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30

Dec

6 Rules to Live by in 2012

2012 is no longer just around the corner but it’s here.  As humans when calendars change we seem to develop an attitude of reflection. Often times this attitude is accompanied by an acknowledgement of lessons that were learned in the past season.  Lessons that become a watery soup of “rules to live by” going into the next.

 

For me this is true and I wanted to take a few moments to detail six of the lessons that I  learned or was reminded of in 2011.

 

Fear Not: At first glance, 2012 seems to be a year that has people fearful.  Whether it’s the predictions of the Mayan calendar, the possible return of Jesus or the failure of the Eurozone people are finding reasons to be scared.  What I learned in 2011 is that fear is not fair.  It’s one sided.  It only looks at the possibilities of one outcome, usually the one that seems to cause us the most harm.  Fear is usually a liar too.  The things that fear has been telling us in the past usually never happen.  Most importantly fear is an emotion and as such it can be controlled. Just because you feel fear today doesn’t mean that you have to keep feeling it tomorrow.  For those of us who consider ourselves people of faith, think on these words: “God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power and a sound mind.” - 1 Tim 1:7

 

Some people cant go: We all know it intuitively and have heard it said many times before: “some relationships are for a season, some are for a reason and others are forever”, yet it still hurts when we realize it personally.  2011 has taught me that the people you started 2011 with are not always the ones that will be with you when it ends.  It’s not a bad thing and it isn’t up to us to classify people, it’s just for us to know this is God’s way.  People in your life typically do one of four things: 1) develop you for what is coming 2) introduce a challenge or opportunity to go to the next level 3) reveal a deficiency in your life that needs to be fixed 4) accompany you on life’s journey and strengthen you when you need it.  In 2012 focus on creating quality relationships with people around you, invest the time necessary to do it.  But also let people play their role in your life.  Remember it was Judas who ultimately revealed Jesus as the savior.

 

Be legacy minded:  Legacy is purpose all grown up.  2011 has taught me that you have to have the end game in mind.  Never sacrifice your future on the altar of the present.  Choices when at all possible should be made with your long term goals in mind.  This implies a level of planning and foresight; things that take work and discipline. It’s important to be proactive with your own planning because things are always going according to a plan, either your own or someone else’s.  Other’s plans FOR you will be made with their limited knowledge OF you.  And for that reason they can’t be legacy focused.  You are the only one that can effectively plan for your future so do just that.  Most people don’t effectively plan their day, let alone a whole year or more.  Legacies are built and planned, they rarely just happen.

 

Focus on the details: Details are pesky; they are so small, intricate and seemingly unimportant.  For many of us we think in big graphic pictures.  We see things from a 10,000 foot view and place our value on the overall image.  But 2011 has taught me that the details are important too.  How many times have you seen a great idea lost in poor writing or speaking?  Many times the details that are missed can disqualify you from even pleading your case.  Those pesky details can give people a reason to not hear you.  They are smoky clouds blurring peoples vision of who you are and what you can do. To be successful in 2012 you must concentrate and remind yourself to focus on the details.  It just may be what separates you from the next level.

 

Do what you can…in excellence: You cant control what others think of you or how they see you.  What you can do however is your best.  Today It’s almost cliche; “do your best”, and unfortunately, “do your best” seems to be translated as “do good enough”.  2011 has taught me that good enough is rarely good enough. In fact good enough is at best average.  Doing good enough is what everyone is looking for.  Good enough keeps you where you are.  But being excellent is purposefully looking to offer more than what is expected. Excellence is a sign that you are ready for the next challenge, the next promotion in life, work and relationships.  In 2012 purposefully decide to be excellent. - Dan 5:12

 

Prayer works: Guess what? God is real and He answers prayers. God is sovereign and can do whatever He likes, however something seems to happen when we echo a written promise in His word to the world around us. Things tend to line up with that written promise.  2011 has taught me and people around me that when we pray in faith, we should expect things to happen.  If not, then why pray?  Prayer can be one of the most powerful tools we have to affect change in our lives and the lives of others.  When we pray God can heal.  When we pray God can provide.  When we pray God can move. When we pray God opens doors. But remember prayer isn’t a one time thing.  It isn’t a shot in the dark and hope type deal.  In 2012 let’s use prayer in a faith-filled, systematic and consistent way to make our lives look the way God designed them to.

 

Twitter: @waltward3

NormalisDead.com

Walter Ward III is a Jesus loving, sneaker collecting international finance guy mashed together with an eclectic philanthropist who loves 2 write & talk about world affairs, hip hop, relationships & business… Oh, And he likes to see you be your best too.

