Archive for the 'Faith' Category

I read with some interest Steve Pavlina’s article the other day entitled the “Million Dollar Experiment.” In the article Steve talks about putting an intention out to the universe and have it radiate back to bring a million dollars into his life. He explains…

I’ve decided to try a new experiment to see if I can attract a large sum of money into my life. I arbitrarily opted for $1 million, since that’s a significant enough sum that I’ll definitely notice it. So basically I’m going to attempt to become a millionaire. And most of all, I’m going to attempt it by using the intention-manifestation model to make it more fun and challenging.

This experiment uses one simple statement that is stated to the universe as a whole. He asks the question…

Is it possible to make $1 million using the intention-manifestation model, simply by willing it to occur and then letting the universe handle the details and being guided by intuition and synchronicity? I’m very curious to find out.

And here is his statement to the universe.

So here’s my intention: In an easy and relaxed manner, in a healthy and positive way, in its own perfect time, for the highest good of all, I intend $1 million to come into my life.

As well meaning as Steve is I would have to say in my opinion that intention alone is not enough. I have intended for many things to happen in my life. I have intended to win the lottery. I have intended for my football team to win. I have intended to travel around the world.

These are all great intentions, but none of them has come true. Maybe I haven’t expressed my intention loud enough to the universe? Maybe I need to shout them louder. I definitely have shouted at the TV screen as the Lotto numbers are called.

Good intentions…

I do have an alternative theory though. I have found that people who have a passionate purpose in their lives have done amazing things. People that see a need and go after it. People who run a race with a destination in mind. People who can see the finish line a long ways off, and through pain and sweat determine that they will finish. People who ask God for help through intense prayer. These people have often found success and many times in ways they never could have imagined.

I asked myself… “What am I passionate about?”

I spent a long time thinking and praying about this question the other day. I asked God what was really important. This last Sunday he revealed something to me. He brought it to me in the form of a song at the end of Church. The words are from a band called Switchfoot..

yesterday is a wrinkle in your forehead,
yesterday is a promise that you’ve broken,
don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes.

this is your life and today is all you’ve got
yeah, and today is all you’ll ever have,
don’t close your eyes, don’t close your eyes

this is your life, are you who you want to be?
this is your life, are you who you want to be?

this is your life, is it everything you dreamed that it would be,
when the world was younger and you had everything to lose,

yesterday is a kid in the corner
yesterday is dead and over

this is your life, are you who you want to be?

Am I who I want to be? I asked the question after church. And Les Fountain, a 6 year old little boy answered the question for me. You see Les is a Cancer survivor. He was diagnosed in April, two years ago. I happened to be in a Subway restaurant when his parents walked in with him on their way to Children’s Hospital in San Diego on that fateful day in 2003.

They didn’t know what was wrong, but Les was favoring one arm. We heard the next day that he was diagnosed with high risk medulloblastoma, a cancer in his brain and spinal cord. He had a tumor removed from his brain in late April 2003 and there were tumors in his spine that were inoperable. In May 2003, he began radiation and chemotherapy treatments. The radiation treatments concluded on July 11, 2003. The chemotherapy treatments ended June 9, 2004.

Les is a Trooper!

Through all of the painful treatments this little boy always had a smile. He was always kind and he always brought cheer to anyone he came in contact with. His parents are troopers too. They fought the battle day and night, never complaining. Through tears and heartbreak they made it through day after day. Les is on the road to recovery.

Les came up and shook my hand on Sunday. I knew it was time to give him something back.

The Fountains are long time members of our church, Lambs Fellowship. Les and our Church have something in common, they both almost died two years ago.

Lamb’s Fellowship had lost it’s pastor and attendance had dropped from hundreds to a little over 50. I remember some of those dark days in 2003. Asking questions…

Why God?

Why was this happening?

Les always had a smile even when it hurt real bad.

One morning after lots of prayer we had an interesting guest at Church. It was a fellow named John Hansen and he was going to be our new pastor. He brought his wife and young son and made a home in Murrieta where he bacame our new leader.

John Hansen has a Passionate Purpose.

