To Serve well

Serving with Excellence for a Life of Excellence

Challenges

What do you need to prioritize over your phone?

We all know that social media has taken over the “world” so to speak. The stats say 7 of 10 people are daily users. I thought that was low.

Nearly 22% of the world population has access to social media. No matter your age, Facebook and other platforms have found a way to come in and consume our days. I heard this week that the average employee is on their phone for personal reasons 500 minutes a week. I certainly hope that was incorrect. Some other insights according to social media today:

  • Teens spend up to 9 hours a day on social platforms.
  • The average person will spend approx. 2 hours (116 minutes, to be exact) on social media everyday, which translates to 5 years and 4 months over a lifetime.
  • Current time on social media beats out time spent on eating, socializing and grooming.

That gets me to the point of this blog post:

I know there are a lot of stories out today pointing to all of the social/cultural challenges resulting from social media. The desire to have a life that is “Instagram-worthy,” and to have a “highlight reel” life like others… These are important issues and something we should all be aware of. My focus today is on how we forfeit our power when we get soaked in and spend our time in social media when we know that our life would be richer if we spent as much time in prayer.

Most people I know, of all religions/beliefs, find that prayer is useful and a “go to” when they need to better understand life, or seek heeling, etc. PRAYER (some call it meditation) clearly brings us to a higher level of awareness that we need so we can find peace and direction. We just need to put our energy into this important practice.

I got to thinking: “What if we all spent 30 minutes more this week praying for the guidance we need, those in our circle that could use a hand up? And at the same time, 30 minutes less focused on thumbing through Facebook, Insta, Snapchat, etc.?”

My hypotheses is that we would find 30 minutes isn’t enough to conquer all that we need and that we would begin to take notice of the value of our minutes and the power we each truly have if only we will take our time back.

Hello August!

(Photo Creds: We Heart It!)

Happy August ya’ll!

I don’t know about you, but July was both super long and also fleeting. I always have a bit of anxiety when July ends, because August seems to rush in with back to school and a lot of competing agendas in the workplace, community etc.

I always seem to be holding tight to the invisible rope attaching me to longer summer days and cancelled meetings due to vacation schedules. Summer is just a bit easier. August means we need to start the process of putting our game face back on and get fired up to make the last half of the year count! I’m ready – perhaps a little reluctantly! How about you?

So, here are some thoughts I have as we set ourselves up for GREAT SUCCESS in the last five months of 2017:

I think we need to start with a strong game plan. Not a multi-point strategic document, but a handful or less of key “must haves” for you to feel like you slayed the year in the best possible way.

Here’s my #1: Go BIG on PHYSICAL AND SPIRITUAL WELLNESS. Keep this top of mind, force it in my schedule, focus on my spiritual life, stop eating s***,  exercise more, challenge myself, renew my commitment to discipline in all things in this category… (Here’s the thing – I can’t do what I need and want to do without amazing health and energy, so it has to be #1)

Others on the list…

Stay focused on my “50 year” plan. That little document I put together to identify the 13 things I want to do this year leading up to my  big “50” in March… Let’s just say I’ve got some work to do.

Career growth. I launched a health care strategy company in May and need to get laser focused on where God wants this to go. It has a different “feel” or rhythm than my career so far, so I need to get in the “flow” of this new world!

Parenting. This is always a top priority because I want to be the best mom in whatever stage the boys are at. As they get older and they begin to take on this whole “adulting” thing, I need intention and guidance on how to step up in the best way possible. It’s always top of mind.

I think I have a few others, but the intent is to get you started with your “short” list this week. Let’s make every day count. I hope you’re reading this on a beach or lake somewhere and still soaking up summer. I pray it’s been ridiculously restoring and if not, that you figure out a way to carve out some time before the days shorten.

Always cheering you on!

– Lori

“Go up to the plate and get mad”

“One of the great oddities of baseball: success is relative. A hitter who fails 70 percent of the time at the plate is a potential member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and many World Championship teams lost more than 70 games during their title winning seasons.” – Don Yaeger (American Sports Journalist, Author and Motivational speaker)

Before I decided to write a blog post on the value of base hits, I hadn’t really done the research. My idea was to chat about the importance of “getting up to the plate.”

Although I knew that a good batting percentage was in the “300s” I didn’t really think about it as the insight above illustrates. (The actual 2015 average of the top batters was .322. That said, a 32% rate is VERY GOOD!) True, we do need to get up to the plate, but I think perhaps more importantly is framing our success.

Who ever came up with these unwritten rules about the need to win all of the time, and even to have more victories than failures? Perhaps it’s innate, or perhaps it’s driven into the culture through the grading system in childhood and via little league titles, dancing recital titles, music “chairs,” etc. All said, a 68% failure rate (I prefer “miss rate”) may be just what we need to reframe our success.

Let me be clear, I am not one of the parents who feels every kid should get a trophy or a blue ribbon. In fact, I think we do a huge disservice to our children and ourselves when we do so.  I do however believe that succeeding in life is better defined by baseball percentages than being the top of the class/team (insert your favorite blue ribbon goal).

