2010 January

What if You Had to Give Your “State of the Union” Address?

Posted On January 27, 2010 Leave a Comment

Ready to give your State of the Union address?

Tonight, President Barack Obama delivers his first official State of the Union Address to the Congress and to the American people.

Traditionally, presidents give a report on how things are going in America, and what they plan to do to bring changes and make improvements.

This morning, I had a scary thought: What if I had to go on TV before millions of people and give a report on the state of my union? Such a report would encompass an update on my marriage, our finances, our kids, my career, etc.

If I had to do that, I know I’d be more intentional about how I lived my life. What about you?

I have some friends who go away for a weekend each year and do something similar (without having to go on TV in front of millions of people). They call it an annual review and planning weekend. They take time to review how their marriage and family life is going. They identify some changes that need to be made and set some goals and action steps to help achieve them make the change.

My wife and I aren’t able to get away for a weekend right now, but over the last few weeks we have begun to take stock of where we’re at, and we set some seasonal goals – things we want to see happen over the next few months – and action steps.

We’ve already begun to implement some of the changes we wanted to make. One was a simple change in our evening routine at home, and we’ve already noticed the difference.

What about you? Are you ready to get up in front of the nation to report on the state of your union? What do you do to check-in with your spouse on how things are going in your marriage and life?

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What Do You Do When You’re Forced to Wait for Your Dream?

Posted On January 25, 2010 Leave a Comment

What do you do when you have to wait before you can achieve your goals or dreams?

I was almost to my destination when the red lights started flashing and the gates began to come down. It didn’t matter how close I was, or how much of a hurry I was in. I had to stop for a train. And not a short train…but a long one!

For some reason, while I waited for the train to pass, my mind began to think of some times in my life when I had to wait. Times when I was on track to achieve or accomplish a goal or dream, and then something came up and there was nothing I could do but wait.

In our instant society, no one likes to wait. I know I don’t. Do you?. But there are still times when we have to wait. There are situations beyond our control – like a natural disaster or economic downturn. There are people who could slow us down – like our clients, spouse or boss. There are personal things that could slow or stop us – like our health or finances.

What do you do when you’re forced to wait before you can realize your dreams? Here are some tips I’ve discovered that have really helped me while I have waited on a dream:

Take stock of your life – make sure you’re focusing on the right things. There have been times when the “waiting room” helped me to realize that the thing I was waiting for wasn’t really the thing I should be pursuing. So the wait was really a blessing which kept me from further trouble.
Look for things you need to learn or change. There have been times when my attitude has had to change. Other times I’ve had to learn to watch what I say (I have a gift for sarcasm, which doesn’t help in many situations). And always, I’ve had to learn to be a good listener – to really understand what others are trying to say. I’ve discovered that in every situation when I’ve been forced to wait, there was something that I could learn about myself.
Think in Steps. Break the big goal, dream or project into smaller tasks. Is there a way to take one step forward now instead of waiting to do it all at once? If it is your dream job that you’re waiting on, what steps can you take toward your dream job now?
Identify people who can help you. Maybe it’s time you hired a coach or found a mentor who can guide you through this process – someone who has “been there and done that” and can help you achieve your dream. Or maybe you need to ask a friend to hold you accountable for changes you need to make or steps you need to take. I’ve been blessed to have several mentors who have helped to equip me on my journey toward success.

What have you found helpful when you’ve had to wait? What things would you add to this list of tips? Please share your comments and ideas below.

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What keeps you from achieving your dreams?
Nine reasons why you’ll never achieve your dreams
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How One Man Found His Higher Calling

Posted On January 24, 2010 1 Comment

Oakland A's prospect Grant Desme is retiring from baseball to enter the priesthood.

For those of you who are new to Life Compass, I write on Spirituality, Faith and Ethics every Sunday. Here’s why.

Have you ever thought that some people have a “higher” calling than others? As a child, I often believed that those who work “in the ministry” as a pastor, priest, nun or missionary had a higher calling than everyone else. After all, they serve God, right? And everyone else serves…uh…someone else, I guess.

As a young adult I learned that God has given everyone a purpose and calling in life, and that we all can serve Him by doing what He called us to do to the best of our ability.

Whether we’re a plumber, baker, banker, attorney, mechanic, or something else, the Bible tells us, “Whatever you do, do your work as for the Lord” (Colossians 3:23). It also gives numerous examples of how our work benefits and enhances the lives of others.

The problem, of course, is that we need to figure out what it is that we’re called to do. And it seems to me that only a few people actually do that.

Yesterday, Fox News ran a story on their website about a young man who discovered his true calling. Normally, something like this wouldn’t make the news. In fact, I can’t recall the last time I saw a headline that said something like, “Susan Smith discovers her calling and will become a banker” or “Bob Johnson finally figures out he’s supposed to be a teacher.”

What makes this a newsworthy story is that it’s about a top major league baseball prospect who discovered his true calling and decided to enter the priesthood:

As a top prospect for the Oakland Athletics, outfielder Grant Desme might’ve gotten the call every minor leaguer wants this spring.

Instead, he believed he had another, higher calling.

Desme announced Friday that he was leaving baseball to enter the priesthood, walking away after a breakout season in which he became MVP of the Arizona Fall League.

“I was doing well at ball. But I really had to get down to the bottom of things,” the 23-year-old Desme said. “I wasn’t at peace with where I was at.”

“I love the game, but I aspire to higher things,” he said. “I know I have no regrets.”

Some will applaud Desme because he is giving up the potential fame and fortune of major league baseball for the priesthood, thinking that “ministry” is more important than baseball.

