You have to be distinct in order to make a difference...

 "An invincible determination can accomplish almost anything and in this lies the great distinction between great leaders and little ones"

Thomas Fuller

Ever since having the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. holiday I have been thinking about what made him so different from all the other leaders that came before him and all the leaders that have come after him...what was it that made him so distinct from everyone else that put him position to make such a big difference?

In trying to find the answer to that question for the last two weeks I have been reading through different web pages and articles that outline his life and thoughts.  In doing so I was amazed by all the different things he had to deal with in order to be the leader he signed up to be.   He was jailed numerous times, he was threatened on a daily basis, he was stabbed, stoned, his house was firebombed, he had crosses burned in his front yard and ultimately he was shot for doing what he believed was right. 

In doing my research I also came across one definition of the word distinct that really shed light on why he made such a big difference:  separated by a visible sign.   

Question for this week:  Part I:  Why do you think most people just follow the crowd instead of living lives that are distinct?  Part II: Name at least three qualities that make a leader distinct?  Part III:  Which one of those three qualities do you think is a part of your own character?  Give an example of that character trait reflected in the way you live your life consistently. Part IV:  What is one specific thing you are going to do this week to be distinct?  What day are you going to do it?

Every day is an opportunity to make a difference...

“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work”

Thomas Edison

When I look back at my life I can remember all sorts of opportunities that I have taken advantage of, and others that I let slip right through my fingers.  

I think about all the time I spent in college just wasting my life, not going to class and not doing my work when I did actually make it there.  That missed opportunity cost me thousands of dollars, and is a constant thorn in my side, keeping me humble at all times.  I can also remember the day that I first meet my beautiful wife and finally made the decision to pursue her in a way that would make her feel like the amazing woman she is and just how great my life has been ever since.  

Well, we all have opportunities like that before us today...what does your life reflect that believe about opportunities??

Everyone has opportunities in front of them to make a difference in the world today, what we do with them makes us who we are...

Question for this week:  Part I:  Why is it so hard for people to take advantage of the opportunities they have been given?  Part II: Outline a time in your life where you didn’t take advantage of an opportunity that you were given; what were the circumstances; what happened?  Part III:  Outline a time in your life that you did take advantage of an opportunity that you were given; what were the circumstances; what happened?  Part IV:  What did you learn from both those events in your life that will help you take advantage of the countless opportunities you have before you today to make a difference in the world you have the opportunity to live in??

You have to give in order to get...

“No fine work can be done without concentration and self-sacrifice and toil and doubt”
Sir Max Beerbohm

While I was thinking about last week’s question, another important part of the leadership formula came up:  you are going to have to give something in order to get something.  If you want to lose weight in the new year you are going to have to give up some fattening food and some time in front of the TV and replace it with some healthy choices and activities.  If you want to get better grades you are going to have to give up some time online and replace it with some serious book time.  If you want to make a positive difference in this world through whatever vehicle you have chosen, whether it be politics, your high school, or on a mission trip you are going to have to give up something in order to be who you say you want to be.  

Question for this week:  Part I:  Why don’t people want to give up something in order to get what they say they want?  Part II:  What is something that you have had to give up in the past in order to get something in your life?  Part III:  What is something you are going to have to give up right now in order to be the person you say you want to be right now??  Part IV:  What is the first thing you will have to do to put the “giving up in order to get” process into action? 

Be a doer not just a hearer in the New Year...

Well, here it is, the New Year!!!  I love this time of year because almost everyone no matter where they are feels as though they really have a chance to start fresh and do all the things they have been thinking about doing for the last twelve months.

If you scan the channels on your TV you will see that HSN has a 100 different work out products.  If you surf the channels long enough you will see infomercials on tons of different gadgets that will help create the best you ever!!  Today my wife and I saw a commercial where Oprah is going to have new shows next week dealing with the keys to being happy, getting in shape, creating great relationships and taking care of your money.

Being a “better you” has turned into big business over the last couple of years and everyone is out there ready to take advantage of the opportunity to “help” you get there .

Unfortunately all these TV shows, gadgets and gurus don’t come with the most important ingredient of them all:  accountability.  

You can watch all the Oprah episodes you want, you can buy a brand new Bowflex, sign up for a Lifetime membership and open up a new savings account but if you don’t have someone out there holding you accountable to being who you say you want to be you are going to have an extremely hard time getting there, if you are able to make it at all.  As a matter of fact, studies show that you are three times more likely to stick to a workout program if you just have an accountability partner.  

Question for this week:  

Part I:  Why don’t most people seek an accountability partner when they are trying to accomplish a task even though they are three times as likely to succeed at it?  

Part II:  What is one thing you would like to do this year on a regular basis that would put you in position to be who you say you want to be?

Part III:  Who in your life is going to be your accountability partner so you can actually be who you say you want to be this year?