It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
LEADERSHIP QUOTES
I'm going to spend a few weeks looking at some great quotes. Over the past few weeks we've looked at quotes from Genghis Khan, Eleanor Roosevelt, Ghandi, Steve Jobs and Avot de Rabbi Natan. You can read these posts HERE.
The format for this season is the following:
#1) LEADERSHIP QUOTE: I'm going to share a quote with you. I'd like to encourage you to think about it, respond to it, process it. You can stop here, or go to Section 2.
#2) A LITTLE BIT DEEPER: I'm going to share a couple of thoughts that come to my mind when I think about the quote. Just a short reaction from me. You can stop here, or go to Section 3.
#3) DEEPER STILL: I'm going to share something I've found from someone else: A quote, some tips, a challenge, a thought....
#4) RUSS' LIST: I'll continue to share some links, ideas, books or products that I think some of you might benefit from.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"You will either step forward into growth, or you will step backward into safety." Abraham Maslow
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
So many thoughts have come to my mind over the past week as I've been contemplating this thought from Maslow.
"I'm 57 years old. Do I really need more growth? I like where I'm at. I'm pretty comfortable. I know what I'm doing. I'm happy. I feel like I'm in the right place. I'm too tired to take on something new.
Basically, I'm good where I'm at."
It's so easy for these responses to come out of my mind and mouth so automatically, that I naturally lean towards the "safe side".
Don't mess it up! I'm good.
What does this stir up for you? Some of the same thoughts or do you pursue the growth? Do you run from the safety into the world of opportunity? What are the first things you think of when you read this statement?
DEEPER STILL:
While my first response might be one of "caution", I quickly leap to the growth side. I want to be growing, and I know that in order to grow, I need to put myself in situations where I depend on the experience and wisdom of others that have gone before me, but I also need to rely on the power of God to sustain me, guide me and lead me to the place He has for me.
As I get older, I want to continue to grow. I want to continue to take risks. I want to try new things, and I'm willing to fail in that pursuit.
The image I've been given this past year is that of a sailboat and a harbor. Inside the harbor, things are calm. They are pretty safe and the boat can just move around, powered by an engine that keeps it moving forward.
But...when you take that sailboat out into the open ocean, you can open up the sails and catch the wind. When the sails fill, you move. You can feel the power. You feel the wind and the water on your face, and it's exhilarating.
That's the image I have of this life we've been given.
I want to be in the open water, pursuing growth. I want to move forward.
John 10:10 says, "The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy. I have come in order that you might have life - life in all its fullness." (GNT)
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I shared this book with someone this past week, and was reminder out life-changing it can be. If you've never read or done the StrengthFinder Assessment, I encourage you to do it. You'll learn some things about yourself. The assessment code comes with the book.
Gina and I started watching The Parisian Agency on Netflix. It's a french real-estate show but shows some great homes, apartments and properties in France and we've even enjoyed watching it with subtitles.
OK. I just heard about this, and I'm going to try it this week. In-N-Out has a "Tomato-Wrapped Burger". For those of you in proximity to an In-N-Out, give it a try and share what you find.
One of the first leadership books I ever read was Blanchard & Spencers book, The One Minute Manager. Easy to read and really practical for everyone!
Look up Fats Waller wherever you stream music. His 20's & 30's jazz in amazing. I'm enjoying is Essential Playlist on Apple.