I too want to applaud him – but not because I think one vocation is more important than another. It’s not that baseball is not right. It’s just that baseball is not right for him!

I applaud Desme for taking the time to clarify his calling and for being brave enough to make the change, no matter the cost. And what led him to make this decision to find the work he was meant to do?

He realized he wasn’t at peace and didn’t feel fulfilled.
He aspired to be all that God wanted him to be (he called that “the higher things”)
He wanted to live without regrets.

What about you? If you were on the pathway to be a major league baseball player (and perhaps earn millions of dollars), but you knew things weren’t quite right, would you keep doing it for the money/and or the love of the game? Or would you follow your heart and do the work you were meant to do? Please share your comments below.

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Filed Under: Life Purpose, Spirituality & Faith 1 Comment

Three Questions to Help You Identify Your Life’s Passion

Posted On January 22, 2010 Leave a Comment

One night after one of his concerts, the great violinist Itzhak Perlman attended a charity reception in his honor. People who attended the special event paid hundreds of dollars for the privilege of meeting him.

During the reception, a man walked up to Perlman, congratulated him on his amazing performance that night, and said, “Mr. Perlman, I’ve always had a great love of the violin. I would give my whole life to be able to play the violin like you did tonight.”

Perlman smiled at him and said, “I have.”

You already know the point I’m about to make, right? Two men. Both extremely passionate about the violin. The difference is that one took action and pursued his passion. The other did not.

Do you have a dream or passion worth giving your whole life to? If not, here are three questions to help you figure it out:

If you had all the time and money in the world, and you knew you could not fail, what would you do?
What difference do you want to make in the world before you die?
What cause, need, problem or opportunity excites you the most?

I’m pretty clear on what my passion is and how I plan to achieve it. But at times in my life, I’ve let busyness, fear of failure, and fear of the unknown keep me from pursuing it. Can anyone else relate?

Gratefully, every now and then someone or something reminds me that “Life is short. Don’t waste it.” And then I’m motivated again to take action.

If you struggle with taking that first or next step in pursuing your passion and dreams, consider these words from Henry David Thoreau:

Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you’ve imagined.

And if you’ve never taken the time your write out your dreams, or to describe your ideal life and preferred future, take some time to do it today! That’s your next step.

You might also like:
Stop allowing fear to guide your life
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Does Career Planning Still Work in a Down Economy?

Posted On January 20, 2010 Leave a Comment

Have you ever wondered if career planning or career building will work at a time when so many people are unemployed? I mean, shouldn’t you just be happy to have ANY job right now, even if you feel stuck or unfulfilled?

A Wall Street Journal Online article gives some great tips on how to take your career to the next level right now and why. First, here’s the why:

Once the economy improves, some 60% of more than 900 U.S. workers surveyed between October and November 2009 said they plan to pursue new job opportunities, reports Right Management, a talent and career-management consulting firm in Philadelphia.

So if you want to make a move, you probably don’t want to wait until everybody else does. By then, it might be too late. Unfortunately, many people feel stuck and don’t know what to do.

“You don’t have to be stuck,” says Dory Hollander, a workplace psychologist and founder of WiseWorkplaces, a career coaching and executive-development firm based in Arlington, Va. “You can be an active player in shaping your own future.”

Here are four ways to boost your resume, build your career, and gain an advantage over others who are waiting for the job market to heat up:

Volunteer to gain new skills – Volunteering with a non-profit organization is a great way to gain skills in an area you’d like to learn about or grow in. In fact, I’ve landed several jobs by volunteering first. As I always say, sometimes it “pays” to work for free.
Build a wider network of contacts – Growing your network has never been easier with social media tools like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Let others know that you’re looking to build your career. Ask people “who do you know that could help me move into this field, position or company?” I’m continually amazed at who I know, and who my friends know. I’m one or two people away from some very influential and famous people. And there’s nothing special about me. I’ll bet the same is true for you. It might not be who you know. It might be who you know who knows someone else, who might be the key to your future! And don’t forget to share your network with others who need help building their careers!
Look for ways to move laterally within your company – Moving sideways can be a great way to move up. Look for other open positions in your company that, while they might not be a promotion, can provide you with new challenges and opportunities for growth. You’ll learn more, know more people, and be a stronger asset for the company. Be sure to research the new position well, so that you know what you’re getting into!
Enroll in workshops or classes on a subject pertinent to your goals - Once you’ve finished these courses, add them to your résumé. This shows your current and future boss that you’re proactive in personal growth and achieving your goals.

Would you add anything else to this list?

You might also like:
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The Optimist Creed – How Changing Your Thinking Can Change Your Life

Posted On January 19, 2010 Leave a Comment

I just picked up a copy of How to Prosper in Hard Times, which is a compilation of writings from some of the world’s best motivational speakers and positive thinkers, including Napoleon Hill, James Allen, Joseph Murphy and others.

Before the first chapter began, the book featured The Optimist Creed by Christian D. Larson. I don’t recall ever reading it before. I enjoyed it, and thought you would too:

Promise Yourself…

To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

A few points stood out to me as I read The Optimist Creed:

“To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them” – Successful people build up others. And when they rise to the top, they bring others along with them.
“To be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own” – This reminds me of another success principle I heard years ago: You can get anything in life that you want if you just help enough other people to get what they want.
“To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others” – Interesting juxtaposition: Tear others down…or build yourself up.
“To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in loud words, but in great deeds” – Actions speak louder than words!

Also, did you happen to notice that each of these points begins in the mind and heart? I think the message here is that if you want to change your response to challenging situations, or if you want to change your life, you need to change your thoughts!

Speaking of thoughts…What do you think? Please share your comments below.

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