Category Archives for "leadership"

The Discipline Of Mastermind

mastermind

If you find you are weak in persistence, surround yourself with a Mastermind Group.

Napolean Hill (Think and Grow Rich)

Nearly a year ago, I started meeting with 13 other guys on a weekly basis.  Every Friday morning at 6AM, we gather in someone’s basement for an hour-long conversation.  Sometimes the weekly discussion centers around the chapter of a book.  Sometimes we talk about a hot topic.  Sometimes we spent time dealing with a struggle that one of us is going through.  For fourteen weeks, we spent time getting to know each other (one week for each of us).  When we started meeting together, we committed to meet together for the next twenty years.  A year later, the group is still in tact.  19 more years until we reach our goal!

For me, the group has meant many things.  Mostly, it is a place to spur each other on.  The writer of Hebrews challenges readers in chapter 10:24-25:

And let us consider how we may spur one another on (STRETCH each other) toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I find tremendous encouragement through our weekly meetings.  These guys STRETCH me.

The group is a mastermind of men who are trying to become better husbands, better fathers, better workers, and better friends.  We are also trying to grow and learn in our relationship with Christ.

Dictionary.com defines mastermind as follows:

verb (used with object)
1.

to plan and direct (a usually complex project or activity), especially skillfully:

Two colonels had masterminded the revolt.
noun

2.

a person who originates or is primarily responsible for the execution of a particular idea, project, or the like:

the masterminds of company policy.

We want our group to help us intentionally grow.  We are attempting to skillfully plan and direct our growth.

Real, consistent growth does not happen by accident.  Growth (or stretching as I like to call it) happens when we practice the discipline of mastermind – the discipline of skillfully planning and directing our lives.

What do you want to accomplish in your life?  What are you doing about it?

I think we could all use a mastermind group (or two or three) in our lives to help us strategically go after our calling.

This week, I am stepping into a new mastermind group with a few other people from around the country (Georgia, Texas, and Washington).  We will be meeting bi-weekly for the next six months.  We are all working on writing, speaking, podcasting, and other endeavors, and the group is designed to help us skillfully plan and direct our next steps.  For me, this group will help me focus on the next steps in my writing and speaking journey.

I didn’t sign up for this group because I needed something else to fill my calendar.  I signed up for this mastermind group, because I want to keep stretching, and I want to help others stretch.

We need others to speak into our lives, and they need us to be there for them.  A mastermind group is a great place to intentionally fulfill both of these needs.  Maybe you won’t call it a mastermind group, but you need others in your life.  You need to be part of a community that will spur you on and stretch you.  What are you waiting for?

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of mastermind?  How has a mastermind group made a difference in your life?

How To Handle Conflict In Your Life

HOW TO HANDLE CONFLICT IN YOUR LIFE

Peace is not absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.

Ronald Reagan

I recently discovered myself stuck in the middle of a situation.  I’m generally known to be a good listener, and I think I generally give pretty good advice.  But this is not always a blessing.  Every once in a while I find myself sucked into the vortex of a place I should never be.

My intentions were good when I initially started listening to a friend, but I think I may have gone a little too far when I failed to stop him from telling me about some disagreements he was having between someone else.  I honestly don’t believe he was trying to bring me into the problem.  I think he felt the need to vent and to get some outside perspective and council.

I happen to be good friends with both individuals involved.  And like a coin, there are two sides to every story and every disagreement.  Resolving disputes like this can be a scary proposition.

The Bible lays out pretty clear instructions for those caught in a dispute with their brother.  If you take time to follow these steps you have a much better chance of finding the right outcome for your dispute.

As I was processing this experience in my life, I realized it was a topic previously addressed here on The Stretched Blog.  In a guest post titled Managing Conflict, Frank Chiapperino shared practical advice for handling conflict:

Sometimes as leaders we need to be a guiding presence and help others navigate through conflict. There are times I will have a staff member or another volunteer leader at our church call me and say, “Frank, I need help. There are some members of my team that are at each other’s throats.” For some strange reason they don’t share my joy when I say, “THAT IS GREAT!” When I manage conflict I normally start where many Christian leaders do, following Matthew chapter 18:

15″If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. 16But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

  • Go to them privately and confront them on the issue
  • If a private discussion doesn’t work take a witness. That means someone who has seen the behavior you are speaking to them about.
  • If that doesn’t work attempt to involve church leadership to aid in resolution of the problem.
  • If that fails, end the relationship.

