Values

Edgar H. Schein, Professor of Management at MIT has identified eight themes/values in which every person will prioritize their professional preferences. These themes, called Career Anchors by Professor Schein, are as follows:

Technical/Functional competence
This kind of person likes being good at something and will work to become an expert. They like to be challenged and then use their skill to meet the challenge, doing the job properly and better than almost anyone else.

General Managerial competence
Unlike technical/functional people, these folks want to be managers (and not just to get more money, although this may be used as a metric of success). They like problem-solving and dealing with other people. They thrive on responsibility. To be successful, they also need emotional competence.

Autonomy/Independence
These people have a primary need to work under their own rules and steam. They avoid standards and prefer to work alone.

Security/Stability
Security-focused people seek stability and continuity as a primary factor of their lives. They avoid risks and are generally 'lifers' in their job.

Entrepreneurial Creativity
These folks like to invent things, be creative and, most of all, to run their own businesses. They differ from those who seek autonomy in that they will share the workload. They find ownership very important. They easily get bored. Wealth, for them, is a sign of success.

Service/Dedication to a cause
Service-oriented people are driven by how they can help other people more than using their talents (which may fall in other areas). They may well work in public services or in such as HR.

Pure Challenge
People driven by challenge seek constant stimulation and difficult problems that they can tackle. Such people will change jobs when the current one gets boring and their career can be very varied.

Lifestyle
Those who are focused first on lifestyle look at their whole pattern of living. They not so much balance work and life as integrate it. They may even take long periods off work in which to indulge in passions such as sailing or traveling.

During a very challenging and informative course offered through my employer, I assessed my own values according to the aforementioned Career Anchors. It was eye opening and something that I wish I had the privilege of considering early in my work life.

The highest priority in my career is a sense of service or dedication to a cause. This explains my yearning to make a sincere difference in this world, and why I am seldom motivated by the mere acquisition of things. It also challenges me to prioritize my activities according to what is integral to satisfying this need.

Two anchors tied for importance in my professional priorities; life-style integration and entrepreneurial creativity. Whatever I do must blend with my family obligations, and provide the opportunity to be creative and participate in the successes of the organization for which I work or own.

What are your career anchors? Which of these anchors can you not live without?

Values are the root system of your career. They provide the "anchor" when the circumstances around you buffet.

Always make a difference!

Making A Difference

Has "Making a Difference" become a cliche? More and more I've seen and heard the phrase used and, yes, abused.

What does it mean to make a difference? Can one quantitatively or qualitatively assess the difference they are making? Is it possible that "making a difference" is merely a marketing catch-phrase intended to make a consumer feel good about a product or service? Could it be that "making a difference" is sometimes used to cover up a poorly executed or even ill-conceived business plan?

Every new year brings the opportunity to assess how much of a difference one has made in the lives of those with whom he works and lives. Even the "best laid plans of mice and men," may result in outcomes that are less than stellar. As I reviewed my own 2005 goals, my performance appraisal for 2005 would likely be judged as "needing improvement" in almost every area.

As such, I have decided to ascertain my priorities anew. I have determined to look at my life according to four areas:

1. My Values
2. My Personality
3. My Skills
4. My Interests

Because of this reassessment, Difference Makers will be taking a decided turn that will reflect these four themes. My expectation is that I will be able to measure how much of a difference I have made in 2006.

I urge readers to similarly reassess their own values, personality, skills and interests. Perhaps you'll discover something that will enhance your "performance appraisal" as well.

Always make a difference!

'Tis the Season

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Festive Kwanza! I would continue, but I'm not sure I know all the holidays being celebrated around what is traditionally Christmas Day.

There has been a lot of controversy about the use of "Merry Christmas." While I am clearly a Christian that celebrates the birth of Jesus our Savior, I'm not sure I buy-in to either extreme in this controversy. I do, however, have some strong convictions about the use of Christmas expressions and terminiology.

