To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Creativity

What if … Today I ….

(Photo Creds: We Heart it)

If you are in the workplace and have anything to do with marketing, you might follow Seth Godin.

He has daily, short blogs that offer up simple ideas on pushing you to the next level in creativity. His recent post caught my attention, and my mind took it another direction. His title, “Three simple and difficult steps” offered this:

  1. Get Smarter. Hurry. (Technology and life is moving fast)
  2. Solve interesting problems.
  3. Care. More.

His thinking was that most people do one of these, but what would happen if you became the type of person and does all three? You might add leverage and value and ultimately choices to your life.

I thought it was good, but here’s where my mind went with it…

What if today we set a goal to acccomplish something that really impacted our life/world? What if today was the day that we did not operate our daily routine, but instead choose to take a new route to work, craft a personal mission statement outlining what we’d love to do right now, and set forth a plan to make it so?

One day can be so impactful, yet we often let our days become routine and settle in. I like settling in, but I LOVE feeling energized and like I’m really doing something important. That one is much better! How about you?

What can you do today to UP YOUR LEVERAGE? To get smarter, or change paths or to just be a part of a nicer and better world?  My guess is that we can ALL DO SOMETHING.

Love and technology help the world go ’round

(Photo Creds: My Own)

South by Southwest (SXSW), the “convergence of the interactive, film and music industries” is an annual event (since 1987) held in the ultra-fun city of Austin Texas.

Over the 30 years, it has grown in scope and size and the “coolness” factor is off of the charts. Technology has become a key player and big names such as Twitter were launched into the public conscious at SXSW. (A bit of research shared that Twitter only paid $11,000 in 2007 to host some signage at the event… and from there, they were able to blow up their brand. Influence grew from there.)

All of that said, SXSW seems to be a great place for those “game changer” hopefuls to see and be seen. I personally haven’t been – though hopefully next year! – but have been a “follower” for a few years.

Here’s what stands out to me: technology is the single greatest influencer in our lives right now. Well, that and love… One helps the other is what I’ve found. When you bring it together with music and the arts, it’s a marriage made in the heavens.

Just why is that? The tools of technology have helped us simple humans express love in more active ways. It’s pretty cool that on your birthday, your friends and family from all generations of life can send you a greeting and spread the love and good energy. That’s an easy example. I also love that my mom can text now and that alone has given us an opportunity to cheer one another on, which didn’t exist at that level prior that technology. Instagram and Snapchat allow us to share visuals that bring us joy.

(But, of course, technology can also be blamed for mass sharing of negative. To be honest, my feeds are 95+% positive so in my opinion, we have the ability to scroll or swipe past the “stuff” that makes us crazy… our choice.)

Two key messages today:

  • Embrace technology and the “movements” such as the annual SXSW event that help leverage those into our world… (By the way, I have listed below the various tracks at this year’s event so you can see the diversity and potential impact to our society.)
  • As crazy as technology can sometimes make us, FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE and that it is a  TREMENDOUS VEHICLE FOR LOVE… sharing and growing. We can use this to our advantage and create a world that we all would love to be a part of.

Finally, for all of those that wished me a happy birthday, I want to thank you! Sometimes I get busy and don’t take the time to utilize that awesome feature on Facebook, so I greatly appreciate all of those that took the time to reach out! It  means the world to me that you did. KEEP ON SPREADING THE LOVE.

SWSW17 TRACKS:

  • Brands and Marketing
  • Design
  • Development & Code
  • Government
  • Health
  • Intelligent Future
  • Style
  • Tech Industry
  • Workplace
  • Entertainment influencers
  • Film & TV Industry
  • Making Films & Episodics
  • Making Music
  • Music Industry
  • Music Influencers
  • Touring & Live Experience
  • CLE  (Continuing Legal Education)
  • Experiential Storytelling
  • Food
  • Journalism
  • Social Impact
  • Sports
  • Startup Village
  • VR/AR (Virtual/Augmented reality technologies)

Yes, we can develop GRIT! 4 ways to move forward!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I just wrapped up reading the bestseller, “GRIT, The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth. It will definitely be on the top of my reading list for this quarter.

I got almost through it, and thankfully there was an entire section at the end devoted to “Growing grit from the outside in.” As I poured through the book, I was hoping it did not say that if you or your kids did not have this critical life skill that you were out of luck. There are plenty of character qualities that are innate, and that are hard to develop if you don’t have them. (At least that’s what they taught me in behavioral management training. Judgment by the way is one of those…)

The great news is that WE CAN DEVELOP GRIT. Whew!

“First and foremost, there’s no either/or trade-off between supportive parenting and demanding parenting. It’s a common misunderstanding to think of “tough love” as a carefully struck balance between affection and respect on the one hand, and firmly enforced expectations on the other. In actuality, there’s no reason you can’t do both,” Duckworth writes.