That is pretty much what Matthew lays out, and it is sound advice that works. However, I do have a few other guiding principles I follow that aid in confrontation and conflict resolution:

  • Be wise with your words. Everything you say in a confrontation will either escalate or de-escalate a conflict. Try to use words and responses that we de-escalate the tension.
  • Don’t discuss nameless people. Sometimes people will say, “Someone told me…” If they refuse to use actual names of real people, don’t acknowledge it as a leader in the church. It only leads to pointless discussion because you can’t get the real person behind whatever it is involved.
  • If you’re wrong, admit it right away. This is powerful in conflict resolution. Think about it for a minute. How often do you hear people actually admit they are wrong? Not often, it is a real sign of maturity and it will have an immediate affect on the situation.

Frank’s words of wisdom were a welcome reminder for how I should direct my friend who is trying to navigate his conflict.  For the rest of Frank’s post, click here.

What have you learned from handling conflict in your life?

For other related articles, check out:

The Discipline Of Going The Extra Mile – 6 Ways To Go The Extra Mile

extra mile

There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.

Roger Staubach

We are in the process of college shopping with our oldest child, Hannah.  She is getting ready to start her senior year in high school, and we have spent several long weekends this summer visiting colleges.

A couple of week’s ago, we visited Grove City College which is located in Western Pennsylvania.  Hannah had an interview with the admissions department, and she met with the track and cross-country coaches.

brothersAs we were planning for this visit a few weeks prior to our trip across the state of Pennsylvania, my brother and sister-in-law reached out to us about meeting us in Grove City for the weekend.  They live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin which means they were committing to ten hours (or more) of driving each way just to spend a day or two with our family.

We reserved a couple of rooms at a hotel halfway between Grove City and Pittsburgh, and we spent time together playing games, swimming in the pool, visiting Pittsburgh, and hanging out.

They arrived late Friday night, and we left around noon on Sunday to return home.  The visit was short, but it was something I won’t forget.

My brother and his family decided to drive over twenty hours, pay for tolls, hotel, and food, and miss out on a weekend of activities at their own home just to spend time with us.  Their willingness to go the extra mile meant the world to me.

Their visit reminded me that we need to cultivate the discipline of going the extra mile.

Going the extra mile means taking the extra effort.  It means going two miles with someone when they ask you to go one mile.  Going the extra mile shows people you really care.  And it can mean the difference between good and great – in your job performance, in your extra curricular activities, and in your relationships.

If you’re having trouble getting started with this discipline, here are some ideas to help you go the extra mile:

6 Ways To Go The Extra Mile

  1. Be alert and take action in your daily life.  What do you see?  What drives you crazy?  And what are you doing about it?  It drives me crazy when I see trash on the floor and when I see grumpy people in my daily life.  I have the opportunity to practice the discipline of going the extra mile when I come upon these things.  I can pick up the trash instead of waiting for someone else to take care of it.  I can take time to listen to unhappy people I encounter at work.  These simple responses are an opportunity to go the extra mile.  You have similar opportunities around you each and every day.
  2. Don’t wait for the ask.  Don’t be reactive.  Become proactive.  As you practice this discipline, it will become more and more natural.  You won’t need the prodding of others to get you started.
  3. Don’t look for accolades.  We give GEMs at our office for people who have “gone the extra mile.”  These awards are away to say thank you, and they are great.  But our motive for going the extra mile should not be about being recognized or about receiving an award.  The discipline of going the extra mile is about doing the right thing even when no one is watching.
  4. Find ways to put a special touch on it.  Be creative.  The discipline of going the extra mile may require some mental and physical energy.  Leave tips.  Find creative ways to say thank you.  Make others feel valued.  By going the extra mile, you have the opportunity to help others know they are special.
  5. Partner with others.  The discipline of going the extra mile is always better when you practice it with others.  By inviting others to join you in this discipline, you will have the opportunity to encourage each other and hold each other accountable.  I meet with a group of men every week in hopes that they will spur me on to go the extra mile.
  6. Make the sacrifice.  If you really take this discipline seriously, you will have to sacrifice your time, your energy, and your resources.  When you go the extra mile, you will discover that the sacrifice is worth it.

