That's How Winning is Done

I just like this. Fires me up.

Hungry? or just Snacky?

Listening to the radio on one of my looonnnggg drives today. On Point, a pretty good issues and interviews radio show produced by WBUR of Boston had an hour on "Jobs and the Class of 2009." It featured a panel of three recent grads discussing their not too terribly successful attempts at finding work so far. I got the distinct feeling that they weren't so much searching for gainful employment as they were rooting through the refrigerator trying to find something to eat. I noted that none of them seemed truly hungry. They were still at that sort of snacky stage where they knew they wanted something to eat, but weren't quite sure what and they seemed more than willing to stand there with the door propped open until inspiration struck. I wondered how long it would take before pretty much anything mom plopped down in front of them would be the most delicious thing ever.

Of course, this is because the question you face at 24 is very different than the question you face at 46. Early on it's about passion, joy, meaning. How can I find a job that I love? What do I really enjoy doing?

At least, that's the question if you are a middle-class recent college grad who has supportive parents with a basement room with free internet access. On the other hand, when middle aged become a more important descriptor than middle-class; when dependents become a bigger fact than dependence; when you have no financial margin and not even any margarine...the choice becomes simple, although not necessarily easier.

I found the discussion fascinating, but I kept thinking about what these kids will do in 20 years if they find themselves in a similar spot. Probably, like me, they will take a job selling appliances, while launching out on an entrepreneurial adventure just to try to forestall the foreclosure monsters and keep everyone in shoes and oatmeal a little longer. And...be grateful for the opportunity. At a certain point, fulfillment becomes more about a full belly then a full heart.

And that's OK.

Tribe

Over the past year, the term “tribe” has come to my attention from several different directions.

Assistant Village Idiot uses the term to describe a sort of sociological unified field theory (or perhaps only a general relativity theory) wherein tribal identity is so ingrained into human behavior and thinking that even we moderns find ourselves assuming tribal identities. Membership in modern social tribes is not so much a matter of name identification as it is the assumption of certain social/political/sub-cultural cues or signals. To see AVI’s analysis, go here.

A few months ago, Seth Godin, renowned marketing guru (on wonders if he has the word “guru” on his business card) spoke on the subject of tribes as relates to marketing. Successful marketers are people who actually leverage technology to create associations of people he calls Tribes. Whenever someone figures out how to tap into the sentiments of enough people who are thinking the same thing, but are unconnected, that person unleashes social power of some magnitude. That opportunity is greater than ever through the power of techno tools related to the internet. Tribe becomes a sort of sophisticated, fluid, self-inventing psychographic.

Along a completely different line, Tim Larkin of Target Focused Training (which deserves a post of it’s own) directed me recently to Scott Pressfield’s analysis of the War in Afghanistan. Unlike the other two, Scott is not redefining the term Tribe here, but is using it in the classic sense. He uses the classic concept of tribe and tribalism to help us re-frame the way we view the conflict in Afghanistan. It’s all about the tribes. His analysis contrasting the meaning of being a citizen of a nation, as opposed to a member of a tribe is outstanding. I hope that our commanding officer’s responsible for the conflict in Afghanistan can grasp this concept. Our leaders must recognize that asymmetrical warfare has already become the dominant model around the world and we are just playing catch up.

You can see all the video's in Pressfield's analysis of War in Afghanistan here.

It’s just fascinating to see how one word can be used to clothe such different types of ideas.

Practical Ecclesiology 3 - What's the Difference...

What is the difference between a CEO and a pastor?

What is the difference between making a sales presentation and preaching the gospel?

What is the difference between paying membership dues and placing a check in the offering plate?

What is the difference between targeting a market niche and drinking with sinners and tax collectors?

What is the difference between making a return on investment and caring for the fatherless and widows?

What is the difference between hiring a management consultant and calling a pastor?

What is the difference between tracking market trends and keeping Sunday attendance records?

What is the difference between a motivational workshop and a worship service?

What is the difference between a company mission statement and the Great Commission?

What is the difference between balancing a budget and the forgiveness of sins?

What is the difference between an annual report and the prayers of the people?

What is the difference between the Board of Directors and the Father, Son and Holy Spirit?

What is the difference between increasing market share and advancing the Kingdom of God?

Thoughts on my Business

I have been away most of the last long weekend at a professional conference for my business. I work as a professional speaker and trainer in the the field of personal development. The conference is conducted semi-yearly by the company with which I am affiliated for the purpose of helping salespeople, speakers and instructors to grow our businesses.

Yeah, ok whatever...I can hear your attention wandering. So, a few tidbits gleaned from this weekend. Some of these may require more development, but take them as they are here and do what you will with them.

Verbal Economics - using more words does not increase the value of a speech. Instead it reduces the value of each word you use to such an extent that the entire speech can become worth less than the time spent listening to it.

There is a great deal of power in asking the right questions.

Meditation is the process of merely observing and interrogating your thoughts.

When seeking excellence, comfort is not the objective.

Take out the trash.

Ultimately, what I am experiencing right now is the sum of my thoughts and choices up to this point. I am here because I have brought myself here. I am responsible for what I am, where I am, and how I am experiencing it.