to make them ask themselves, "In what do I truly believe?" For according to him, 98% of people had no firm beliefs, and this alone put true success firmly out of their reach.[8]

Hill's numerous books have sold millions of copies, proving that the secret of Achievement is still highly sought-after by modern Americans. Hill dealt with many controversial subjects through his writings including racism, slavery, oppression, failure, revolution, war and poverty. Persevering and then succeeding in spite of these obstacles using the Philosophy of Achievement, Hill stated, was the responsibility of every American.[8]

Some of today's philosophy of success teachers are also using the research formulas taught by Hill to expand upon our world's knowledge of personal development. It is clear that Hill's work applies in all generations and is indeed timeless.

Watch my blog and twitter account for a series of Napoleon Hill quotes.

4 Types of Clutter that You MUST Strive to Keep out of Your Life

2010-02-18T05:35:00.008+10:00

Yesterday I exposed the enemy of Being Organised and Effective - the enemy of being organised is CLUTTER!!

I said that I would identify 4 types of clutter that you must strive to keep out of your life.

Well, here they are!

The benefit is that you will be much better able to concentrate on that which you do best.

1. Emotional clutter.

This is the relational baggage that can accumulate when we don't forgive those who have wronged us, when we hold a grudge, or when we carry a chip on our shoulder because of a grievance long past. The price of holding on to emotional clutter is too high. Not only will it steal energy from your focus, but it has serious emotional and spiritual consequences as well.

2. Administrative clutter.

Early on I discovered the need for a system to help me deal with multiple projects and multiple deadlines. I have at least 20 things to accomplish in the next three days, and I will be able to get them all done because I have learned to organize so I don't waste time looking around for things or wondering what comes next. There's nothing magical about my system. Find one that works for you and do it.

3. Calendar clutter.

This is simply mastering the basic principle of time management; you must prioritize your work and spend your best effort on that which will yield the most return.

Take a few moments to start listing all the things you've done in the last 24 hours that gave you no return whatsoever.

Why did you do them?

Do they need to be done at all, or can someone else better do them for you?

There was a season in my life when I hadn't mowed my lawn in over 4 years. Some people like working in the yard. I don't. Why would I give a couple of hours a week to something that has no payoff for me when I could give those same hours to concentrate on my priorities?

4. Trivia clutter.

Some people don't commit to memory anything that they can find quickly in a book or from someone else. It's not that they have a bad memory - they just don't see the value in allowing insignificant things to detract them from their focus. Most people try to live in the path of a flood of trivial phone calls, emails, and meetings. I say get rid of the trivia.

With clutter-free living, you'll find your focus clear and your anxieties diminished. More importantly, you'll see a level of productivity that you've never experienced before. You are set free to concentrate on that which you were created to accomplish.

Exposed! The Enemy of Being Organised and Effective

2010-02-17T16:27:00.003+10:00

The enemy of being organised is CLUTTER!!

One of the common denominators of successful people is a single-minded focus that allows them to concentrate on first things first.

Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote in "The Conduct of Life",

"Concentration is the secret of strength in politics, in war, in trade, in short, in all of human affairs."

While many people squander their physical and mental abilities, successful people learn how to focus, concentrate, persist and be organised.

Yet even those with a clear sense of purpose sometimes lose their focus and their ability to concentrate on priorities. Why? I've found it is usually the result of too much internal clutter.

I've identified 4 types of clutter that you must strive to keep out of your life. The benefit is that you will be much better able to concentrate on that which you do best.

Stay tuned in my next post tomorrow morning.

The Top 10 Time Wasters - Get out the Blowtorch!

2010-02-17T14:42:00.001+10:00

The Top Ten Time Wasters

According to a Priority Management Systems survey

1. Shifting priorities.

2. Telephone interruptions.

3. Lack of direction/objectives.

4. Attempting too much.

5. Drop-in visitors.

6. Ineffective delegation.

7. Cluttered desk/losing things.

8. Procrastination/lack of self-discipline.

9. Inability to say "no".

10. Meetings.

Of these 10 which one/ones are an issue for you right now?

Planning Needs Wisdom - Better Get Some Here!

2010-02-17T12:19:00.005+10:00

20 Bible Verses to Dwell on When Engaged in Planning

Note what God's initiative appears to be and what responsibility He seems to expect from us in planning.

1. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

2. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

3. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3

4. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and it shall be done for you. John 15:7

5. Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort? Galatians 3:36

6. For the Lord watches over all the plans and paths of godly men, but the paths of the godless lead to doom. Psalm 1:6

7. May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

8. Where there is no guidance, the people fall; but in abundance of counsellors there is victory. Proverbs 11:14

9. A wise man thinks ahead; a fool doesn't, and even brags about it. Proverbs 13:16.

10. We can make our plans, but the final outcome is in God's hands. Proverbs 16:1

11. Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labour in vain. Psalm 127:1

12. Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counsellors they succeed. A man has joy in an apt answer, and how delightful is a timely word! Proverbs 15:22-23

13. In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

14. There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. Prov 21:30

15. A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. Proverbs 22:3

16. Get the facts at any price, and hold on tightly to all the good sense you can get. Proverbs 23:23

17. Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts. Proverbs 24:3-4

18. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. Proverbs 27:23-24

19. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? Luke 14:28

20. Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:15-17

r2r - A New Era in Workplace Flexibility

2010-01-18T11:32:00.001+10:00

I recently came across some info about this new concept - effective 1 January 2010.

