Mental Post-Its

Thoughts, Notes, and General Mental Mayhem

Category Archives: Learn


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Creating a Life Plan

I try to live with intention, so was intrigued when my mentor, Holly, challenged me to create a personal life plan. I’d heard the concept before, but had never done it so I was looking forward to giving it a try and seeing what it was all about. And it sounded like a good way to start my year.

The one she used for herself and shared with me is by Michael Hyatt, the Chairman of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S. You can also get his e-book on the subject for free by subscribing to his blog. You can always unsubscribe later if you want. Creating Your Personal Life Plan takes less than an hour to read, and has a lot of good information as well as a Word doc template for your own plan.

He suggests to take a day to figure out your own details. I took a couple of hours one afternoon, but will admit that it needs some refining. There are a few sections that are more general than I’d like, but I don’t yet know the answers. I’m still trying to answer the question of what I want to be when I grow up. Nonetheless, it was a great exercise is intentionality and forward-thinking for my life. It helped me clarify priorities both for the present and future, and I think it will do me good to review it periodically as Hyatt suggests.

Anyway, just wanted to throw it out there in case it sounds like something you’d be interested in doing as well. Never hurts to set goals and live with a little more purpose!


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How to Survive Almost Anything

If you know even just three things about me, one of those items is probably how much I love TV and movies. One of my favorite genres is anything to do with spies. Outside of that, I love action, end of the world, comedy, dramady, some SciFi, some fantasy, some romantic comedies, mostly fiction…ok, lots of different genres. (Mostly, you can just leave out Westerns, Reality and co-dependent teen vampire flicks, and I’m in.) Therefore, in my vast amount of research, I’ve been taking notes on how to survive almost anything–End Times, zombie apocalypse, kidnapping, bombings, physical attack, vampire awakening, virus outbreak, alien invasion and/or galactic invasion. And I’m here to share that knowledge with you. You’re welcome.

Learn….

  • a second language. You almost always need to be at least bilingual. This flaw is an American’s Achilles heel. I need to get back to practicing. If were are talking near future, learn Spanish. (See most stats for 2030.) Far future, Chinese. (See Firefly.)
  • to pick a lock. Despite my asking for a lock picking kit for years, I’ve yet to receive one for my birthday or Christmas. Don’t be fooled, kids. A credit card won’t work on any real door. Get yourself a set of tools and practice. And all locks were not created equal, so don’t get cocky.
  • kickboxing or another form of martial arts or higher level self defense. You must be able to defend yourself. This tactic should come in hand in almost any situation, except for evil wizards.
  • Morse Code. Old school or not, it could prove to be invaluable in a variety of situations. It’s survived itself, hasn’t it? Morse Code would work for when the power goes out, when you need to communicate without words, or even in a German submarine.
  • a warning phrase. You need to choose a phrase to communicate with your friends and loved ones in case you are in trouble. This simple exchange could communicate that you’ve been kidnapped, you’re cover has been blown or that your job won’t let you share that a meteor is headed to Earth in 19 hours. So, you may want to choose a few phrases, as well as one that says, “It’s ok. I was wrong. It was just a flock of wild geese flying backwards.” Don’t make it too obscure, though, or someone will catch on. Example: Jack and Sydney said that there was construction on the freeway.
  • to like exercise. Let’s face it. In any of the movies where your life is on the line, these people are running. It’s the awful truth. Some strength training and running will come in handy. Watch The Firm or War of the Worlds. It could be almost anything.
  • to wield a weapon. Let’s not make the mistake that there will always be a gun on hand, and that you can just point and shoot. You may want to take up an axe, bow and arrow, wooden stake or shank. It would also be helpful if you can make your own weapon, and several of the aforementioned lend themselves to that.
  • to survive on less food. If it’s End Times, don’t count on a filet every night. Practice fasting, and it wouldn’t hurt if you learned to eat things you find in nature for good measure. Panham isn’t that far away.
  • to push through your fear. Fear gets you killed. It makes you think slower. React and go. Remember, there are only two choices: fight or flight. Both involve action, though. One exception: only play dead if there is a bear nearby.
  • who you can trust. You may think it’s easiest to survive on your own. It is realistic to think that there is a Brutus around every corner willing to sell you out for their own survival, cash, power or appointment within the alien regime.  But the real truth is that you need your Ron and Hermione. Know who those people are.

Of course, there are probably a few other items that could be added to this list. What would you add? I’ve just tried to cover the basics for you. These topics will take you a while to learn, and you may discover others in the process. After you’ve mastered the above, you’re in good shape. Then you can move on, and hone other survival skills. But for now, congratulations in taking the first step. You’re well on your way. I’ll see you on the other side…

Note: even if you never have to use any of these essential skills, you’ll look way cool in front of your peers.


