Everything Matters!

An Excerpt from The Butterfly Effect by Andy AndrewsNot long ago, I finally told the story of when, at the age of twenty-three, homeless and scared, I was given guidance in a most unusual fashion by an old man named Jones. . . . He'd done nothing less than change my life and my future. . . . "With a little perspective," Jones said one day, "you can live a life of permanent purpose."When I asked what he meant, the old man answered with a question. "Do you sometimes find yourself unconsciously judging your actions by level of importance?" I frowned a bit, not certain I understood. "For instance, "he continued, "the time you spend with friends is important, but the time you spend with family, is more important. You might rank an hour fishing as very important, thirty minutes visiting a sick friend in the hospital much more important than the fishing, and a sixty second conversation with a convenience store clerk as not very important at all."I nodded my understanding and he returned to his initial point. "When you know that everything matters -that every move counts as much as any other -you will begin living a life of permanent purpose. A life of permanent purpose will make you a better parent, a better spouse, and a more valuable friend. Your productivity and financial success will soar to new heights while the old days of uncertainty, doubt, and depression fade into the past."Of course, that conversation with Jones changed me. But even more, it became the guiding force that produced the kind of speaker and author I have become. You see, I understand fully that my very value as an author and speaker must ultimately be judged by the success you achieve. And as I consult with companies or speak to organizations and teams, I am keenly aware that much of my client's (your) ability to succeed beyond imagination depends upon my ability to prove this very concept!When a sales organization sees proof that casual conversations in town matter just as much as an arranged meeting with a major prospect-When the second string right-guard sees proof that his every action on and off the field, whether he plays or not, is as critical to the team's successful season as everything the starting quarterback does-When a teenager sees and understands proof that every choice made in leisure today will affect the choices that will be available to him in more pressing times ahead-When one lives a life of permanent purpose, sales figures soar, team chemistry thrives, and teenage decisions become wiser and more cautious. And these are just a few examples of what will happen...Simply put, when we understand that every action matters, every result of our actions immediately improves!

Charles Spurgeon Quotes

Charles Spurgeon Quotes

Time Management Tips

This time of year I always notice my schedule gets busier.

It seems to continue this way until the holidays. And every

year I tell myself I'll do a better job managing my time, so I

can get more done.

Well, after years of procrastinating on this goal, I have

finally done something about it. Here are some time

management tips I have found that help me get more

done and have more fun. Maybe you'll find some value in

them.

* Decide what's important to you.

* Do the important stuff first.

* Learn to say no.* Create "Do Not Disturb" time for yourself.

* focus on one thing at a time.

* Delegate, Delete or Do it Now.

* Use the phone for meetings.

* Exercise, eat right and get enough sleep.

* Avoid traffic and unnecessary travel

* Take time to relax and unwind.

* Enjoy what you do and do what you enjoy.

* Stay organized. Avoid clutter and piles.

* Have a clear goal in mind.

* Don't be a perfectionist.

* Plan tomorrow today.

* Decide what's important to you.

You might notice I listed the same thing first and last:

"Decide what's important to you"

I consider this the most important part of managing your time. In the end, the best way

to get the most from your time is to focus on what's most important to you. Because,

"time management" is really "life management". Your time is your life. How you spend

your time defines your life.

Spend your time doing what is truly important to you and you'll find you get more done and you'll have more fun.

Thanks for reading!

What is the single most important thing, and one of the Greatest gifts given to us by our Creator? There are many good answers,I believe Salvation is #1 but how do we rank everything else- Family, Love, Peace, Friendship, Success, Happiness the list is long. I guess the reason for this blog is at the end of the day, the only thing that matters is how you spent it,(TIME). Just so you know this is all self evaluation. I end another day of this Blessed life the Lord has given me, and I wonder-was it lived to the fullest? Did I spend my TIME wisely? Was there a TIME of Worship? Was there a TIME of quietness? Did I truly give my family quality TIME? Did I take care of myself? I end my day watching my beautiful wife and girls sleeping and wondering did I pass the TIME -TEST?