There isn't just one definition of workplace flexibility, because it means different things to different people.

Basically, flexibility is about an employee and an employer making changes to when, where and how a person will work to better meet individual and business needs.

While the basic concept stays the same, it's the type of flexibility which makes the difference.

Essentially, flexibility enables both individual and business needs to be met through making changes to the time (when), location (where) and manner (how) in which an employee works. Flexibility should be mutually beneficial to both the employer and employee and result in superior outcomes.

What are flexible work practices?

There are a range of creative and practical ways to change when, where and how work is organised:

When people work:

Flexible working hours - altering the start and finish times of a working day, but maintaining the same number of hours worked per week (for example, 8am to 4pm instead of 9am to 5pm). It can also mean condensing standard hours per week into fewer days (for example, four days per week at ten hours per day).

Part-time work - generally speaking, working fewer than the standard weekly hours. For example, two days per week, 10 days over four weeks or two days one week and three days every second week.

Variable year employment - changing work hours over the month or through the year, depending on the demands of the job (for example working more hours during busy periods and taking time off in quiet times).

Part year employment - also called purchased leave, this means that an employee can take a longer period of leave (eg a total of 8 weeks per year) by averaging their 48 week salary across 52 weeks. It's sometimes called 48/52.

Leave - varying from leave in single days or leave without pay, to special or extended leave. For example, parental leave, family/carer's leave, study leave, cultural leave and career breaks.

Where people work:

Working from home - also called teleworking, this means working away from the main office (ie at home) either full or part-time, and on a regular or intermittent basis. For most people, it's working from home either occasionally or for an agreed number of days each week.

Working remotely - in some industries people may work at a different office, or in a client's workplace for some or all of their working hours.

How people work:

Job-sharing - two people sharing one full-time job on an ongoing basis. For example, working two and a half days each, a two/three day split or one week on and one week off.

Phased retirement - reducing a full-time work commitment over a number of years (eg from 4 days to 3 days per week) before moving into retirement. It can also mean becoming an "alumni", i.e. that a "retired" employee returns to the workplace to cover peak work periods or to provide specialist knowledge.

Annualised hours - working a set number of hours per year instead of a number of hours per week.

You can read more about it here - http://workplaceflexibility.com.au/

Workplace flexibility is an essential part of a creating an effective organisation.

Peacemaker - Greg Ferguson

2010-01-08T15:17:00.003+10:00

I awoke this morning with this great song in my heart.
I heard Greg Ferguson sing it in 2004 when I was at Willow Creek Church in Chicago.

If the above link does not load properly you can always click this link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0jre1DlOcU

Here are some of the lyrics:

Peace Maker - Greg Ferguson

Peacemaker, Fear Taker, Soul Soother, Storm Smoother
Light Shiner, Lost Finder, Cloud Lifter, Deliverer,
Heart Toucher, Truth Lover,
Who other could be Fear taker, Peacemaker to me,

Mind Clearer, Sigh Healer, Hand Holder, Consolor,
Wound Binder, Tear Dryer, Strength Giver, Provider,
Heart Healer, Kind Father,
Who other could be, My Saviour, Peacemaker to me,

Let Your peace rule in my heart,
Let Your kindness fill my thoughts,
Let Your strength secure my soul,
Let Your peace take hold in me,
Let Your wisdom guide my will,
Your compassion fill this place,
Let my anxious thoughts be still,
Let Your peace rule in my Heart,

[Chorus]
I need You,
Let Your peace rule in my heart,
I need You,
Let Your kindness fill my thoughts,
I need You,
Let Your strength secure my soul,
In my life Lord,
Let Your peace take hold in me,
I trust You,
Let your wisdom guide my will,
I believe You,
Your compassion fill this place,
I need You.
Let my anxious thoughts be still,
Lord, in my life I know
Let Your peace rule in my heart,

(repeat Chorus)

Heart Toucher, Truth Lover
Who other could be, Fear Taker, Peacemaker to me

"The object of a new year..." - G.K. Chesterton

2009-12-31T11:43:00.000+10:00

"The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year.
It is that we should have a new soul and a new nose; new feet, a new backbone, new ears, and new eyes.
Unless a particular man made new year resolutions, he would make no resolutions.
Unless a man starts afresh about things, he will certainly do nothing effective.
Unless a man starts on the strange assumption that he has never existed before, it is quite certain that he will never exist afterwards.
Unless a man be born again, he shall by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."

- G.K. Chesterton

Happy Merry Christmas!

2009-12-24T12:45:00.001+10:00

20ten

2009-12-23T17:03:00.002+10:00

I have been trying to get some intel about next year... 2010 or 20ten.

Stuff like... "what will I be doing?".. "where will I be living?" etc etc. There is a bit of change in my world at the moment.

The best I can do at the moment is a logo design.

Maybe it's my way of getting some traction at least around the concept of a next year.

I know this... God will still be there... and He will be faithful... again.

So here goes... I know this about my 20ten....

