John TV: Episode #15

Decisions … decisions … decisions.  Life is full of them.  And the outcome of our work, our family and our life ultimately depend on them.

Truthful Suppositions

 Today’s post is the featured article from the January 2010 issue of The Front Porch Newsletter. If you would like to automatically receive The Front Porch e-newsletter on the last Thursday of each month just click here to sign-up for your complimentary subscription.

“Do you suppose that’s true?” It is a great question that my good friend, Jolene Brown CSP, recently shared with our “mastermind” group. Jolene was recently returning from one of her many speaking engagements. Her seatmate struck-up a conversation, or more likely a monologue, to authoritatively go on-and-on about information she had read about a “politically sensitive” topic. She was trying to “educate” Jolene on the topic. Rather than trying to counter the discussion … Jolene simply asked her seatmate, “Gosh, where did you hear about that? Do you suppose that’s true?” The seatmate wasn’t prepared … “what do you mean?” Jolene repeated the question. “Do you suppose that’s true? I’m just curious.I am wondering if you’d be willing to share your resources or documentation with me?”

With the on-set of mass media and ultimately personal technology, we evolved into the “age of information.” Information, however, is not necessarily the “truth.” Sometimes information does uncover the truth. There have been some incredible journalists who have devoted their life to searching for the truth. Sometimes the truth is missed because of speed or sloppiness. And sometimes the truth is violated with “spin.”

There are times I wonder if more intellect and creativity go into designing the “spin” rather than seeking the truth. Spin is designed to slant perspective … to create a slanted reflection of truth. Spin generally has an element of truth. But I have always said … half the truth is always a lie. When you remove the costume from “spin” what you see underneath is manipulation. This, in and of itself, should beg the question, “do you suppose that’s true?”

Often, we can see spin coming like a tornado. Other times it is far more subtle.

The explosion of all aspects of the internet and social media are good examples. Information is everywhere … the truth is not. Everyone can post their viewpoint … and, regardless of the author’s intention, there will always be those who receive it as the ultimate truth. Today’s information is created in overwhelming quantities. And, in fact, there are many advantages to endless viewpoints. They provide a kaleidoscope of insights and can strengthen our ability to discern. The kaleidoscope, however, only becomes useful and productive when it leads us to the truth.

In some ways, postings on the internet and various social media are a virtual version of conversations that were once held on “front porches” across America and around the world. But with one very big difference. The conversation on the front porch had context. The conversation was in the midst of a defined relationship. Not just more information.

I suppose, in some ways, we lost context but gained variety.

It is in the midst of this onslaught of information (and we are in slow motion compared to where we are headed) I become increasingly convinced that clearly indicating and understanding our core values has become more important than ever. Our values can bring focus to the overwhelming blur of information.

It would serve us well to ponder more truth and “forward” less information.

Disclaimer: This article is simply my viewpoint. Nothing more. Nothing less. It is your job to ask the question, “Do you suppose it to be true?

John TV: Episode #14

 

 We don’t go running away from our values.  We go drifting away.  And one day we wake-up in a place we never meant to be … drifting in a direction we would have never chosen.                                                                     - GOOD to the CORE

John TV: Episode #13

 

 Make your commitments count!  It all starts with being very conscious about when, where and to whom you make a commitment.  Be careful with your commitments … and then consistently make your commitment count!

Defining Your Dwelling Place

Today’s post is the featured article from the December 2009 issue of The Front Porch Newsletter. If you would like to automatically receive The Front Porch e-newsletter on the last Thursday of each month just click here to sign-up for your complimentary subscription.

So where is your dwelling place? I don’t mean where you live, but rather what you think about. Worry about. Dream about. In other words … what do you dwell upon? Or maybe, for some, the more likely question is … what dwells upon you? It is usually one way or the other.

I would suggest that where we dwell has everything to do with where we are headed. Or not. I have often heard that you become what you think about. I have also heard that you become who you hang with. I suppose they go hand in hand. Think about it! Where you dwell has a lot to do with what you dwell about. And what you dwell about has everything to do with where you are headed.

So who and what define your dwelling?

Is your dwelling reactively defined by an automatic lifestyle or do you dwell with intention. Some tell me they don’t have a moment to think … much less to dwell. I’m not convinced we have to stop to dwell. Good or bad, we dwell even while we are moving 100 miles-an-hour! But I do think we need to stop to think about what we dwell upon. Most of us just don’t think about it. And it has significant implications!

It might do us some good to stop, for a moment, and simply think about what we have been dwelling upon over this last year … and what we would really like to dwell upon in this New Year.

The blank space below is not a design error. Rather, it is designed just to be a pause. A moment. For you to stop and dwell. Your tendency might be just to pass over this “white space” and keep-on reading. It is what we so often do.

But I hope you will stop, for just a moment, in this little dwelling place below … and dwell on what you dwell about. Or what has been dwelling on you.

What we dwell upon has everything to do with how we lead … and ultimately with how we live.

But one final note … I am so grateful to so many people and organizations who have been deeply dwelling on their core values over the last few months. Since publishing GOOD to the CORE this past year I have become increasingly aware of how truly difficult the concept of core values can be when you get dead serious about it. I think we have seen many examples over the last decade in just how deadly it can be when we don’t dwell on our core values. I hope this new decade will prove to be different. I am convinced the hope of something different starts one person at a time. When it comes to core values … let the dwelling begin!

John TV: Episode #12

 

 Wherever this Christmas takes you … be there!  Make this Holiday Season mean something to you … and especially to those around you.  Merry Christmas!

The 13th Card

Thanks to so many of you who participated in the Second Annual 12-Days of Gratitude from December 1-12.  (See details at my blog post for December 2nd).  I, too, took the time to write a note to thank twelve different people in my life.

