Please Don't Mistake Ideas For Action

I'm a documentary junkie.  I can watch a documentary on almost anything and enjoy it.  Last month, I watched a great series that documented major events in the 1960's and 1970's.  One episode chronicled the Civil Rights struggle in the 60's.  Most of it centered around Dr. Marin Luther King Jr and the incredible effectiveness he and his movement had in mobilizing people for their cause.  In more than a few cases, a march that began with 40 people in one city would end with 10,000 at its end, a couple cities down the line.  The amount of action taken to push that idea of civil rights to fruition was amazing. As I watched, I had two thoughts.  They were consecutive, but came so close, they almost felt simultaneous.

• Thought #1: "If that movement was happening today, it would explode 10-fold due to the connectivity social media gives us." 
• Thought #2: "No, it would probably get an explosion of chatter on social media that would have very little action attached to it.  In today's culture, it would be likely to fail."

And that's the problem.  In a culture where we can like and share and copy and paste ideas, even to the point that they go viral (whatever that means), we begin to believe we've actually done something.  But, in reality, we've done nothing.  Nolan Bushnell, found of both ATARI and Chuck E. Cheeses's, said it best when he said, "Everyone who's ever taken a shower has an idea.  It's the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference."

I'm a big fan of connectivity and social media.  It's extremely likely that you're reading this because you were lead here via social media. What I'm not a fan of is our tendency to mistake ideas for action.  On one hand, because of our high level of connectivity, it's never been easier for you to take your dream and make it a reality.  On the other hand, because of our high level of connectivity, it's never been easier for you to take your dream and feel like you're making it a reality . . . but all you're doing is talking about it.

I've been guilty of this.  For four years, I've been saying I'm going to write a book and start a coaching business.  Four years is a long time to think and talk about an idea with no real action.  Late last year, I got serious and set some goals. Six months later, my book manuscript is more than 50% written, my coaching website is more than 50% built, I've got a Life-Plan retreat for men scheduled and open for registration later this year, and I'm pursuing ongoing coaching-training down three distinct avenues.  What changed?  Ideas became plans.  Plans became action. It's a series of simple, step-by-step decisions.  

So, my hope for you is simple.  I hope you won't mistake ideas for action.  I do hope you have big ideas. But even more than that, I hope you take your ideas and make them a reality.  Think of it this way.  There are people in this world who need you to share who you are with them.  Maybe it's time to build some action plans for those ideas.  If you need someone to help you on that journey, send me a quick email and let me know. Nothing would make me happier than to help you find your future and help you make your dreams a reality.

By the way, Seth Godin wrote a brilliant little post about what he calls the "Saying/Doing Gap".  Take 60 seconds and read it.  It will be worth your time.

People I Highly Respect

There is a group of people I have a growing respect for and I want to be like.  Here they are . . .

• Canceled their cable or gotten rid of their TV . . . but don't pressure you to do it too.
• Deactivated their facebook account . . . but don't don't pressure you to do it too.
• Pushed through a Dip in their life . . . but don't presume you're in the same Dip.
• Send their kids to Christian school . . . but don't pressure you to do it too.
• Send their kids to public school . . . but don't pressure you to do it too.
• Never touch a drop of alcohol . . . but don't pressure you to follow suit.
• Never watch an "R" rated movie . . . but don't pressure you to do the same.
• Love Bernie Sanders . . . but don't pressure you to do the same.
• Think Trump is evil . . . but don't assume you're also evil if you vote for him.

You see the pattern?  With the continuing explosion of social media, it seems that everyone is free to share their story - for free.  I'm glad about that.  It's a good thing.  But, as we share our stories, let's resist the temptation to take the things God is speaking to us and make those things a universal principle everyone else must follow.  Hey, I struggle with this as much as the next guy - probably more.  That's probably why I notice it so much.  But, let's all allow God be as creative with others as He's been with us.  Enjoy where you are and don't worry so much about others.

4 Reasons You Should Consider Quitting

Winners never quit and quitters never win.  Really?  Winners never quit anything?  I quit one of the biggest endeavors I ever undertook.  How do I feel about that now? Well, like a winner.  I couldn't be happier about my decision to quit.  In 2009, I moved my family across the country to start a new church.  I was convinced I'd pastor that church for life and become one of the most effective lead pastors ever seen. In early 2012, I resigned from that church.  Why?  Well, there were many reasons.  Some are listed below.

I know, the prevailing wisdom is that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, as long as you don't quit.  But, come on.  Does that really qualify as wisdom?  Think that through.  I'm 45 years old, 5 foot 7 inches and 170lbs. Could I be an NFL defensive lineman if I put my mind to it and don't quit?  Of course not.  And please don't let your mind default to, "Well, that's different.  That's too extreme of an example."  It's not different.  It's exactly the same as any other goal.  It's either in the cards or it's not.  Granted, you may need to spend some time exploring whether or not you've got what it takes, but as you explore, you must be honest with yourself.

Here are four reasons you may need to consider quitting:

1. You're terrible at it.  Remember American Idol tryouts?  They were filled with people who were terrible singers, yet their family and friends tell them they are good and they just need to follow their dream and never quit.  You and I both know that's ridiculous.  For these guys, there is no amount of stick-to-it-ness that will bring them singing stardom.  Why is your situation any different?
2. It's sucking the life out of you (even though you may be good at it).  So many of us make this mistake.  Maybe you're not terrible at it. Maybe you're actually good at it.  That does not mean you ought to be doing it.  You have to spend some time considering it and get honest about how it makes you feel.  Does that thing you're striving to master feed your soul or suck the life out of you?  A couple years ago I was offered a speaking engagement at a church to talk about time management with the opportunity to sign people up for personal coaching afterward. Seems like a good opportunity, right?  I'm a decent public speaker and have been an effective personal coach.  But, as I considered it, I had to face the facts.  Preparing for isolated speaking events sucks the life out of me and at the time, so did personal coaching with strangers. Why would I say yes to that?  Why are you saying yes to something that makes you feel the same way?
3. Your family hates you doing it (even though you may love it).  Even if you're good at it and you love it, it still may not be a good fit for your family or the season your family is in.  Do yourself and them a favor.  Put your family first.  Achieving your goals and losing your family is a net loss.  No question about it.
4. You're missing the boat.  This is probably the biggest reason why this is important.  With all the time and effort you're putting into whatever goal it is you're never going to accomplish, you're ignoring something that you could be truly great at and deeply fulfilled by.  Why not take the courageous step of strategic quitting to clear the way to find what you truly should be doing?

Please understand this important concept.  There is a huge difference between giving up and strategic quitting.  But most of us group them together like they are the same thing.  That could be a serious mistake that could be debilitating to you for many years to come.  I hope you'll consider this topic very seriously.

If you find this to be an interesting topic you want to explore further, I would recommend a great little book by Seth Godin entitled "The Dip".  You can read it in an hour (if you're fast) or three (if you read slow, like me).  Either way, it's a short and powerful read.  Another great resource, if you're looking to change your work to something that will feed your soul, is Dan Miller's "48 Days to the Work You Love".  

Finally, a short disclaimer.  If this resonates with you and you have a job you're terrible at or sucks the life out of you or falls into one of the other categories above, please do not quit that job until you have something else lined up.  That's just irresponsible.  

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject.