As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters. – Proverbs XXV: 13
In 1889, Elbert Hubbard published an article titled, "A Message to Garcia". It detailed the story of Lt. Andrew Summers Rowan of the United States Army. He was given an assignment, deliver this message to General Calixto Garcia the leader of the Cuban rebels fighting to be liberated from Spanish rule during the Spanish American war. The accuracy of Hubbards account of Lt. Rowan's journey has since been challenged, but nevertheless offers a perspective on the character of the type of person we all want on our team.
The story speaks of a man whose commitment to the organization is without challenge, a man who can be trusted, is focused, has the backbone needed to accomplish the task, and is loyal. Hubbard questions why it is so difficult to find people who possess these characteristics and how often we fail to acknowledge and celebrate those on our team who possess them.
He cries out for people who will carry out the task at hand, who are committed to the work handed to them rather than a way to get out of doing the work. These are the women and men who instead of asking why me, why do I have to do it, respond with why not me. These are women and men who are committed to lending a helping hand, being part of a team and stepping into whatever challenge is presented to them. People who understand that all their work provides for an opportunity to lift the organization up and that it in the end, the success of the organization benefits all who are committed to its purpose.
Hubbard challenges workers to step up and be more than status quo, to be exceptional in all they do and to do so because it is the right thing to do, regardless of the wages to be earned or the hours to be worked. The characteristics he identifies as reflective of a person committed to delivering the message to Garcia, are the same characteristics we seek in each of our employees. If you are as blessed as I am, you can list the names of those on your team who can deliver the message to Garcia. Never forget to acknowledge and celebrate them! Just a little advice to go!
Saturday, April 6, 2019
Your Output Should Not Exceed Your Intake
I often describe myself as a workaholic, which is a critique of my inability to keep things under control; in perspective. The end result is that I burn the candle at both ends and eventually find my effectiveness faltering. It forces me to sit down and consider what fills me and what depletes me; how do I re-adjust my actions to ensure I am not allowing myself to become depleted.
Family, friends, reading, writing, supper club, a good movie, a good 5K, and church all serve to fill me. Work, school, home projects, and other daily events deplete me. When I take on more at work than I should, which is often, I work more hours and find myself becoming depleted. The end result is more output than intake and that can be dangerous. I become tired, anxious, emotional and feel like things are falling apart. It is a mistake that can lead to serious health problems.
Avoiding becoming depleted means being self-aware, taking note when you start to feel overwhelmed and doing something about it. Increasing the intake of those things that fill you, energize you and make you smile is critical. Greater intake will balance you and make the output more positive, leading to greater success. Take the time to think about what you need to do to increase your intake so as to ensure your output never exceeds it. Just a little advise to go!
Family, friends, reading, writing, supper club, a good movie, a good 5K, and church all serve to fill me. Work, school, home projects, and other daily events deplete me. When I take on more at work than I should, which is often, I work more hours and find myself becoming depleted. The end result is more output than intake and that can be dangerous. I become tired, anxious, emotional and feel like things are falling apart. It is a mistake that can lead to serious health problems.
Avoiding becoming depleted means being self-aware, taking note when you start to feel overwhelmed and doing something about it. Increasing the intake of those things that fill you, energize you and make you smile is critical. Greater intake will balance you and make the output more positive, leading to greater success. Take the time to think about what you need to do to increase your intake so as to ensure your output never exceeds it. Just a little advise to go!
The Value of Transparency
Transparency, one’s ability to be transparent according to Webster’s dictionary. I know, never define a word by using the word, as explained by Mrs. Cherry in my 2nd grade class. Transparency means people can see through you to know who you really are, your story. But that can only happen if you are willing to be vulnerable. It requires a great deal of courage, trust, and self confidence. Sharing your story is not easy, particularly if it comes with admitting your hurts and weaknesses. I am not encouraging folks to be transparent with everyone, but to do so with their respective inner circle of family, friends, and confidants.
Speaking about how past hurts, mistakes, and successes have helped to shape you into who you are today provides the opportunity for personal growth and gives others the opportunity to learn from your experiences. That process is never-ending and gets better as you become more confident in your ability to share with others, more transparent. It enables you to release the hurt, discuss the impact of your past mistakes, and share the successes resulting from all your experiences. It gives others a chances to demonstrate that they like you have grown through their hurts, mistakes, and successes. Sharing is caring, caring for yourself and for those within your inner circle. Transparency has helped me be true to myself, family and closest friends. Just a little advice to go!
Speaking about how past hurts, mistakes, and successes have helped to shape you into who you are today provides the opportunity for personal growth and gives others the opportunity to learn from your experiences. That process is never-ending and gets better as you become more confident in your ability to share with others, more transparent. It enables you to release the hurt, discuss the impact of your past mistakes, and share the successes resulting from all your experiences. It gives others a chances to demonstrate that they like you have grown through their hurts, mistakes, and successes. Sharing is caring, caring for yourself and for those within your inner circle. Transparency has helped me be true to myself, family and closest friends. Just a little advice to go!
The Struggle of Choice
Thinking back to my youth, I can recall the struggles of choice. Doing the right thing was not always easy to discern given the peer pressure of those I grew up with. In time, I would choose to believe and trust in God’s guidance for my life. Each of us has the ability to choose, despite what we might think. We can choose to go to work today or choose to stay home. Yes, there are consequences for the choices we make, but the choice is ours. Societal norms place restrictions on our choices and rightfully so, we live as part of a greater community and our choices often impact those who are part of that community. But in the end we still have the freedom to choose.
Some choices may be difficult and thus the struggle of choice. It is in the midst of these struggles that I lean not on my own understanding but on the guidance of God’s word. In my faith, I find guiding principles which help me choose the right path. Faith does not eliminate the struggle of choice but rather helps to make the struggle less intense and with time, easy to move past. I choose to live a Godly life, I choose to do good, I often choose to put the needs of others ahead of my own, and I choose to remain steadfast in my faith in God. What choices are you making today? How do you navigate through the struggle of choice? What does the struggle say about who you are? Are you making the right choices? Just a little advise to go!
Some choices may be difficult and thus the struggle of choice. It is in the midst of these struggles that I lean not on my own understanding but on the guidance of God’s word. In my faith, I find guiding principles which help me choose the right path. Faith does not eliminate the struggle of choice but rather helps to make the struggle less intense and with time, easy to move past. I choose to live a Godly life, I choose to do good, I often choose to put the needs of others ahead of my own, and I choose to remain steadfast in my faith in God. What choices are you making today? How do you navigate through the struggle of choice? What does the struggle say about who you are? Are you making the right choices? Just a little advise to go!
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