When was the last time you observed someone going the extra mile?

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of going the extra mile?  How has going the extra mile made a difference in your life?

Success Tomorrow Starts With Greatness Today

success tomorrow

If you want to succeed at the next level, concentrate on being great right where you are right now.

Have you ever wanted to make it to the next level?  Have you ever dreamed about a big promotion?  Have you ever put all your focus on the next big achievement?

I think it’s good to have big dreams, big goals, and big aspirations.

These kinds of desires can be the fuel we need when we feel stuck in the here and now.

Here’s the problem:

Sometimes we let our desires for the future take over in a way that we forget the present.  We forget the importance of making the most of today’s opportunities.  We fail to understand that today matters.

If you want to succeed at the next level, don’t you think your performance right here and right now matters?

Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.

Be the best you today, and tomorrow will take care of itself.

What are you doing to be great right where you are?

The Discipline Of Less

less

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost

When I was growing up, I collected stamps and baseball cards.  I still have my stamp collection, and I inherited part of my Grandpa Stolpe’s stamp collection.  I also still have my baseball card collection.  In all, I have over 30,000 baseball cards.  I haven’t added to either collection in years.  I’ve lost interest, and my spending priorities have dramatically changed since getting married and having children.

I remember doing everything I could to get more baseball cards.  I bought bubblegum packs at the local 7-Eleven store at the edge of my neighborhood in Lumberton, NJ.  I bought triple packs at Woolworth’s in Mt. Holly, NJ.  I traded cards with friends, and I worked hard to accumulate more and more cards to complete the set of cards for the year.

An annual Topps baseball card set consisted of 792 cards when I was growing up.  I opened each pack, and looked at each card hoping to find a star player or a card I needed to complete my set.  I turned over the card and read the information about the baseball player pictured on the front of the card.  Then I sorted the cards.  First, I’d sort the cards into hundreds.  Then I would take each stack of hundreds and sort them into piles of tens.  I would insert the cards I still needed into my set, and I’d add any doubles into another box which I would use to trade with my friends.

My obsession with gathering more and more baseball cards for my collection grew and grew through high school.  In college, this obsession began to shift as I focused more on my studies and the next stage of my life.

I stopped gathering baseball cards, and I started gathering CDs (these are the round metal things that used to contain music for playing in a compact disc player).  I wanted to keep up with my brother, my college friends, and others who were also collecting CDs.  For a while, I couldn’t get enough CDs.  I had to have the latest album from U2, R.E.M., Billy Joel, They Might Be Giants, DC Talk, Stephen Curtis Chapman, The Kry, and others.  I remember visiting the local music store with my friend, John Kosydar, as we both searched for the next set of CDs to add to our collections.  One CD was not enough.  I had to have more.

Eventually, I outgrew this obsession, and I switched to bigger, more expensive pursuits like cars, houses, and vacations.

More!  More!  More!

After pursuing these things, I have come to realize these things don’t really satisfy.  In fact, they leave me feeling empty.  My baseball cards sit in my house gathering dust.  My CDs are filed away rarely getting played.  My cars and house wear out.

My pursuit of more is clearly misdirected.  And I’m sure I’m not alone.

What are you pursing?  What obsession has your attention?

In considering disciplines worth following, I think it’s time we start looking at the discipline of less.

My friend, Dan Erickson, writes about the simple life on his blog – hipdiggs.com.  After his own failed efforts to find happiness by pursuing stuff, he has made a shift.  Dan has decided to simplify his life by becoming a minimalist.  Instead of accumulating stuff, Dan is accumulating relationships with his daughter, with his students, with his neighbors, and with his friends in the blog world.  Dan seems to be practicing the discipline of less, and I think we could all learn a thing or two by taking a page out of his book.

The discipline of less actually provides more time, energy, and resources for the things that matter.

They say “Less is more.”  There’s only one way to find out if it’s true.  I challenge you to find out for yourself by taking up the discipline of less starting TODAY!

What are you holding onto that needs to go?

How would your life change if you practiced the discipline of less?  What is one thing you can do TODAY to shed the weight of things that don’t matter in the end?

