Maxwell's Thoughts for Life: Thought 1

John Maxwell’s talk was incredibly practical. I will continue my notes here:

He then began talking, spewing out great information in what he called just “Thoughts for Life.”  (There were five of them I will share them one post at a time.  It’s just too much for one post.)

Thought 1: You need to define a personal definition of success.

Maxwell encouraged us to develop a personal definition of success, rather than always chasing the ever-changing world’s definition.  We must answer the question, “What is success for me?”  

He answered them for himself.  And says that he is successful if he:

1.      Knows his purpose in life.

a.      What am I passionate about?

b.      What are my gifts, abilities, and strengths?

c.      What do I do well?

2.      Is growing to his max potential personally.

3.      Sowing seeds that benefit others.

I find the second one a little frustrating.  It’s just not measurable.  So maybe it would be better stated (and maybe he meant it this way) growing towards his max potential.

What do you think?

Do you have a “stated” definition of success?  Do you think we should?  Would you think defining our own success can help us keep from being caught up in the world's definitions? Can we have a stated definition and let the definition transform some over time?  What do you think of when you think success? What are your personal definitions of success?  

What Should I ask when I get the chance. Maxwell Pt 1.

I will begin blogging through my CatalystDallas experience.  I want to start with John Maxwell’s talk.  It will be more than one post. 

               I have been for a long time, a fan of John Maxwell and his writing.  I had never had the opportunity to hear him speak until this conference.  For that I am sorry.  I read his book The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership shortly after it was released in 1998 as a 21 year old.  It has probably been as formational in my development as any other single book. 

               Maxwell started by acknowledging that he had a short time to speak and would like to convey as much useful information to us as he could.   And then he opened a fire hydrant and let his wisdom flow.  It was too much to try to drink from, so I took notes knowing I would have to unpack it later. 

               He began with seven questions he would ask a leader if he were given the opportunity to sit down with them for a few minutes. 

1.      What is the greatest lesson you ever learned?

2.      What are you learning now?

a.    Maxwell stated that this question would bring out what they are passionate about.

3.      How has failure shaped your life?

a.    “Sometimes we win, sometimes we learn”

b.    Maxwell is obviously a man who has learned to see failure as opportunities for growth. 

c.    I am reminded that we should follow all our failures with the question, “What did I learn from that experience?”

4.      Who do you know that I should know?

a.    I am reminded that if relationships will help me be able to tell more people the message of Christ, then I need to foster relationships better than I do.  

5.      What have you read that I should read?

6.      What have you done that I should do?

7.      How can I add value to your life?

a.    “If you help others get what they want, they will want to help you get what you want.”

What do you think? Are there any of these questions you would not ask? Are there questions you would add to this list?  Do any of these questions rub you the wrong way? What do you think of # 4 & #7?

False Start

OK so I am calling a false start on myself.  On Wednesday I wrote a post saying that I would begin blogging again on Thursday.  As is obvious to you by now I did not begin blogging on Thursday.  I instead decided to wait and try to begin on Monday.  So my goal for now will be to blog twice a week. probably Monday and Thursday mornings.  This will give us time to discuss each of the posts.  I am looking forward to sharing this journey with you and I ask you to invite your friends and family to come along with us.  Once again, I apologize for not getting started when I said I would.  I am thoroughly looking forward to Monday.

A New Begining

It is hard to believe it has been 18 months since I agreed to come partner with the Kingsville Church of Christ.  It has also been that long since I last blogged.  I will begin blogging again, now.  I have no illusions of a great mass of people that will be regularly reading this.  For the few who do I just want to share with you my journey.  I pray that you would feel free offer comments and suggestions as I live and write.  I hope this becomes a community of people who can openly and honestly ask questions and discuss issues that arise in our lives.

 I went to Catalyst Dallas this weekend and was very impressed by the entire few days.  It was extremely well done and I must thank @bradlomenick and his team for all the work that they are doing.  Over the next several days/weeks, I will be blogging about my experience at catalyst, the talks I heard, and the lessons I learned.  Hopefully you will work with me as I process all that has happened over the last week.

And then come along with me on a journey as we process together this wild ride called following Christ.

Great weekend

Lauri and I had a great visit with a great church this past weekend.  We are now praying for our future and their future.  It felt relaxed and like family even though it was supposed to be a interview.  God has great things in store for the Kingsville Church of Christ.

Daniel