Through passion and vision and lots of prayer, John has lead us back from the edge of death to a vibrant and growing church. This April we started a building program with the help of John Maxwell’s organization Injoy. The congregation raised over a million dollars to build a new facility. Everything was on track until a few weeks ago.

Prices of building materials had gone up since April… all of a sudden we were $600,000 dollars short. The congregation made up most of the difference, but now we face a difference of $85,000 dollars.

What am I passionate about?

Seeing that Les has a new Sunday School room. That he has a church to grow up in and take on the world. That as he grows up he can reach out to the kids across the street at the High School and invite them to play basketball and have a positive place to spend the afternoons after school.

I’m also passionate about prayer.

Would you pray for Les and our Church Building program?

I’ve also told our Pastor that any revenues that come from ads or donations on this site for the next two years will go towards a Sunday School room for Les and the rest of our Youth.

This one’s for Les!

What is the definition of success? I looked at Webster’s dictionary and they have “The achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted:” as their definition. This is a start, but what if success is not an achievement? I opened another book, Celebrating Success by Gerard Smith that has inspired letters on the meaning of success. These letters were written by famous leaders and some of the worlds most influential people. The letters were an inspiration but none of them really described my definition of success.

I have tried to put my definition into words, but they just don’t do the subject justice.

I’ll get one sentence done and find there is so much more that I want to say.

I picked up another book this week,
entitled Your Roadmap to Success by John Maxwell

I found a list of things that Success isnt...

It’s not Wealth...

It’s not a Special Feeling…

It’s not Specific and Worthwhile Possessions...

It’s not Power…

And it’s not even Achievement…

According to Maxwell, success is a… Journey.

He goes on to say that the picture of success is not the same for any two people because we are all created differently as unique individuals.

John’s definition of success is…

Success is . . .
knowing your purpose in life,
growing to reach your maximum potential,
and sowing seeds that benefit others.

I like this definition as it allows me to be a success . . . Today

Stay tuned this week as we start on our Success Journey. . .

Where would you like to go?

How do you get there from here?

Get your suitcase and let’s get packing . . .

Who are our customers? This is a common question among business people and a very valuable one. The answer to this can help us design a marketing strategy that is truly based on “understanding people.” The key to understanding is to ask questions. One of the most important being..

What do our customers want?

I did a little search around the blog-o-sphere this morning and discovered a great site entitled “Church of the Customer” by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba. Their blog is dedicated to word of mouth, customer evangelism and citizen marketers. I found the concept of customer evangelism a fascinating one. As they describe it it is..

When customers are truly thrilled about their experience with your product or service, they can become outspoken “evangelists” for your company. This group of satisfied believers can be converted into a potent marketing force to grow your universe of customers.

What a great way to grow your business. I dug a little deeper and found they have a free PDF listed on ChangeThis.com that you can download that gives more detail on the concept. In an excerpt they explain how Southwest Airlines have created an army of evangelists…

A customer evangelist not only purchases from you regularly, she feels compelled to tell others. Ann McGee-Cooper honestly considers Southwest part of her family. This doesn’t mean that Southwest is for everyone; it has its share of detractors who don’t care for its policies of no-reserved seats and low frills.
But your business isn’t for everyone, either.
What makes Southwest and other companies with dedicated armies of evangelists stand apart from their competitors?They have crossed the emotional chasm that separates most businesses with customers.Their customers believe. They don’t do it with trickery, or by having the lowest prices, or the fanciest web site.They do it by being authentic.
Southwest’s executives boil it down to “doing business by the Golden Rule.” In almost every example we’ve found, it’s the opposite of what most people consider a professional “corporate” relationship.

TO UNDERSTAND HOW A CUSTOMER EVANGELIST BEHAVES, HERE ARE SOME CLUES:
o They passionately recommend your company to friends, neighbors and colleagues.
o They believe in the company and its people.
o They purchase your products and services as gifts.
o They provide unsolicited praise or suggestions of improvement.
o They forgive occasional sub-par seasons or dips in customer service.
o They do not want to be bought; they extol your virtues freely.
o They feel part of something bigger than themselves.

The lessons from the original evangelists-the religious believers who roamed the back ways of the world to spread the word of their faith - teach us that beliefs are based on emotional connection, deep-seated convictions and the promise of a better way. Strongly held beliefs compel many of us to tell others. The root of the word “evangelist” is based on “a bringer of the glad tidings.”

