GO
BUCKS!!!
Monday, January 7, 2008
Sunday, January 6, 2008
Adventures in 2008
Lately I have found myself using the word "adventure" in conversation a lot more than normal. It came out in conversation with Pastor Steve a few days ago and today he did a sermon on journey and adventure and the fears and joys that come with every adventure. I wish he would stop stealing all of my ideas for his sermons!!!!!
My husband and I are getting ready to go on our first international adventure together. We are going to Guatemala on a Habitat for Humanity building trip. We are very excited about this adventure.
I have added a few new professional projects that will bring more adventure to my business and my life than ever before.
Yes, there are things in the works that will push me way beyond what I am normally used to or even comfortable doing. But isn't that what life is all about. You can't just sit back and experience all the fear and none of the joy that comes with life's journeys. Think of what you would miss.
So - we are off for all kinds of adventures in 2008. Ones that will be filled with fear, joy, success, failure, fun, hard work, happiness and sadness.
What types of adventures are you planning for 2008?
What type of journey are you on?
My husband and I are getting ready to go on our first international adventure together. We are going to Guatemala on a Habitat for Humanity building trip. We are very excited about this adventure.
I have added a few new professional projects that will bring more adventure to my business and my life than ever before.
Yes, there are things in the works that will push me way beyond what I am normally used to or even comfortable doing. But isn't that what life is all about. You can't just sit back and experience all the fear and none of the joy that comes with life's journeys. Think of what you would miss.
So - we are off for all kinds of adventures in 2008. Ones that will be filled with fear, joy, success, failure, fun, hard work, happiness and sadness.
What types of adventures are you planning for 2008?
What type of journey are you on?
Friday, December 14, 2007
The Essence of Process
This week I had the opportunity to attend a training program from a new consulting opportunity that I would like to start in 2008. More on this later.
In this two day program we were provided lots of information on how to effectively move organizations through a consultative process. The particular organization I am working with is Church Doctor Ministries based out of Corunna, Indiana. Dr. Kent Hunter has developed a process to help churches grow and carry out the mission of the Great Commission. He is very knowledgeable, passionate, and motivated about the work that he is doing.
Besides being an accomplished speaker, writer and pastor; Dr. Hunter has also developed a process that can be applied to almost any church in any part of the world to help them grow. The processes that Dr. Hunter has in place are second to none. This combined with a strong support staff has made this program into one of the top consultation programs in the world in my opinion.
But it's not all about the staff, Dr. Hunter, or the consultants that carry out the work of the ministry - the real success to this program comes from the detailed, consistent process that is followed for every consultation. It is almost mind numbing the depth of knowledge and information that is gathered through a highly developed process for every consultation.
On the drive home as my mind and heart raced with excitement about the potential for me to be even a little bit involved in this ministry. I was really excited to know that not only would I have great support staff to lean on, I would have great processes in place to help me be as effective as possible.
Process, creativity, passion, knowledge - all things that help make for very effective work. I like the idea of process, many people don't, but what a really great way to replicate what you do well. And waht a great way to replicate success.
In this two day program we were provided lots of information on how to effectively move organizations through a consultative process. The particular organization I am working with is Church Doctor Ministries based out of Corunna, Indiana. Dr. Kent Hunter has developed a process to help churches grow and carry out the mission of the Great Commission. He is very knowledgeable, passionate, and motivated about the work that he is doing.
Besides being an accomplished speaker, writer and pastor; Dr. Hunter has also developed a process that can be applied to almost any church in any part of the world to help them grow. The processes that Dr. Hunter has in place are second to none. This combined with a strong support staff has made this program into one of the top consultation programs in the world in my opinion.
But it's not all about the staff, Dr. Hunter, or the consultants that carry out the work of the ministry - the real success to this program comes from the detailed, consistent process that is followed for every consultation. It is almost mind numbing the depth of knowledge and information that is gathered through a highly developed process for every consultation.
On the drive home as my mind and heart raced with excitement about the potential for me to be even a little bit involved in this ministry. I was really excited to know that not only would I have great support staff to lean on, I would have great processes in place to help me be as effective as possible.
Process, creativity, passion, knowledge - all things that help make for very effective work. I like the idea of process, many people don't, but what a really great way to replicate what you do well. And waht a great way to replicate success.
Monday, November 5, 2007
New directions for a New Year
OK - so maybe you think it's too early to start thinking about 2008 but it is right around the corner. If the stores can have all the Christmas products out before Halloween I can certainly write about planning for 2008.
Directions - they can be tricky. Whether you are trying to follow them to make a cake or get your husband to follow them to go pick one up, directions seem to give some of us more challenges than others.
It's time to start thinking about about the direction you want to take your life and potentially your business in 2008. There are already some big changes in store for my own business in the coming year. I have a laundry list already started of the things that I want to accomplish, goals I want to achieve and a mission and vision I want to see come to life.
How about you? Are you still focused on trying to hit 2007 goals that you have not even begun to think about 2008? Are you worried about staying on course to finish the year strong that you don't have time to plan for the next? I would encourage you to start now. Start thinking about what you want 2008 to look like and where you want to be at the end of that year.