1. The Bible will still have all the answers.
2. Prayer will still work.
3. The Holy Spirit will still move in my life.
4. God will still inhabit the praises of His people.
5. There will still be God-annoited preaching.
6. There will still be singing of praise to God.
7. God will still pour out blessing upon His people.
8. There will still be room at the Cross.
9. Jesus will still love me.
10. Jesus will still save the lost souls.

That's not a bad start!

The Bush Behind Our Home

2009-12-16T05:48:00.001+10:00

Went for a walk in the nature reserve behind my home yesterday afternoon.

I took the camera with me and went in search of the elusive "storm bird."

The dog and I tracked him down to this tree. The bird is in this photo... if you have a keen enough eye. A bit like "where's Wally?"

I took some time to observe the detail of what I was standing near.

Lilley always likes to come for a walk with the boss!

Simple Pleasures

2009-12-15T15:10:00.004+10:00

Life is full of simple pleasures... the little things that make up a great life.

A great cup of tea is one them.

What "simple pleasure" are you thankful for?

Los Angeles - Photographs by Tim Street-Porter

2009-12-15T06:06:00.002+10:00

I enjoy collecting picture books of some of the world's great cities that I have visited.

The family bought me this one for my birthday during a recent trip to Los Angeles.

And I love it!

The photographers are by Tim Street-Porter and they are superb. They also show the detail behind many of the things I have seen during my visits to LA in 2004, 2005 and 2009.

Diane Keaton writes the intro and has some very clever perspectives. Here are a few:

"I think of Los Angeles, the appropriation capital of the world, the Wild West of the imagination, the dumping ground for every revamped hybrid ever assembled..."

"Living in a fantasy of a fantasy based on a dream of a past that never was is forgivable."

And here is what the publishers say... a nice cut n paste to save you doing the research.

This elegant volume is a brilliant presentation of all that is L.A.

It takes us from Venice Beach to Rodeo Drive, from high culture to pop, and over freeways and flashing past billboards.

Los Angeles captures the essence of the constantly evolving city: from palm-lined avenues to hip hotels and art deco theaters, Frank Gehry's Disney Concert Hall to the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels.

Not just for L.A. residents and connoisseurs, this book is for anyone interested in architecture, design and, of course, the iconography unique to Southern California. The book's format allows us to revel in the marvelous landscape. From mountain peaks to desert oases, beautiful beaches to redwood forests, Los Angeles literally envelops us in the city's grandeur in stunning spreads and impressive gatefolds, each more than five feet wide.

Acclaimed architecture and design photographer Tim Street-Porter showcases the fascinating cityscape-by day and by night. A long time resident with exceptional access, Street-Porter takes us from the most coveted homes of Hollywood and Beverly Hills to the best examples of contemporary architecture for which the city is famous, featuring the full spectrum of residences from seminal modernist houses to baroque mansions and California Mediterranean homes in their lush settings.

Hot Rod Car Randoms

2009-12-14T05:39:00.003+10:00

I snapped these photos on the weekend on my iPhone.

There was a group of hot rod cars displayed at The Gift Christmas Spectacular at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.

There were some really nice cars.

And if you take the time to slow down... and admire... and really look.... this is what you can see.

Musical Stairs and "Fun Theory"

2009-11-14T06:03:00.003+10:00

I really enjoyed this media clip - it really is true... this thing called "fun theory."

Click the link below to view the media clip.

What do you think?

"Get a Clue" - Notes from Metro Leadership College Message

2009-11-13T13:44:00.003+10:00

I was asked to speak the students of Metro Leadership College this week during their scheduled chapel.

They really know how to worship God!

Here are some of the notes from the end - I was punching it through pretty quick.

But to start off... here is my opening text... with my BIG idea - in ministry there are some things that you need to "get a clue" about.

Here is Jacob "getting a clue"....

16 When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he thought, "Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it."
17 He was afraid and said, "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven."
Genesis 28:16-17 (NIV)

One the things we need to get a clue about is the value of our primary relationships. Here is a cut n paste from some great resource from Perry Noble that I referred to.

My recommendation…ask your wife questions like…
§ What time would you like me home every night?
§ How many nights a week would you like for us to have dinner as a family?
§ How can I serve you and the kids once I get home?
§ What can I do for you when the kids go to bed to make you feel special?

Five Questions Husbands Should Ask Their Wives

#1 – What is the most romantic thing that I’ve ever done for you?
#2 – What is something fun we can do together?
#3 – What is one thing I can do for you this week that will relieve stress from your life?
#4 – How can I pray for you?
#5 – If you could change one thing about our marriage–what would it be?

Men…Ephesians 5:25 says we are to love our wives as Christ loves the church…
He never stops loving the church…
He never stops pursuing the church…
He always comes home for the church…
He never cheats on the church…
He provides for the church….
He never stops thinking about the church…
He takes the church seriously…

I am NOT the perfect husband…but more and more I am realizing that my marriage should NOT be about what I can get…but what I can give and how I can serve.
As men of God we should go ALL OUT to show the world how awesome Jesus is THROUGH loving our bride like He loves His!!!

Four Questions Wives Should Ask Their Husbands

#1 – Do You Feel Admired?
#2 – Do You Feel Respected?
#3 – Do You Feel Taken Care Of?
#4 – Is Our Sex Life Fulfilling To You?

In closing, I am thankful for my "get a clue" journey.

How about you?

