Most of us are always looking for the one thing. That one key to breakthrough. That one shift that will change our lives and the lives all around us.

I actually think it is the built-in weakness of  revivalist evangelical thinking. If we just get that revival then our world and the city we live in will be changed.

Unfortunately for us life is much more complicated. It is full of nuance and shades. You can’t break it down into the one thing. (sorry Marcus)

The one thing is for linear thinkers. Those who depend on order and steps to life. The kind of thinking that gets entirely thrown for a loop when something comes at them from a direction they didn’t expect. Thinkers like me!

We look for that one filter, that one key, that one concept that will change our lives. In reality it’s that one idea that bounces you around to another concept that helps you remember to take care of that other thing and pay attention to the way you speak to someone else.

Forget the three keys to happiness or the ten steps to success. Trying to find the ONE thing often results in stagnation. We become consumed with looking around us instead of looking forward. We analyze instead of capitalize. Looking for the key to our next level is a good excuse for staying on this level.

So forget the ONE thing, except maybe this:

“But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” Philippians 3:13b

Yeah, I know, the bible does every once in a while talk about one thing. But it’s not one key to life it’s simply the one thing you need to do next. BIG difference.

So what am I saying? Stop looking for the ONE thing that will revolutionize your _____ (business, marriage, life… fill in the blank). Instead look for the NEXT thing you need to do to move forward into your destiny. It may be a subtle difference but it could be the difference between stagnation and moving forward.

Keep charging forward.

Been thinking…. about influence!

If we measure our influence within the span of our lifetime, is it really influence? I mean like how many facebook friends we have or how many twitter followers. Or how many people come to our church or how many subscribers we have to our blog, magazine or newsletter. All ways of measuring influence but is it really influence or just a fad.

by Yoni Lerner

I think real influence should be measured in generations not circulation. The most influential people in history may or may not have been hugely successful or had many followers in their lifetime. In fact the the most influential person in history had only 120 people show up to follow his last instructions. If Christ’s influence would have been measured by the popularity standards we hold to now, Ashton Kutcher or Oprah would have to be considered more influential.

But… and it’s a pretty big but, if we measure influence in generations, then Christ’s influence has outlasted anyone in history. In fact when we look back on history, the only real influencers are still remembered generations after they had their earthly sojourn.

So… my point is this: shouldn’t we spend more time living for the generations that will follow us and less time building for today? What do you think?

You have only 24 hours to make one(1) change in your life.

What will it be and why?

I’ll go first! Then we can all talk!

The life which is unexamined is not worth living. — Plato (c. 428 – 348 B.C.)

What does it mean to have an examined life?

Do you regularily examine your life? I mean your life not just your goals or strategy.

I think there are times when we get so caught up in pursuing our goals that we completely forget about who we are. We have countless examples of people through out history who thought that the end justified the means.

And then there are some of us who carry bitterness, anger, resentment or even hatred without ever bothering to ask why. WHY?

I know there are times when I just feel angry and if I don’t ask myself why… if I don’t examine what’s going on… I end up taking it out on those closest to me. WHY?

Do we examine who we are and what our assumptions are? Do we ever take a good look at our character? If not, why not? Are we hiding things even from ourselves?

Unexamined!

The big question is how do you examine your own life? Phil Gerbyshak asks some great questions somewhat along these lines. What questions do you ask? When do you ask them and who else asks? Do you tell the truth?

Let’s talk about it!

A couple of days ago uhmm over a week ago, I posted an article about increasing your capacity.

Okay… It’s been a while but I’m working pretty hard to take $100 off Aaron at Todayisthatday.com. I signed up for the 1000 Fists-to-Freedom challenge and I did my first solo flight last week.

Anywhooo… back to the point!

As I think about it now, the questions I asked were actually pretty hard.

What makes you unique?

When you find the key to your uniqueness, you begin to unlock the potential of your purpose. The YOU in you. Finding that key will allow you to focus on your strengths and ultimately achieve what you are created to accomplish.

So here’s a couple of ideas to help you on your journey to finding the few things you should do more of.

• First think about what you enjoy
  I mean what really makes you happy. Is it working with people? Is it meeting new people? Is it finding solutions to problems, or creating something that others enjoy? Think about it!
• Now think about what comes easy for you
  This is quite a bit harder because we don’t usually notice what comes easy. Because it’s just… easy!
  But think hard. Here’s another hint. What gets you frustrated when others don’t "get it"? You know the thing that comes so easy to you and you don’t understand why your (wife, co-worker, friend, child) doesn’t get it or can’t do it. Maybe that’s because it comes easy to you.

Also you might want to check out the comments on my last article for some ideas. We’ve got some really unique people who hang around here.

After you think, I’d love to hear about it. Let’s talk!

Being diffrent isn’t really that hard!

While standing out in the crowd isn’t the easiest thing in the world, making an impact is simpler than you think. As the crowd gets more…uhmm… crowded,� getting the contract, sale or job is not a matter of being the most qualified but being the most remarkable. How do you become remarkable?

