Launch Week of 10/18-22/2010 Circle Up!

THE NATURE OF NURTURE In some regards, people respond similarly to the way some animals do. And like animals, people need to be cared for, not just physically, but emotionally. If you look around, you’ll discover that there are people in your life who want to be fed – with encouragement, recognition, security, and hope. That process is called nurturing, and it’s a need of every human being. If you desire to become an influencer in other’s lives, start by nurturing them. Many people mistakenly believe that the way to become an influencer (or leader) is to become an authority figure – correct others’ errors, reveal the weak areas they can’t easily see in themselves, and give so-called constructive criticism. But what clergyman John Knox said more than four hundred years ago is still true: “You cannot antagonize and influence at the same time.” At the heart of the nurturing process is genuine concern for others. As you try to help and influence the people around you, you must have positive feelings and concern for them. If you want to make a positive impact on them, you cannot dislike, despise, or disparage them. You must give them love and respect. FEED THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU TODAY WITH ENCOURAGEMENT, RECOGNITION, SECURITY, AND HOPE. Excerpt from the book, The Maxwell Daily Reader, by John C. Maxwell pg /18/10

Circle Up! TAKE THE HIGH ROAD The high road truly is the path less traveled. I say that because taking the high road requires thinking and acting in ways that are not natural or common. However, those who practice the High Road Principle become instruments of grace to others and recipients of grace. People who embrace the high road make excellence their goal. That’s something that can be accomplished if we: * Care more than others think is wise. * Risk more than others think is safe. * Dream more than others think is practical. * Expect more than others think is possible. * Work more than others think is necessary. When we conduct ourselves according to our highest standards, we are less likely to be defensive and take the low road when attacked by others. I say that because when you know you’ve done all you can do, you can let criticism roll off your back like rain. CHOOSE TO TAKE THE HIGH ROAD TODAY, REGARDLESS OF WHAT OTHERS MAY DO OR SAY. Excerpt from the book, The Maxwell Daily Reader, by John C. Maxwell, pg /19/10

Circle Up! THE LAW OF SOLID GROUND How important is trust for a leader? It is the most important thing. Trust is the foundation of leadership. How does a leader build trust? By consistently exemplifying character. A person’s character quickly communicates many things to others. Here are the most important ones: 1. Character communicates consistency. Leaders without inner strength can’t be counted on day after day because their ability to perform changes constantly. 2. Character communicates potential. Poor character is like a time bomb ticking away. It’s only a matter of time before it blows up a person’s ability to perform and the capacity to lead. 3. Character communicates respect. How do leaders earn respect? By making sound decisions, by admitting their mistakes, and by putting what’s best for their followers and the organization ahead of their personal agendas. WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER COMMUNICATING? Excerpt from the book, The Maxwell Daily Reader, by John C. Maxwell, pg /20/10

Circle Up! IT’S A STATE OF MIND Failure is an inside job. So is success. If you want to achieve, you have to win the war in your thinking first. You can’t let the failure outside you get inside you. You certainly can’t control the length of your life – but you can control its width and depth. You can’t control the contour of your face – but you can control its expression. You can’t control the weather – but you can control the atmosphere of your mind. Why worry about things you can’t control when you can keep yourself busy controlling the things that depend on you? I read an article that highlighted the strength, courage, and resilience of the Norwegian people. Some of the toughest explorers in history have come from Norway. It doesn’t matter how harsh the climate or how difficult the circumstances; they always seem to persevere. That ability has become a part of their culture. They are a nation of outdoor enthusiasts – living on the edge of the Arctic Circle. The Norwegians have a saying that I think captures their attitude: “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” HOW CAN YOU “CHANGE CLOTHING” TO OVERCOME ANY BAD WEATHER YOUR ORGANIZATION IS EXPERIENCING? Excerpt from the book, The Maxwell Daily Reader, by John C. Maxwell, pg /21/10

Circle Up! DON’T LOSE YOUR MARBLES My friend Dwight Bain sent me a story of a ham radio operator who overheard an older gentleman giving advice to a younger man. “It’s a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much,” he said. “Let me tell you something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities. You see, one day I sat down and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and came up with 3,900, which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in his lifetime.” “It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail,” he continued, “and by that time I had lived through over 2,800 Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy.” He went on to explain that he bought 1,000 marbles and put them in a clear plastic container in his favorite work area at home. “Every Saturday since then,” he said, “I have taken one marble out and thrown it away. I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There’s nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight.” Then the older gentleman finished, “Now let me tell you one last thought before I sign off and take my lovely wife out to breakfast. This morning, I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday, then I have been given a little extra time.” We can’t choose whether we will get any more time, but we can choose what we do with it. BE INTENTIONAL WITH YOUR TIME Excerpt from the book, The Maxwell Daily Reader, by John C. Maxwell, pg /22/10