"It is your job.." - Robert F. Kennedy - 1966

2009-11-12T09:48:00.002+10:00

I came across this great quote recently from Robert F. Kennedy's eloquent and visionary speech given at Cape Town University in 1966.

It really cuts to the chase......

"Everywhere new technology and communications [bring] men and nations closer together, the concerns of one inevitably [become] the concerns of all. And our new closeness is stripping away the false masks, the illusion of differences which is the root of injustice and of hate and of war.

Only earthbound man still clings to the dark and poisoning superstition that his world is bounded by the nearest hill, his universe ends at river shore, his common humanity is enclosed in the tight circle of those who share his town or his views and the colour of his skin.

It is - it is your job, the task of young people in this world, to strip the last remnants of that ancient, cruel belief from the civilization of man..."

A New Day of Honouring - Ps Mark Edwards Style

2009-11-11T21:08:00.002+10:00

Jillian and I and the kids were invited last Sunday to attend Ipswich Region Community Church by Ps Mark Edwards.

The purpose of the visit was so that we could be honoured for our leadership role in the region since 2006.

We had been thoroughly honoured at a Night of Honour for us at Westlife Church on Sunday 11 October.. and they also gave us a 2 week holiday in Hawaii !!!

And then this from our district Australian Christian Church leader. It was just superb... and very humbling.

Below is a photo of the lovely flowers and books given as gifts.
And there is also a photo of Ps Mark in full-flight preaching part 1 of the innovative new series, Green. What a great church!

What a great day ... and a whole new level of honouring. Thanks to all involved and may you be favoured by your investment.

For the LORD God is a sun and shield;
the LORD bestows favor and honour;
no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.
Psalms 84:11 (NIV)

Sunset @ The Lakes

2009-11-11T21:02:00.003+10:00

Jethro and I went for a bike ride late this afternoon and it included 2 laps around Spring Lake at Springfield Lakes.

There were a lot of other locals out enjoying a great part of the day. Even the ducks!

It's Been a While.....

2009-11-11T20:58:00.002+10:00

I've decided to get back into blogging after a great break.

We were favoured with an overseas holiday to the USA as a family.

Twitter and Facebook seemed to work best when we travelled... but it's time to get the blogging rhythm back again.

I'll probably start to post some US photos and reflections... it'll be a bit random... and may even include a "best of" the photos that we posted on Facebook.

Red Dawn in the Pacific

2009-10-21T06:53:00.001+10:00

I have always admired the red dawn.
I look for it when I travel internationally and as I power across time
zones.

This time I got to see it with my son as we winged it to Hawaii. We have been talking about it for days leading up to the trip. His eyes were wide-opened as I explained a very red early morning as we rounded the globe.

And now we have seen it ... together.

Route 66

2009-10-14T05:24:00.000+10:00

This will be a great soundtrack for one of our roadtrips!

Thanks to the team from Cars!

Click below

R-O-C-K in the USA - John Mellencamp

2009-10-12T05:46:00.001+10:00

Today is the day we fly out to the US! You beauty!!

Here is a great theme song for one of our legs - a road trip from las vegas to San Francisco!

Over to you, John Mellencamp!

The Wonder Years - March 2006 "It's Time" Media Clip

2009-10-11T00:57:00.004+10:00

When we started Westlife Church we did monthly preview or "entree" services ... to give people a "taste" of what the church would look like.

This is one of the first media clips we did - a combo of inspirational and arial footage of Greater Springfield and a good dose of Shannon Noll. Some people were so moved that they believed the song was written for the launch of Westlife.

I had a teary moment watching it recently... when I thought about how many lives have been touched in 4 years!

Click below.

Creative Leadership - Steve Penny

2009-10-10T05:23:00.000+10:00

I came across another great Steve Penny b log post recently.

The challenge of life is to grow your leadership gift.

I believe that every person created in the image of God is born with a leadership gift. To develop this gift to serve your generation is the real challenge of life.

There are three qualities that need to be developed to see our leadership influence increase.

1. Future scope
This is the ability to see into the future and focus on the dreams God has put within you.Your future is not in tomorrow but in the next level above you. You can live your future today by chosing to pay the price to go to the next level.The next level is always within our reach. To go up requires three things. You must look up – reach up & give up.Remember – to go up you have to give up.

2. Future planning
Good leaders do not wait for life to come to them, they are always planning ahead. Proactive leadership always initiates and activates rather than waiting to see what eventuates.Do today what you want to enjoy tomorrow. Good harvests come from planning to plant – not planning to reap. Plan to sow today and your harvests will come naturally into your life.

3. Future friends
You must choose your friends with the future in mind. Commit to people who want to go and grow with you in life.Influence those around you to keep reaching higher. Be the catalyst for growth in your group. Take a leadership role in dealing with attitudes and actions that limit your progress together. The mark of good leaders is the number of people they take with them to the next level.

Drawing of Me Sick - Priceless

2009-10-09T05:18:00.000+10:00

I just love this drawing that my boy did for me when I was recently in hospital.

The kids have never seen me sick like that - so it was a bit of a shock.

This drawing just made my day!

Sin Deterrant and Faith Accelerant – Mark Batterson

2009-10-08T06:04:00.001+10:00

I came across another great Mark Batterson blog post recently.

I know of no greater sin deterrent and faith accelerant than simply reading the Bible on a daily basis.

