LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF “YES”

Imagine Opportunities Everywhere

Prepare for Opportunities

Activate Your Current Opportunities

-Comfortable isn't comfortable
-Comfortable never got up before dawn 

-Comfortable won't get its hands dirty 

-Comfortable has nothing to prove
-Comfortable can't get the job done 

-Comfortable doesn't have new ideas 

-Comfortable won't dive in head first 

-Comfortable isn't the American dream 

-Comfortable has no guts

-Comfortable never dares to be great 

-Comfortable falls apart at the seams 

Don't get comfortable 

- The American Giant Way, www.american-giant.com/ag-ethos.html

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

CREATIVE PRINCIPLES TO LEARN AND LIVE BY - John C. Maxwell

1. BUILD A CREATIVE CULTURE by fueling passion, celebrating ideas, fostering autonomy, encouraging courage, minimizing hierarchy, reducing rules, failing forward and starting small.

2. MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER

3. MAKE PLANS BUT LOOK FOR OPTIONS

• Predetermine your course of action. 

•​Lay out your goals. 

•​Adjust your priorities. 

•​Notify key personnel. 

•​Allow time for acceptance. 

•​Head into action. 

•​Expect problems. 

•​Adjust your plan. 

•​Daily review your plans.

4. PLACE HIGH VALUE ON IDEAS

- Start Gathering Ideas

- Test Every Idea That You Gather

- Analyze Your Failures

- Adapt Other Ideas

- Question All Assumptions

5. SEEK OUT AND LISTEN TO DIFFERENT VOICES

6. TAKE RISKS

7. LIVE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF "YES"

For more information on these principles and how to put them into play, see the book, Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

UNLOCK THE MENTAL BLOCKS THAT KEEP YOU OUT OF THE CREATIVE ZONE

MENTAL BLOCK #1: "FIND THE RIGHT ANSWER" 

It's wrong to believe there is only one right answer to any question. There are always other solutions.

MENTAL BLOCK #2: "THAT'S NOT LOGICAL" 

Albert Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world."

MENTAL BLOCK #3: "FOLLOW THE RULES" 

"There ain't no rules around here! We are tryin' to accomplish some[thing]!" - Thomas Edison

MENTAL BLOCK #4: "AVOID AMBIGUITY" 

Life is complex. It's messy. It's contradictory and paradoxical. Why in the world would we think we should—or could—avoid ambiguity?

MENTAL BLOCK #5: "FAILURE IS BAD" 

Creative people don't avoid failure. They see it as a friend. They know that if they are to experiment, innovate, and create, they will fail. They embrace risk.

MENTAL BLOCK #6: "DON'T BE FOOLISH" 

To stand up is to stand out. You have to stick your neck out to put your head above the crowd. If others don't at first understand or accept you, so what?

MENTAL BLOCK #7: "I'M NOT CREATIVE" 

The mental block that most keeps us from being creative is believing we don't possess creativity. 

The only real block to creativity is our disbelief.

-  Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

What Innovation Zone Are You In?

1.​THE COASTING ZONE—"I do as little as possible." 

2.​THE COMFORT ZONE—"I do what I have always done." 

3. THE CHALLENGE ZONE—"I attempt to do what I haven't done before." 

4.​THE CREATIVE ZONE—"I attempt to think what I have never thought before." 

To which zone do you naturally gravitate? Do you tend to live in the coasting zone, casually—even passively—doing as little as possible? Do you tend to stay in the comfort zone, avoiding risks? Do you connect with the challenge zone, where you try new things and willingly risk failure? 

Or do you try to stretch yourself the furthest by living in the creative zone, where you explore new ideas, seek out other perspectives, and cross bridges in your imagination long before you physically reach them?

-  Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

What Zone Are You In?

BALANCE CARE WITH CANDOR

How does a leader move others from "I like being on the team," to "I need to produce for the team"?

The answer is to balance care and candor.

People naturally default to one or the other. But here's why it's important for you to practice both: 

•​Care without candor creates dysfunctional relationships. 

•​Candor without care creates distant relationships. 

•​Care balanced with candor creates developing relationships.

HOW TO SHIFT FROM PLEASER TO LEADER, part 4

ASK YOURSELF THE HARD QUESTIONS BEFORE ANY POTENTIALLY DIFFICULT CONVERSATION

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

Do Not Avoid Tough Conversations

"Leadership demands that we tackle the problems. That includes tough conversations. And their difficulty increases when the issue is not easy and it involves people on our team. But we should never delay tough conversations.

The more you wait, the more difficult they become.

Why?

• Silence to most people means approval.

• When people have to fill in the blanks themselves, they do so negatively.

• Problems left unaddressed have a snowball effect: they become larger and gain momentum.