So now that we know what a customer evangelist is how do we create an atmosphere where they can flourish? From their research into the best practices of some of the most forward-thinking companies with legions of evangelists who spread the word, McConnell and Huba outline and explain the six basic tenets of creating customer evangelists:

1. Customer plus-delta: Continuously gather customer feedback.
2. Napsterize knowledge: Make it a point to share knowledge freely.
3. Build the buzz: Expertly build word-of-mouth networks.
4. Create community: Encourage communities of customers to meet and share.
5. Make bite-size chunks: Devise specialized, smaller offerings to get customers to bite.
6. Create a cause: Focus on making the world, or your industry, better.

McConnell and Huba profile highly successful companies on their blog and illustrate these tenets and prove how solid customer relationships build and sustain companies through good and rocky times. These in-depth company profiles provide real-life examples of evangelism marketing at work, including the opportunities and pitfalls of specific campaigns.

I found these concepts to be outstanding and they will go a long ways in helping us discover just who our customers are.

Ben & Jackie have a podcast out today that is well worth the listen. Download it and tune in…

I want to thank fellow blogger Scott Hodge for spreading the word about “Church of the Customer” on his first Hodgecast. Check it out!

It’s Monday morning, 5 a.m. I’m still sleepy and not all that motivated to go to work today. As I scan the blog-o-sphere this early morning, I’m in need of a boost. I need some motivation. I know from past experience that the “team” aspect of blogging can really help. Reading multiple posts brings “synergy” defined as “the working together of two or more things, people, or organizations, especially when the result is greater than the sum of their individual effects or capabilities.” I have faith in my fellow bloggers to motivate me to action today.

Here is some collected Blog synergy that I think will help us all reduce our stress and be better equipped to face the day.

1. The blog To-Done has a great article entitled “Never lose a sock again.” Keith Robinson assures us that his technique will work. He says..

I’ve been asked a few times if I’ve got any tips on getting (and keeping) organized. I’m a pretty organized person, but by no means am I organized enough to say I’m a master. So, while I don’t really have a whole lot of specific tips ready to share on organization I can tell you how to never lose another sock!

I’ve been using this method for awhile now and so far I’ve only lost socks I wanted to lose.

If this is true, I’ll be forever greatful. One of the biggest stresses in my life is running late in the morning and not being able to find a matching sock!! I’m taking notes Keith.

2. The doctor of personal development, Steve Pavlina, has an article entitled “How to never lose your keys again.” Next to losing socks, the greatest morning stress is finding those elusive keys. Where did they go? Steve illustrates how he taught his wife to put her keys in a designated place..

My wife used to spend an inordinate amount of time hunting for her keys. Each time she came home, she’d toss her keys somewhere different, and then she’d forget where she left them and have to search for them later. Sometimes it would take her 30 minutes or more to find them. At first I became skilled at sensing where she left them, but then I figured my time was better spent elsewhere.

This is a very interesting article that everyone should read. Steve comments at the end that

And yes, wives are actually trainable to some degree, slightly more than cats.

I figure if Steve can teach his wife to stop losing keys there might be hope for me..

3. Jason Womak has a great post about “Stress and opportunity” that may help my outlook this morning. He states

I once heard someone describe - in a way I understood on a very personal level - a problem I’m facing these days:

“Jason,” she said, “you’re facing the stress of infinite opportunity.”

So, for kicks, I did a little research with my friend Noah Webster. Here are some interesting definitions:

Stress: mental tension Tension: mental strain Strain: a great demand on one’s emotions, resources, etc. Infinite: lacking limits; limitless Opportunity: a combination of circumstances favorable for the purpose

When I originally heard this “problem,” I thought it was a good thing (”too much opportunity?!”). However, it’s turning out to be quite a tough experience to go through.

It is interesting that I may be facing “Infinite Opportunity.” and the attending stresses that go with it. I may have to learn how to say “No”. Actually the word NO sounds pretty good right now. I have a morning full of meetings and I just read Rosa Say’s article entitled “Just how much do useless meetings cost?” Her attending facts are pretty compelling…

And the point I was drawn to, having unengaged meeting participants on the brain:

“Seven of 10 Americans believe most meetings are unproductive, if not excruciating, and yet workers average 5.5 hours a week in meetings.”
— from a Microsoft Office survey taken this spring.