The answer is I'm a "C" student in this subject.

Humbly-

Jeff

All credit to H. Jackson Brown, Jr.- I know blogs are suppose to be original but this was to good to pass up.

21 Suggestions for Success

By H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

1. Marry the right person. This one decision will

determine 90% of your happiness or misery.

2. Work at something you enjoy and that’s worthy of your time and talent.

3. Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

4. Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know.

5. Be forgiving of yourself and others.

6. Be generous.

7. Have a grateful heart.

8. Persistence, persistence, persistence.

9. Discipline yourself to save money on even the most modest salary.

10. Treat everyone you meet like you want to be treated.

11. Commit yourself to constant improvement.

12. Commit yourself to quality.

13. Understand that happiness is not based on possessions, power or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.

14. Be loyal.

15. Be honest.

16. Be a self-starter.

17. Be decisive even if it means you’ll sometimes be wrong.

18. Stop blaming others. Take responsibility for every area of your life.

19. Be bold and courageous. When you look back on your life, you’ll regret the things you didn’t do more than the ones you did.

20. Take good care of those you love.

21. Don’t do anything that wouldn’t make your Mom proud.

Going to the Next level,

Jeff James

http://www.vnutrition.com/

Just Give Me A Reason

The word success immediately brings to mind the concept of the Good Life. To be living the Good Life, one must be successful right? It seems that many people would answer ‘yes’ to this question. When I typed in ’success’ in a Google search, I was surprised by the different angles online businesses and even religious websites took on success.
I came across many different types of sites. It seemed that all of the sites either wanted payment for a product that would guarantee success or asked you to join a religion. I was surprised by one sight that looked like a financial business from its advertisement, but is actually a religious site that, after reading a long story , asks you to convert simply by clicking a link! This is just an example of one part of a large commercial interest in peoples curiosity about the meaning of success.
I believe that success is something unique to each person. The curiosity everyone feels about what success is in their life is natural because people are meant to search for what they want to do in life and, when they figure it out, try to achieve what they want. True SUCCESS, I believe is not easy or difficult, it's being content at the end of the day, knowing what ever matters in your life received your ALL!

The only WAY is up !

Imagine yourself on the side of that distant cliff in the background. you're all alone, well just You and the Lord. It's a beautiful day,the wind is blowing, all the sounds of nature surround You.

Nothing I mean nothing could make this day more perfect. About mid-day You reach the summit, what a feeling You've accomplished one of the most important goals in Your life.You set up camp, build a fire, and just enjoy the evening re-thinking every step of the days climb. As the stars come out You drift off, Your last thought is (I DID IT).

Your eyes open -you're a little soar but it's the good kind. It means You really pushed Your body to the max and it made it. As You start to prepare for the descent You have the confidence of Goliath. Five hours later you're down, now just a short ten mile hike to the truck and you're on the way home. Going through the forest You take in all of creation, all kinds of wildlife, plant life , rock formations , the clean mountain air.... You reach the truck just as the sun sets -what a day. As You crank the truck reality sets in Your back in the world of technology when You finally get a signal on the radio You know something has happened something major. Nothing makes sense You hear bits and pieces people -missing-kid napped murdered or worse. Your first thoughts are of Your family but You have no service on your cell phone. Finally a signal, You call Your wife but no answer, mom, no answer, father in law, same, ring,ring ring,ring,ring. Your mind Your life Your perfect weekend has totally changed in just a short 15 minutes. Two hours later You get home the house looks like someone is home tv on, lights on, door unlocked what is going on? You turn around to see Your brother standing in the door way as Your eyes meet he collapses, he's speaking but You can't make it out, his mouth is in a puddle of tears against the floor . What? What? You cry what is going on? as he leans his head to one side You hear the words there gone there gone.....


All the memories of the last 48 hours flash back before Your eyes. And You would trade them all for just one more minute with Your family.Now (you) realize it's too late. The only WAY is up !



God Bless

Jeff