If you find it difficult to make decisions, or you worry that your
decisions are not good decisions, or you lack the confidence to make decisions in a timely manner... you're not alone! Many people express their concerns about their decision-making abilities. But if you ask them, "What's your routine for making decisions?" they often will tell you they don't have one. Truthfully they do, but they don't recognize it, or they don't like it. Their decisions are based on SOMETHING, and if they stop and think about it they'll discover what it is. However, it's much better to purposefully and thoughtfully develop your decision-making system, and then follow it whenever you need to make decisions. I'll share with you some basic rules I follow: 1. If I'm really tired, I don't make significant decisions (except in emergencies). 2. If someone is pressing me to decide something "right now," unless an immediate decision is critical, I say, "If I have to decide now, the answer is no. After I have had a chance to catch my breath and review the facts, there's the possibility it could be yes." Then I put the ball back in his or her court and ask, "Do you want my decision now, or should we wait?" 3. I like to determine the maximum benefit of a decision, assuming that everything goes my way. Then I ask, "Suppose nothing goes my way? Suppose this doesn't develop and materialize as I expect it to? What is my maximum exposure? What would I lose?" 4. For significant business-related decisions, I run them past my advisors. These people are successful in their businesses and professions and have a considerable amount of knowledge, experience, and wisdom, all of which are musts in the decision-making process. I get their advice and follow their recommendations, with good results in most cases. If the decision is too minor to involve my advisors but I still want input, I get my family together to look at the pros and cons. 5. I like to pray about my decisions. I ask God to help me see the truth of my motives and to lead me in the way I should go. If I'm about to make an unwise decision, I simply don't have peace about that decision, and I consequently act on that feeling of unease. I ask myself, "How will this decision affect all the areas of my life--personal, family, career, financial, physical, mental and spiritual?" Obviously, not all decisions affect all areas, but if the decision involves a financial reward but also carries considerable family sacrifice, for example, I think carefully as to whether what I give up is compensated for by what I gain. One final note: Prioritize your decisions. Some are more urgent than others! Don't Forget to Live
First I was dying to finish high-school and start college. Then I was dying to finish college and start working. Next, I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school, so I could return to work. Finally, I was dying to retire. And now, I am dying We live as if we are never going to die, and we die as if we never lived... Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. Zig Ziglar. I feel that I owe the teachers of Topeka USD 501 a debt that I could never pay. Especially my 7th grade typing teacher. If it wasn't for her, you wouldn't be reading this right now. In the summer of 2001, a teacher and football coach from a high school in Derby Kansas contacted me. He'd been receiving my daily inspirational messages and asked me if I'd come speak to one of his classes. Feeling my heavy debt to the teachers in Kansas, I accepted his invitation and set aside a date in October to visit with his class. Finally, I'd be able to give something back and make a payment on my debt. I notified my brother who lived near by and asked him to pick me up at the Rose Hill airport. I was thrilled he would have a chance to see his "little" brother talk to and inspire some kids. As we all know now, the events on September 11, 2001 changed every thing. Including private aviation. I was able to make it to Rose Hill Kansas in October for my commitment. My brother picked me up at the airport and took me to the Derby High School, where we were treated to lunch. The Coach informed me of a change of plan and that I would be talking to the High School, not just 20 to 30 students in his class. I hadn't prepared a message for a group that big and was sure my brother could tell, this was not what I had volunteered for. I talked to all those kids that day, I improvised on my feet. I did the best I could, but in the end, I was disappointed in myself that day and the talk that I had delivered. That following Sunday, I took some time to talk to my friend and Sunday school teacher Zig Ziglar. I explained what had happened to me that week. Zig listened to my story and I'll never forget what he told me afterwards. "Tim" he said, "Let me tell you a story. I was in Columbia, Missouri some time back. I had to deliver a speech to a group. The night before, staying in the Hotel, I got sick. I managed to make it through the next day. It was not one of my best. I was feeling lousy, but I was there to do a job. So, I worked hard and did the best I could. That night, I'd made another commitment to go and talk to another group. Oh, Tim, let me tell you. I really didn't want to go. I'd made the commitment, so I showed up. I knew then I shouldn't have gone. I got on stage that night. I felt really bad. Of course, not as bad as I felt the day afterwards. Much like you're feeling now. I