What you have is more valuable than what you don’t have.

The thing you own is more useful than the thing you want.

Money in hand buys more than money still owed.

The grass is greener on the other side of the fence but it doesn’t fill your belly.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Faith pulls the future into the present or does it really pull the present into a better future.

God says He is the I Am not the I will be.

God asks Moses, ‘what is in your hand?’

Jesus says to the disciples, ‘the kingdom of God is near you’

Paul writes, ‘the word of faith is in your mouth and in your heart’

So why do we keep looking out there for what we already have?

Now go back and read this post again… it will make more sense!

John 15:1-2 (New International Version) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Lean is better.

Too many things going on causes clutter and reduces fruitfulness.

Fruitfulness is the litmus test of activity. What does it produce?

If an activity produces nothing measurable, perhaps it should be eliminated.

If a program produces limited results, perhaps it should be cut back.

Allowing all of your passion to flow in singleminded purpose results in the greatest fruitfulness.

Too much time is wasted trying to resurrect dead branches, dead works and dead activities and programs. Cut them off!

Don’t confuse efficiency with effectiveness.

Put your energy into fruitful activity.

Consider the ROI of your business ventures. Don’t keep pouring good money after bad.

It is a strength to know when to prune. It is a skill that you can develop.

Trim your life and you’ll be more productive and fruitful.

Earlier this year I received a copy of Barry Moltz‘s new book “Bounce” from non other than Barry himself. Apparently Liz Strauss figured I needed to read it…. what are you saying Liz?

Time has quickly gone by and Barry has gently nudged me about doing a review. In the past three months, my internet access has been anything but consistent with moving houses, businesses etc. But now at last…(drum roll please!) my review of “Bounce“ 

In “Bounce” Barry Moltz has taken a different view on the whole subject of failure and our ability to bounce in those situations. Unlike most popular books on the subject, this is not a story littered with success out of the ashes of failure. In fact, “Bounce” talks a lot about failure and NOT as a springboard to success. I think this excellent resource will be a great help in putting failure into it’s proper perspective.

One of the chapters, ‘The World from Here: Start Where You Are’, lays out the implications of failure in various cultures. Since we now live in a flat world according to Thomas Friedman, the cross-cultural application should be readily apparent. 

Reducing our risk, owning our mistakes and setting our own scorecard are vital ingredients in your ability to bounce at least according to Barry.

When I first opened up the book and started reading… I have to admit I was somewhat taken back by his candidness. Then as I continued on I realized that finally here was someone speaking my language. Not the language of cheerleaders and motivational speakers. Someone who had been in the grind of building a business and not always doing it right or succeeding. Someone…. like me!

Sometimes you need to hear the voice from someone beside you not just up at the top yelling down that you can do it!

The last chapter is titled, “Read This Book — Then Throw It Away”.  After you finish the book, you’ll know why.