I enjoyed writing each card and reflecting on the blessing of each person with gratitude.  My list of twelve people came from various walks in my life.  Some I have known for only a short while in my life … and others I have know for a lifetime.  All of them have made a difference.

About half-way through my 12-day run, I realized there was a need for one more day … for one more card of gratitude.  A 13th card.  And it would be going to someone I never met … at least until now.

I received an email alerting me to an opportunity to show one more installment of gratitude.  Whether you participated completely or partially in the 12-Days of Gratitude… I would ask you send this one card.  “The 13th Card.”  Address the envelope first.  Don’t even think about just signing and sending.  In this card be willing to be vulnerable and make a connection.  It won’t be that much of a sacrifice … at least not in comparison to the sacrifice they have made for you.  You should make this one a Christmas Card.  And the envelope should be address as follow:

A Recovering American Soldier 
 c/o  Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue NW
Washington, D.C.  20307-5001

You may have never met, but when one recovering soldier reads your card, there is no question in my mind that you will be connected.  Your few moments to write this card may very well be how they feel the touch of Christmas this year.  It may very well be how Christmas touches you!

JOHN TV: EPISODE #11

In a world of ever-increasing speed … what if you gave yourself a gift.  This is a gift that is impossible not to share.  Beyond any form of social media … nothing beats a face-to-face meaningful conversation.

2nd Annual Twelve Days of Gratitude

The 2nd Annual Twelve Days of Gratitude (Dec 1st- 12th) is underway.  Last year I introduced the 12-Days of Gratitude in my Front Porch Newsletter and again made the challenge in the recent November issue.

The concept is to write a note of gratitude to 12 different people who have made an impact in your life.  One note each day for 12 consecutive days … from December 1st through 12th.  If the intended recipient is still alive, mail it to them.  If not, simply tuck it in a treasured file.

Last December, numerous people took-up this challenge.  Some managed to write all 12 days … others did whatever they could.  All of them would tell you it transformed their awareness of gratitude.  It will take you about 10-minutes a day, yet the return on investment just might change your life!

Numerous people from across the nation have emailed me letting me know they are taking up this year’s challenge.  And it is not too late for you to do the same … we are now on DAY-3 but it will only take a few minutes for you to do three notes today to catch-up … and then just one a day for the rest of the journey.  If you do … I have a feeling, beginning on Sunday, December 13th, it will likely transform how you experience the 12-days of Christmas!

Grab a stack of notes cards and a pen … and let your celebration of gratitude begin!

Grateful … for Gratitude!

Today’s post is the featured article from the November 2009 issue of The Front Porch Newsletter. If you would like to automatically receive The Front Porch e-newsletter on the last Thursday of each month just click here to sign-up for your complimentary subscription. 

Happy Thanksgiving!  Today is my favorite Holiday of the year.  On the surface, I have some shallow reasons.  For instance, it is the kick-off of the Holiday Season … not like the finale on New Year’s Day.  Unless you are in retail, this Holiday sits on the front-end of a nice long weekend … unlike a Monday 4th of July where it is fireworks and then back to work.  And, unless you are the cook, it is a low-maintenance holiday with minimal expectations. You simply get to sit around, eat then eat some more … and enjoy those whom you are with. Thanksgiving demands little from you.  Which, on the surface, is why it has always been my favorite holiday of the year.  But beneath the surface, the real reason I love Thanksgiving is because of the one thing it does ask of you:

To stop … and be grateful.

I am grateful for gratitude. Think about it.  It has the power to change everything … and I mean everything!  It can change your perspective.  It can recharge your energy.  It can enrich most any relationship.  It is not surprising that gratitude is a slight variation from the word attitude.

Simply put … gratitude is an attitude.

I’m not talking about a shallow surface-level “thank you.”  I am talking about a deep meaningful value that drives you to see the world around you in a very different way.  To see all that is right … and that is good.  And even in a time of challenge or tragedy … to see the good that comes from it.

It is so easy to fall into the trap of seeing what’s wrong instead of what’s right.  It happens in families, it happens in companies, it happens in churches and it happens in countries.  The media thrives on what is wrong.  Many consultants make a living by it.

There is nothing wrong with having a keen awareness in seeing what is wrong.  Gratitude is not about a “blind-eye” to what is wrong.  But it does have everything to do in how we show-up and respond to what is wrong.  An attitude, grounded in a deep sense of gratitude, keeps our motives pure.  It keeps our vision clear.

I don’t know if I can ever remember seeing an organization list “gratitude” as a stated value.  

Imagine what it would look like if one did: 

GRATITUDE … We are grateful for those who have come before us to make this even possible.  We are grateful for our clients who are the reason we exist.   We are grateful for each other as we support one another and mutually develop each other through what we do and who we are.

Something tells me this value of GRATITUDE would genuinely impact customer service.  Think of how you feel when you are the customer and you sense a business genuinely appreciates your business.  Not a just a cliché thank you … but rather when they really mean it.  And without their own deep value of gratitude it is hard for them to really mean it.

Something also tells me this value of GRATITUDE would impact retention of your best people.  Employees appreciate being appreciated … and so do leaders.  Gratitude is at the heart of any community and it changes how a community, personal or professional, relates to one another.

The opposite of “gratitude” is “taken for granted.”  Taken to an extreme “taken for granted” leads to “entitlement” … which ultimately leads to destruction.

Which is why I am grateful for gratitude.  It is a value that builds value.   

And beneath all my surface level reasons … it is why I love this Holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving.   I hope it is a day filled with many wonderful things for you … but mostly that it is a day that reminds you how life can be richer when each day of your life is filled with a genuine sense of gratitude.