As a parent of 20-year-old boys, I can say that this is more than true in my experience. Having said that, I think my personality was a little too “supportive.” Of course I demanded respect, and still do, but firmly enforcing doesn’t sound much like my house, which isn’t really a good thing.

Thankfully this blog isn’t about me, but I do feel it’s important to be authentic. My boys are amazing, but perhaps I could do more to impress the critical importance of GRIT. So, what I thought was really cool in this book, was a little segment on “Doing Hard Things.” I did at one time write a blog on this, but a different focus to the concept. Here’s what I found valuable that I hope you get something out of, too:

The author’s family employed a three-part “Hard Thing Rule.”

  1. Everyone, including mom and dad, has to do a hard thing. A hard thing is defined by something that required deliberate practice. (Her example as a mom was that she studies psychological research, but also that she is trying to employ a yoga practice.)
  2. You can quit, but you CAN’T quit until the season is over. Listen up, that means high school and college kids should be “grittier” when it comes to sticking with classes. The hard classes that we all want to relieve ourselves of… YOU MUST FINISH WHAT YOU BEGIN.
  3. YOU GET to pick your hard thing. Nobody picks it for you. Mom and dad, you can’t decide your 10 year old should be a piano player. She really does a nice job of explaining that her kids cycled though dozens of interests to get to something they enjoyed.

They had a fourth added after their children got to a mature age… this was…

4. Must commit to at least one activity, either something new or something they’ve started. In other words, you cannot just decide you aren’t going to actively be practicing something. Think of the natural tendency to stop sports after graduation.

I like this “hard thing” concept and am thinking through how we might approach the idea in our family. Heck, I think all of us can do this. What I really like is that as you get older, you have to push each other to exercise, to stay strong, to sharpen your mind, etc., and that my friends is GRIT. We need to keep growing it at all ages in order to live out our lives of purpose.

If you are a reader, pick up this one. It is truly a game changer.

It’s time to pick your ONE WORD!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It, and thanks to my son Sam who, when asked what is a visual that inspires him, he quickly said an eagle… a perfect choice!)

It’s that time of year! Last year I introduced this concept on the blog after having done it for a few years. I simply love this idea and it has had great meaning to me and the stories I have heard have been equally cool. Many of you shared your words with me. Words like…

Curiosity

Amplify

Discipline

Trust

Fun

Accelerate

Focus

My word this year has been “deeper.” Deeper friendships, going deeper in my faith, my career… deeper meaning.

I usually pray that God will give me the word that I should focus on… I’m not 100 percent sure this is the word, but it’s been sticking around in my head for a few weeks, so I think it may be it. The word is significance, as in “true significance.” Where do I get this? How can I lead a significant life? How do I truly help those in need and live out the commands in the bible to help the poor? I am one person, but have a true desire to help meaningfully. What does that look like?

Life is an incredible journey and one thing is for sure, and that is that we do not know from day to day where the road may take us. What we can do is live with intention and move toward what we believe is what will create for us the most fulfilled and well-lived life.

So, what is your word? Please share it if you want!

Why we must be on the look out to STEAL GREAT IDEAS

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(Photo Creds: The Robinhood Foundation, NYC)

Just 2 years after I graduated from high school, successful business man Paul Tudor Jones founded the Robin Hood foundation in NYC with a goal to improve the lives of those who live in poverty.

For 28 years now, the organization has been at it in a unique way, combining investment principles and philanthropy to find, fund and create programs that support their goal. Over time they have expanded to also support relief efforts, such as those needed with Hurricane Sandy. According to last year’s estimates, giving to this foundation provides a 15:1 return on investment, which is significant and a place that donors can feel good about. The key statement in all of that to me, is that they CREATE…solutions, ideas, programs that move toward their mission.

I chose this topic today, because the idea of being innovative is always top of mind for me. One of my personal philosophies has always been to be “ON ALERT FOR GREAT IDEAS.” If you take time to look around – especially outside of your own industry, family or environment – you can count on being INSPIRED and even yes, STEAL THOSE IDEAS and CREATE YOUR OWN from that seed that was planted.

Our communities need all of the INNOVATION that we can create in order to solve the problems and issues of today. I encourage you to embrace this idea, keep your eyes and ears open and MAKE AN IMPACT. If you get some extra time, explore Robin Hood’s website, it’s a cool story.

It’s LAUNCH TIME!

groundbreaking_01

(Photo Creds:Rodrock Homes)

New seasons of life are fun, exciting and also scary! My family and I just “dug dirt” on a new home last month, and today I am launching my new and improved website. I call it phase 2.0. I think maybe I should call the move something else, something clever. I’m open to ideas! I tell my friends that this is my “big girl” house, complete with a guest bedroom that is actually safe from kid toys, teenage God-knows-what and most importantly, a lovely refuge for those I adore to get a good night’s sleep. It’s definitely a time of “ground breaking” all the way around, and a season that I am really looking forward to seeing where God takes it all (but it is a bit scary… needless to say! But what’s life without a little risk taking?).