Here’s why:

As the world accelerates (as we talked about last week), we need to be prepared to test and learn quickly. While our parents and grandparents generally worked at a company for their entire career, today’s world will almost certainly mean multiple jobs and multiple required skill sets. In order to find out where you excel, getting up to bat is important.   It really doesn’t matter your age, there is so much that life has to offer if you are willing to step up to the plate and give it a try and realize success can be measured in many ways.

“There’s only one way to become a hitter. Go up to the plate and get mad. Get mad at yourself and mad at the pitcher.” (Ted Williams, Boston Red Sox “The Greatest Hitter who Ever Lived” self-proclaimed, but one of the best for sure!)

While I don’t love Mr. Williams’ “get mad” comments, I totally can feel that vibe. We do need to instill a BIT OF PASSION behind our work and personal goals and desires. Today, I hope you’ll give some thought to where you need to GET UP TO BAT…

Try a new restaurant or a food you’ve never liked before

Explore a new city, near or far… Fort Scott anyone?

Try a new hobby… grab the ingredients for that recipe you’ve been wanting to try …

Schedule that lunch you’ve been avoiding…

Sign up for that class…

Ask that person you admire to mentor you…

Go be a MENTOR to someone in your community you know could use your inspiration…

Heck, change your whole career… (after prayer and discernment of course…)

This sucks… The reason why we need to call out bad days

Okay let’s be honest today. Some moments, some days – and it seems some months – just aren’t what we “had in mind.”

You know the internal narrative… “I didn’t sign up for this (fill in the blank…) life, relationship, job, health condition, weather, home repair, increased rent,” you name it. We all know it’s inevitable to have these moments, so I just thought we should call it out and and consider what we can do with moments like this.

If we are in the business of creating a life of excellence, of serving others and ourselves well, we must acknowledge, learn and move on.

As I approach 50 years, I would say all three are important and all three are a state of mind. We truly need to claim the rainy day that dampened the party and also the “all out” chaos moments. We then make a decision about whether we’re going to allow those times to own us or if we are going to just smile and realize life is giving us a gift. A gift of reserving our energy, a gift of a lesson, a gift of grace under pressure.

As you go through your week, I hope that you will realize it’s all part of getting to the point of true joy. We mix the good and the bad and the great and the “this plain sucks,” and then miraculously it weaves into this beautiful life that we have been given to bless others and create an amazing world.

The power to CHOOSE

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

Today’s post is a simple reminder: We have the power to CHOOSE.

Choose a chaotic or calm approach? How do I really want my home and life to feel? To look?

Choose to MAKE this a terrific summer, or choose for your days to be the same?

Choose to CREATE a plan to MAKE A DIFFERENCE, or not?

Choose to TAKE ACTION on your dreams and plans… To save for that great trip, or keep stripping away funds via Starbucks runs and too much frivolous spending…

Choose to LOOK UP & SMILE MORE, ENJOY the BEAUTY or walk around with your head down looking at your latest text, Insta post or Facebook feed?

It’s just a reminder that you get to CHOOSE. I love that… I need to CHOOSE better some moments and some days.

Celebrating big this month: The power to imagine

(Photo Creds: We Heart It)

I am a huge sucker for good commencement speeches. My sister was telling me about Will Ferrell’s graduation address to USC over the weekend and, of course, that has to be an instant classic. We all need more humor and I am confident that most USC grads were beside themselves with excitement at the notion of Mr. Ferrell joining their celebration!

Although I’m sure that was terrific, I prefer the graduation speeches that are a bit more poignant. A bit more hit you right in your spirit, lump in the throat, type advice and inspiration. Something I can sink my teeth into.

I really love this quote from J.K. Rowling. It speaks to us no matter our age or degrees are – or perhaps are not. I sit firmly in the camp that we are all gifted with everything we need to CHANGE THE WORLD. IMAGINING the POWER that this idea has is something to really think about. What if God has already given me everything I need to make the impact I am supposed to make? To CREATE A LASTING LEGACY? To truly change our world for the better in my lifetime?

I hope today you will think of the POWER YOU HAVE. To join the thousands of graduates worldwide and just IMAGINE the possibilities… no matter your age. I am betting that we can add some significance to this day if we all do so.

Adventures of traveling with mom

I had the opportunity to take my mom on a business trip this week which we made into a long weekend and Easter celebration. I had no idea how this would go, but it was a joy with a lot of laughs.

My point is that if you have a living parent, an aunt/uncle or someone dear to you and you have the opportunity, try to make it happen. The very idea of it might overwhelm you at first, and if it does, give me a call. I’ll tell you my story and maybe it will help. I want to thank Dr. Mark Box, and Nancy Levota for inspiring me to take the leap! You both really inspire me!

Here are some things I learned (or was reminded of):

She’s a bit like me… I mean, when the fire alarm went off, she didn’t leave the room. I always think it’s a test (and it was), but that’s not the brightest conclusion… but we lived, so that’s for another day. Just an insight that in some way, shape or form, most of us end up like our parents.

She reminded me to stop and smell the roses and TO STAY AMAZED. I got a kick out of how her wonder of looking at the ocean was like a child. It was really cool actually. I too often don’t stop, although I honestly try. I can do better.

