Your Second Great Day

We All Need To Disengage...Right?

Disengagement, relaxation, "walking away," being lazy, getting renewed. There are lots of thoughts, feelings, and reactions to the idea of being disengaged. What I have found is that most of these reactions are negative. As a culture we look down on being disengaged. But you know what...we need to be...at least a little bit.

There is an awesome book out there titled The Power of Full Engagement. It literally has changed my life! It basically says that the energy we have to give to a specific task is directly impacted by the amount of time we spend working on it. And actually that we will find ourselves with less energy to give if we are engaged too much AND too little.

We need to walk away every once in a while. As we are walking toward fulfilling our purpose we need to keep this in mind. Life is a series of sprints NOT one marathon.

I offer this as an explanation for my long absence in writing in this blog. I love putting together posts, but over the past handful of weeks I simply needed a break. A time of renewal.

How about you? Do you need to disengage and recharge? Well what are you waiting for, its not going to get any easier...be like Nike and...just do it!!!

Super Risk

If you missed last week's Super Bowl, you missed one of the better Super Bowls in a long time! It was a great game. Full of everything you want in the capstone game of the season. The Giants surprised many and upset the only 18-0 NFL team ever. Big stuff.

My wife and I had some friends over to watch the game...and the commercials (I think E*Trade topped the list of some of the funniest commercials). But after everyone had left and the kids were in bed. Anna and I were watching the post game show. Now my wife is NOT a football fan. In fact the post game show of the Super Bowl is her happiest point of the year.

At one point in the post game show, they interviewed the Patriots (losing team) coach. And you could just see the pain and frustration on his face. At that point, my wife looks over at me and says, "Why would anyone set themselves up for that level of potential disappointment?" Her question stopped me for a second. I did not know how to answer it, because for that brief moment I thought, yeah really why would someone open themselves up to that potential. And then the answer came...

Right after the interview the broadcast cut back out to the field where the Giants where still celebrating. Their families and friends where on the Field. There was loud up beat music playing, They had hats and shirts, trophies, all this because they WON!

And then I thought to myself. Thats the answer. Thats why someone would open themselves up to potential hurt and pain...because there is also a potential of a SUPER REWARD!

The same is true in our lives. We don't have to step out and go after our purpose. No one is forcing us. If we want we can be very comfortable sitting on the sidelines or even worse way up in the bleachers.

But what is our potential reward if we stay there...absolutely nothing. We are guaranteed failure. Sure pursuing our purpose opens us up for potential SUPER RISK...but it also gives us the possibilities for SUPER REWARD!!!

Ok as I reread this I am convicted that there is something I have been putting off and sitting comfortably on the sidelines about...so right after I finish this post I am sending that risky email I have been putting off

Purpose Pushers

I just got a call from a very good friend of mine today. (Dave Rendall, you have to check out both of his blogs, Freak Factor & Four Factors of Effective Leadership) I did not get to talk to him because it was at the end of my work day and I was going in five different directions. It was a crazy day! On my way home I listened to Dave's voicemail. And when I finished listening to it I thought to myself...NOW THAT IS A PURPOSE PUSHER!!! You might be going ok...wait a second Mike, "What is a purpose pusher? Should I have heard that term before?" They answer is NO! You know why...because I just made it up on the drive home from work (not bad for a three minute commute).

Ok let me offer some explanation. Dave's voicemail...was simple...he was calling to encourage and push me towards what I am put here on this earth for. He was just calling to see how I was doing on the things that are most important for me to be involved with. He asked me about this blog, my new CD, work I am doing on my new company, and a series of other personal items that he is walking with me through. That's it! He was not calling with an agenda, with a request, with a need. He was just calling to push me! Dave does this all the time. It is unusual if I go 10 days or so without hearing from him. And like I said it is not because he needs something it is just to check in on how I am doing accomplishing what I was put on this earth for. Pretty cool huh?!?!?

What about you? Do you have a Purpose Pusher? What about this question...are you someone else's Purpose Pusher? This is a critical part to a life well lived. There are too many people out there who will offer you negative comments (and you don't have to take my word for it check out this quote by Mark Twain), but we need to surround ourselves with people to push us in a positive direction!