• Problems left unaddressed cause inner erosion: we lose respect for ourselves internally.

• The Law of Diminishing Intent is in effect: The longer you wait to do something you should do now, the greater the odds that you will never do it. One of these days becomes none of these days."

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

HOW TO SHIFT FROM PLEASER TO LEADER, part 3

WORK TO ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS UP FRONT

As a leader, you can either set expectations on the front end and set up the working relationships for success or leave expectations unstated and deal with disappointment on the back end for both you and the people you're leading.

Sharing and setting of expectations on the front end as the litmus test for a leader.

Go out of my way to be up-front with people.

•​Up-front appreciation places value on the person and increases the value of our time together.

•​Up-front expectations increase the value of any meeting. (The sooner I set expectations, the quicker and easier the meeting.)

•​Up-front questions are the quickest way for people to understand one another and increase the value of our time together.

•​Up-front discussion influences the way and direction we lead others.
•​Up-front decisions increase the value of our time together.

HOW TO SHIFT FROM PLEASER TO LEADER, part 2

2. VALUE PEOPLE AS MUCH AS YOU VALUE YOURSELF

Your value assessment of yourself determines your personal investment in others.

•​Leaders who value their people give them their best effort. 

•​Leaders who devalue their people give them little effort. 

•​Leaders who value their people serve them. 

•​Leaders who devalue their people want to be served by them. 

•​Leaders who value their people empower them. 

•​Leaders who devalue their people control them. 

•​Leaders who value their people motivate them. 

•​Leaders who devalue their people manipulate them.

HOW TO SHIFT FROM PLEASER TO LEADER, part 1

1. CHANGE YOUR EXPECTATIONS TOWARD LEADERSHIP - I had to put my thoughts in the proper order

By learning to ask myself these three questions in this order, I was able to clarify my motives for leadership decisions.

1.​What's best for the organization? 

2.​What's best for other people within the organization? 

3.​What's best for me?

"YOU NEVER KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE REALLY WITH YOU UNTIL YOU ASK THEM FOR COMMITMENT."

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

CONSISTENCY

LEADERS UNDERSTAND THEY NEVER GET TO STOP CLIMBING

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell
https://a.co/bwL86D5

Consistency Provides Security for Others

Consistency Establishes Your Reputation

Consistency Keeps You in the Leadership Game

Consistency Compounds

The reality is that •
​Practicing is not amazing.
•​Studying is not amazing.
•​Showing up is not amazing.
•​Working hard is not amazing.
•​Asking questions is not amazing. •​Changing is not amazing.
•​Trying is not amazing.
•​Failing is not amazing.
•​Trying again is not amazing.

But every one of these things is necessary. They are the price you must pay every day to reach your potential. If you pay that price and do it consistently, the final result can be amazing.

- John C. Maxwell

The Cost Shift

Strength and growth come through continuous effort and struggle.—NAPOLEON HILL"

- Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

GROWTH PERSPECTIVE - Shifting From Goals to Growth

"Few things have a greater positive impact than shifting from goals to growth. Why do I say that? Because the benefits are so numerous.

Make growth your priority and . . .

• You will unlock and achieve your potential.
• You will feel good about yourself.
• You will strengthen your values and abilities.
• You will grow in humility and self-awareness.
• You will become more so you can do more.
• You will be an example for others to follow.

I want to say one more thing about shifting from goals to growth before we move on to the next leadershift.

Being a goal-oriented person means having more of a short-term mind-set. We often reach for goals because we want the positive feelings that come from quick achievements.

But when we make the shift to focusing on growth, it means we've begun to adopt a long-term mind-set. By focusing on growth, we go from improving in spurts to improving day after day to reach our potential. That consistency compounds."

— page 59 Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

HOW TO BECOME A GROWTH-ORIENTED PERSON

1. EMBRACE CHANGE

2. ADOPT A TEACHABLE SPIRIT

3. MAKE YOUR LOVE FOR LEARNING GREATER THAN YOUR FEAR OF FAILURE

4. DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER GROWING PEOPLE

5. DEVELOP GREATER HUMILITY

6. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

7. EMBRACE LAYERED LEARNING

From Chapter 3 — Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

GOALS TO GROWTH - The Personal Development Shift

Improving yourself is the first step in improving everything else. —UNKNOWN

"The goals I set and achieved were nice, but they weren't as significant as the growth I experienced. Goals helped me to do better. But growth helped me to become better. The growth experience was giving me greater satisfaction than reaching individual goals." - John Maxwell

Growth Changes

As I look back at the time I was making this personal development leadershift from goals to growth, I can see that I made three significant shifts in the way I approached becoming a better leader: 

1. GROWTH OUTWARD TO GROWTH INWARD 

2. GROWTH IN EVERYTHING TO GROWTH IN A FEW VITAL THINGS

3. GROWTH WITH A TIMELINE VERSUS GROWTH WITHOUT A FINISH LINE

From — Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

Good Leaders Focus on Sowing, Not Reaping

Good leaders shift from being self-focused to others-focused. They give more than they take. They focus on sowing not reaping. As leaders, we need to maintain a seed-sowing mind-set. What does that mean?