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30

May

Starting a new job? Don’t forget to keep these things in mind. I am in my office, staring at Brian. He is describing his ideal employment: “I mean, David, you have lots of responsibility. The owners of the company trust you. They listen to your advice. You get flexible hours and get to work on cool projects. That’s what I want out of this gig, I guess.” To be honest, I am a little confused by Brian’s comments. I am his boss. And his job at the company is just a few months old. His ideas do not threaten me; he is a great guy. Yet, as he lays out his future plans by listing all the desirable things about my role as vice president, there are some things he misses: like, the years of work the job has cost me so far. And, maybe most surprising, he never bothers to ask a single question for advice. A few months later, Brian’s dream moves on to another company. I think this episode reflects a challenge facing the next generation: knowing how to cultivate great professional lives. Research conducted by our company, the Barna Group, shows that most of us in our 20s and 30s aspire to have solid careers. Yet, many experts are predicting the youngest workers will continue to have a hard time getting and keeping jobs because many older, qualified workers are staying in the workforce longer. Business Week magazine recently called young workers “The Lost Generation” because the poor economy is tearing down their ladder of career mobility. Here’s the thing: beyond these trends, I believe career building is becoming a lost art. As a business leader, I wonder whether most young workers know how to craft credibility, stamina and expertise in their profession. So here are some things to consider while career building—input I would have given Brian (had he asked). Seek out people at the office who can mentor you Who you work for is often more important than where. I see too many young leaders put too much weight on getting the right title or getting to work at the right name-brand company. If you can work for a major business with a great brand and an elite team, do it. But don’t forget that some of the best training in the workplace means finding amazing mentors, not just landing a killer job. If you have a choice between a job with a great company or a job with a great mentor, choose the latter. If you can find something with both, even better. Demanding bosses are not your enemy Don’t avoid working with a tough boss. Call it the Simon Cowell principle: American Idol is entertaining television partly because of the brutal reality delivered by the British judge. But Cowell gives strong, sometimes harsh feedback because he wants the young performers to improve. George Barna, my professional mentor for many years, used to tear apart my writing. (He still does, actually.) This has not always been enjoyable or fun for me. But it helped me grow. And I recognize his intention is to make me a better writer. Remember this: Many of the most successful people in our culture today will tell you they worked for some tough-as-nails bosses in their early years. The demands of these leaders, coaches, mentors and bosses bring the best out of us. Are you really ready for career success? If so, that means finding someone who is your number-one fan but feels like your biggest critic. When you reach your breaking point, stay longer I will come straight out with it: Too many young leaders leave jobs too soon. They leave at precisely the moment they are about to learn the most valuable lessons. Just like my friend Brian did: He quit at precisely the time in his life when he needed a stronger foundation. Sticking it out in a job that is a struggle may be the best thing for your character. Maybe the company or the situation is bad. But what if your future will be even more difficult? What if God is getting you ready for an even tougher assignment? Are you missing a chance to grow by leaving too early? Of course, there is a time and place to change jobs. Sometimes we get fired or laid off. And perhaps you are ready to start something—a new business or church or to do freelance work. But leave when the time is right, not because the pressure wilted you. Check your ego at the door Too many people see each job as a stepping-stone for their personal enhancement and a way to build a bigger platform. I interviewed a young applicant whose resume started something like this: “I am looking for a company that is a perfect match for me. I am interviewing companies that will get the chance to have me on their team.” Maybe that kind of confidence is a good thing. But I didn’t call him back. Jobs should hone our talent, but they are primarily about serving the greater good of the enterprises and people we work for. Think back to that first tip—writing a statement of personal calling. That is a sacred thing, yes, and it should give you a sense of God’s direction—however, your personal vision should not be your job description. Your employer is not put on earth to make your personal vision statement a reality. Your work should help you see how God wants you to serve others, not yourself. This is a tough lesson. The higher up the ladder you go, the harder it is to be a servant leader. Connect your work to your faith Most important of all is to see whatever you do as being holy, sacred work. As believers in Jesus, Christians ought to have a profound sense of why work matters. Scripture says humans have the job description of cultivating and caring for the world around us—creation, culture and community (Genesis 1:28). We get the chance to participate in God’s effort to make all things new (Revelation 21). God can do all of this without us, of course, but work matters to God because He wants our efforts to bring Him honor. I have learned something that seems perhaps like simple wisdom: A great job is like a good relationship—it’s never perfect, it costs us something and helps us grow in ways we didn’t anticipate. In fact, building a great career is ultimately about who we are becoming as people. There are no shortcuts. Work produces things in us that can’t be learned in short bursts. Maybe the reason I have any wisdom to offer Brian (and perhaps you) is because God has used my professional life to teach me things like humility, courage, loyalty and leadership. I am a slow learner—it has taken 15 years and counting. David Kinnaman has worked in one company since 1995. He is now the president of the Barna Group. He is the author of unChristian, and is working on a book about the faith of the next generation of Christians. This article originally appeared in RELEVANT.

Starting a new job? Don’t forget to keep these things in mind.

I am in my office, staring at Brian. He is describing his ideal employment: “I mean, David, you have lots of responsibility. The owners of the company trust you. They listen to your advice. You get flexible hours and get to work on cool projects. That’s what I want out of this gig, I guess.”