Make Coffee

I found this little story in an issue of Bits & Pieces. I have it displayed on my desk and read it often. I thought it was very worth passing along:

A young woman was complaining to her father about how difficult her life had become. He said nothing, but took her to the kitchen and set three pans of water to boiling. To the first pan, he added carrots; to the second eggs; and to the third, ground coffee. After all three had cooked, he put their contents into separate bowls and asked his daughter to cut into the eggs and carrots and smell the coffee. What does this all mean? she asked impatiently.

Each food, he said, teaches us something about facing adversity, as represented by the boiling water. The carrot went in hard but came out soft and weak. The eggs went in hard but came out hardened. The coffee, however, changed the water into something better.

Which will you be like as you face life? he asked. Will you give up, become hard - or transform adversity into triumph? As the "chef" of your own life, what will you bring to the table?

Active Patience

Aren't gifts tons of fun? You never know what you are going to get, sometimes that is a good thing...other times not so good. This Christmas my brother-in-laws both got one of those gifts that can drive you crazy. They got a "snow globe" type thing filled with some liquid and there was a golf tee and golf ball in it. The "goal" was to float the ball up on the tee. But I think the only thing it did was cause every would be victor to just go insane.

My brother-in-law, Andrew, took his newly acquired game back to Austin and the next day we got an email from him. The subject of the email was patience and the photo you see here was attached. Part of his message said "all good things come to those who wait ... after just 12 hours of concentrated effort, i have redeemed my sanity." We had fun with this, but there was a very important concept that I was reminded of.

My brother-in-law accurately pointed out that it took an immense amount of patience to accomplish this golf ball task, and it did. But noticed what he said in his email. "After just 12 hours of concentrated effort." During this time of patience Andrew was active.

I have run into many people who have told me they are "waiting for their chance." But as they are waiting they are completely still, not moving, not growing. Life often requires that we are patient, but are we active in that patience. As we start this new year...make sure your patience is filled with much activity.

Time Is A Tickin

  This morning my wife and I continued a tradition with our kids that my parents started with my brother and I when we were little. As part of the traditional Christmas morning chaos we stopped to have breakfast. We put sweet rolls together in the shape of a Christmas tree. Decorated it with green sprinkles and cherries. And before we tore into this stunning and sugary breakfast we stopped. We stopped, placed a candle in the center of the sweet roll tree and we sang "Happy Birthday" to Jesus. This was and has always been a great way to stop during all the busyness of the season and remember why we celebrate it. We are celebrating Jesus' Birthday!

Throughout the day I kept thinking about the celebration of His Birthday that as become the biggest holiday of each year. And since I was thinking about Birthdays, I started to think about Jesus' age. Did you know that Jesus we 33 years old when he was crucified on the cross? Did you know that only three years prior to that event (at the age of 30) is when He started His earthly ministry? That means that the impact he made on this earth and all the generations of people was done in just THREE years!!! This really hit me today.

Sure Jesus is God...So we have to keep that in mind and in perspective. But He dealt with the same challenges we do while He was here on this earth. And in just three short years He created a revolution, He developed a team and network of people, He took on kings, He healed people, He raised the dead, He did many many miracles, He was loved, He was betrayed, He was honored, He was mocked, He was sentenced to death...and ultimately He saved the world. All in three years!

This really hit me this year. Next year a month before Christmas I will turn 30, the same age Jesus was when He started His ministry, the active part of His purpose. He only had three years from that point to accomplish all He was asked to do. What about me? What If starting next year I only have three years left to accomplish all I was put on this earth?!?!? I better get started...Time is a Tickin for all of us.

Foresight is 20/20

I'm sure you have heard the saying retrospect is 20/20. We usually say that when we look back on a situation or experience and we realize that given what we know now we would have made a different decision or taken alternative actions.

But what would happen if foresight was 20/20? Ever thought about that? What would we do differently if we knew the future, knew what was to come? Would we have the courage to prepare ourselves, to boldly step out knowing what was to come? Would we capitalize on completely knowing the end and use it as a strategic advantage?