There is no substitute. There is no shortcut.

Of course, it takes more than reading.

The Bible wasn't just meant to be read. It was meant to be meditated. Reading without meditating is like eating without digesting. We don't absorb all the nutrients.

May God give us a ravenous appetite for His word.

Reading results in one-dimensional knowledge.
Meditating results in two-dimensional revelation.
Obedience results in three-dimensional faith.

Read it. Meditate on it. Live it out.

A Different Kind of Sunday - This Sunday

2009-10-07T05:40:00.001+10:00

The Wonder Years - Meet our Urban Pioneers - August 2004

2009-10-06T15:10:00.000+10:00

I came across this great newspaper article recently while filing some materials.

What a blast from the past.

And here we are 5 years later... with a foundation laid, lives changed, and community influence.

Do You Worry? - J John

2009-10-03T05:36:00.000+10:00

I recently got this from J John. I am sure you will enjoy this!

Did you know that most people’s anxiety is focused and preoccupied with
40% of things that will never happen,
30% of things relating to the past that can’t be changed,
12% of things relating to other people’s criticism, which is generally untrue,
and 10% of things relating to health, which often gets worse with stress and negative thinking.

Only 8% of the time do they worry about real concerns that will need to be faced. So, if only about 8% of all the issues in our lives really turn out to be ‘something’ why is it that we spend so much time worrying and being highly anxious and stressed about all the rest?

I read a story about Arthur Rank, who decided to do all his worrying on one day each week. He chose Wednesdays. When anything happened that gave him anxiety and annoyed him, he would write it down, put it in his ‘worry box’ and forget about it until the following Wednesday. The interesting thing was that, on the following Wednesday when he opened his worry box, he found that most of the things that had disturbed him the past six days were no longer issues of concern. So it would have been useless to have worried about them in the first place.

Of course, there are important things going on in our lives that we do need to take seriously. However, if we spend most of our time worrying about the inconsequential, we won’t have time to focus on matters of consequence. When we are so concerned about the things that we can’t do anything about, we have a tendency to miss things which are really important and then we have no time and energy left to deal with them.

The question of worry and anxiety raises the issue of our faith and trust in God. Does God know? Does God care? Is our God sovereign? Can we trust God?

Did Jesus himself not say, in Matthew 6:25-30:
"I tell you not to worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?"

I heard about a woman who couldn’t sleep at night because she worried that her home would be burgled. One night, her husband heard a noise in the house, so he went downstairs to investigate. When he got there, he found a burglar. He immediately said, ‘Come upstairs and meet my wife. She’s been waiting ten years to meet you.’

A real burglar can steal from us once. Worry can steal from us night after night, for many years. Worry not only steals our sleep, it also steals our health and our ability to cope with life productively.

And what about people who constantly obsess about their weight? It’s all very well being health-conscious, but should we think about what we eat to such an extent that there’s no room in our heads to think of anything else? Elephants live longer than people, maybe because they never worry about trying to lose weight!

Maybe we should take the following verse like medication three times a day - morning, noon and night - to remind us to renew our minds:

‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 4:6-7).

Larger Than Life!

2009-10-02T05:05:00.000+10:00

Jill did these photos up of me recently on a program she downloaded.

I really like them.

Authentic Leadership Development - Shamira and Eilamb

2009-10-01T05:07:00.000+10:00

I am enjoying ploughing through a a great leadership article that Nick emailed me. He is currently in Malaysia on holidays... and catching up on his course reading!

The paper is Authentic Leadership Development by Shamira and Eilamb

Here is the abstract ...

Abstract
In this paper, we first develop the concepts of authentic leaders, authentic leadership, and authentic leader development. We suggest a definition of authentic leaders, which is based on the leader’s self-concept: his or her self-knowledge, self-concept clarity, self-concordance, and person-role merger, and on the extent to which the leader’s self-concept is expressed in his or her behavior.

Following, we offer a life-story approach to the development of authentic leaders. We argue that authentic leadership rests heavily on the self-relevant meanings the leader attaches to his or her life experiences, and these meanings are captured in the leader’s life-story. We suggest that self-knowledge, self-concept clarity, and person-role merger are derived from the life-story.

Therefore, the construction of a life-story is a major element in the development of authentic leaders. We further argue that the life-story provides followers with a major source of information on which to base their judgments about the leader’s authenticity.

We conclude by drawing some practical implications from this approach and presenting suggestions for further research.

Here are some more bits n pieces as I read on.

We suggest that the main defining characteristics of authentic leaders are:

1. Authentic leaders do not fake their leadership. They do not pretend to be leaders just because
they are in a leadership position, for instance as a result of an appointment to a management
position.

2. Relatedly, authentic leaders do not take on a leadership role or engage in leadership activities for status, honor or other personal rewards. Rather, they lead from a conviction.

3. Authentic leaders are originals, not copies.

4. Authentic leaders are leaders whose actions are based on their values and convictions.

Lead on!!

"You Will" - 1993 AT&T Adverts

2009-09-30T05:40:00.002+10:00

I saw this great media clip recently via Los Whit and his Raggamuffin Soul blog

It is from 1993 and tries to predict the future of technology.

How much of it has come true for you?

