How Long Does It Take to Win a Gold Medal?

I saw an interesting article on WSJ.com talking about how long it takes to win a gold medal. Interesting because it included a chart showing how in some events (shot put) it takes all of about 13 seconds to win a gold medal.  Other events are over in a minute or two.

So, how long does it really take to win a gold medal and the international acclaim that comes with it?  Years and years.  Some have given their whole lives. True success doesn't come overnight.  Honest riches are gained over time.  Consistent dedication, discipline and diligence are required.  To think of Gabrielle Christina Victoria "Gabby" Douglas as winning her gold medals in just a few hours cheapens the sacrifices made by her and her entire support team.

Get a team, keep doing what it takes and be patient.  Greatness isn't achieved overnight and it's never achieved alone.  As Gabby says, "Gold medals are made out of sweat, blood and tears."

Great job, Team Gabby!

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You Only Get One Today. Use Wisely.

How well are you using your time so far today? Are you focused on your MOST IMPORTANT tasks instead of just the urgent ones? Here's how you decide what requires your utmost diligence:

URGENT = Make sure it's urgent for you instead of a case of someone else's urgency trying to make its way into your life. Urgency is often emotional. Manage your emotions and slow down. Even the things that feel the most urgent could sometimes benefit from taking the time to step back a moment.

IMPORTANT = You KNOW you need to do it, achieve it, prioritize it. These are the next things to do. Prioritize them and make sure all are handled in order of priority, not preference. This is real diligence. Doing what you must do instead of only doing what you want to do.

URGENT + IMPORTANT = Give these items your TOP focus at the start of the day. Then shift to the important. Some things just have to be done when they have to be done. No mulling it over. Take care of business!!!

I'm not saying you have to be driven to perform every moment of each day.  Rest is an important part of managing your time well.  I just want remind you that you only get this moment once.  Cherish it, value it and use it well.

To your prosperity!


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Make Plan "A" Your Only Plan!

Make PLAN A your only plan...especially if you say God gave you the vision.  Most people don’t need a Plan B; they need to fully dedicate themselves to Plan A! How can it be that God’s plan for your life has an alternative? He hasn’t changed His mind. Once you tap into His plan for you, neither should you. Diligence is what most of our plans require, not alternatives.

Be diligent. To quote my Pastor, Thaddeus Eastland, diligence is best defined as "thinking it through, then getting after it and then staying after it." Work as hard as you can. Respond to customers and opportunities quickly. The best ones don't wait for you. Diligence isn't just about working hard, however. It's about rising early and looking for every possible opportunity to achieve a goal – uncovering every rock. The Bible says that "the hand of the diligent makes rich" in Proverbs 10:4. This is just one of the many encouragements in the Bible towards diligence in all that we do.

They say money never sleeps. It does. But it gets up early. This is closely related to the concept of diligence. A word study on diligence uncovers that it carries with it the idea of getting out of bed and getting started early. Personally, I know that my most productive days and "seasons" have been when I've been most intentional about rising and getting to work before everyone else. When I get up late, I often feel like the whole day is close to being wasted. Get up early and get after it. You will be rewarded!

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Random Thoughts from My Head

Just sitting here reflecting on some things as I work. I should be done with work for the day soon... but I doubt it. I'm pushing myself now because I'm REALLY looking forward to being able to enjoy the Summer. Diligence now. Play later.  Some random thoughts rattling around in my head...

1. Read to Lead. What we become depends upon what we read. My life is better when I'm reading something. It energizes me. Every time I start reading something, I notice enough of a change to make me wonder why I don't read more.

2. Stop Quitting.  If you want to make real, lasting progress, you have to stop quitting. This is a message I'm working on. "Killing the Spirit of Quit in Your Life"

3. Worry About YOU!  My new favorite passage might be John 21:22 but maybe not for the reasons most people would think on first reading. I think I can build an entire presentation on it. I think it holds the a real key to progressing in life and relationships.

4. One is Lonely Number.  Most people (especially Christians) will admit to being an alcoholic faster than they will admit to being lonely... yet one is completely natural and the other is a dangerous addiction. We treat people struggling with addictions with sympathy and those who struggle with loneliness like emotional weaklings. Here's a self-test ---> IF YOU DARE!

5. So Much Stupid.  There is a staggering amount of stupid stuff posted to Facebook these days. Here's an example. So... it's okay to kiss horses?

Here's another example. Apparently someone feels like it's a good idea for Americans to think even less than we do now...

Our main problem as humans is (and has always been!) that we do too much feeling and too little thinking about where those feelings will take us if not managed better.

6. New Levels Needed.  I've reached a point where people expect a certain standard from me. I have to make sure less and less of my stuff falls into the stupid category.  Not always easy.  Not at all.

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