What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
Matthew 16:26

Book Review: The Disciplined Leader by John Manning (@JohnMManning)

When Becky Robinson reached out to me to ask if I’d read and review the newest book by John Manning.  I couldn’t say no.  I’ve been writing about disciplines that stretch people like you and me, and I write about leadership here on my blog from time to time.  Manning’s book is all about becoming a leader who focuses on what really matters.  In The Disciplined Leader: Keeping the Focus on What Really Matters, John Manning details 52 disciplines or practices that every leader should follow.

In the first section of the book, Manning focuses on disciplines designed to help leaders lead themselves.  In the second section of the book, he focuses on disciplines that help leaders lead their teams.  And in the third and final section, Manning details disciplines for leaders to lead their organizations more effectively.

Each chapter is laid out in a simple and concise format with action steps which will help readers to practice what they have just read.  You can read the book all at once, or you may decide to go through the book in a year taking one discipline each week of the year.

As I read through this book, I was challenged to step up my leadership game in the various arenas where I lead – at home, at work, at church, and elsewhere.

I’m excited to add The Disciplined Leader to my leadership library, and I look forward to referencing it in the days, weeks, and years ahead as I seek to lead by focusing on the right things – on what really matters.

What disciplines have made you a better leader?   When you think of a great leader in your life, what disciplines come to mind?  Tell me about it in the comments.

(Please note:  I received a copy of The Disciplined Leader for free as a gift from Becky Robinson of Weaving Influence in exchange for a review.  I was not required to provide a favorable review.  I truly believe this book can be a helpful tool for taking your leadership to the next level.

Also to note:  There are affiliate links in this post.  Should you purchase The Disciplined Leader by clicking one of these links, I receive a small percentage of the purchase.  These funds are used to support The Stretched Blog and to extend ministry and missions to Guatemala.  Thank you!)

Book Review: Talk Like Ted by Carmine Gallo (@cgalloacademy)

This book wasn’t even on my radar until I received a package from my friend Ellory Wells.  In the package, Ellory included Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds by Carmine Gallo with a note inside:

Jon,

I’ve never read this book, but I’ve heard wonderful things!  I know you want to be a speaker.  You ARE a speaker!  If you want to read this book together, let me know; I got myself a copy too. 🙂

See you on stage!

Ellory Wells

I’m glad Ellory sent me the book, and I’m thankful for the note in the front of the book as well.

Talk Like TED is an inspiring and educational read for anyone who does presentations or who wants to present to others.  In Talk Like TED, Carmine Gallo unpacks the research he compiled by studying the most successful TEDTalk speakers.  He shares stories and statistics in a way that will help speakers take their craft to the next level.

This was the perfect book for me as I consider future speaking opportunities.  Talk Like TED gave me nine “secrets” to improving my speaking, and it gave me hours of TEDTalk presentations to review to help me refine my skills.

If you are a pastor, a teacher, a manager, or a presenter of any kind, I’d recommend picking up a copy of Talk Like TED.  If you are a writer, I’d also recommend this book as I believe it will improve your blogs, books, and other writing endeavors.  If you have a message that needs to be heard, this book will help you package your message in a way that will get people to listen.

Here are a few of the quotes I highlighted as I read the book:

  • “Ideas, effectively packaged and delivered, can change the world.”
  • “Great communicators reach your head and touch your heart.”
  • “People cannot inspire others unless and until they are inspired themselves.”
  • “If you want to help someone, shut up and listen.”
  • “Our brains are more active when we hear stories.”
  • “An authentic presentation requires hours of work – digging deeper into your soul than you ever have, choosing the right words that best represent the way you feel about your topic, delivering those words for maximum impact, and making sure that your nonverbal communication – your gestures, facial expressions, and body language – are consistent with your message.”
  • “Don’t take yourself (or your topic) too seriously.  The brain loves humor.  Give your audience something to smile about.”
  • “You don’t need luck to be an inspiring speaker.  You need examples, techniques, passion, and practice.  You also need courage – the courage to follow your passion, articulate your ideas simply, and express what makes your heart sing.”

 

How do you feel about public-speaking?   When was the last time you spoke in public?  How did it go?  Tell me about it in the comments.

(Please note:  I received a copy of Talk Like TED for free as a gift from my friend, Ellory Wells.  I was not required to provide a favorable review.  I truly believe this book can be a helpful tool for taking your speaking opportunities to the next level.

