Monthly Archives: February 2013

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The Right Time To Visualize

Visualizing where we want to end up is a big part of leadership. We’ve got to have an idea of where we’re going.

When we visualize, it’s like painting a picture of the end. It’s beautiful and we know the way we want it to end.

Did you know though that you can visualize the end at the wrong time?

Sunset Vision at Kalalau Trail

Image by Paul Bica

Visualizing At The Wrong Time

There’s a right and a wrong time to visualize. The wrong time can kill your momentum.

You shouldn’t visualize the end victory while you’re in the middle of the work. It can cripple you. Taking away vital energy you need to complete the work.

Meb Keflezighi, an Olympic runner and the 2009 New York Marathon winner, discovered this the hard way. In his book, Run To Overcome, he describes an incident where he visualized his win only to fail miserably.  Read more...

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How To Live A More Meaningful Life

At one point or another we all struggle to determine what makes our life meaningful.

Is it a fancy car? The biggest home we can afford? Or the prettiest wife on our arm?

In the end, those things won’t leave you feeling fulfilled and satisfied. Chasing after these trivial matters will leave you wishing you lived a more meaningful life.

But I know something that will.

The Problem

Most people go through life following the flow. They have no plans or goals. They’re willing to go where life takes them.

They could care less.

And there’s the problem. When people stop caring, they stop living a meaningful life.

I was one of those people for quite some time.

I’d decided I wasn’t going to care about life. I’d take it as it came. There would be no chance for disappointment.  Read more...

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Pull Up A Chair

From time to time we lose that personal connection with our team members. The days get busy. Our schedules don’t allow us to meet regularly. We forget to pull up the chair.

As this happens, our team’s attunement is lost.

What’s Attunement?

Attunement is making your team aware and/or responsive. This means getting your team members on the same page and ready to work together.

When a team is attuned, great things begin to happen. Goals are reached. Relationships are improved. Business starts to grow.

Sounds great, huh?

How To Gain Attunement

Gaining attunement in your organization should be a key goal. With it, people are energized and know what’s going on.

However, gaining attunement is the tricky part. It requires hard work on your part. Then again, what good thing doesn’t require hard work?  Read more...

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How to Have Peace to Persevere through Pain

August 23, 2010 was any parents’ worst nightmare. This was the day my wife, Melissa, and I received the results of our daughter’s biopsy.

“I’m so sorry, Mr. and Mrs. Barrett,” said Dr. Thompson. “Kristina has cancer.”

Kristina Barrett

It felt like all the oxygen was sucked out of the room. Our 8-year-old little girl’s future had just become completely uncertain.

By the time of her diagnosis, the rare cancer (Clear Cell Sarcoma) had already spread to her lungs. And her prognosis was listed as “dismal.”

Any time someone is faced with tremendous fears such as this, it’s difficult to control emotions. No, it’s virtually impossible. But one truth we’ve found is that feelings are controlled by our thoughts. Interesting enough is that the Bible doesn’t tell us to control our feelings. It tells us to control our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:5).  Read more...

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15 Encouragements For Young Leaders

One of the greatest joys of my life has been pouring into the lives of young leaders. Seeing the hunger and drive of their youth is invigorating.

And yet we see young leaders fall to the wayside far too often. Hurt, discouraged, ready to give up.

This is why we must find ways to stay encouraged. A discouraged leader does his team no good.

Today I want to offer you 15 encouragements as you take the leadership journey. Some will apply to situations you’re currently facing. Others will apply to the situations that will be coming. Tuck these pieces of encouragement away and pull them out when you need them.

15 encouragements for young leaders

You’ll never fully arrive: What? This is an encouragement? Yes, if I do say so. Remember, the end will always be elusive. There will be times of frustration because you can’t see the end. That’s because it’s not there. Don’t stress arriving, enjoy the journey.  Read more...