If you, or anyone you know is in a season of “ground breaking” — change in any way, shape or form — I have found the following to be helpful when thinking about change:

1. It’s an opportunity for personal growth
If you’ve read my blogs at all you probably know that I am big on this need to constantly learn. I’ve heard it from wise teachers, centurions and respected leaders… That’s enough for me. Personal growth is critical to our happiness and change provides the occasion for us to dive in and grow. The “STRETCH” that happens with change gives us what we need to move toward our potential.

2. It provides a platform for re-evaluating life’s priorities
Whenever you are starting something new, you naturally think through how this aligns with your personal values and priorities. With the blog, well, I knew I wanted to continue to grow in that area so that was fairly easy. With the house, I had to put it to prayer for quite some time before I had discernment. At the end of the day, I want a home that my boys and eventually their families and my grandchildren will find refuge and fun in. I want to entertain and bring in community, to provide a refreshing place for all. (Oh, and I also want my guest room!)

3. Change adds EXCITEMENT
Without a season of planting we wouldn’t have the harvest. I can only imagine how boring the farmer’s market would be without HARVEST. Without change, we’d have a bunch of ugly caterpillars and no beautiful butterflies — you get the picture. One brings the other, and the other is often MORE EXCITING!

As I embark on this new “season” you can rest assured I’ll be focused on both the growth and the “STRETCH” that surely will come. I hope to share words of inspiration and insights along the way that I hope will also expand your personal growth.

I WOULD BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD ENTER YOUR EMAIL ON THE RIGHTHAND SIDE OF THIS POST AND SIGN UP TO RECEIVE THE BLOG ALSO BY EMAIL.  

Some notes about the blog…

I kicked off the website and blog in June of 2015 with the goal of just taking the step to get started. I have known for quite some time that I am meant to write, and blogging gives me an opportunity to do that on a consistent basis. I am also about 70 percent through my first book, To Serve Well.  (I have no specific time that I want to release that but I feel like it will be before my big 50, so I have one year and five months, but who’s counting!)

I hope that the fresh look on this site will not only be more visually appealing, but allow those that land there to find posts and other resources or materials that will enrich their lives. SERVING WELL in this world is so important, and what we are all called to do. Having others come alongside and help us so that we can achieve that is a key of this site. I love it when folks take time to comment and share their thoughts on whatever the topic is so that others can learn and grow from each other.  

I will still be posting three times a week, with Simple Thoughts Sunday being posted on Sunday early evening with the goal of inspiring your week. This posting generally has spiritual content. I also post on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, and those are intended to focus on serving well in the community, home and workplace. If you have any ideas for me, I’d love to hear them! If you want to write a guest post, I’d also love that!  

I’d love to give a shout out to my design team, Ruthie Stark, photographer and Andrea Corless, MO Design & Illustration — Both of these ladies are beyond amazing and have made me better through this process. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Time for a SUMMER BREAK!

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It’s July, and I made a recent decision that each year I would take this month off of blogging to rejuvenate, write and put a spark in my creativity!

In fact, I am actually taking a creativity “retreat” at the end of the month  and cannot wait! I struggled with taking this “break” from my blogging, but at the end of the day decided that taking the break in and of itself is an “insight” to my readers that WE ALL NEED A BREAK from our routines. By doing so, we are preparing ourselves to operate at our top capacity and energy levels. I love that idea.

I’m truly going to miss hearing from you all this month, but plan to come back with an even stronger and better writing strategy! I hope you all will take some time to truly check out of your routine as much as you reasonably can during the summer. The warm summer days are fleeting, so capture as much of them as you possibly can!  I’m praying for each of you and cheering you on!

My best always.
– Lori

(Photo credit: Pinterest)

How to achieve amazing creativity

blog_796598_2900889_1462993889You might start by asking what does Menlo Park have to do with anything? One of my favorite motivational teachers is a guy by the name of Robin Sharma. He has a series of mastery sessions, and last month he did a great one by a similar title where he shared the story of a PBS special featuring Thomas Edison and how he inspired the world. Please follow the link if you want to listen to the full session, it’s terrific!

In short, Thomas Edison made Menlo Park his laboratory for creating. If you read the Wikipedia insert below, it’s now a museum which is pretty cool. (I had no idea!) As you know, his creation of the first incandescent light bulb is one of the greatest inventions of all time. That and the phonograph were created in the Menlo Park warehouse.

In order to “CREATE” in the best way, we must go about creating an environment that allows our minds to think freely and elaborate on those ideas that pop in and out of our minds throughout our days. I just loved this.

Here are some highlights….