1. FOCUS ON ADDING VALUE DAILY

2. ADD AS MUCH VALUE AS POSSIBLE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE

3. NEVER WAIT TO ADD VALUE

4. GIVE WITHOUT KEEPING SCORE SO MOTIVES STAY PURE

5. WELCOME ANY RETURN AS AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

From Chapter 2, Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

Sad will be the day...

"Sad will be the day for every man when he becomes absolutely contented with the life he is living, with the thoughts that he is thinking, with the deeds that he is doing, when there is not forever beating at the doors of his soul some great desire to do something larger, which he knows that he was meant and made to do."

- Phillips Brooks, the author of the famous hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

Quoted in Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

Embrace these practices daily.....

From Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

Embrace these practices daily, and you will be ready to face every leadershift situation with flexibility and confidence.

1. CONTINUALLY LEARN, UNLEARN, AND RELEARN

2. VALUE YESTERDAY BUT LIVE IN TODAY

3. RELY ON SPEED, BUT THRIVE ON TIMING

4. SEE THE BIG PICTURE AS THE PICTURE KEEPS GETTING BIGGER

5. LIVE IN TODAY BUT THINK ABOUT TOMORROW

6. MOVE FORWARD COURAGEOUSLY IN THE MIDST OF UNCERTAINTY

7. REALIZE TODAY'S BEST WILL NOT MEET TOMORROW'S CHALLENGES

Don’t Break This Circle

"Because I expect to have many opportunities, I'm able to act on them. 

This is part of a positive cycle, a circle of action that makes the world a better place. 

It looks like this: 

- Belief encourages anticipation.

- Anticipation creates intention.

- Intention helps us prioritize focus.

- Focus helps us see opportunity.

- Only when we see the opportunity are we able to take action on it.

- When we do, it inflames our passion to do more good. 

- That in turn fuels belief. 

And the cycle begins all over again. 

This is a circle you definitely want to keep unbroken!"

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell 

Good leaders shift from being self-focused to others-focused.

Good leaders give more than they take. They focus on sowing not reaping. As leaders, we need to maintain a seed-sowing mind-set. What does that mean?

1. FOCUS ON ADDING VALUE DAILY

2. ADD AS MUCH VALUE AS POSSIBLE AS OFTEN AS POSSIBLE

3. NEVER WAIT TO ADD VALUE

4. GIVE WITHOUT KEEPING SCORE SO MOTIVES STAY PURE

5. WELCOME ANY RETURN AS AN UNEXPECTED BLESSING

From Chapter 2, Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

Moving from Soloist to Conductor

Some will take this time to shift from focusing on ourselves, to focusing on others.

The Focus Shift One is too small a number to achieve greatness. -THE LAW OF SIGNIFICANCE

"You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want." Zig Ziglar

When you transition from soloist to conductor, there are some realities you have to face:

1. GOING SLOWER SO YOU CAN GO FARTHER

2. RECOGNIZING THAT YOU NEED OTHERS

3. MAKING THE EFFORT TO UNDERSTAND OTHERS

4. WANTING OTHERS TO SHINE MORE THAN YOU DO

5. HELPING OTHERS TO BECOME BETTER EVERY DAY

From Chapter 2, Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

If you want to keep getting better

"Good leaders adapt. They shift. They don't remain static because they know the world around them does not remain static. This has always been true, but it's never been more obvious than today, nor has the ability to change quickly been more important.

If you want to keep getting better so that you can become a better leadershifter, then

•​LEARN SOMETHING NEW—Ask yourself, "When's the last time I learned something for the first time?"

•​TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT

—Ask yourself, "When's the last time I did something for the first time?"

•​FIND SOMETHING BETTER

—Ask yourself, "When's the last time I found something better for the first time?"

•​SEE SOMETHING BIGGER

—Ask yourself, "When's the last time I saw something bigger for the first time?""

from Chapter 1, Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

Be Nimble - From chapter 1, Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell

"Today a long-range plan may be two years. Technology and innovation move so quickly that everything is going forward in a shorter time frame.

As leaders, we can't drag our feet or take too long making assessments. We have to change, reread our situation, and change again. And continue changing."

"The more nimble, adaptable, and flexible we are, the more quickly we can move and change."

"To go forward, we need to move faster. And as leaders, we need to stay ahead, we need to see more than others, and we need to see before others."

