To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Life

The back story: Even the best highlight reels have them

I had my 50th birthday last week and wrapped up what ended up being a wonderful trip to pick my son Sam up from Australia where he was studying abroad. I posted some fun pictures along the way and it was fun to see everyone’s comments and birthday wishes.

That is the absolutely best part about Facebook: using it as a tool for encouragement. As a community we are darn good at encouraging one another on that  medium! It got me thinking that sometimes we see pictures, videos, etc.  and think others have a “storybook” life and that might make us wish we had that, too, or at least that part of it! I think we all know by now that social media is generally a place we share the great things going on in our lives, and not the parts that aren’t so much fun.

This blog post today is a call for us all to remember that there is always a back story.

Most of the greatest successes in the history of our country have come from those whose lives didn’t start out glamorous, and often were filled with hardship and struggle. What I have found in the average person I know, is that their lives are full.  Full of joy, sadness, anxiety, excitement, fun and sometimes hardship that is difficult to understand. No one is immune to these truths in life.

Just before I left for Australia, I was experiencing some health issues (anxiety triggered by higher-than-normal blood pressure, acid reflux — Yep… I thought it was a heart attack on its way).  I am pretty sure most, if not all of it, was stress related since I felt so much better while away. I also, in all of my “semi-hiking” glory, had a knee injury and walked around with a beautiful tan knee brace which was very, let’s say, “50+.”

If anyone of you have been on a family vacation for any period of time, you know that there are often a few glorious moments of heated exchange.  I think you get the point…we all have a back story.  We all have our great days and those that, frankly, suck. It’s all part of the ride! Have a great weekend!

Designing a life you love

I don’t know about you, but I love to look at beautiful buildings, no matter if they are historical, or modern.

Some of the coolest modern-day structures are actually sports stadiums, which create an experience far and above what we have come to expect from “watching a game.”

Architecture is fascinating, as is the idea that someone can sit down and literally create a structure that can endure storms while maintaining its integrity and beauty.  Great architecture inspires, and offers a connection to the environment around. It can even engage our imagination.

All of these qualities lead me to the idea that we are the true architects of our own lives. No matter if you are in school, looking to what the future brings, or a young professional, ready to know what the “next” level looks like, or heading into a later phase of career or life, the same truth applies.  We have this wonderful opportunity to design what we personally find to be rewarding for ourselves.

My perspective has always been that it starts with attitude, and if we choose a positive one, then we can  achieve whatever it is that we strive for.  While it is true that we all have been given gifts that help us fulfill our purpose in life, we still “get to” prioritize and use our time and talents to mirror a beautiful life.

So, what is it for you? Is your life currently where you want it to be? Do your weeks look how you want them to? Is your health and wellness lined up where you’d like it to be? Your relationships? Your career, studies, retirement? Your community engagement?

Sure, sitting down to design the life you want takes intention (I recommend a quarterly assessment at minimum), but the results, like great architecture, endures. I think that sounds pretty good to me!

Simple Thoughts Sunday: Playing to win

I am a fan of daily devotions. A good friend got me the ‘Awaken’ devotional book from Priscilla Shirer for this year, and I am really liking it. I love practice examples and she offers plenty. In this verse, she focused on the “in such a way,” part: “Read this again and see: the winning is not just in the running. It’s in the WAY the RACE IS RUN.”

It’s Superbowl Sunday and the Winter Olympics launch on Thursday. A huge week for sports fan and I am indeed among them. Serious athletes and all of us who strive for excellence in our own “race” must run with endurance and have the discipline needed to anchor our souls and lives to a plan that will help us to do so in the best possible way.

Shirer suggests that we do this by listening and submitting in obedience to God’s word. In other words, to actually seek out his voice through scripture reading and any other way that you can soak it in with today’s many resources.

For this “Simple Thoughts Sunday” I am all in on following his plan to achieve the life of excellence I desire. I hope you will have some time to truly enjoy the big game today and will celebrate the athletes who have indeed put in the effort to WIN later this week with the rest of the world.

I can’t wait to spend some time this week diving into the insights of Olympics past and present. It will be FUN!

Rules for excellence…

If you don’t know the leadership guru of all gurus, Tom Peters, look him up. He is well into his 70s and still pushing out amazing content. I love that.

He’s most famous for co-authoring ‘In Search of Excellence,’ but his credits go far beyond that classic. I have found his book ‘The little BIG things, is probably the best I’ve read in years. In it, he outlines 163 ways to pursue excellence and most of them are brilliant. (I’m sure all are to some.) The quotes in the attached image come from this read. He wisely credits other great thinkers, including the everyday types, like lessons from the local barista.

I knew for sure when I read #62 (above) on his list that I had to share it with you.

If I were Rosesblatt (author of “Rules for Aging”), I would say that these are great suggestions for all of us. Wisely seeking good counsel and, for that matter, a wide array of viewpoints, is always something that can help us improve. I believe this is true whether you’re dealing with basic home matters, finances or, of course, fulfilling your purpose in work/school/where ever God planted you. LOVE IT.

