Category: Creative Vulcan

Halfway through – checking progress

As we cross into July, I am reminded that with six months down, I have now used up half of the available capacity 2013 offered me to achieve the goals which I set for the year. Am I halfway there? More? Less?

Pull out the goals you wrote at the first of the year and ask yourself some questions. Be honest and then decide what you need to do over the remaining six months to call 2013 a win.

1. Have you measured any progress at all? Make sure you celebrate any wins, even moderate ones. Most people I know focus more on the things that aren’t done yet, but forget to rejoice over what has gotten accomplished.

2. Are you satisfied with your progress? If you are dissatisfied with your progress in any area, are there any mental or schedule blocks that are keeping you from making the progress you’d like? Address these. (Here’s a post regarding the margin you’ll need to make progress on goals.)

2. Are there any goals which seem more or less important than they did January 1? Perhaps a family situation has caused one of your goals to seem unimportant at all? Adjust for these.

3. Are there any new goals you would set based on how the year has gone so far? Remember that you want your goals to be moderately ambitious, but not too much so. If you have already met one of your 2013 goals, maybe you should set an additional goal to work toward unless your other goals will require increased focus. (Goal-setting tips, if you need them.)

4. Based on your revised goals for the year, decide on one action you can take THIS WEEK to make progress on at least two of your goals.

A wise man told me people overestimate how much they can get done in a year, and underestimate how much they can get done in ten years. I have found this to be very true, so pace yourself, but set your mind toward progress.

Final tip – take five minutes to write yourself a note in your calendar for August 1 – “Check goals”!

Independence Day Quotes

Independence Day in America is celebrated on July 4th, a memorial to that day in 1776, when the colonists signed the Declaration of Independence declaring separation from Great Britain. It’s a day of picnics, fireworks, and parades in red, white, and blue. It should also be a day to commemorate the sacrifice these men made to their own destinies in order to claim a destiny for this nation which we now enjoy and often take for granted.
Here are a few quotes from the men who made this independence possible:
  • “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” – Patrick Henry
  • “They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” – Benjamin Franklin
  • “There, I guess King George will be able to read that.” – John Hancock, whose signature is largely and boldly placed at the top of the famous document
  • “I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states. Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the end is worth all the means.” – John Adams
Today, I thank God for those who for over 200 years have sacrificed their own circumstances and often their lives that we could enjoy the freedoms of this nation. From the founding fathers to military service persons over the centuries, I am grateful.

 

I also thank God for sending His precious Son to lay down His own life that we could enjoy and walk in eternal freedom:
  • “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1
Happy Independence Day! Let us celebrate and appreciate our freedom!
 

 

Handling Frustration

I recently navigated a scenario with our team where a leader admitted that he felt overlooked, unheard, and unappreciated when a key decision was made. This leader wrote a strong email admitting his frustration to one of our staff members and copied me.

As I read his email, I felt strongly that this scenario would be a lesson from God for all of us in how to handle frustration. You see, even though this scenario placed our staff member in the difficult position of answering the frustration, the same scenario has played out before where they were sitting in the frustrated seat. And even as I realized that, God reminded me that I also have been in that seat quite a few times. All of us have. The question is “how do we handle it?”.
Based on experience from both sides of the frustration, here are a few lessons I have learned:
1. Always go up. Up the ladder or the chain of command, that is. When you are bothered about something, it’s one thing to share your pain with your peers or those you supervise. But this inevitably only furthers the angst in the organization. If you want to help move the team toward health, you need to share your feelings with your supervisor or leader above you and work it out there.
2. Consider your own contribution. I’m not saying your frustration is your fault, but there really are two sides to every story. Were you available to offer input when the item was being discussed? Or were you too busy or out that day? Taking responsibility for part of the situation will make it easier to approach your leader with grace.
3. Bring an alternate solution. Leaders in many cases are trying to solve problems. If you feel frustrated with how your leader is handling something, rather than just voicing your feelings, can you bring a new perspective or alternate idea?
4. Extend grace both ways. Believe the best. In 15+ years of ministry, I have been frustrated and been guilty of frustrating others. Never once was anyone malicious in their decision making that led to that frustration. Get humble and seek out your leader with a heart for reconciliation. “God gives grace to the humble…”
How about you? Any other tips for navigating frustration?