Can I be a devotee to my Christian faith and still express sincere best wishes to someone who celebrates a different religious or secular holiday? I believe so. However, the issue goes much deeper than that.

Our culture has grown increasingly secular since the late 1950's and early 1960's. I know, because I was raised at the cusp of the transition and have observed the changes first hand. Our culture, in the interest of what is termed tolerance, has grown increasingly permissive of what was once deemed wrong, anti-social, and, yes, even evil. The result is a culture that has had a "brain switch" and is now intolerant of anything deemed Christian or absolute. Your right to disagree is respected. The truth, however, is apparent in every segment of our culture.

With this being stated, I continue to assert that expressing a sincere best wish to someone celebrating a holiday in which I don't participate is hardly wrong. On the other hand, it is also socially acceptable and proper to wish a follower of Christ a sincere "Merry Christmas."

It is also right for commercial establishments to acknowledge the Christmas holiday and permit their employees to express their Christmas best wishes. Preventing such, embraces a secularism that doesn't conform with the foundational principles of our nation.

Difference Makers wishes each and everyone a joyous holiday. Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Festive Kwanza!

Let's celebrate the melting pot called America that permits the practice of our faith without oppression or fear of retribution. Let's make a genuine difference this holiday season.

The Ice Cometh . . .Man!

Just came out from three dark and chilly days of no electric power. We "weathered," please pardon the pun, the days with our gas logs and gas water heater.

Our ice storm hit Thurday, December 15th in the early morning hours. By 6:30 a.m. on Thurday, our power, along with thousands of others, was out. By the time it was all over, more than 600,000 people . . . that's right, 600,000 . . ., were without electric power. Over the next three days we continued on with our daily activities hoping that the power would be on when we got home. After three days and about 12 hours, our lights gloriously began to shine. More importantly, the computer once again became available.

So . . . here we are . . . making a difference!

Speaking of making a difference, kudos to the men and women that came to South Carolina to help restore power to our homes. You're the greatest, and we sincerely appreciate your sacrifice on our behalf!!!

Always make a difference!

"Grandmother, what big eyes you have!"

The Bible is replete with references to money. In particular I think of Paul's letter to young Timothy where he wrote, "Yet true religion with contentment is great wealth. After all, we didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is at the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows. But you, Timothy, belong to God; so run from all these evil things, and follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for what we believe. Hold tightly to the eternal life that God has given you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses" (I Timothy 6:6-12 NLT).

Reading the emboldened statements in context helps me to see that pursuing money for the sake of getting rich opens one up to "foolish and harmful desires" and that some people will wander "from the faith and pierce themselves with many sorrows." Such pursuits don't compare to pursuing godliness, faithfulness, endurance and gentleness.

MLM Blog references an advertisement by a Christian millionaire. The ad represents a get-rich-quick opportunity ($100,000 in the first year). Solomon plainly said, "A greedy person tries to get rich quick, but it only leads to poverty" (Proverbs 28:22 NLT). Over and over Scripture speaks of the error of trying to get rich for the sake of richness. Conversely, Solomon writes, "The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it" (Proverbs 10:22 NLT).

So what is the point? I believe that any effort to pursue riches without God's blessing is futile. As such, one who aspires to build wealth is wise to do so within a life of godliness, faithfulness, perseverance and other Biblical virtues. Such riches bring no sorrow. And, should God not permit the accumulation of riches, learning to live contented with His present blessings would not result in regret.

How sad to see wealthy individuals who lament the emptiness of their life. No amount of money can purchase happiness and inner peace. Only the joy of the Lord can provide a fullness that cannot be taken away.

Am I advocating that no one should work to attain wealth. Absolutely not!! I am simply issuing a warning about get-rich-quick schemes that wrap themselves in Christianity.

The Savior who had "no where to lay His head" offers life in superabundance (John 10:10). This life, however, is not based on monetary wealth or physical profusion. Nor is there any guarantee that wealth would ever result from a commitment to Christ's princples. I assert that using Christianity as a tool for building wealth is wrong, and demands a full-disclosure of the methods for comparison to Biblical standards.