Let’s do some very conservative, easy math.

5.5 hours at a nice round figure of $10.00 per hour = $55.00

$55.00 times a modest group of 6 people at the meeting = $330.00 per week

$330.00 times 52 weeks in a year = $17,160.00

Now imagine: what could your business have done with that $17k? (Personally, I could write another book.)

Hmmm… I can think of some uses for 17 grand and none of them involve meetings. Thanks for the information Rosa!

Well with all of the synergy I’ve gained this morning and given the fact that I can’t find a matching sock or my car keys and I’m facing a mountain of meetings… I think I’ll just go back to bed…

This is the 3rd installment in the synergy series entitled “Faith in Others.” Read more on the other installments here.

Arnold was dismayed, his dream shattered. How could he convince his wife to support his Ipod for the Car project. She wouldn’t even listen to him. Arnold knew his idea was a great one. He got up from his chair and mumbled under his breath, “She just doesn’t get it.” Arnold paced back and forth, finally ending up plopped in front of his computer. He pulled up Google and typed in the word “motivation,” since he knew that he really needed to encourage his wife Alice.

As the search results came up on the screen, he noticed an interesting one that stood out from the others. It was from a blog by Steve Pavlina entitled “Cultivating Burning Desire.” His mind raced quickly, “This is exactly what I need.” He read the article quickly and perused the bio section of the blog. He found that Steve was the creator of the synchronous microwave platter. The biography indicated that this single invention made Steve thousands of dollars by always placing the handle of a rotating coffee cup by the microwave door.

Arnold was excited now and had to know more.

As he read more about Mr. Pavlina he found that his motto was “Multitask.” Steve had developed numerous multitasking strategies such as multiple microwaves and dual wristwatches. He decided to call Steve and ask for his help with his Ipod project. Steve was very courteous had took Arnold’s call. He listened to Arnold’s plight and found out a little about Arnold’s wife, Alice.

Steve thought for a moment and then replied. “Arnold, you have a great project. You just need to explain the benefits to your wife.”
Steve went on, “Sell the multitasking aspects of your invention. Tell her she can be hands free to put on makeup, talk on the phone, and drive her car all while listening to her Ipod.”
Arnold was ecstatic, “You’re right Steve, I need to sell the benefits”

Arnold got off the phone and quickly drew up a diagram of his “hands free” Ipod invention. He emphasized the “hands free” part with a picture of a driver with both hands on the wheel listing to U2 on a rock’n Ipod. He ran into the office and showed the diagram to Alice.

“Why didn’t you say it would free me up from all the wires and cords?”, Alice replied excitedly. “Any woman who can be freed up to multitask in the car would surely buy one of these. You had better order twenty thousand of them. Here is the check.”

Arnold couldn’t believe his ears. A little mentoring from Steve on the great aspects of his project had changed things completely.

Someone had finally had a little faith in his ideas.

That made all the difference..

Arnold put the phone back on the hook. The deal was almost complete and all of the manufacturing details had been worked out. All he needed now was a check for $5000 to complete the process. He thought for a moment how popular his revolutionary Ipod Holder for the Car would be. People would soon be flocking to his web site to buy it. The actual manufacturing process would take a month and his product would be delivered within 60 days. The profit margin was substantial. With all charges included the cost of each Ipod holder would be 50 cents and sell for an incredible $19.95.

10,000 units were just a phone call away…

Arnold had one obstacle left. He had to convince his wife to sign the check.

He grabbed his spreadsheet and walked into his home office where his wife Alice was working. “Honey”, he exclaimed, “look at these figures. We’ll be rich in no time.” She looked up from her desk and grabbed the paper. She perused the figures, put the paper down and replied, “You’re nuts,” and went on working. She had heard all of his “get rich” schemes before. She didn’t have the time or money to mess with his “crazy” ideas.

Arnold was shocked. Why couldn’t she see it? Why was there even a question?

Alice didn’t have faith in Arnold’s ideas.

What could Arnold do?

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