We all need to stop and celebrate. We toasted with real and virgin pina coladas, mai tais and iced tea. You really should do this with those that don’t expect it (AKA, in my world, older adults…).

She DIDN’T like the airport full-body, pat-down screening. Once again, being reminded that our WORLD IS CHANGING was good for her… Our world could use some simplicity, the kind technology doesn’t offer.

I hope this sparks your thinking! Do share if you decide to make the leap. I think even a trip to the zoo would be a delight!

The home stretch!

(Photo creds: Pinterest)

The back half of April launches many of us into the “HOME STRETCH” of this season…

For students, it’s the end of school. If you are graduating, an even BIGGER amount of excitement approaches (and perhaps some anxiety)…

For those who love the annual Run for The Roses, the Kentucky Derby is the first weekend in May…

For those who have trained for a big race, on foot, bike or water, the FINISH LINE is always a refreshing site to see…

No matter if you are encountering a HOME STRETCH right now or not, chances are you have the opportunity to celebrate someone else’s or CHEER THEM ON! If you are in the middle of one, here are three small ideas on how to FINISH STRONG….

  1. REMEMBER WHERE YOU STARTED | If you are in high school, you may just be cruising through the normal rhythms of life, but many others chose to MAKE THEMSELVES BETTER by achieving THE NEXT LEVEL. The home stretch can be painful, and create the anxiety of the unknown, but IF YOU CAN KEEP YOUR FOCUS ON YOUR ORIGINAL GOAL, you will OVERCOME that pain and FINISH WITH PRIDE!
  2. THINK EPIC! | As in, ” THIS IS EPIC! I AM EPIC.” Whether a big or small acccomplishment it takes all of those STEPS TO GET US TO WHERE WE ARE MEANT TO SHINE. The tiniest of steps is a MOVE FORWARD. Keep in perspective that this is one more part of your journey and MAKE IT GREAT.
  3. THE STRETCH IS WHERE WE GROW! | The late nights, the frustrations, the PUSH is where we ALL GROW THE MOST! Think of the good ol’ caterpillar-into-a-butterfly story. It’s true… It’s worth it and will BE BEAUTIFUL when that LINE IS CROSSED!

THE WORLD IS CHEERING YOU ON!

You are a badass

(Photo Creds: Ashley Jost)

First off, apologies for the strong terminology in the post, but honestly it was needed. You see, I have some friends, as I’m sure you do to, that have been through nothing short of what most can’t imagine. (I have other choice words for that…)

This post is for them, to remind them – and you – that we were MADE FOR GREATNESS. It’s true however that sometimes we have to pull ourselves up and out, and be a BADASS in order to endure with grace.

For my friend who lost her husband and has demonstrated that through great pain that you can STILL be bold and brave despite being introverted.

For my friend who lost a daughter and is literally fighting tooth and nail to come out with grace.

The journey isn’t always as calm as it seems for others, but FIGHTING IS WORTH IT! Showing up EVERY DAY and knowing that you were MADE TO BE GREAT and that you can OVERCOME… They are proving that, day by day…

There are so many stories caused by death, divorce, loss of health, loss of careers and confusing relationships… We all have our own battles.

TODAY, REMIND YOURSELF THAT YOU ARE A BAD ASS and the STORY IS YOURS TO MAKE GREAT… OWN THAT, and SHOW UP STRONG. We are ALL CHEERING FOR EACH OTHER!

Simple thoughts Sunday: Stay the course

(Photo Creds: We Heart It…quote from Brian Houston, Hillsong, Live Love Lead book)

I am often asked how I navigate life… You know, make life-changing decisions, dodge bullets, celebrate the good AND the bad.

I think it’s my age, as I recall being a decade (or three) younger trying to figure out this puzzle.  My answer today is always based on the insight in the quote on the photo. I have only been able to be successful in anything from raising my boys to growing in my career to caring deeply and giving generously to our community through the gift of God’s word.

To be honest, even though I’ve had a strong faith since I was I girl, I was well into my 30s before I was able to get past the first few chapters of the New Testament.

As far as the Old Testament, I quickly lost interest after the creation story. It just seemed too overwhelming and perhaps a bit boring and even unrelatable. Wow was I naive! The word of God is not only NOT BORING, but it is funny at times, and pours out advice for a life well-lived. It seems like every day, at least one of the scriptures in my reading (I follow the one-year Bible reading plan), I am confronted with something that seems to be timely to what I am going through. It is incredible how the world aligns and speaks so clearly through His word.

I always wanted that “proverbial billboard” to show up on my way to work and shout out my next round of advice… a vision… a message that validated where I thought I was supposed to go or not go. The amazing reality is it was right in my nightstand… waiting to be opened.

I encourage each of you if you don’t regularly read the Bible, to give it another chance. I had to get the new living translation (NLT) version because I needed the commentary at the bottom to understand much of the Old Testament, but it is probably my favorite now. I don’t know about you, but I could use God’s direction pretty much in every area of my life. It is amazing what you will find when you simply open the pages.

Have an amazing week! Two weeks until Easter… Hope is rising.