Make a list, check it twice, you won't be alone...there will be a lot of that going on from now until December 25!
Enjoy the day.
Directions - they can be tricky. Whether you are trying to follow them to make a cake or get your husband to follow them to go pick one up, directions seem to give some of us more challenges than others.
It's time to start thinking about about the direction you want to take your life and potentially your business in 2008. There are already some big changes in store for my own business in the coming year. I have a laundry list already started of the things that I want to accomplish, goals I want to achieve and a mission and vision I want to see come to life.
How about you? Are you still focused on trying to hit 2007 goals that you have not even begun to think about 2008? Are you worried about staying on course to finish the year strong that you don't have time to plan for the next? I would encourage you to start now. Start thinking about what you want 2008 to look like and where you want to be at the end of that year.
Make a list, check it twice, you won't be alone...there will be a lot of that going on from now until December 25!
Enjoy the day.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The blog is back - the website is UP!
Greetings loyal readers and friends!
Yes, it's been a while. but have no fear I am still here!
It's taken some time but I needed to do some re-tooling and get a few large projects finished. one being the construction and formatting of my website. Please take some time to visit www.truecompasscoach.com We are still adding, editing and putting new information on there but it's LIVE! thanks to my friend Jeremy Harrison and the fine staff at Spire Advertising and Media.
Please continue to check back in. I have a slew of things to post about, everything from business issues, water in a basement, our three legged dog - Jimmy, and a new direction we are taking True Compass Coaching that is very exciting!
Stay TUNED in here!
Yes, it's been a while. but have no fear I am still here!
It's taken some time but I needed to do some re-tooling and get a few large projects finished. one being the construction and formatting of my website. Please take some time to visit www.truecompasscoach.com We are still adding, editing and putting new information on there but it's LIVE! thanks to my friend Jeremy Harrison and the fine staff at Spire Advertising and Media.
Please continue to check back in. I have a slew of things to post about, everything from business issues, water in a basement, our three legged dog - Jimmy, and a new direction we are taking True Compass Coaching that is very exciting!
Stay TUNED in here!
Friday, July 20, 2007
Communication - It's not you, it's me, really.....
Lately I have been struggling with communicating effectively with one specific individual. This struggle goes beyond my normal "oh I am sorry my mind wondered for a moment" fight that sometimes takes place between my ears and my brain. I am in a full blown struggle to understand and be understood. It's really quite terrible at times.
When relationships end you typically hear one party make the statement, "it's not you, it's me..." When I heard that at the end of a relationship I always thought what a nice way that was of saying, "I really can't stand to be around you anymore...hit the road." The difference is this is a relatively new relationship that I would like to cultivate.
The struggle to communicate effectively is felt by both of us. The communication barrier is being built one brick at a time as fast as possible by none other than yours truly. This is a case where it really is "me."
The person I am writing of is in a particular profession that I have had some serious issues with in the past. Notice, I say, profession, not person. The person, as I have gotten to know them is actually very likable. In fact, is very fun to be around and I do enjoy our casual conversations. But when we start talking about business, his profession and what he does, I grab my bricks and mortar and back to building the wall I go. All because of the preconceived ideas that I am carrying over to this person. Now, it's nothing illegal or weird, so that's not an issue. But this is a direct transference of something that happened a long time ago that I am placing on this person in the here and now. Wrong? of course it's wrong, I know that.
Now, you may think you would never do that or be that way with any one that you know, but I am willing to bet that at some point you have. I read recently in another friends blog about people running hot and cold with each other and how to perceive that and handle those mood changes. Those are changes in communication style that may be all about you and your perception and not the other party involved.
You may think that you are a great communicator, but do you harbor any type of feelings that become road blocks for effective communication? ANY TYPE, even the slightest issues can prevent you from achieving good communication with another person. I know I am beginning a process to work through this issue, in the meantime I will try not to use so much effort in building the wall between us and more time in getting over myself.
Thoughts on communication issues are welcome!
When relationships end you typically hear one party make the statement, "it's not you, it's me..." When I heard that at the end of a relationship I always thought what a nice way that was of saying, "I really can't stand to be around you anymore...hit the road." The difference is this is a relatively new relationship that I would like to cultivate.
The struggle to communicate effectively is felt by both of us. The communication barrier is being built one brick at a time as fast as possible by none other than yours truly. This is a case where it really is "me."
The person I am writing of is in a particular profession that I have had some serious issues with in the past. Notice, I say, profession, not person. The person, as I have gotten to know them is actually very likable. In fact, is very fun to be around and I do enjoy our casual conversations. But when we start talking about business, his profession and what he does, I grab my bricks and mortar and back to building the wall I go. All because of the preconceived ideas that I am carrying over to this person. Now, it's nothing illegal or weird, so that's not an issue. But this is a direct transference of something that happened a long time ago that I am placing on this person in the here and now. Wrong? of course it's wrong, I know that.
