Know where to tap

I had an experience today which reminded me of this story. I wanted to share with you so made the effort to look for it. Here goes...

“There is an old story of a boilermaker who was hired to fix a huge steamship boiler system that was not working well.
After listening to the engineer’s description of the problems and asking a few questions, he went to the boiler room. He looked at the maze of twisting pipes, listened to the thump of the boiler and the hiss of the escaping steam for a few minutes, and felt some pipes with his hands. Then he hummed softly to himself, reached into his overalls and took out a small hammer, and tapped a bright red valve one time. Immediately, the entire system began working perfectly, and the boilermaker went home.
When the steamship owner received a bill for one thousand dollars, he became outraged and complained that the boilermaker had only been in the engine room for fifteen minutes and requested an itemized bill. So the boilermaker sent him a bill that reads as follows:
For tapping the valve: $.50
For knowing where to tap: $999.50
TOTAL: $1,000.00”

My challenge to you is TO KNOW WHERE TO TAP. Education combined with insight and creativity can open the door of limitless possibilities.

Are you goal or growth conscious?

Do you have a personal growth plan? If not, have you considered having one? If you do have one, when last have you visited it?

A personal growth plan is a must-have for all individuals, as it’s a guideline for living one’s life. This plan connects goals, how to achieve them, skills to master and habits to develop. A personal growth plan usually includes key areas such as career, education, relationships and self-improvement. This plan identifies ways to develop and enhance ourselves through knowledge, skills and experiences.

The difference between goals and growth is that goals are seasonal, while growth is lifelong. Goals focus on a destination while growth focuses on a journey. For instance, with a goal-conscious approach, one desires to lose 10lbs; with a growth-conscious approach, one learns about healthy foods and embraces various forms physical activity. The latter approach allows one to not only lose 10lbs but also not put it back on. Truth is, the growth conscious approach is not always easy, but it is rewarding long-term.

Also referred to as personal development plans, growth plans are not only used by individuals but also in business; in that instance, they are known as business growth plans. A business growth plan is similar to writing a standard business plan. However, a business growth plan focuses specifically on expansion and how the company will achieve it.

Whether corporate or personal, a major key to embracing growth consciousness is changing habits. “Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment, and that bridge must be crossed every day. Over time, that daily crossing becomes a habit,” said John C. Maxwell. It’s important to recognize that habits determine outcomes. Replace bad habits with good habits. For instance, instead of watching TV every evening, set aside at least three evenings for reading on a weekly basis.

This seems simple enough, yet many do not have this mindset because of some very common obstacles.

There is no clear definition of purpose: If an individual or business does not have a clear purpose, it will be difficult to achieve objectives. It is important to define and redefine purpose often. All players must understand their role and its importance to the big picture.

The person is in a non-conducive environment: Environment includes people, places and things. When environment is prohibitive to growth, change will be slow and difficult. A conducive environment results in growth that is faster and more successful.

Fear: Believe it or not, this four-letter word is holding a lot of people back from reaching their goals and dreams. Fear is good in small doses, but becomes dangerous when allowed to spread, crippling plans.

Lack of application: Application is the way we live out what we know and believe. There is a common saying: “It’s easier said than done.” One has to make a constant effort to apply changes for long-lasting growth. The only way this happens is through deliberate and intentional acts of purpose.

Assuming that obstacles like those just listed have been addressed, the next step is commitment to growth. “Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans,” said Peter Drucker. There are four key components to crafting a personal growth plan; they are: objectives, success criteria, actions and implementation.

The following are some personalized questions one can ask when formulating a plan:

Objectives: What do I want to be able to do or do better? It’s important to narrow down your goals to bring focus and clarity.

Success criteria: How will I recognize success? How will I review and measure my improvement? This section focuses on the tangible results.

Action: What methods will I use to achieve my learning objectives? This is all about the how. How will I achieve the set objectives?

Implementation: How will I practice and apply what I learn. Application is so important and the area where most individuals fall short.