— Leadershift: The 11 Essential Changes Every Leader Must Embrace by John C. Maxwell

It's a great day!

What is a Leadershift?

"Leadershift is an ability and willingness to make a leadership change that will positively enhance organizational and personal growth."

8 Tips to Help You Become Comfortable with Uncertainty & Use It to – Dr. Leaf

Uncertainty is one of the only things we can be certain of in life, so we need to learn to become comfortable with the uncomfortableness of not knowing. In this week’s blog and podcast, I am going to talk about WHY we hate uncertainty, why we feel so much discomfort with uncertainty, and HOW to become comfortable with uncertainty and use it to your advantage. 

Read more - https://drleaf.com/blogs/news/8-tips-to-help-you-become-comfortable-with-uncertainty-amp-use-it-to-your-advantage

Quick thoughts on books read/listened to in 2019

▼  December (4)

Plan - The One Year® Chronological Bible – 2 year process this time through.

Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill – one hour per week with 6-10 "Ironmen" slowing going through this treasure. We had some really good deep dives into what Hill wrote/claimed and what a Biblical perspective would infer. Thanks to Paul Martinelli and Roddy Galbreath for their version of the study guide we used and class they taught in Jan/Feb. Thanks to the Ironmen: Dan Forbes, Brian Henson, Scott Carly, Gary Seale, Dale Miller, Joey McGirr, John Russell, Wiley Russell, John Becker, and Ryan Ransom. 

Remembering Death, by Matthew McCullough – a good reminder and some refreshing new thoughts. Thanks David George Moore for the email that I'd enjoy this book. I did.

Think Learn Succeed (Audible), by Dr. Caroline Lea... – such a good book. A wider and deeper look at the author's "Switch On Your Brain" I read in 2017 and have referenced many times since. This book did not include any scripture references. I'm not slowing listening, reading and taking her course on "The Perfect You." Cathy has joined me.

▼  November (3) 

A Company of Heros, by Tim Keesee – Thanks Brian Henson for this recommendation. Sobering read.

Leaders Who Last, by Dave Kraft – Thanks Brian Henson for leading a few of us through the discussions.

The Science of Getting Rich (Audible), by Wallace ... – Thanks again to Paul and Roddy for the live Facebook lessons through this read. So much wisdom that many will miss simply because of the title.

▼  October (2) 

A Simple Way To Pray, by Martin Luther 

Spiritual Warfare by Brian Borgman & Rob Ventura – Thanks for recommendation from Tim Challies Blog.

▼August (6) 

Feasting and Fasting, by Shane Idleman 

What Works When "Diets" Don't, by Shane Idleman – really good book, written by a passionate pastor.

Victory Over Darkness (Audible), by Neil T. Anders... – game changer. Again.

Leadershift (Audible), by John C. Maxwell – sometimes I just need to listen to John Maxwell. The audible included a bonus session that was worth the purchase itself.

Liberating Prayer, by Neil T. Anderson – I've continued to pull on what I've learned from this and will continue.

The Lies We Believe, by Dr. Chris Thurman – reread. I've referenced this book many times since first reading it in 1990. Author has updated it with a 30th anniversary edition. I've started reading and enjoyed it until he got started contradicting himself about his dislike for having a positive attitude and his personal bashing. I haven't finished the new edition.

▼  July (3) 

A Mind of Her Own, by Paula McLain (Audible)

Waking The Dead, by John Eldridge (Audible) – 4th or 5th reread over past 20 years. Continues to be an important reminder.

The Bondage Breaker, by Neil T. Anderson – 3rd time through. Last time in 2016.

▼  June (1)

Change Your Heart Change Your Life, by Dr. Gary Sm... – honest and open. Incredibly transparent.

▼  May (6)

Like A River From It's Course, by Kelli StuartThe Guilty, by David Baldacci

No Man's Land, by David Baldacci

The Complete Guide to Fasting, Dr. Jason Fung and ... – practicing Dr. Fung's teachings. Thanks to Dan Forbes for recommendation.

Redemption, by David Baldacci

Leadershift, by John C. Maxwell - I read again in preparation for making changes. 

▼  March (3) 

The Target (Audible), by David Baldacci

To Pixar and Beyond, by Lawrence Levy – very good read about Steve Jobs

God, What Are You Doing? by David George Moore – Dave, I've wondered that many times. 

▼  February (2)

The Prodigal Prophet, by Timothy Keller

Run to Win, by Tim Challies 

▼  January (4)

The Fallen, by David Baldacci

The Pursuit of God, by A. W. Tozer

Can't Hurt Me, by David Goggins – wow. Goggins is an incredible human being. I pray for him. He inspires thousands and thousands.

The Messianic Prophecies of Jesus