Night of Honour - 13 More Days

2009-09-29T17:26:00.002+10:00

The family and I are really looking forward to the Night of Honour that is planned for Sunday 11 October - 6pm

We are hearing whispering and muffled planning and being told "mind your own bees wax."

We are becoming more aware of the power of influence and connection and life change as we are slowly withdrawing and "transitioning."

It is healthy... but painful.

Hope you can make it if you are close.

Potent Prayer - God's 26 Guards

2009-09-29T05:15:00.000+10:00

Have you ever felt the urge to pray for someone and then just put it on a list and said, 'I'll pray for them later'?
Or has anyone ever called you and said, 'I need you to pray for me, I have this need?'

Read the following story that was sent to me and may it change the way that you may think about prayer and also the way you pray.

A missionary on furlough told this true story while visiting his home church in Michigan .

'While serving at a small field hospital in Africa , Every two weeks I traveled by bicycle through the jungle to a nearby city for supplies. This was a journey of two days and required camping overnight at the halfway point.

On one of these journeys, I arrived in the city where I planned to collect money from a bank, purchase medicine, and supplies, and then begin my two-day journey back to the field hospital.

Upon arrival in the city, I observed two men fighting, one of whom had been seriously injured. I treated him for his injuries and at the same time talked to him about the Lord.. I then traveled two days, camping overnight, and arrived home without incident....

Two weeks later I repeated my journey. Upon arriving in the city, I was approached by the young man I had treated. He told me that he had known I carried money and medicines. He said, 'Some friends and I followed you in to the jungle, knowing you would camp overnight.

We planned to kill you and take your money and drugs. But just as we were about to move into your camp,wWe saw that you were surrounded by 26 armed guards.

At this, I laughed and said that I was certainly all alone in that jungle campsite.. The young man pressed the point, however, and said, 'No, sir, I was not the only person to see the guards,my friends also saw them, and we all counted them. It was because of those guards that we were afraid and left you alone'

At this point in the sermon, one of the men in the congregation jumped to his feet and interrupted the missionary and asked if he could tell him the exact day this happened.

The missionary told the congregation the date, and the man who interrupted told him this story: On the night of your incident in Africa, it was morning here and I was preparing to go play golf. I was about to putt when I felt the urge to pray for you. In fact, the urging of the Lord was so strong, I called men in this church to meet with me here in the sanctuary to pray for you.

Would all of those men who met with me on that day stand up?
The men who had met together to pray that day stood up.
The missionary wasn't concerned with whom they were, he was too busy counting how many men he saw.
There were 26.

This story is an incredible example of how the Spirit of the Lord moves in behalf of those who love Him.
If you ever feel such prodding to pray, go along with it, you don't know what it can mean to that person.
Nothing is ever hurt by prayer except the gates of hell.

Eight Gifts that Don't Cost a Cent! - Phil Evans

2009-09-28T05:07:00.000+10:00

This simple checklist can help measure how you are nurturing your relationships.

The Gift of Listening
But you must really listen. Don't interrupt, don't daydream, don't plan your response. Just listen.
The Gift of Affection
Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The Gift of Laughter
Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."

The Gift of Solitude
There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The Gift of a Favour
Every day, go out of your way to do something kind. Good deeds are cool.

The Gift of a Written Note
It can be a simple "Thanks for your help" note, or a longer expression of your appreciation for that person being in your life. A brief handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a Compliment
A simple and sincere, "You look great in red," "You did a super job," or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The Gift of a Cheerful Disposition
The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone.

These are eight important ways we can contribute toward whole and healthy relationships.
They cost nothing, yet they may well be the most valuable gifts we can ever offer another person.

Baby Dedication and Parent Commitment - "Off to a Good Start!"

2009-09-27T05:38:00.002+10:00

Today at Westlife some people are bringing their children to be dedicated to God.

This is a great thing!

“Children are a gift from God” Psalm 127:3

Westlife Church dedicates children because we read in Luke 2:22-25 that as a baby, his parents dedicated Jesus.
In Mark 10:16 we see Jesus bestowing blessings on the children.
The Dedication ceremony is a time to publicly make that commitment to pray for the child, love the child and guide the child toward a personal relationship with Christ.

The child dedication is truly a parent commitment service.

At Westlife Church Our Goal Is To:

* Help parents recognize that children are a gift from God
* Facilitate the parent's verbal commitment to raise their child in a Christian
environment.
* Challenge parents to be examples in service and worship for their children.
* Assist parents in laying a firm foundation of learning about God and an
example of the power of salvation for their child.

Parents cannot decide their child’s salvation. Each person must make the decision to have a personal relationship with Christ.
When children are old enough to understand the concept of sin and responsibility for that sin, then they are ready to make the decision to accept Christ as their personal saviour and assure eternal salvation.

Parents must however, lay a foundation through teaching and example that will help children to make that decision at the right time. The same is true of marriage.
We cannot decide when or if our children will marry and we cannot guarantee them a happy marriage.
But through positive example, we can lay a foundation for making good decisions when the time comes.

“..., then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, ……
but as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD."
Joshua 24:15—NIV

Relationships are VITAL!! - part 2

2009-09-26T16:31:00.002+10:00

We need to value relationships and focus on personal renewal.

This is the starting point.
Everything starts in the heart.

Only changed people can change the world.

The foundation for everything is getting to know and love God, and serving His 5 purposes for your life.