I am increasingly becoming committed to the truth that God blesses those who are faithful to the proper use of wealth. It is interesting to me that there are some who are not Christians who are more committed to "Christian" principles of wealth than many who profess to be followers of Christ. Could it be that their wealth is the result of God's blessing? That's another blog.

Hope these thoughts are provocative, and give place to not allowing the word "Christian" to blind you to the Truth. Let me hear from you!

Always make a difference!!

No-Fad Living

As a "Thank You" I was given a copy of a book published by the American Heart Association entitled No-Fad Diet. As with all books, I took the time to preview the pages and get a feel for the outline and objective. Without reading the book, I can tell you that the basic outline is so common sense that it, the outline, provides a good basis for motivation. Here are the three primary objectives:

1. Think smart!
2. Eat well!
3. Move more!

Think about these as they relate to any area of your life.

Think Smart

Solomon brilliantly stated, in reference to an insincere host, "As a man thinks, so he is." Our thoughts drive our actions. In order to achieve excellence in any pursuit we must first learn to think smart.

Eat Well

As a heart bypass survivor, I am learning how to make good choices in my eating. Note, I said I am learning. You'd think someone with a foot long incision in his chest and wires holding his chest bone together wouldn't need a lot more teaching. Unfortunately, the further one gets from the operation, the less "the pain" impacts choices.

Eating well also has implications as it relates to what one feeds his mind. In order to think smart, one must feed his mind well.

Move More

Ah, the ever-present activity piece. You know well that this is my nemesis. In this area, failure is not an option. I have begun wearing a pedometer to measure the number of steps I take each day. My goal is to walk at least 10,000 steps daily. To date, my highest number of steps is just over 7,000.

In order to arrive at your expectation you will need to move more. Planning and analysis are essential to any project, but alone they do not produce results. To make more, move more.

Well, there's the start of a series of pregnant thoughts. Thanks for reading and . . .

Always make a difference!

The Little Things

Thanks for the help with the sidebar. It's amazing what a difference six little characters can make. A misplaced HTML character can create a whole lot of havoc. Guess that's what happens when a novice attempts to play in the big leagues.

Lesson learned: Pay attention to details! While some may say "Don't sweat the little stuff," it is the "little stuff" that makes the difference between mediocre and excellent.

All big problems began as little problems. Every addiction began with "Just give it a try." Always attend to the details and pursue what is excellent.

Thanks again for your help and . . .

Always make a difference.

HELP!!

My sidebar's fallen and won't move up!

Any suggestions? I guess it's not nice to fool with blogger nature.

Ponder this . . .

"All that you now have is the sum of choices you have made in the past. All that you will create in the future is the sum of choices you make from this moment on."
--Skip Downing

Keeping It Simple

The late Larry Burkett outlined six "Basic Biblical Minimums" for any business or business leader in his book Business by the Book. The six minimums are very common sense, but often disregarded. These six standards provide a measuring stick against which any business should be assessed:

• Total honesty
• Be accountable
• Provide a quality product at a fair price
• Honor your creditors
• Treat your employees (associates) fairly
• Treat your customers fairly

One doesn't have to be a professed Biblicist to acknowledge that the listed "minimums" are, in fact, essential to legitimate success.

As I contemplate actively re-entering the network marketing industry, these will be my benchmarks. There is obviously room for expansion, but my goal is to keep it simple.

While I work to increase my physical activity, I plan to use the same resolve in working toward a successful business. In each case my focus remains the same . . . always make a difference!!

Passport LLC & Oasis Lifesciences

I am currently reviewing the move by Passport LLC and its move to merge into Oasis Lifesciences. Passport has established a solid reputation, in this blogger's opinion, for integrity and quality. Its leadership has been focused and demostrated a sincere interest in the distributor network.

