Ingredients for Successful Living

I'm currently reading Role of a Lifetime, a book written by James Brown, the host of CBS' The NFL Today.  In the book, he outlines his "Ingredients for Successful Living", calling them his "seven fundamentals for success".

The seven ingredients consist of :
Good Communication Skills
Appearance
Personal Relations
Punctuality
Thirst for Knowledge
Being a Team Player
Overcoming Adversity

Great Quote Thursday

It is when we stop doing our best work that our enthusiasm for the job wanes. We must motivate ourselves to do our very best, and by our example lead others to do their best as well- Truett Cathy

Tuesdays with Tom (Part 4)

Over the past several Tuesday mornings, Tom Kilgore, who recently retired from his position as Chief Executive Office of the Tennessee Valley Authority, has conducted leadership training with our church staff. Being a member of our church, Tom is a widely respected leader in the energy industry, throughout the Southeast, as well as at Sevier Heights where he serves in a variety of roles including that of Bible Fellowship Group leader.

Combining Biblical knowledge with leadership and business principles, Tom is helping us improve how we serve, lead and conduct ministry.  Here is some of what he's shared:

If you do nothing today, tomorrow will have the temptation to look like yesterday.

If you reach all your goals, you're not thinking high enough.

You can have discipline now or disappointment later.

What's under the surface must be as good as what people see.

Actions lie louder than words.

Tuesdays with Tom (Part 3)

Over the past several Tuesday mornings, Tom Kilgore, who recently retired from his position as Chief Executive Office of the Tennessee Valley Authority, has conducted leadership training with our church staff. Being a member of our church, Tom is a widely respected leader in the energy industry, throughout the Southeast, as well as at Sevier Heights where he serves in a variety of roles including that of Bible Fellowship Group leader.

Combining Biblical knowledge with leadership and business principles, Tom is helping us improve how we serve, lead and conduct ministry.  Here is some of what he's shared:

Goals begin behavior. If you don't know where you're going, any old road will get you there.

Write your goals down. The things you plan to do, write them down. The discipline of writing them down helps you refine your goals.

SMART goals are: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timed.

Have spiritual, physical, relational and financial goals.

You don't have to do everything today but you have to do something today.

Tuesdays with Tom (Part 2)

Over the past several Tuesday mornings, Tom Kilgore, who recently retired from his position as Chief Executive Office of the Tennessee Valley Authority, has conducted leadership training with our church staff. Being a member of our church, Tom is a widely respected leader in the energy industry, throughout the Southeast, as well as at Sevier Heights where he serves in a variety of roles including that of Bible Fellowship Group leader.

Combining Biblical knowledge with leadership and business principles, Tom is helping us improve how we serve, lead and conduct ministry.  Here is some of what he's shared:

In an organization, all vectors must be aligned, otherwise there is wasted energy.

Every problem we have is an opportunity for God's power to show itself.

Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress- Henry Ford

It's better to remember a few things than to hear a lot of things.

Cooperation is not the goal. Collaboration is the goal.

More Parkerisms and Turnerisms

Raising two sons, 9 and 5, means we have lots of fun conversations in our home. Here are some more:

Turner: Hey Daddy, kelp and help rhyme?

Me: Yes, they do. Do you know what kelp is?

Turner: A plant.

Me: Okay, another question for you. Would you find kelp in the ocean or in the mountains?

Turner: I don't mean to talk smack but, HELLO, kelp doesn't grow in the mountains.

Parker: Is it Craigslist or Gregslist?

Me: It's Craigslist. With a C.

Parker: Why does a guy need a list?

Last year, Turner had 4'x6' garden box in our back yard-

Me: Turner, do you want to have a garden again this year?

Turner: Oh sure. A big one in our front yard.

Me: No.

Great Quote Thursday

The goal of disciplines is freedom. I want to be free to do the right thing at the right time in the right way for the right reason- John Ortberg, Overcoming Your Shadow Mission (page 56).