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Book Review: 2011

181613924Here’s a list of books I either listened to or read in 2011. I recommend most any of them. It was a little lighter load than in years past, but there was a lot of transition in my life this year to distract me. Hopefully there will be a longer list in 2012, but at least these were good ones to keep me informed and entertained!

 

(Note: Amazon links are affiliate links.)


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Lessons From Disney

Last Monday, Brian White came to speak in staff meeting. He works in the mobile game department at Disney, and also spoke in our senior pastor track last year at The Orange Conference. I really enjoyed hearing about the inner workings of Disney and their cultural. He gave us some really valuable insight, and I thought I’d share it with you.

  1. You can’t fake enthusiasm. People can tell if you are being authentic or not.
  2. Insane talent is not enough. Be sure to play well with others.
  3. Failure can be tolerated, lack of judgement cannot. Failure can still be a path to success. If you’re failing, you probably aren’t trying very hard to make a difference. Lack of judgement is how you treat others or conduct yourself. Do others have to do damage control on your behalf?
  4. Think of art as a team sport. No one can be something big all on their own.
  5. Concentrate on psychographics, not demographics. Disney uses the word “guests” and not “customers.” And they create their experience around the Compass (Needs, Emotions, Stereotypes and Wants – North, East, South, West).
  6. Criticism alone is not valuable feedback. Always include a suggestion or solution.
  7. Focus is the key to organizational momentum. Bobby Iger, former CEO, says their focus is creativity, innovation and going into foreign markets. Examples: Shakespeare In Love vs. Pirates of the Caribbean. Shakespeare In Love was a great movie, but not near the marketing options. Pirates involves many of the staff, so they can rally around the same project.
  8. The guest experience is everyone’s responsibility. This is the thing that really matters. If you think this is beneath you or doesn’t effect you, you have the wrong mindset.

Of course, it was awesome to see all of this unpacked over two hours, but I hope you can still gain some insight from these notes. Now, let’s all go to Disney World for the object lessons!


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Happy Anniversary

…to me. Wednesday the 13th, I celebrated nine years of living in Georgia. It was a cold, winter’s night in 2001 that Heather and I pulled into her parent’s driveway. I was really excited, and a little scared. It was a new life and I felt out of my element as their subdivision sometimes felt larger than my college.

But I’ve adjusted and adapted, and now feel very at home here. I cannot begin to count the numerous blessings that God has given me me since living here. I am more thankful for this experience than any words could ever express, and I love to use words.

I do think it would be good, however, to note a few of the significant blessings – a highlights reel, if you will – of my time here. Now, I know this list could go on for days but I’m just going to throw a few out here.

1. The Bundys: Bill and Deedee gave me a home and family here in Atlanta. Since I met them 1996, they have welcomed me as one of their own. They even gave me a sister and best friend in Heather…and lots of extended family. I still miss Thanksgiving with them every year.

2. North Atlanta Church of Christ: a place of spiritual development and a safe place to grow. I can’t imagine how different I might be if I hadn’t spent years with these people. They will always have a significant place in my heart. I have so many friends for life from here.

3. The Reynolds Group: really learned to love food in a whole, new way here. I grew significantly as a professional here, too, and began my desire to pursue writing, a true passion. And am thankful to say that I still have great relationships with friends here, even though I have moved on.

4. Trifecta+1: Daron, Mark and I are the Trifecta and Margaret is our plus one. These three have helped me in more ways than they will ever realize. They are continually a source of encouragement, creativity, accountability and love. Through them, God has shown me the direction for my life. I feel a little undeserving of them at times, so I’m thankful they accept me. These people are my heart living outside my chest.

5. The People: Yes, this may sound a like a cheap plug to include “the little people,” but I truly do mean it. I think I could live in any big city and find contentment. And while I adore the art/music/theater/restaurant/entertainment venues, it’s the people here who capture my attention. When I say, “I love Atlanta” (which I’ve said often, by the way), I always mean the people. There are a ton of people I have yet to talk specifically about who are very dear to me. I hope you know who you are because I hope that I tell you enough. If not, I’m sorry and I’ll try and do better. You make this city special to me.

While other ranking honorable mentions may include diabetic sweet tea, my favorite restaurants and four seasons, I think the above will suffice for now. I don’t know if I’ll “settle” down here in Atlanta (or anywhere for that matter), but I’m willing to go wherever God calls me. Just know a part of me will always remain in Hotlanta!