really felt like I had let them down. For many years, I felt that way. Regretted that night. Then a funny thing happened a few years back, I was talking to another group. After I'd finished, I was signing books for the crowd. A man came up to me. He looked me in the eye and told me that he'd heard me speak that night in Missouri. Tim, a cold shiver ran down my back. I prepared for what he was about to say. Instead, he said... Zig, your speech that night in Missouri turned my life around. Tim, I was speechless. I didn't know what to say to him. For years I'd been feeling bad about that night. Then I realized that God had put me there that night. That man needed to hear my words. Even if, they weren't the words said the way I thought they needed to be said." I looked at Zig. I could see in his eyes what I often feel in my heart. The paychecks that come in words from God. A simple thank you. A story of how the work we do because of our faith, changed a life. It was definitely a Zig moment. He continued: "Tim, God put you there. Never second guess where you're supposed to be." Only Zig could pick up a man, with his words and make you feel like you could fly again. Zig and I would talk from time to time. I always expressed how much I appreciated his insight. His dedication to his faith. He would always brush it aside. I don't know if he never learned how to accept a compliment or if it was just easier for him to brush it aside and act embarrassed. I prefer to think it was just his humble way. His servants heart. His big heart trying to give enough people what they want. For those of you who knew Zig, you know that look on his face he got every time he shook a person's hand. I often tell folks it was his way of recharging his batteries. The energy he got from a handshake. It propelled him. He loved people. Of course, he loved Jean and God more, but he truly enjoyed meeting and talking with people. My true pleasure knowing Zig was not his Godly advice, but watching him shake those hands and seeing that smile on his face as he was doing what he loved. Zig told everyone: "You can have everything in life that you want if you just give enough other people what they want." Now that the final chapter of his life has been written, thousands of people around the world are telling their stories of how Zig gave everything in life... to everyone. Inspiring them, changing their lives and picking them up... so they could fly again. As for me, the debt that I owe to Zig, is bigger than the one I owe the teachers in Kansas. Hilary "Zig" Hinton Ziglar Nov. 6, 1926 - Nov. 28, 2012 "How do you account for your remarkable accomplishment in life?" Queen Victoria of England asked Helen Keller. "How do you explain the fact that even though you were both blind and deaf, you were able to accomplish so much?" Ms. Keller's answer is a tribute to her dedicated teacher. "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown." According to speaker Zig Ziglar, "Little Annie" Sullivan, as she was called when she was young, was no stranger to hardship. She was almost sightless herself (due to a childhood fever) and was, at one time, diagnosed as hopelessly "insane" by her by caregivers. She was locked in the basement of a mental institution outside of Boston. On occasion, Little Annie would violently attack anyone who came near. Most of the time she generally ignored everyone in her presence. An elderly nurse believed there was hope, however, and she made it her mission to show love to the child. Every day she visited Little Annie. For the most part, the child did not acknowledge the nurse's presence, but she still continued to visit. The kindly woman left cookies for her and spoke words of love and encouragement. She believed Little Annie could recover, if only she were shown love. Eventually, doctors noticed a change in the girl. Where they once witnessed anger and hostility, they now noted an emerging gentleness and love. They moved her upstairs where she continued to improve. Then the day finally came when this seemingly "hopeless" child was released. Anne Sullivan grew into a young woman with a desire to help others as she, herself, was helped by the kindly nurse. It was she who saw the great potential in Helen Keller. She loved her, disciplined her, played with her, pushed her and worked with her until the flickering candle that was her life became a beacon of light to the world. Anne Sullivan worked wonders in Helen's life; but it was a loving nurse who first believed in Little Annie and lovingly transformed an uncommunicative child into a compassionate teacher. "If it had not been for Anne Sullivan, the name of Helen Keller would have remained unknown." But if it had not been for a kind and dedicated nurse, the name of Anne Sullivan would have remained unknown. And so it goes. Just how far back does the chain of redemption extend? And how far forward will it lead? Those you have sought to reach, whether they be in your family or elsewhere, are part of a chain of love that can extend through the generations. Your influence on their lives, whether or not you see results, is immeasurable. Your legacy of dedicated kindness and caring can transform lost and hopeless lives for years to come. You can never overestimate the power of your love. It is a fire that, once lit, may burn forever. |
Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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