Also to note:  There are affiliate links in this post.  Should you purchase Talk Like TED by clicking one of these links, I receive a small percentage of the purchase.  These funds are used to support The Stretched Blog and to extend ministry and missions to Guatemala.  Thank you!)

The Discipline Of Preparation – 5 Ways To Prepare For The Outcomes We Desire

sharpen

The expectations of life depend upon diligence; the mechanic that would perfect his work must first sharpen his tools.

Confucius

As long as I can remember, I have always taken great pride in keeping a nice lawn.  I may have been influenced by my Grandpa Miller who always kept his lawn green and well manicured when I was younger.  My obsession with a nice lawn may also have been shaped by my experience as a teenager cutting people’s lawns throughout the area.

 

When we moved into our brand new house over nine years ago, I was committed to making sure m lawn was well maintained.  Once our grass started coming in, I fertilized it.  I aerated it.  I watered it.  And I did my best to make sure it was cut just right with straight lines or near perfect geometric shapes.

One summer, I decided to let it go, and I was left with a burned out, weed infested mess.  My grass was gone, and there were ugly weeds everywhere.

This year, we have experienced an unusual spring drought.  My grass started turning brown before Memorial Day this year, and I knew it could only get worse without significant rain.

Over the past week, the rain arrived and lasted for a few days giving my lawn the drink it needed.  And my grass started growing again.  Tuesday night, I decided to cut the grass after work and dinner.  I opened the shed and backed my John Deere lawn tractor out of the shed.  I turned the blades on, and I began to move forward across my lawn.

It didn’t take long to see there was something wrong.  The blades on my mower were turning, but they were struggling to leave a nice clean cut.  In fact, there were many parts of the lawn that looked like a bad haircut.  I had to overlap my driving pattern and cut the lawn multiple times to get it looking even.  I didn’t have time to stop and sharpen the blades the other night as the rest of my week was very busy, but I ended up spending a lot more time cutting the grass because of the dull blades.

This weekend, I’ll be climbing under my tractor to remove the blades so I can sharpen them for the next mowing.

The whole experience reminded me of the importance of proper preparation.  The discipline of preparation can be a real challenge for many of us.  We lack the patience to wait long enough to make sure we are ready to tackle a project or task.  And then, we’re left disappointed my an outcome that doesn’t measure up to our expectations.

If we want to avoid this disappointment, it’s time we practice the discipline of preparation.  Here are # ways to prepare so we can experience the outcome of our desires:

5 Ways To Prepare For The Outcomes We Desire

  1. Read the instructions.  I’m a pretty handy guy.  As a mechanical engineer, I sometimes think I can get away with doing something without reading the directions.  I’ve learned though that the directions help you prepare.  When you bake a cake, you don’t through random ingredients into a pan and hope it turns into a cake.  You read the instructions to make sure you have the proper tools and ingredients to be successful.
  2. Request help.  I like to do things all by myself.  The reality is there are many people who have done things in life already that I’m pursuing now.  Asking for help is important to the preparation process.  My wife’s dad was the first one to show me how to remove my tractor mower blades.  He knew how to do it, because he had done it before on his own tractor.
  3. Rehearse the project in your head or on paper before you start.  Before you set out on a journey, you want to make sure you have the right equipment.  You go over your gear again and again to make sure you don’t miss a key item.  My son is getting ready to go to Philmont Scout Reservation for two weeks of hiking and camping in New Mexico.  He has been practicing and preparing for this trip for months.  While this trip will be a challenge, I’m confident he will be successful, because he has put in adequate preparation.
  4. Reserve the time required to prepare appropriately.  When I decided to cut my grass on Tuesday night, I should have given myself more time to check the sharpness of the blades.  Because I was in a hurry, I cut my grass with dull blades.  Build time in your schedule for preparation.
  5. Remember your past failures caused by poor preparation.  Sometimes the best preparation tool is the memory of our past failures.  Don’t let your past go to waste.  Learn, grow, and move forward having made the necessary corrections.

I like this quote by Abraham Lincoln who gives valuable insight into the discipline of preparation:

Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.

One word of caution:  Don’t fall into the trap of over-analysis.  Over-analysis leads to paralysis which leads to lack of action and ineffective action.  Once you’ve taken the necessary steps to prepare move forward with confidence knowing you’ve put yourself in a position to succeed.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of preparation?  How has preparation made a difference in your life?