Here’s an example of the four components at work. An objective can be to hone your vocal skills. Success criteria would be diversifying musical style or expanding vocal range. Action would be seeking a vocal coach and implementation can be creating a YouTube channel and building a fan base for singing gigs and more.

Making a growth plan will make the difference between simply achieving goals and growing in a sustained and conscious way. The latter will lead to ongoing transformation in all areas of life.

Embracing an intentional life

To be intentional is to be deliberate about every thought, word and action. Our thoughts translate to our words and our words to our actions. Anyone who has ever achieved anything in life was intentional. Each of us should desire to leave our mark on this earth in some way.

Many times people see age, gender, race and/or financial status as barriers in making a real difference. Although these factors may bring limitations they do not mean one can’t have an impact. It’s always better to do something than nothing. Aesop once said, “No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”

There are countless individuals who have, and are still, embracing an intentional life. They embody three key characteristics, which include focus, drive and consistency.

Focus

To focus is to see what needs to be accomplished and do whatever it takes to achieve it. Many things in our lives legitimately require our attention whether it’s our family, friends, work, church and/or clubs and organizations. Without a doubt, focusing can be a challenge both personally and professionally. To focus, one must take a proactive approach by determining what’s important, prioritizing those things, and dedicating time to accomplishing these.

A clear example of focus was the late Dr. Myles Munroe. Munroe was focused on embracing a life that matters through helping millions of individuals across the world find their Kingdom assignment as a pastor, best-selling author and motivational speaker. He believed the greatest tragedy in life is not death, but a life without a purpose.

He founded Bahamas Faith Ministries International in the early 80s before he was 30 and pastored the ministry for more than 30 years until death. He authored several books on life issues, including sex, family relationships, finance and spiritual growth. In addition, his meaningful contributions to the United Kingdom led to him being awarded the honor of the Order of the British Empire in 1998 at age 34, all while being committed to his wife and two children.

Munroe may have had multiple things of value on his plate, but he remained focused nonetheless, and that takes a conscious effort. Planning and prioritizing is key when pursuing our goals and dreams.

Drive

Drive is what activates one to move. Israelmore Aylvor once said, “If you have no good drive in you, your life will not be steered through a good direction. It will miss its destined station. Passion or drive is what moves the vehicle of a fulfilled life.”

Sir Lynden Pindling is a great example of this. When he began his political career he led various causes for black Bahamians and routinely offered his legal services to poor blacks who could not afford a lawyer. During that era, there was racial tension to the point where blacks weren’t allowed in places like major hotels and theaters.

One of the most notable days in Bahamian history is Black Tuesday. In 1965, Pindling threw the parliamentary mace out of the window of the House of Assembly. He was expelled for filibustering. His reasoning is that since the assembly had become lawless, the symbol of authority should go to the people. Storming out of the chamber he joined a huge crowd singing, “We Shall Overcome”.

His drive for change led to him becoming premier in 1967 and the first prime minister of an independent Bahamas in 1973. He is often referred to as “the father of the nation”, a title well deserved as his life was dedicated to fighting on behalf of the Bahamian people.

We all have low moments, but we must choose if we will let circumstances define us or if we will define the circumstances. Sir Lynden and the other strong Bahamian men who made up our first Bahamian Parliament took a major step that is a pinnacle moment in our history. Imagine our country today, if they weren’t driven to change. Imagine our country tomorrow, if we aren’t driven to change.

Consistency

To be consistent is to remain steadfast and committed to your goals and dreams. A lot of times we expect instant results, but whatever we do it takes time to grow. Take a minute to think about one of your goals. Doesn’t it require consistent effort to push toward that goal? If you are not consistently dedicated to achieving it, you will likely fall back into old habits or lose interest.

In the business world, research proves that most businesses take at least three to five years before they can see returns on their investment. It takes consistency and commitment to reap results.

Elaine Pinder stands out as a progressive and innovative female in business in The Bahamas. In a speech at the Business and Marketing Community Institute (Jan. 2018) she spoke about launching Bamboo Shack in 1991 with only two employees in a 20×20 space on Nassau Street. She said she was never afraid of hard work. As the business grew, there were issues with quality control, occasional customer complaints, consistency of the product and customer demands, but she persisted and used trials as opportunities for growth. Bamboo Shack now has six locations with over 400 employees in The Bahamas, and recently expanded to Miami, Florida.