Here’s some really easy ideas to make your face and your name more memorable

1. Buy a gift
   It’s amazing how a thoughtful little gift can make a huge impact. One particular person kept forgetting who I was. I knew they networked with a lot of different people and I was blending into the crowd so the last time I was going to be at an event with him and his wife, I planned ahead to give them a distinctive bottle of icewine from the area we live. I expect to be more easily remembered now.
2. Open a door
   It used to be somewhat of a common courtesy to hold a door for others. Not so much anymore. Be different and hold a door open. It works in a figurative sense too. When you open a door of opportunity for someone else, you enter the realm of remarkable people.
3. Try a genuine compliment
   Flattery is a turn-off. Genuine compliments are not that difficult. Of course you need to start looking at the bright side of your life.
4. Put away someone’s cart
   I was at Costco this morning and it happened as I was unloading my cart, I noticed the couple next to me were almost done as well. I waited a couple of minutes until they were finished and offered to take their cart back with mine. It doesn’t matter if they remember me or not, it just felt good.
5. Call someone by name
   Want to really impress someone? Remember their name. Write it down; use it in the conversation; draw a mental picture or do whatever it takes. Most people are tired of being unknown. Remarkable people remember them and call them by their names.
6. Leave a bigger tip
   Any time you get good service leave a good tip. Far too many people are cheap when it comes to rewarding service. An appropriate tip will make you remarkable and often ensure future great service.
7. Arrive early
   There’s nothing quite as noticeable as being the first to arrive. Whether that’s first to work or first to a meeting, it’s remarkable to be early.
8. Pay for someone’s lunch
   It’s kinda like a gift. Actually it’s a lot like a gift with the added benefit of getting to know your lunch partner. I don’t often forget the people who pick up the tab. They are big people.
9. Send a thank you note
   It only takes a moment to say thanks and a few more moments to write it down. Do it! It will set you apart from the crowd.

What makes you remarkable? What do you do to stand out in the crowd? Share your remarkable insights in the comments below!

What makes a good goal?

There is a lot of talk going on about goal-setting and being successful, but do you have the right goals? If not, you’re wasting your time so we better define what a goal is or at least what a good goal is!

What makes a good goal for YOU?

I think there’s a big difference between a desire and the right goal for you. You might have a desire to do something just because a friend did, or is planning to. You could have a desire to do something because it sounds exciting, but does that make it a good goal for you? It’s up to you to decide.

Here’s some of the criteria I use.

YOU could achieve it in your lifetime

A goal that is longer than your lifetime lacks the inherent motivation required to really get you going.

While a dream may outlast your lifetime, a good goal should be achievable during your lifetime. A dream that outlasts you requires a team that outlasts you. Your goal becomes building the team not fulfilling the dream.

It ignites passion and/or strong feelings within YOU

If you can’t get excited about your goals, you will have a hard time achieving them.

Alister Cameron ties passion together with productivity but I think it also applies to goals. Are you excited about completing your goal? Does pursuing your goal really jazz you? What do YOU sound like when you are telling someone else about your plans? What do YOU feel like when you are telling?

Completing it would give YOU a great sense of satisfaction

If a goal leaves you with “buyers remorse”, it wasn’t a good goal for you. But how do you know?

Imagine yourself after your goal has been accomplished. What does it feel like? Do you feel satisfied? Do you feel an internal sense of well-being?

How about those completely altruistic goals? You know, the ones where you do not recieve a direct benefit from them. It might be giving to a good cause or maybe helping out someone less fortunate than you. In the final analysis it will still leave YOU with a genuine sense of satisfaction.

Think about the types of things that leave you feeling satisfied.

YOUR strengths would be fully employed pursuing it

Does your goal use your strengths? Have you even thought about that? What could be more frustrating than pursuing something that just isn’t you.

What are you strengths? You might want to check out the StengthFinders website. A little bit of introspection could be very valuable here.

Let’s talk!

How did you come up with your goals? What made you realize they were really yours?

Two simple questions

• What one thing will you do this weekend to realign your priorities?
• Which important person in your life will you reconnect with tomorrow?

I’m taking the afternoon and evening off to spend time with my wife and youngest son. Those are two important people I need to reconnect with…

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

What about you?

I am a visual person. When I imagine a goal, I see it as a picture. As a result, I reinforce my goals through pictures, but not all people are visual.

We all imagine our future through different methods.

• If you are aural then you need audio reminders of your goals. A sound, a voice, or some other verbal reminders help you achieve your goals. Find ways to incorporate sound that motivates you into your daily routine. Sounds that remind you of where you are going.
• If you are textual, you need your lists and words. You can look at a list and it will motivate you. Words do something for you. You’re view of the future might be a short paragraph or even a slogan or motto. For me a motto does nothing unless it’s the caption to a stimulating picture.
• If you are visual, you will need a clear picture of what your future might look like. If you can picture something vividly, you can achieve it.

Several years ago, I set getting my pilot’s license as one of my life goals. The first thing I did was change my computer background to photos of airplanes that I might fly. I wanted to be reminded of what I would achieve.

Remember though that just having a dream in no way guarantees it’s success. If you focus incorrecty on the future (or the past for that matter), you lose the enjoyment of the present. Then there is the risk of becoming a daydreamer. All talk; no action.

So in addition to your dream, you need a plan and some motivation.

Here’s the latest image of my dream from this morning. That’s me on the right with my instructor on the left. I’m 4000 feet above ground in a Cessna 172. In case you can’t tell, I’m flying! My picture perfect dream is now becoming my reality.

How do you imagine your goals and dreams? What’s the best motivator for you? Let’s talk.

What do you fear?

What does it keep you from achieving?

What fear do you need to face to move toward your goal?

What are you going to do about it today?

Let’s talk about it!