The nature of that future would drastically dictate how easily we would be able to approach it. Don't you think?

This evening I thought about this as I sat in a Christmas Eve service. Did you ever think that Jesus, being God and possessing all the characteristics of God, knew exactly what His future held? His foresight was 20/20! He knew His purpose. He knew what He was asked to do. He knew the challenges that faced Him. He knew the end result! Was that an advantage or a burden for Him?

Initially I would think that having a crystal clear picture of all the steps of my future would be an asset and an advantage. But stop and think about it...would it really?

Look Out World…I Have a Disability!

Dan Pink recently pointed out on his blog (check it out!) that people with Dyslexia are four times more likely to be a millionaire than those who don’t have it. So all of us out there with Lexdysia REJOICE!!! My friend Dave Rendall called me with that tidbit because he knows that this is something that I struggle with. And now he wishes he had it!

Dave uncovered this little piece of info while he was working on his next book. A must read called Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness by Flaunting Weakness. Seriously you all have to read this book…oh yeah when it's published. I will let you know when it is. But to wet your appetite a bit check out his Freak Factor Blog, very worth while. Have you checked it out yet? Freak Factor Blog. Why not? Do it now, Freak Factor Blog!

Ok so what were we talking about…focus Mike focus. Oh wait that is exactly my point. Why is it that this disability actually gives the possessor an advantage? Pink goes into the fact that it is related to the usage of the sides of the brain, could be. I have a different theory…FOCUS! No really, I think having a disability, something that you have to overcome can be an advantage. It can make it so that the only way you can be successful is to focus. And a focused person has the advantage. So look out world…I have a disability!

Substance Not Self

The other day after one of my "Your Second Great Day" presentations, someone approached me with a question. "Isn't it bragging to tell people what your personal purpose is? I mean won't people kind of think you are a little full of yourself if you tell them your purpose statement?"

I was a little speechless when they first asked me that question. (Which is actually a surprise. I am usually one of the best BS'ers out there...thats why I blog...OK just kidding.) I had to stop and ask myself...is it bragging? Is it a bad thing to communicate and actually promote the purpose for which you have been created. I gave them what, looking back now, was a very pitiful answer, but it was what I had at the time.

But now I am much better equipped to answer that question in the future thanks to a recent post by Seth Godin on his blog. (You should check it out...regularly. I do!) Basically what he said is the difference between someone who is self-promoting and someone who is not is who derives benefit from their act or actions. Basically if someone is acting in solely their own interest, then there is a very high likelihood they are only concerned in promoting their self.

The three parts to a good personal purpose statement are action, values, and focus. Focus on the last part...FOCUS. When the focus of your purpose includes someone or something other than yourself(which a good one always does). Then sharing your personal purpose statement with someone or even everyone then you will be adding substance not promoting self.

Emmy Says Slow Down!!!

Have you ever noticed that life is constantly speeding up? I mean everything seems to be going faster and faster. Its hard to keep up. I came across a song by Emmy Rossum called “Slow Me Down.” It is just a fantastic song. The music is beautiful and Emmy just has an amazing voice. Check it out and make sure you go out an BUY it! (Emmy you can send me a commission…I take cash, checks, and money orders!) But you know what the best part about this song is…they lyrics!!! They are just fantastic; I especially like the first verse, so I attached it below. These words really hit home when considering how the pace of the world impacts us and our personal purpose.

You ever thought of that? How does speed and purpose go together? Sometimes not too successfully! But what I have found is that our only hope in a world where there is an acceleration of just about everything is a strong clearly stated personal purpose. If you know what you are about…then and only then can you manage speed.

Slow Me Down (Verse 1):

Rushing and racing and running in circles
Moving so fast I’m forgetting my purpose
Blur of the traffic is sending me spinning
I’m getting nowhere
My head and my heart are colliding - chaotic
Pace of the world – I just wish I could stop it
Try to appear like I’ve got it together
I’m falling apart
Save me
Somebody take my hand
And lead me
Slow me down