  1. Create a separate space to work on creativity, DISTRACTION FREE. It may be a coffee shop, Cabin in the woods, a space you’ve carved out in your home, or business… No matter what, make sure it inspires you.
  2. Make sure your space is INSPIRATIONAL. What is that to you? Sunlight, comfy chair, white walls and markers? Inspiring quotes? Fresh flowers? Some terrific instrumental music? Make sure it is as clutter free as possible, so there is “free space” to think.
  3. Consider new places! Travel if you can, “A change of space = a change of perspective” (Batterson) is one of my favorite quotes.
  4. Schedule time in your “Menlo Park.” I just did this after being inspired by this video. I already do my writing generally at a local coffee shop on Saturday mornings, but I also scheduled a “creativity” retreat for July which I’m excited about. It is definitely true that what gets scheduled gets done. I am thinking two a year will be a great start.

I’d love to hear your ideas. I hope this inspires you as it did me!

EXTRAS:
– Thomas Edison PBS Special
– Wikipedia page on Menlo Park, an unincorporated community located within Edison Township in Middlesex County, New Jersey.

(Photo Credit: Pinterest)

What is that one thing…

blog_795784_2899388_1462807567What an awesome picture! This week I am tackling creativity. The term “creativity” just seems to go hand in hand with “childhood.” I’ve been going through the masses of everything I have kept from the boys’ childhood and it has been a BLAST. (Not a fan of the dust and “uck” that accumulates in those basement boxes… but it’s worth it!)

The works from preschool all of the way up to probably middle school has been a treat in seeing their creativity. It makes you wonder why we ever stop using construction paper and glue!

So, today, I think we all need a JOLT of creativity. Let’s have a bit of fun and have everyone think of one thing they miss from their childhood and let us all know in the comments. I struggled with whether mine was the neighborhood kickball games, Marco Polo in the pool, tether ball with my sister (I’m pretty sure I won – hahaha) OR, SWINGING! It’s definitely swinging! For some reason I loved the wind in my hair and using my energy to go higher and higher. I loved this picture, because perhaps the very act of SWINGING allows your mind to think bigger.

Thursday we will talk about some specific ways to get creative as adults. As a hint, it starts with getting yourself in a creative environment. There is some cool information out there and I’ll share some highlights. In the meantime, this CNN article is truly a worthwhile read for us all and a great reminder that we need to encourage creativity!

Maybe my college boys won’t mind having some family nights coloring this summer? HMMM…. Not sure that is going to happen, but I’m drumming up some other ideas to keep the creative energy high! After all, our lives are made up of things dreamed of and dreams often happen when we are exercising our minds!

Definitely read this CNN article if you have time, or bookmark it for later!

(Photo credit: We Heart It)

3 reasons being loyal will improve your year

blog_754715_2832370_1452747244Loyalty! Why be loyal? It seems obvious in some categories, such as relationships.

As a friend, we really need our friends to be loyal and honor our story and support us no matter what happens. As an employer, we really cannot succeed at the top of our game without employee and customer loyalty.  =Starbucks thanks many of us for our loyal support, as do thousands of other businesses nationwide.  Why does it matter?

The statistics in the workplace are pretty astounding. According to the authors of Leading on the Edge of Chaos, the ability for businesses to keep their customers can increase profits 25-125%. WOW! The reliable 80/20 rule is also true in this category according to Gartner from Forbes.com – “80% of your company’s future revenue will come from just 20% of your existing customers.”

For employers, the cost of turnover is dramatic, but we won’t be delving in that category. The purpose of this post is to share not only what I believe to be true about loyalty, but to offer you some facts that may make a difference in your thinking and year! We need to be loyal to our role for own success and happiness. Here are three reasons why:

1. Full value: If we aren’t loyal, we don’t show up with our full value. I can’t imagine not showing up with full value. (Well actually, I had a temporary summer job one year doing something like making boxes…it was awful, and probably scarred me for life on tedious and boring jobs that appear to have no meaning.)  We must find a path that supports our values, passions and enables us to maximize our talents. Our world is counting on us to all come to the table with our full value.

2. Strong & better: When we are truly loyal, we become stronger and better employees, leaders, moms, dads, friends, volunteers, neighbors..I’m always game for getting stronger and better in any category.

3. Healthier: Finally, it’s January and most are focused on their health. Guess what? Scientists have documented that loyalty in relationships and in our career, offer benefits of reduced illness, longer life, higher compensation, more productivity and creativity. Even being loyal to our sports team, (GO KC CHIEFS!), helps reduce anxiety according to the Wall Street Journal! Who knew?

Who needs your loyalty?  Who needs their story honored by your support & loyalty? If you aren’t feeling loyalty to any of your key roles, stop and evaluate if it’s a good role or relationship and begin creating a game plan to up your game or get out!