But you were never meant to live your life in a vacuum. In fact, you cannot fulfill your life’s purposes by yourself.
You need other people’s help, and they need yours.
We’re better together.

We also need to desire relational renewal.

You must not only learn to love God with all your heart (personal renewal) you must learn to love your neighbour as yourself (relational renewal).

With conflict, divorce, violence, prejudice, abuse, division, and polarisation around us daily, it’s obvious we all need some lessons in building healthy relationships.

We need a revival of relationships and love that would change the cultural climate of or world.

It can start with you.

LET'S FOCUS ON RELATIONSHIPS and make a commitment to hear Bruce Sullivan on Saturday 10 October 9am.

Testimonials - Bruce Sullivan - Red Hot Relationships

2009-09-26T05:52:00.002+10:00

Bruce, Bruce, Bruce... it's all about Bruce!

Really, it's all about quality relationships!

Here are what some people have said about Bruce after they listened to his presentation. These things are called "testimonials"........

You can check out the lists of satisfied customers over the last decade.... here goes!

http://www.brucesullivan.com.au/testimonials/testimonials2009.html

http://www.brucesullivan.com.au/testimonials/testimonials2008.html

Bruce is visiting Greater Springfield on Saturday AM 10 October for 2 sessions.

Tickets are $15 each for the 2 sessions.

Call 07 3381 9988 or email redhot@westlife.org.au.

Remember, great relationships just don't happen automatically!

You need to get intentional - so book a ticket today!

Relationships are VITAL!! - part 1

2009-09-25T17:02:00.001+10:00

I wrote this post back in May 2009 about "The Relationship Principles of Jesus."

Here are some sections from that blog and some wise words from Rick Warren......

God tells us that our dominant life value is to love. Because God is love, and because he created you to love you, he wants you to learn to love too. Learning to love is the #1 lesson God intends for you to learn here on earth. Life is the school of love. Jesus once said that the entire Bible can be summed up in two commands: Love God with all your heart and love your neighbour as yourself.

Learning to love God and others is to be our highest goal, our greatest aim, our first priority, our deepest aspiration, our strongest ambition, our constant focus, our passionate intention, and the dominant life value of our lives. The more we learn to how to love authentically, the more like Jesus we become.

Selfishness must be replaced by unselfishness. Conceit must be replaced by compassion. Ego must be replaced with altruism. The focus on “me” must give way to “we.” It’s all about loving God and others.

But how?

In our fallen world where every heart and relationship is marred, broken, and damaged by sin, how can we apply the healing power of authentic love?

Learning to love unselfishly is not an easy task. It runs counter to our self-centred nature. Only Jesus can teach us the kind of love that heal, restores, and deepens relationships. And only Jesus can give us the power to love that way.

The Many Faces of Bruce Sullivan - Red Hot Relationships

2009-09-25T12:46:00.004+10:00

Bruce Sullivan is a great guy. I have a friend who knows him too. He says great things about Bruce.

In addition, Bruce is one of the world’s leading authorities on relationships and personal motivation.

Here are some of the many faces of Bruce Sullivan.

Bruce is visiting Greater Springfield on Saturday AM 10 October for 2 sessions.

Tickets are $15 each for the 2 sessions.
Call 07 3381 9988 or email redhot@westlife.org.au.

Remember, great relationships just don't happen automatically!

You need to get intentional - so book a ticket today!

Check out more about Bruce at his website - http://www.brucesullivan.com.au/ - you'll be impressed!

My Region Greater Springfield Has a Soul!

2009-09-18T17:56:00.007+10:00

It has been an interesting few days in my community. Our local state MP made some interesting comments in state parliament about the progress of community infrastructure.

Here is a sample of what hit the media:

Satellite city in a soulless orbit: MP
Natasha Bita September 18, 2009

SPRINGFIELD Lakes is an award-winning prototype for a 21st-century city -- but does it have soul?
A half-hour's drive west of Brisbane, the city-under-construction offers its 18,000 residents every convenience. The shopping centre will be the biggest in the southern hemisphere; it has a university campus, golf course and man-made lake; and bulldozers are clearing bushland to build a medical precinct to be known as Health City.

But local member Jo-Ann Miller reckons the satellite city in suburbia has "no soul". The Labor Bundamba MP's tirade on developer "greed" has triggered a debate on the future of low-density development in the 'burbs......

I knew something was "on the go" Thursday morning... an ABC twitter entry used the 2 words "Springfield" and "soulless" - and then I turned on my mobile phone and there were 3 messages - one from Ipswich City Mayor Paul Pisasale, one from Channel 7 TV reporter Neil Warren and another from ABC TV reporter, Josh Beavis.

Here are some TV media clips (below) about the story.

This one is from ABC TV - I get to appear in this one with a snappy quote about "new options" as pastor of Westlife Church.

Here is another from Channel 7

It was great to see and hear how vocal my community is about it's value - powerful stuff!

I'll write some more soon about my thoughts on community infrastructure and social capital development. All this means that my community is continuing to grow and mature.

(if you are viewing this post in my Facebook "notes" section click the link below somewhere called "view original post" - it will redirect you to my blog page with the media links)

Special thanks again to Peter Williams for his great HDD work!

Here is what was on the front page of the Queensland Times on Thursday.