Most impressive is their willingness to lay aside personal ego and benefit for the greater good. This speaks volumes about their true intent . . . making a difference in a very convoluted industry.

Thanks, guys, for always making a difference!

The "Body" of Evidence

I'm learning, after 52 years, that verbal commitment doesn't guarantee productive action. I can say it, write it or memorize it, but until I DO IT, all the verbiage is worthless.

The Nutrition Action Health Letter December 2005 edition has an interesting article entitled "While You Wait:The Cost of Inactivity." An interesting quote by Miriam Nelson of Tufts University in Boston says, "If muscle isn't stimulated, your body senses that you don't need it. Metabolically, it's expensive to keep up so you start to lose it." Wow! That kinda puts a new spin on the need to get active.

Have you ever heard the argument, "It doesn't hurt anyone but me"? Well, that same mental game is often used to justify inactivity. Until I pledged to make physical activity a priority in my life, I rationalized that my couchitis was only hurting my muscle development. Now, however, I realize that inactivity affects every organ in my body in some way. Diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis can be hastened by inactivity. In addition, researcher Steven Blair says, "People who are active are less likely to develop depression."

The research is voluminous. Physical activity is vital part of maintaining ones total health.

The Nutrition Action Health Letter provided the following as The Bottom Line

• To lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer, shoot for at least 30 minutes a day of moderate intensity aerobic exercise like brisk walking, cycling, jogging or swimming.
• To keep off sustantial amounts of lost weight, shoot for 60 to 90 minutes a day of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise.
• To build muscle and prevent bone loss, do strength training exercises at least twice a week using weights you can lift no less than 8--but no more than 15--times.

So much for the words. Now is the time to move forward.

Always make a difference!

A Genuine Thanksgiving

By the President of the United States of America.

A Proclamation.

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union.

Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People. I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

Accountability & the English Muffin

At dinner tonight, my family and I enjoyed some homemade potato soup. This soup is very popular in our house and has become a "tradition" of sorts. For years our Christmas Eve meal would include beef stick and cheese balls from Hickory Farms and a big pot of mom's delicious homemade potato soup.

In addition to the soup, I enjoyed an egg bagel and two taquitos. As we were finishing, I saw that an English muffin remained on the table. It didn't take me long to assess that the English muffin, adorned with some natural peanut butter and honey, would be the perfect finish to an already delightful meal. As I reached for the muffin, I was reminded by my newfound accountability partner that I'd never achieve the goals I'd been writing about in my blog if I didn't act upon my professed desires. OOOOUUUUUCCCCCHHHHH!!!!! Needless to say, I didn't eat the muffin, and I'd enlisted my first accountability partner.

My blog was discovered by my wife as a result of my placing the URL in her favorites listing. No doubt, I subconsciously did so with the hope that she would "stand in the gap" and protect me from myself. Subconscious or not, my plan worked! She's on my team and stepped up to remind me of my goals.

If you're having trouble sticking with your goals, just remember the English muffin! Tell someone what you intend to achieve and be ready when they hold you to your word.

Thanks, baby! Gonna make you proud!!

Always make a difference!

Stay the Course!

Last week was a bust as far as my exercise plan. Exercise - 0; Laziness - 7. I guess the road to hell is indeed paved with good intentions.

What now? Should I reconsider? Should I just quit and admit that I'm too old to change my lifestyle? Am I trying to do something that is impractical or unrealistic?

The answer to all of the above is . . . Stay the Course!

Writing a schedule is the first step. I now need to enlist someone who will hold me accountable for my goals. Someone who will, without mercy, hold my feet to the fire.

In a recent interview I was asked, "What are the consequences if one of your employees doesn't meet their daily expectation?" In retrospect, my response should have included:

• continued accountability (reports, checklists, etc.)
• enhanced coaching (observations, feedback, etc.)
• correcting errant performance (verbal disapproval/correction, retraining, etc.)
• rewarding progress (verbal approval, public recognition, etc.)

