I am trying to see the best in people these days. I read a study recently. The people who dislike the most people are the most disliked. On the other side, the people who like the most people are the most liked.

Focusing on attitude and effort!

I had a couple thoughts as I start going through the testing to be a kidney donor for my niece Lauren. I must admit have a bit of fear of the unknown going on right now.

Here are my thoughts that I have heard during the past week:

Uncommon love is helpful. Let God speak through you.

You are saved, so don’t live a safe life. God has your back!

An honest response is like a kiss of friendship. Proverbs 24

I heard a great message this week from Kerry O’Neill on keeping things simple this year. The main thrust was to try and keep all communication and processes simple. Simplicity is sticky and complexity leads to paralysis.

As I look forward to 2017, I always set my revenue and expense goals. Many times, my revenues always seem to fall short. I am optimistic about this year because I will also have process goals to achieve each day. Process trumps Goals! If I put in the work each day, the process will pay off at the end of the year. Take one day at a time and do the work!

As we enter the Christmas weekend, I was reading about the name Jesus. Jesus was actually a translated from the Greek/Hebrew name Joshua. Joshua means warrior/general and a person who delivers people from oppressors.  During the Christmas season, I need to be reminded the Jesus/Joshua was not only brought in to forgive our sins, but also to deliver us from the power of our sin. He fights for us against all sin- lust, anger, greed, price etc. Sin is not your master! This is the message of Christmas this season.

During the past year, I really wanted to be disciplined and give more money away. I would say I did an average job. Nonetheless, there is no greater joy than to give money to people who really need it. I struggle to let go of the purse strings, but when I do the blessings seem to light up the whole world. God teaches us to love and this sometimes comes with a cost. Based on my experiences, I am willing to pay the price!

I just attended ASAE networking event. Jeffrey Gitomer shared, “It’s not about who you met at the event. It’s about who you meet after the event.”

Reading a book called Essentialism by Greg McKeown. It is a different way of looking at your life. I am learning good tips about what to remove from my life. Here’s a quote from Lao-tzu:

“To attain knowledge, add things every day. To attain wisdom, subtract things every day.”

As I enter my 26th year in business I am starting to get a different perspective on ASAP or As Soon As Possible. When it comes to decision making, I have found ASAP usually does not bode well for expected results. Instead, I try as best I can to use the same acronym ASAP, but call it As Slow As Possible. This seems to allow my brain to settle and work through issues that I might not have thought about it in a rushed state. Just something to think about.