It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Thanks for joining me over the past 6 weeks as I shared some things I have learned from a number of different books. I wanted to remind you again to not be overwhelmed by all of the information that is coming your way through media, the internet, and the countless number of great books out there.
A couple of things:
Identify the most important thing from a book, and learn all you can about that one thing. When you do this, you'll remember it and will be able to apply it more to your life and leadership
Take your time digesting content. Don't power through to get through, but take your time and let things sit with you a little bit. There are times that discipline myself to just read a chapter at a time so I can process along with what I'm reading.
Ask other people what books have been significant for them, and then choose some to read. I put together a list of some of my favorite leadership books for a group of students a couple of weeks ago. Here's my list on my resource page. Share some of your favorites with me!
COMMUNITY.
That's the theme for the coming weeks, and today I want to simply set the table for this conversation.
I miss people. I don't miss seeing them or talking to them, because I've been able to do that, but I miss hanging out with people in person and being with groups of leaders and friends.
I'm tired of technology. I love technology, appreciate it, but I'm just tired of sitting in front of my screen and connecting virtually to people I care about.
I need people speaking into my life. I think that I, along with others, have used this crazy pandemic as an excuse to quit working on "community". Earlier in the year it was a temporary inconvenience that we could all get through, and as the days and weeks continued to move, I just got lazy and have used so many excuses as to why I can't connect with people.
The past few weeks I've been reminded of the value of community in my life, whether it's my church, close friends, leaders I'm coaching and engaging with or my family. I need each of these communities of people around me, and I need to do a little bit of work to let them know how much I value them, how much I've missed them, and then I need to figure out how to continue to engage in community during these confusing and constricting days.
I'd like to ask you to share with me:
Why is COMMUNITY important to you? Share one thing that is important to you, and share an illustration of what that looks like. Send it HERE.
I'd like to share these with others as a way to encourage them to NOT make excuses like I've made, but to embrace the importance of community in each of our lives. I'm working over the next number of weeks to re-connect with the communities I'm a part of, because I'm missed them so much! No More Excuses!
Let's spend a few weeks exploring Community. I'll bring a thought each week, then I'll share some of the things you value. Please take a few minutes to share these with me so I can share them with others!
"Alone we can do so little; Together we can do so much." Helen Keller
"Community is about doing something together that makes belonging matter." Unknown
"Community is where humility and glory touch." Henri J.M. Nouwen
Things I'm Reading, Listening To, an Watching This Week:
OK, watched this new series on Apple TV called "Long Way Up". It's the third travel series by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman, and this one is a trip from the tip of South America to Los Angeles, and yes Ecuador gets a portion of one of the episodes. Great adventure journey, great way to see the vastness of Latin America, and you'll be inspired, as I am, to see the world on the back of a motorcycle!
Both of these books, "Long Way Down" and "Long Way Round", tell stories of these guys riding bikes on some epic global adventures, and highlighting cultures and great stories of people along the way.
I had the unique opportunity this week to "escape" for a few days in the mountains. Gina and I were snowed in for a couple of days, and we both got some extra time to read, journal, play some cribbage, and just enjoy being "off the grid". I ordered this book by John Eldredge, "Get Your Life Back: Everyday Practices for a World Gone Mad". Great reminders that there are some things I can do to keep my life focused and healthy! He has an app that accompanies the book with some simple and short tools to help you center your life in Christ. PAUSE APP
I listened to some great "Classic Rock Acoustic Instrumental Covers" on Apple Music this week, and I never get tired of listening to Alejandro Sanz Essentials, one of my favorite collections.
I thought I'd share something that I wish I had purchased last week: Snow Chains. Gina and I were snowed into a cabin for the weekend, and had to get creative to get out yesterday. We made it! Next time, when it says 40% chance of snow, we'll be more prepared. It was an adventure, a great weekend in the Southern California mountains, and we're thankful for the gift of this place to enjoy!Here's a great article from INC. Magazine on the 5 Essential Questions for Entrepreneurs based on Druckers work.