Pinder has also diversified her business and is the CEO and president of the GILGAN Group of Companies, which includes Bamboo Shack, Frankie Gone Bananas (casual dining) and Sapodilla Restaurant (fine dining). She has credited her success to her commitment to God, hard work and passion for excellence.

Dr. Myles Munroe, Sir Lynden Pindling and Elaine Pinder have embodied the focus, drive and consistency needed in embracing an intentional life. All of them started their journeys with humble beginnings but more importantly they all were deliberate about their thoughts and actions, which manifested into lives of great purpose and success. This is the true reward of intentional living.

Leadership is more than talk

The word “leadership” has become increasingly popular within the last 30 years. People are realizing the need for effective leadership in all spheres. Leadership is defined in different ways, but one thing remains constant, and that is impacting the lives of others. A leader can be anyone who uplifts, inspires and pushes another into his or her purpose.

There are several myths about what makes a leader. The biggest myth is that just because someone is in a leadership position they are a leader. Leadership isn’t based on position, but really the value a person brings to the position.

In John C. Maxwell’s “21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” he explores 21 laws for people who want to increase their awareness and understanding of how to be an effective leader. One of the beauties of these laws is that they can be learned. Another is they can also stand alone, so for the purpose of this article we will single out seven of the 21 laws which will challenge and inspire you toward intentional action.

1. The law of influence

“He who thinketh he is leading and no one is following, is only taking a walk,” said Maxwell. If there is no one following you, who are you truly leading? There are some key factors that help others to buy into a leader. They include good character, connections, knowledge, ability and experience. If one does not exude at least two of these characteristics there is a huge chance that few people will buy into your leadership. People buy into the individual before any dream or vision. If you don’t have influence, you won’t be able to lead others.

2. The law of process

In life, everything is a process, whether trying to lose weight, seeking further education or starting a business. Most times, we become impatient when hurdles and delays arise. We are in a time where we expect everything to be quick and instant, however that is not always the case. Challenges come to test what we are made of. Any goal or dream is a daily process we have to consistently work toward building or improving.

3. The law of navigation

Would you jump on a boat with an unexperienced captain? It’s important for leaders to predetermine a course of action, head into action, expect problems and consistently review plans for adjustments. Maxwell said, “You must know the way, show the way and go the way.” A leader cannot take their people where they have never been before. Vision, strategy and execution are key to taking groups and teams to their destination.

4. The law of connection

People want to feel special and counted. A leader fails if he does not know his people. People are searching for authenticity. We must consistently live our message, meet people where they are at, as well as offer hope and direction. Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” If you want the best work out of your people, value them and treat them right and more likely those people will want to help you.

5. The law of sacrifice

A common misconception about leadership is it’s all about the power and the perks. Truth is, the higher one goes in leadership, the more they will have to sacrifice. When we look at the life at Martin Luther King Jr., he met with presidents, led thousands in peaceful marches and is remembered as one of the greatest civil rights activist. While on the other hand, his house was bombed, he was arrested many times, stabbed and physically attacked. Life is a series of trades – one thing for another. Sacrifice can be a painful experience for a leader, but the rewards reach far and wide.

6. The law of timing

“The wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster… the right action at the right time brings ultimate success,” said Maxwell. There are a number of factors that help us know when and how to move. These include knowledge and understanding of the situation, confidence in knowing what must be done and intuition, which is something spiritual, or in our gut, that points us in the right direction. The beauty of life is that even when we make the wrong move or have bad timing there is always a lesson, if we are willing to learn for the future.

7. The law of legacy

Most people before they die want to know they left an impact. Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” The question is, are you embracing a life that will be remembered? Our legacy is closely connected to our purpose. Each of us has a reason why God placed us on this earth. Ensure each day you are living and embracing it.

Remember: Leadership is more than talk; it is intentional action to make your life and the lives around you better.