If you are looking for work, and no one seems to be responding to your resumes, you need to read this book. If you hate your job, but feel stuck because why would anyone leave a secure job these days, you need to read this book. If you are thinking it might be time for a career transition, you need to read this book. If you think you will never make more money until you get your degree, you need to read this book. I fit none of those categories, and I loved it!
What do you love to do? Dan will spur you on to think of creative ways to make money doing what you love. From guys who traded in corporate life for chainsaw art to the guy who made a million dollars selling the "pet rock," this book of full of stories. Did you know that Steven Spielberg's application to film school was denied- 3 times? Of course, after he was successful, one of those schools awarded him an honorary degree. Did you know that 69% of business start-ups required less than $10,000? Of course, if you have nothing, that is a problem- until you read that 26% of startups required NO MONEY!
Dan Miller is a creative thinker, a therapist, life coach and career coach. He is also a successful businessman. He is a decent author, too. In this book, Dan takes a look at the reasons we give for working jobs we hate. He then successfully deconstructs all of those reasons. But I love Dan because he doesn't leave his readers in a pool of despair. He shares story after story of people who made lots of money doing what they love.
If you read this book, two things will happen. First, you will be offended in every area of your life ruled by laziness and complacency. Second, you will be motivated, inspired, and given guidance in the areas of your life where you are open to change and experience success!
I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. And if you are a personal friend of mine, I will let you borrow it- but you have to give it back because this one is staying on my shelves.
If you enjoyed this review, rank it here!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
My Life is the result of my values
So I have been thinking a lot about values recently. After Easter I am planning on a teaching series at New Vision that will draw heavily from this concept. I find myself constantly asking, "what do I really value?" Or I can ask, "what do I really believe in?" Obviously I don't really believe in physical exercise. I am afraid to make such a claim- for my elliptical machine might sprout legs, hunt me down, and expose my lies!
Organizations talk a lot about core values. We talk about aspired core values (the values we want to be present) and actual core values (the values we truly value- as evidenced by how we spend our time, money, and other resources). It is an important exercise, based in honesty, to determine what I truly value versus what I want to truly value. The same is true personally. Since we as humans are really good at lying to ourselves, we often tell ourselves that we value something, but our actions betray us, and our lifestyles point out what we truly value. In other words, I might think that I value family, but if I work 80 hours every week and play golf twice every weekend, I really don't value family.
So how do I know what my true values are? Well, I start by looking at how I use my time. Then my money. What do I talk about the most? An honest evaluation will reveal my true values.
But how about this. We are often told that our lives are a reflection of our values. I think we need to go deeper. My life is the RESULT of my values. This life I have built for myself I built from my values. The car I drive, the food in my fridge, the color of my fridge, the color of my hair, why I am typing this blog at 11:31 PM, everything is a result of my values.
"Wait a second," you say, "your hair color?" Yes. While I had no control over the DNA sequence that controls my natural hair color, I could choose to change it. I have always wanted to have blond hair. Why don't I change it? Because I value thriftiness over physical appearance and I won't pay to change my hair color. I also value sleeping-in over salon-chair-sitting, so I don't spend my time getting my hair colored. You see, my values influence what I do as well as what I don't do.
What do you think? Your life is more than a reflection of your values. Your life is the result of your values. So take a look at the details of your life- what do you truly, honestly value? Are you surprised?
Organizations talk a lot about core values. We talk about aspired core values (the values we want to be present) and actual core values (the values we truly value- as evidenced by how we spend our time, money, and other resources). It is an important exercise, based in honesty, to determine what I truly value versus what I want to truly value. The same is true personally. Since we as humans are really good at lying to ourselves, we often tell ourselves that we value something, but our actions betray us, and our lifestyles point out what we truly value. In other words, I might think that I value family, but if I work 80 hours every week and play golf twice every weekend, I really don't value family.
So how do I know what my true values are? Well, I start by looking at how I use my time. Then my money. What do I talk about the most? An honest evaluation will reveal my true values.
But how about this. We are often told that our lives are a reflection of our values. I think we need to go deeper. My life is the RESULT of my values. This life I have built for myself I built from my values. The car I drive, the food in my fridge, the color of my fridge, the color of my hair, why I am typing this blog at 11:31 PM, everything is a result of my values.
"Wait a second," you say, "your hair color?" Yes. While I had no control over the DNA sequence that controls my natural hair color, I could choose to change it. I have always wanted to have blond hair. Why don't I change it? Because I value thriftiness over physical appearance and I won't pay to change my hair color. I also value sleeping-in over salon-chair-sitting, so I don't spend my time getting my hair colored. You see, my values influence what I do as well as what I don't do.
What do you think? Your life is more than a reflection of your values. Your life is the result of your values. So take a look at the details of your life- what do you truly, honestly value? Are you surprised?
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
The Dark Side of Baptism
Baptisms are one of my favorite ministry privileges. Helping a person demonstrate their inner faith with an outward sign, dunking them under water, looking out at the sea of family and friends gathered to celebrate the day with them- it is just fun. I don't take baptism lightly. I tell everyone who wants to be baptized that, "anyone can put a gold ring on their left hand- but that doesn't make them married. And so it is with baptism. Baptism is a sign of nothing if there is no inner faith preceeding it." Here at New Vision Church, we also create video testimonies of each of our baptizands. It is good for all of our members to hear a story of faith. It is good for their family and friends to hear their story. And it is a good exercise to verbalize your own story of grace.
So where is the dark side to all of this? Well, it came a couple of months ago, when, after watching two baptisms at our Christmas Eve service, our daughter told us that she wanted to be baptized. Erica carefully explained the story of salvation and drew an excellent bridge illustration. Olivia understood it, but it was evident that she was more interested in the act of baptism. And I don't blame her- it looks like fun- the attention, getting dunked in the church hot tub- I would probably want it, too. But therein lies the dark side of the sacraments. They are physical, doable, and intriguing. It is possible to participate without the accompanying faith. And baptism is supposed to be a one-time deal.
So right now we are trying to figure out how to perceive the faith of a five year old. I know that even the smartest among us do not fully understand salvation, but I want her to have true faith. I want her to remember her baptism, and know that it was a meaningful symbol of inner faith. But I don't want to put down her faith and make her wait too long.
So where is the dark side to all of this? Well, it came a couple of months ago, when, after watching two baptisms at our Christmas Eve service, our daughter told us that she wanted to be baptized. Erica carefully explained the story of salvation and drew an excellent bridge illustration. Olivia understood it, but it was evident that she was more interested in the act of baptism. And I don't blame her- it looks like fun- the attention, getting dunked in the church hot tub- I would probably want it, too. But therein lies the dark side of the sacraments. They are physical, doable, and intriguing. It is possible to participate without the accompanying faith. And baptism is supposed to be a one-time deal.
So right now we are trying to figure out how to perceive the faith of a five year old. I know that even the smartest among us do not fully understand salvation, but I want her to have true faith. I want her to remember her baptism, and know that it was a meaningful symbol of inner faith. But I don't want to put down her faith and make her wait too long.
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