To be honest, I am a little confused by Brian’s comments. I am his boss. And his job at the company is just a few months old. His ideas do not threaten me; he is a great guy. Yet, as he lays out his future plans by listing all the desirable things about my role as vice president, there are some things he misses: like, the years of work the job has cost me so far. And, maybe most surprising, he never bothers to ask a single question for advice.

A few months later, Brian’s dream moves on to another company.

I think this episode reflects a challenge facing the next generation: knowing how to cultivate great professional lives. Research conducted by our company, the Barna Group, shows that most of us in our 20s and 30s aspire to have solid careers. Yet, many experts are predicting the youngest workers will continue to have a hard time getting and keeping jobs because many older, qualified workers are staying in the workforce longer. Business Week magazine recently called young workers “The Lost Generation” because the poor economy is tearing down their ladder of career mobility.

Here’s the thing: beyond these trends, I believe career building is becoming a lost art. As a business leader, I wonder whether most young workers know how to craft credibility, stamina and expertise in their profession. So here are some things to consider while career building—input I would have given Brian (had he asked).

Seek out people at the office who can mentor you

Who you work for is often more important than where. I see too many young leaders put too much weight on getting the right title or getting to work at the right name-brand company. If you can work for a major business with a great brand and an elite team, do it. But don’t forget that some of the best training in the workplace means finding amazing mentors, not just landing a killer job. If you have a choice between a job with a great company or a job with a great mentor, choose the latter. If you can find something with both, even better.

Demanding bosses are not your enemy

Don’t avoid working with a tough boss. Call it the Simon Cowell principle: American Idol is entertaining television partly because of the brutal reality delivered by the British judge. But Cowell gives strong, sometimes harsh feedback because he wants the young performers to improve. George Barna, my professional mentor for many years, used to tear apart my writing. (He still does, actually.) This has not always been enjoyable or fun for me. But it helped me grow. And I recognize his intention is to make me a better writer.

Remember this: Many of the most successful people in our culture today will tell you they worked for some tough-as-nails bosses in their early years. The demands of these leaders, coaches, mentors and bosses bring the best out of us. Are you really ready for career success? If so, that means finding someone who is your number-one fan but feels like your biggest critic.

When you reach your breaking point, stay longer

I will come straight out with it: Too many young leaders leave jobs too soon. They leave at precisely the moment they are about to learn the most valuable lessons. Just like my friend Brian did: He quit at precisely the time in his life when he needed a stronger foundation.

Sticking it out in a job that is a struggle may be the best thing for your character. Maybe the company or the situation is bad. But what if your future will be even more difficult? What if God is getting you ready for an even tougher assignment? Are you missing a chance to grow by leaving too early? Of course, there is a time and place to change jobs. Sometimes we get fired or laid off. And perhaps you are ready to start something—a new business or church or to do freelance work. But leave when the time is right, not because the pressure wilted you.

Check your ego at the door

Too many people see each job as a stepping-stone for their personal enhancement and a way to build a bigger platform. I interviewed a young applicant whose resume started something like this: “I am looking for a company that is a perfect match for me. I am interviewing companies that will get the chance to have me on their team.” Maybe that kind of confidence is a good thing. But I didn’t call him back.

Jobs should hone our talent, but they are primarily about serving the greater good of the enterprises and people we work for. Think back to that first tip—writing a statement of personal calling. That is a sacred thing, yes, and it should give you a sense of God’s direction—however, your personal vision should not be your job description. Your employer is not put on earth to make your personal vision statement a reality. Your work should help you see how God wants you to serve others, not yourself. This is a tough lesson. The higher up the ladder you go, the harder it is to be a servant leader.

Connect your work to your faith

Most important of all is to see whatever you do as being holy, sacred work. As believers in Jesus, Christians ought to have a profound sense of why work matters. Scripture says humans have the job description of cultivating and caring for the world around us—creation, culture and community (Genesis 1:28). We get the chance to participate in God’s effort to make all things new (Revelation 21). God can do all of this without us, of course, but work matters to God because He wants our efforts to bring Him honor.

I have learned something that seems perhaps like simple wisdom: A great job is like a good relationship—it’s never perfect, it costs us something and helps us grow in ways we didn’t anticipate.

In fact, building a great career is ultimately about who we are becoming as people. There are no shortcuts. Work produces things in us that can’t be learned in short bursts. Maybe the reason I have any wisdom to offer Brian (and perhaps you) is because God has used my professional life to teach me things like humility, courage, loyalty and leadership. I am a slow learner—it has taken 15 years and counting.

David Kinnaman has worked in one company since 1995. He is now the president of the Barna Group. He is the author of unChristian, and is working on a book about the faith of the next generation of Christians. This article originally appeared in RELEVANT.

2 years ago Short URL 4 notes

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