“There is nothing better than the encouragement of a good friend.” – Katharine Butler Hathaway
Simplify and Focus
“I’ve been studying and working with extraordinary organizations and top-performing individuals for over 30 years. The most common and powerful factor in all of their successes has been the ability to simplify and focus. The two go hand-in-hand, because in order to get simplicity, you have to have focus. Focus means clarity. Clarity means knowing what is most important. When we are focused on what’s most important, we no longer have to wade through the endless sea of choices that can stretch before us. We make better decisions. We become more effective. We experience less stress. Getting focused is the path to simplicity, and simplicity is the path to success and fulfillment.” – Joe Calloway
Lying
A minister told his congregation, “Next week I plan to preach about the sin of lying. To help you understand my sermon, I want you all to read Mark 17.” The following Sunday, as he prepared to deliver his sermon, the Minister asked for a show of hands.
He wanted to know how many had read Mark 17. Every hand went up. The minister smiled
and said, “Mark has only sixteen chapters. Now let’s take a look at the sin of lying.”
The Obstinate Lighthouse
Although this story is said to be true, the U.S.A. Navy claims that it is not. It still makes a very good point…
“This is the transcript of an ACTUAL radio conversation of a US naval ship with Canadian authorities off the coast of Newfoundland in October, 1995. Radio conversation released by the Chief of Naval Operations 10-10-95.
Americans: Please divert your course 15 degrees to the North to avoid a collision.
Canadians: Recommend you divert YOUR course 15 degrees to the South to avoid a collision.
Americans: This is the Captain of a US Navy ship. I say again, divert YOUR course.
Canadians: No. I say again, you divert YOUR course.
Americans: THIS IS THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS LINCOLN, THE SECOND LARGEST SHIP IN THE UNITED STATES’ ATLANTIC FLEET. WE ARE ACCOMPANIED BY THREE DESTROYERS, THREE CRUISERS AND NUMEROUS SUPPORT VESSELS. I DEMAND THAT YOU CHANGE YOUR COURSE 15 DEGREES NORTH, THAT’S ONE FIVE DEGREES NORTH, OR COUNTER-MEASURES WILL BE UNDERTAKEN TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE SHIP.
Canadians: This is a LIGHTHOUSE! Your call.”
Then, Do It
“When you have a chore ahead of you, don’t focus on the work, the headaches, and the hassles involved. Instead, think how glad you’ll feel when your house is painted, your desk cleaned out, your garage uncluttered, your checkbook balanced, your report complete. Then dig in… and begin. Whenever you feel tempted to get discouraged, think about the end result. The payoff. How great it feels to accomplish a dreaded chore. How satisfying it feels to get the task done. Then, do it!” – Vicki Hitzges