Now, I know most folks don't set around and meditate about their strategy. Honestly, most folks probably don't ever think about strategy and may not even have one. That is a problem!
The Good Book says, "....without a vision, the people perish." Strategy is simply a vision about what you are wanting to accomplish and how you plan to do it. Your strategy doesn't have to be perfect, because strategy is about thinking, doing, learning and adapting. If you aren't learning in life, you aren't paying attention. There are going to be bumps in the road, you're going to make mistakes and if you take the time to think about your mistakes, learn from them and adapt along the way, I guarantee you will see your vision come to pass. Author Stephen Bungay says, "strategy is thoughtful, purposive action" and unfortunately, I believe our problems are caused by too many people being too lazy to actually take action.
You may be wondering, "why do I even need a strategy?" Great question and the answer is very simple. Most folks want to get a good job, paying them good money, earn enough to provide a good life for their family, find a great spouse, have a happy marriage and raise responsible children and see them have successful lives as well. Guess what.....those things don't just happen! You have to take action every day in order for these things to become a reality. I'm strongly believe the reason for high divorce rates, broken families, unhappy children and many other problems in our world, are the result of too many not having a strategy, that will lead them to a better life. Too many, simply put their life on cruise control and figure what ever happens, happens. Really??? Do you really want to leave such important things in your life to chance? I don't think we do. We just simply don't take the time to really plan for our future success.
I don't claim to have all the answers and I've made my share of mistakes but, I have also learned from them. I've made a decision to not sit passively by and hope things work out. No, I try to take action several times a day to lead me to a better and more fulfilling tomorrow. I'm not going to depend on school teachers, college professors and pop culture to teach my kids values. I'm going to do it! I'm not going to let someone else show my spouse and children what love really is....I"m going to do it! I'm not going to depend on someone to give me money and support me....I'm going to work! I'm not even going to depend on my church to show my family how to live a better life and plan for eternity....I'm going to do it! You see, that is my responsibility as a spouse and father! It is also my strategy to a happy life and it's working pretty good so far! How about you join me and let's make this world a better place?
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
..."But Why?"
If you have kids or if you remember when you were a kid, I'm sure you can relate to a situation all parents encounter at some point and more often than we would like. I remember, as a kid, asking my parents the reason for something and them providing an answer, but then me saying....."but why?" I'm confident everyone that is a parent has encountered this and oftentimes wish your little interrogator would just accept the answer you provided. Our quest for knowledge and deeper understanding will not allow us to just accept how things are and we seek a greater understanding. Many times, this leads us to also want to change the circumstances and not just accept "this is how things are done around here."
Some of the greatest changes in our world and the greatest inventions happened because someone refused the accepted response and asked, "but why?" We recently mourned the passing of Steve Jobs, who we all know, refused to accepted how things were and challenged everyone around him to continually improve and adapt. I'm confident, if you just take a moment, there are many situations you can relate to where improvements were made, simply because someone followed up with a "but why." With that in mind, I have a few "but whys" I would like someone to consider......
"BUT WHY"
1) Should drug users be allowed to live in public housing paid for the taxpayers?
2) Do politicians work for special interest instead of our interest?
3) Should our country provide financial aid to countries who hate us?
4) Shouldn't healthcare providers be paid based on results instead of procedures?
5) Couldn't those on unemployment provide community service until they find a job?
6) Do illegal aliens receive benefits paid for by U.S. citizens?
7) Are politicians pensions better than military pensions?
8) Are athletes and celebrities role models for our kids instead of real heros?
9) Are people who cheat on their taxes allowed to serve in our government?
10) Do "We the People" not change our country?
I could go on but I think you get the picture. I'm sure you could add many of your own questions to this list and I encourage you to do so. Regarding #10, I think we all know the reason is too many times we are too preoccupied or just don't care unless and until it directly impacts us. I think we can do better and I think all we need is a little more COMMON SENSE!
Some of the greatest changes in our world and the greatest inventions happened because someone refused the accepted response and asked, "but why?" We recently mourned the passing of Steve Jobs, who we all know, refused to accepted how things were and challenged everyone around him to continually improve and adapt. I'm confident, if you just take a moment, there are many situations you can relate to where improvements were made, simply because someone followed up with a "but why." With that in mind, I have a few "but whys" I would like someone to consider......
"BUT WHY"
1) Should drug users be allowed to live in public housing paid for the taxpayers?
2) Do politicians work for special interest instead of our interest?
3) Should our country provide financial aid to countries who hate us?
4) Shouldn't healthcare providers be paid based on results instead of procedures?
5) Couldn't those on unemployment provide community service until they find a job?
6) Do illegal aliens receive benefits paid for by U.S. citizens?
7) Are politicians pensions better than military pensions?
8) Are athletes and celebrities role models for our kids instead of real heros?
9) Are people who cheat on their taxes allowed to serve in our government?
10) Do "We the People" not change our country?
I could go on but I think you get the picture. I'm sure you could add many of your own questions to this list and I encourage you to do so. Regarding #10, I think we all know the reason is too many times we are too preoccupied or just don't care unless and until it directly impacts us. I think we can do better and I think all we need is a little more COMMON SENSE!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Common Man Common Sense
Greetings folks! You may ask yourself "why in the world would I read a blog about common sense?" Well, it's because it isn't so common! Have you looked around your world lately? Too many focus solely on themselves, not giving any consideration for their fellowman. It wasn't too long ago a President advised, "ask not what your country can do for you but ask what can you do for your country." Trust me, our society has long since forgot that advise.
Common Sense tells a man to open a door for a lady, tells a lady you don't have to dress like a hooker to be attractive, tells guys it really isn't cool to wear your pants around your knees, teaches us all that what we say and the actions we take do matter, disciplining our children isn't child abuse, but rather a responsibility of all parents. Common Sense doesn't allow me to have a 57-inch HD TV, while living on government welfare or to walk around looking for a handout, instead of looking for a job. Common Sense doesn't want or expect our government to do for me, what I can do for myself. Common Sense understands that we are a country founded on Christian principles and that freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion. Common Sense believes the right you have to worship or not worship doesn't mean you can prohibit me from worship. Common Sense understands we might not have to pray after a tragedy, if we took the time to pray before one. Common Sense means pay our teachers, firefighters, police officers and military a decent wage since they do make our world a better place.
So you see, Common Sense really isn't so common and I think it is time we put forth a little effort to bring it back. We all gripe about our culture and what the world has come to, but I'm thinking if we spent that time using some common sense, we would be surprised at the difference it would make!
The Common Man
Common Sense tells a man to open a door for a lady, tells a lady you don't have to dress like a hooker to be attractive, tells guys it really isn't cool to wear your pants around your knees, teaches us all that what we say and the actions we take do matter, disciplining our children isn't child abuse, but rather a responsibility of all parents. Common Sense doesn't allow me to have a 57-inch HD TV, while living on government welfare or to walk around looking for a handout, instead of looking for a job. Common Sense doesn't want or expect our government to do for me, what I can do for myself. Common Sense understands that we are a country founded on Christian principles and that freedom of religion does not mean freedom from religion. Common Sense believes the right you have to worship or not worship doesn't mean you can prohibit me from worship. Common Sense understands we might not have to pray after a tragedy, if we took the time to pray before one. Common Sense means pay our teachers, firefighters, police officers and military a decent wage since they do make our world a better place.
So you see, Common Sense really isn't so common and I think it is time we put forth a little effort to bring it back. We all gripe about our culture and what the world has come to, but I'm thinking if we spent that time using some common sense, we would be surprised at the difference it would make!
The Common Man
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