Now, you may think you would never do that or be that way with any one that you know, but I am willing to bet that at some point you have. I read recently in another friends blog about people running hot and cold with each other and how to perceive that and handle those mood changes. Those are changes in communication style that may be all about you and your perception and not the other party involved.
You may think that you are a great communicator, but do you harbor any type of feelings that become road blocks for effective communication? ANY TYPE, even the slightest issues can prevent you from achieving good communication with another person. I know I am beginning a process to work through this issue, in the meantime I will try not to use so much effort in building the wall between us and more time in getting over myself.
Thoughts on communication issues are welcome!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Where have all the professionals gone?
This post is a bit of rant, but it has really been bothering me lately....
Recently a friend of mine sent an electronic mail inquiry to his HR Director regarding a new position that was soon to be available in his company. This was a new job, with a new job description within the department that my friend worked in. It was very public knowledge that this position was created and many in his department were already discussing who would be applying.
The reply was short and to the point and while it really didn't answer the questions presented in the email there was something else that really irked me when I read it.
The reply was signed simply with the first initial of the HR Directors first name.
That's it? There's all there was, no more.
The note was signed as you might sign a note to your best friend, golf buddy, spouse, etc. In my opinion, not the way a professionally trained human resources director representing a very large multi-division, publicly traded company signs a corporate email. This company is not small by any stretch and my friend is not the best friend, buddy, golf partner, etc. of the individual replying. He deserved better than that type of casual reply from a senior executive in his company.
This leads me to my question - Where have all the professionals gone?
I am a firm believer that casual Fridays have not only led to the downfall of professional looking people but to the downfall of professionally acting ones every day of the week. This is not really a rant on how people dress or what people wear in the workplace. In a former life I trained retail store employees on how to comply with a twelve (yes 12) page dress code. I am done with dress codes.
But this casual attitude in the workplace has contributed to professionals being too lax, too informal, and for too much unaccountability for individual actions, words, and performance.
We learn as business owners that we cannot befriend our employees or get too involved. We must stay at a professional distance so that we can maintain objectivity while evaluating performance. How can you possibly do that when you create and maintain a work environment that focuses on everyone feeling warm and fuzzy and being every one's buddy? When you are signing emails with just the first letter of your name?
There is nothing professional about signing an official company email in that manner. Even if company is huge, and by huge I mean billions in profit, crazy successful, making more money than the owner can possibly give away each year, I would doubt that any official type of correspondence would ever get signed with one initial.
We can't all work for Microsoft and wear jeans to work every day. Although there are some business owners that can do that, if you are just starting out, or working in any type of corporate environment you need to work, dress, act, and be professional. There are companies that have created casual environments but they have maintained standards and professionalism all along the way.
Going back to my question, where have all the professionals gone? I know they are out there, I know there are people that still like to dress and act in a certain way. I have seen them, they still walk among us. THANK GOODNESS!
Recently a friend of mine sent an electronic mail inquiry to his HR Director regarding a new position that was soon to be available in his company. This was a new job, with a new job description within the department that my friend worked in. It was very public knowledge that this position was created and many in his department were already discussing who would be applying.
The reply was short and to the point and while it really didn't answer the questions presented in the email there was something else that really irked me when I read it.
The reply was signed simply with the first initial of the HR Directors first name.
That's it? There's all there was, no more.
The note was signed as you might sign a note to your best friend, golf buddy, spouse, etc. In my opinion, not the way a professionally trained human resources director representing a very large multi-division, publicly traded company signs a corporate email. This company is not small by any stretch and my friend is not the best friend, buddy, golf partner, etc. of the individual replying. He deserved better than that type of casual reply from a senior executive in his company.
This leads me to my question - Where have all the professionals gone?
I am a firm believer that casual Fridays have not only led to the downfall of professional looking people but to the downfall of professionally acting ones every day of the week. This is not really a rant on how people dress or what people wear in the workplace. In a former life I trained retail store employees on how to comply with a twelve (yes 12) page dress code. I am done with dress codes.
But this casual attitude in the workplace has contributed to professionals being too lax, too informal, and for too much unaccountability for individual actions, words, and performance.
We learn as business owners that we cannot befriend our employees or get too involved. We must stay at a professional distance so that we can maintain objectivity while evaluating performance. How can you possibly do that when you create and maintain a work environment that focuses on everyone feeling warm and fuzzy and being every one's buddy? When you are signing emails with just the first letter of your name?
There is nothing professional about signing an official company email in that manner. Even if company is huge, and by huge I mean billions in profit, crazy successful, making more money than the owner can possibly give away each year, I would doubt that any official type of correspondence would ever get signed with one initial.
We can't all work for Microsoft and wear jeans to work every day. Although there are some business owners that can do that, if you are just starting out, or working in any type of corporate environment you need to work, dress, act, and be professional. There are companies that have created casual environments but they have maintained standards and professionalism all along the way.
Going back to my question, where have all the professionals gone? I know they are out there, I know there are people that still like to dress and act in a certain way. I have seen them, they still walk among us. THANK GOODNESS!
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