Transitions - Expect the Best

2009-09-16T12:42:00.003+10:00

I had a great chance to launch the new Transitions series on Sunday AM.

I have really enjoyed the privilige of preaching to a great group of people on a regular basis.

Here are some notes and quotes from part 1... and the podcast will be available soon.

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

The gap between seasons and events is called "transition."

Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares

Proverbs 1:20 (NIV)

Wisdom and common sense and life principles to help with transitions are everywhere – if you are looking for them.

Sociologists say that now, there is more change today than there used to be. Not only are we in an everchanging world of situations, relationships, and identities - these situations, relationships, and identities are themselves in transition, - many of us are caught in a semi permanent condition of transition and change.

Throughout nature, the normal growth process involves periodic accelerations and transformations: things go slowly for a time and nothing seems to happen –until suddenly the eggshell cracks, the branch blossoms, the tadpole’s tail shrinks away, the leaf falls, the bird moults, the hibernation begins. With us it is the same. Although the signs are less clear than in the world of feather and leaf, the functions of transition times are the same. They are key times in the natural process of self-renewal.

Transition and change can be your friend – if handled wisely.

Expect the best from your transitions and changes – a transition is an opportunity to end something and also start something new.

One of the benefits of reviewing your experience of endings is to see how often they have cleared the ground for unexpected beginnings.

Transitions clear the ground for new growth. They drop the curtain so that the stage can be set for a new scene. What is it, at this point in your life, that is waiting quietly backstage? - Bridges

You will always be torn between a developmental thrust that brings about life transitions
And the impulse toward repetition that aborts the change your life needs.

How do I understand – and how do I expect the best?

1. Get a “God-word” for the journey - Get a fresh God word

2. Keep talking to God and drawing on His strength

3. Chart your location on the transition journey

4. Reflect on what you are learning

5. Get a moving buddy – someone to listen

6. Move with the transition rhythm

7. Seek to “get a clue” – open your eyes and expand your awareness

8. Keep on going – if you are on a train in a dark tunnel don’t get off in the dark tunnel, wait till the train stops at the next station – gut it out!

9. Determine to transition well – people remember how you finish

10. Celebrate and honour at the right time

11. Get a song for your season

Do your best, prepare for the worst— then trust God to bring victory.

Proverbs 21:31 (MSG)

There are 4 common aspects of the natural ending experience – disengagement, disidentification, disenchantment, disorientation. These involve 4 important life ingredients - connection, identity, reality and direction. Jesus meets all 4 needs – He knows how all this works

Be willing to transition into your new season
Make up your mind to enter your new season
Let go of the old to embrace the new
Expect the best from your transitions!

Bridge from Desert Song -

All of my life, in every season
You are still God, I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship

We’re like shellfish that often continue to open and close their shells on the tide-schedule of their old home waters, even when they have been transplanted to the laboratory tank or the restaurant kitchen. - Bridges

Leadership Vision Night - Something New!

2009-09-16T06:13:00.003+10:00

Transition brings change ... and the leadership gathering format changes too.

Westlife is trying something new about the way we gather as “build-our-housers.” We have reworked the scheduled Saturday AM 26 September Build our House gathering into a new opportunity called….

Check out the date (above) and mark your diaries!

Red Hot Relationships - Bruce Sullivan - Saturday AM 10 October

2009-09-15T17:20:00.000+10:00

Good intentions are not enough!!

That's why I am really looking forward to this relationships and personal development opportunity.

Bruce is a world class speaker.

So Jill and I have booked our tickets and we will be there. We are getting intentional.

Because great relationships don't just happen by accident!

Here is what Bruce says....

"My goal is to provide you with a genuine understanding of how you can practically apply what I teach, quickly and easily to your own relationships."

"Introducing Jesus Christ" - Steve Harvey

2009-09-15T05:41:00.002+10:00

The challenge for this comedian was "How Would You Introduce Christ to a Room Full of People?"

Click on the media clip below to see Steve Harvey at work!

Umbilical Hernia Repair

2009-09-14T16:53:00.003+10:00

There is a lot of change in my life in this season. "Transitions" is the key word.

I went and saw a surgeon this AM - and a recently diagnosed umbilical hernia needs to be repaired ASAP.

So tomorrow morning it is.

This verse came to me when I was praying this AM

Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Psalms 51:6 (NIV)

God is interested in my inner parts.... my guts. And He desires wholeness and integrity.

So the healing process starts tomorrow under the care of a skilful surgeon.

I was "encouraged" greatly by Jill when she sent me this Youtube clip (below) of an umbilical hernia repair.

Enjoy it... if you are game!

Transitions and Grief - Blockages in the Grieving Process.

2009-09-13T12:25:00.000+10:00

I recently wrote a blog post called Good Grief.

I also came across these notes - blockages in the grieving process. These are from Malcolm too.

It is possible to have a blockage in the recovery process due to any of the following reasons:

1. Resentment and bitterness.
2. Anger against God.
3. Refusal to come to terms with the loss.
4. Refusal to hand your grief over to God.
5. A refusal to accept and readjust to new circumstances.
6. Failure to give yourself permission to grieve.

“He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds
(curing their pains and their sorrows)
(Psalm 147:3 Amp.)

“Surely our grief’ He Himself bore and our sorrows He carried”
(Isaiah 53:4 NASB)