Monthly Archives: March 2013

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Choosing To Be Happy

Each and every day we have a choice. That choice:

Whether to be happy or not.

This is a continuation of my examination of Andy Andrew‘s 7 Decisions from The Traveler’s Gift.  Today I Choose To Be Happy is the 5th decision. Maybe the most important.

Can You Really Choose To Be Happy?

You may be asking yourself that question. Is it really possible to choose happiness?

You can and there’s ways to make this decision easier.

But my life’s not perfect. I’ve done things that create sadness in my life. My home life is terrible. My job is miserable. There’s no way I could choose to be happy in the situations I face daily.

This is where we mess up and destroy our chance of being happy. We’ve let our circumstances dictate whether or not we will be joyful.  Read more...

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Start Small, Lead Big

The leadership journey begins differently for every leader. Some are chosen. Others choose themselves.

One way or another, you’ve begun to lead. And that’s fantastic! We need more people willing to step up and lead.

An issue many young leaders face is the temptation to start big and lead big. Feelings of inadequacy arise once they realize their tribe isn’t as big as they’d hope.

I’ve been in this situation before. There’s been times when our youth group was frustratingly small. Subscribers to my blog grew stagnant and growth wasn’t happening.

Truth is, I was frustrated.

Why I Was Frustrated

My problem, along with many other young leaders, was I had a grand vision and expected it right now. Kind of like the Burger King slogan: Your Way, Right Away.  Read more...

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9 Signs You’re A Leader

I’ve met many people who live unassuming lives. Going through the routines and taking care of business.

Many times they feel they’re not adding value to others or they lack the ability to lead.

In reality, they couldn’t be more wrong. The young, stay-at-home mom, the sophomore high school student, or the desk jockey.

Each one has value and the ability to lead.

The qualities of leaders can be very subtle. Look for it and you’ll find at least three or four that are present in your life.  Read more...

  1. You make decisions: While you may not have the loudest voice, you have the opportunity to speak up and make a decision. Leaders make decisions. Choose to decide.
  2. You have followers: Everyone has someone who follows them. The stay-at-home mom has her children. The quiet student has other students studying their habits. Look around and you’ll see others following you.
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Leaders Need To Get On Belay

One of the coolest experiences I’ve had was a recent ice climbing excursion to the upper peninsula of Michigan. The time was spent with a great group of guys all looking for adventure and finding it in the great outdoors. Not only that, it also taught me a valuable leadership lesson.

Image by Laurel Fan

Image by Laurel Fan

A term often used in climbing, whether it be rock climbing or ice climbing, is belay. For those of you who don’t know what belaying is, belaying refers to a series of techniques climbers use to exert friction on a climbing rope so their climbing partner will not fall far. The climber on belay does this by applying friction through the use of a belay clip and keeping the rope taut.  Read more...

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3 Reasons Leaders Need To Take Risks

Management loves to play it safe. Systems are in place to keep the machine running effectively and efficiently.

Leaders don’t have this luxury. They’re heading into the unknown. No, wait… You’re heading into the unknown.

Risk Graffitti

Image by A Syn

Real leaders, not managers, are looking for the next breakthrough. Keeping an eye out for the next mountain to summit.

Think about major league sports. A lot of it’s played safe until it’s crunch time. Then the team leader has to make a choice.

Do they take easy score or do they go for the risky extra point?

Your leadership will require you to take risks.

Leaders head into the unknown

There’s always the risk that there are unknown unknowns.
— Nate Silver

As you move towards your goals and purpose, the road will get cloudy. Situations you didn’t foresee will arise. You won’t know what the next step will be.  Read more...