Is there an issue right now where you could use some counsel? Someone to listen and give you a perspective? We should all seek that out this week. (Make a note now to do it… that’s what I have to do!)

The second suggestion on thanking others early and often – and even profusely – was the point of Tuesday’s “Spread Joy” blog. We cannot underestimate the power of encouraging one another.

WE MUST MAKE THIS A PRIORITY if we want to SERVE WELL!

Today is a great day to SPREAD JOY

While I love January and the fresh start this month offers, it also happens to be a bit too cold and dreary. Like, the kind of cold and dreary where your shoulders are hunched over and your face is pummeled with cold wind, snow or freezing rain.

It’s also the month many of us get the latest virus that steals a few days – or a week – of our productivity. Yuck!

Now that we’re halfway through the month, I hope you are feeling the great energy and hum of life and business. I sure am. Whether you’re in the community, school or work place, there’s something about an extra dose of energy as everyone embarks on their goals with refreshed boldness. So special.

Right about now, we need to remember that to truly serve well (ourselves and others), we need to take designated time to honor others. I call this “spreading joy.” I have shared this before but it’s helpful to share again and again.

My practice was to do this at least once a week, putting it in my calendar to make sure I didn’t miss this opportunity. I would then send out a reminder to our company leaders and ask them to do the same. Imagine the power if everyone took time out of their week to go spread joy. We had a goal for each of us to do this for at least three people. It could be a hand-written note, a call or, best yet, a meet-and-greet. Heck, even a text with an authentic “thank you” goes a long way.

I hope that you will come up with your own personal strategy for SPREADING JOY. If you can, start now. Stop what you are doing and reach out to three people who you really appreciate! It will make your day – and theirs!

The Story of THIS ONE LIFE and the characters that enrich our story

(Design & photo creds: Canva)

I was looking back this weekend at “my life so far.”

I’m counting down the months until 50, so I guess I’m taking stock of the path God has had me on, and finding joy in how he has weaved every great moment and every pain together to magically design this ONE LIFE. One particular stand out I had was the impact of two teachers from my high school. Both, in different ways, stood in the gap for me. They inspired, encouraged and went far beyond their job descriptions… They are two of the heros in my story.

It made me wonder who the heros are in my boys’ stories so far? How about yours?

Do you ever reflect and wonder why God put certain “characters” in your story? Some are clear, such as these ladies who had a starring role in my life. Some of course are only in your life for a very short season – maybe even a business lunch or someone who got assigned to you in a volunteer situation. These “extras” play a role too, and sometimes send you off in a different direction or spark a thought, idea or inspire you in some way. (Or remind you of how not to act…)

I encourage this idea of “reflecting” and actually noticing those in your story. We do get to take the lead in creating our story, but we don’t always choose those that come along side in the novel. What can we learn from the heros? The antagonists? I have learned perhaps an equal amount from both and look forward to meeting the new characters as the script plays out…

As we wrap up June next week, I’ll spend some time on this topic and how a mid-year planning session may be what you need to ensure 2017 is truly the best year ever.  Some of us need a strong finish, some want or need to just “dodge” the bullets and stay in hiding, but all of us need to find joy and continue on the path of a life lived well!

The winding roads of life – take in the beauty

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I thought today would be a good day to let my readers know that I launched my own health care advisory group.

It’s an exciting time and one that I know God is leading me through. Boy, when I left KCIM, which as of now will go down as the best career experience of my life, I had no idea that Humana would only be a stop on the road. God has interesting ways in which he guides us through life, to learn and to connect with great people and of course, to challenge. I am so grateful for the opportunity to learn the health insurance side of the business and to have a met some brilliant people that are transforming our communities across America.

Here are a few of my insights from the experience as I look toward my next adventure…

  1. Beauty can be found everywhere. There is beauty even in life’s side roads that find you wondering why in the world you may have arrived there. Literally, if you SET YOUR MIND to find the BEAUTY (the good, the positive, the inspiring….) it is INDEED THERE, and often front and center.
  2. Once again, God reminded me that He is leading and I am to follow. Those ideas about life that we have of where, how and what we will be doing at any given stage of our lives… Those are open to change at anytime. If you truly follow his lead, I believe he will use the right people and places and the right time and situations to bring you right to where you are intended to be to achieve your highest purpose. Again it is up to us to CHOOSE TO LISTEN to those promptings and be obedient to following.
  3. Finally, STAY EXPECTANT. I am truly excited about this adventure. I have learned so much over my career, and the opportunity to pull it all together and build a business around those pieces is exciting. It may be a little scary, but I choose not to look at it in that way. As the last few months have offered clarity, I am reminded that the right people are placed on the path at just the right time, and that if we step forward and reach out and do our best work, that there will be honor found in the process.

So whether your path today is straight or winding, I hope you will great BEAUTY all around.