Finding Forrest: 01 March 2009

Half way there

I came across an idea for re-purposing a ketchup bottle as a pancake batter dispenser. One of the advantages are "Portioning pancake batter with precision―and without the usual mess of transferring batter from the bowl."

It's a really clever idea. Only, there was no mention of how you get the batter from the bowl to the bottle before taking it from bottle to the pan. I don't see how that eliminates mess or even reduces the mess significantly. It even adds an extra step.

Every idea seems like a great idea when you only think it half way through. Once people get half way, they usually begin to give up as they see more problems with the solution than they saw with the original problem. Those who think through things thoroughly don't end up with a great idea. They end up with a solution.

It doesn't have to be perfect, but don't give up too soon and don't stop to short.

Fear, Economy, & Faith

People are fearing the economy. Given that fear is grounded in self-preservation, it makes complete sense that people are scared. It is unknown what tomorrow will do to their investment portfolio or job security. Those who seem most fearful are those who are worried most about themselves.

Christians are reminded not to be anxious (Matthew 6:25). If you want to get past fear, you must be willing to let go of your own self-preservation (Matthew 16:25). Serving others then leads to a greater fulfillment.

If you want to stop fearing the worse about the economy, turn off the television and try giving others things like...

food.
clothes.
furniture.
a place to stay.
odd jobs.
babysitting.
transportation.
movie tickets.
money.
gift cards.
books.
toys for children.
...more?

How to sell hope

Joe Beam is a relationship and marriage expert. He's an author, speaker, and life-long student of his subject. Having been in professional ministry for 5 years, I've been exposed to a number of marriage workshops, seminars, and resources. However, recently my wife and I participated in Joe's Love, Sex and Marriage Seminar. It was the best one day marriage seminar I've ever experienced. Here's why.

It wasn't just because Joe is funny and an exceptional speaker. It wasn't just the fact that he knew his material and his subject very well. It was the fact that he began with where people and their marriages were rather than where they ought to be. It's the same approach Jesus used as he ate with sinners.

That's how you sell hope. Meet people where they are and not where you think they should be.

Vision and Passion

I recently heard some men deliver their vision for the coming year. I respect the men a great deal but when they spoke, I didn't hear any passion in their delivery. It reminded me of what Mark Sanborn says in his book The Encore Effect (p50).

"Ability determines what you can do.
Aptitude determines what you can learn to do.
Aspiration determines what you hope to do.
Attitude determines what you believe you can do.
But passion determines what you want to do!"

These men had all the "A's" but missed the mark when it came to passion. Vision without passion is merely a suggestion.