The Discipline Of Adventure

adventure

Life is either a great adventure or nothing.

Helen Keller

When I was in fifth grade, I knew exactly what I wanted to do when I grew up.  I wanted to be an astronaut.  I wanted to fly to the moon, around the earth, and through the solar system on the adventure of a lifetime.  I remember writing to astronaut, Jack Lousma, to find out more information.  He sent me a personal note along with hundreds of 8″ x 10″ photos taken by NASA photographers, and he even autographed a few of the photos for me.

When I was in college, I wrestled with the idea of becoming a full-time overseas missionary.  I wanted to help people.  Part of me longed for the adventure that came with this kind of pursuit, but a major part of my was terrified of the unknown related to this decision.

As I’ve become older and I’ve taken on more and more responsibility at home, at work, and at church, my sense of adventure has continued to diminish.  I have become reluctant to pursue things that may be a little crazy.

Recently, I was reading Talk Like TED: The 9 Public-Speaking Secrets of the World’s Top Minds (affiliate link) by Carmine Gallo, and he reminded me that we are actually made for adventure.  In Chapter 4 (Team Me Something New), Gallo shares some quotes from arctic explorer, Ben Saunders“In my experience, there is something addictive about tasting life at the very edge of what’s humanly possible.”  Saunders goes on to say, “In life, we all have tempests to ride and poles to walk to, and I think metaphorically speaking, at least, we could all benefit from getting outside the house a little more often, if only we could sum up the courage.”

I don’t know what’s holding you back, but I think it’s time we all reconsider the discipline of adventure.

Life is too short to live in our comfort zone.  We must relearn the thrill of doing something that scares us a little, that causes our heart to beat a little faster, and extends the boundaries on what we thought was possible.

You don’t have to go to the North Pole, to the moon, or to a strange land to practice the discipline of adventure (although these places may be where you end up someday).  Adventure is waiting right outside your door.  Get off the couch, and go do something that matters.  Seek out adventure, and you might just be surprised by how much you stretch and by how much you learn about yourself.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to practice the discipline of adventure?  How has adventure made a difference in your life?

The Discipline Of Focus – 5 Ways To Help You Focus

focus

Your destiny is to fulfill those things upon which you focus most intently. So choose to keep your focus on that which is truly magnificent, beautiful, uplifting and joyful. Your life is always moving toward something.

Ralph Marston

It’s so easy to become distracted and to lose focus especially in today’s world.  I was listening to a podcast the other day, and someone mentioned that the average person’s attention span is eight or nine seconds.

This means you may already have tuned out as you read this post.

WAKE UP!

Did that help?

Sometimes we need a bucket of ice water poured over our heads to get our attention.

Focus is critical to getting things done.  In fact, I believe the discipline of focus is something we all must learn to practice.

John Lee Dumas has an acronym for the word focus:  F.O.C.U.S. – Follow One Course Until Success

We live in a world that is clamoring for our attention.  The internet is a great resource, but it also a tremendous time-waster.  It’s easy to get sucked into the social media black hole of Facebook, Twitter, or elsewhere where are attention is diverted away from what really matters or from what we really want to do with our lives.

Five Ways To Help You Focus

  1. Determine to pursue focus.  Focus doesn’t happen by accident.  We’re all built differently, so focus may come easier for some.  Developing the discipline of focus requires an intentional decision to pursue focus.
  2. Settle on your focus.  There are many, many great things we can do in life, but we can’t do it all.  In order to be effective, we must learn to narrow down our list of priorities.  Once you decide on your focus, it will make it a lot easier to move ahead.
  3. Recognize your areas of distraction.  Everything outside your area of focus is likely to become a distraction.  Some things naturally distract us more than other things.  Knowing this help you be on guard against the demons of distraction.
  4. Fight like mad to eliminate distraction and to stay focused.  Practicing the discipline of focus is not easy.  It takes courage.  It takes stamina.
  5. Ask someone to hold you accountable to staying focused.  Pursuing a goal is so much easier when we have someone cheering us on.  We need people in our lives who will call us out when our focus starts to fade.

I’m going to keep this short today.  Take time to practice these ways to bring more focus into your life.

How would your world be different if you made the decision to focus?  How has focus made a difference in your life?

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