Such will be the next step. I will document my schedule on a weekly calendar. Each day I will enlist my accountability partner to check with me to confirm adherence to the schedule. My initial goal is to exercise 30 minutes at least three of the seven days. The ultimate goal is to exercise six out of seven days for at least 30 minutes each day.

I have enrolled in a program through my workplace that includes a health coach. This coach will provide guidance as I progress. His/her feedback will help me stop the self deception and excusitis.

The last thing I will do is to establish and document reward checkpoints.

Stay with me as I'll post these "adjustments" tomorrow. Once again, I invite your participation. One purpose of this series of posts it to create a broad accountability. Thanks in advance for your help!

Always make a difference!

Whew!!!

Just changed the template for my blog . . . and lost everything that I had done previously. Hard lesson! I spent about two hours rebuilding, and I'm still not convinced that I included everything.

Sorry for the confusion. I'll try to do better in the future when I make any changes.

Just a little note . . . Change isn't bad, but be prepared for the consequences!

Always make a difference!

Determination . . .

Phew!! This action stuff is hard work. But . . . I refuse to give up!

Too often difficulty has caused me to give in to my inherent weaknesses. Rather than confront my faint spirit, I rationalize and make excuses. Our pastor defines an excuse as "the skin of a reason, stuffed with a lie." How accurate!

Perseverance is a central quality in all who excel. Consider Thomas Edison, George Washington Carver, Abraham Lincoln, and more recently, Rosa Parks. All could have easily yielded to their limitations. Not one of them, however, was willing to cede his or her will to the apparent realities. Winston Churchill, though a poor student and lacking in athletic ability, became a master horseman and cavalry officer, and won the Nobel Prize for Literature. Go figure!

Determined to succeed in developing the habit of daily physical activity, I press on! My failure to follow the established schedule will not control my will. I will persevere and rein in this physical body.

Perhaps you face some habits that seem to have control of your life. Stand up and face them! Admit the REAL problem, confirm a genuine solution and press on!

Let's work together to always make a difference!

Stop the Madness!!

May I digress? Of course I can! This is my blog!

Am I the only one put off by the continued partisan sniping among politicians? While I personally hold to conservative political positions, by and large, I retain the right to listen and be objective when someone of a differing opinion speaks. Further, I refuse to whine, stomp my feet, hold my breath or perform any other sophomoric antic to try to get my way.

Politics, by nature, is partisan. I understand that. But being partisan doesn't require the destruction of those with whom I differ or oppose. That, however, is the current climate in American politics.

It has been said that the government is a mirror of the electorate. Arrgghhhh! That is one scary thought. Are we the people that hateful, condemning, and pessimistic? Do we seek ways to tear down the neighbors or associates with whom we have a disagreement? Have we become so prejudiced that we seek ways to personally discredit those whose positions differ from our own?

For the record, I do believe in absolutes. I live according to a Christian worldview. My worldview, without doubt, causes me to take a stand on issues involving morality, ethics and biblical values. That same worldview, however, also causes me to look at each issue through the eyes and the mind of Christ. Jesus urged his disciples to prove their Christianity to the world by their love for one another. What a striking contrast to our current state of affairs!

May I beg our elected officials to tone down the rhetoric and back off the destructive practices? I'm not looking for a "hugfest." Nor am I looking for a watering down of ones strongly held beliefs. What I am begging for is a civilized discussion; a reasoned debate.

Making a difference in our world doesn't result from always being right. It's the product of right principles, rightly applied. Let's be the promoters of making a difference in our political process. Let's be Americans first, partisans next.

Remember, always make a difference!

P.S. Thanks for allowing the digression!

Failing With Enthusiasm!

Winston Churchill said, “Success consists of going from failure to failure without loss of enthusiasm.” On day three of my journey I appear to be very successful by Churchill's definition.

While my intentions were good, my expectations were less than fulfilled. However, my enthusiasm hasn't waned, and I'm pluggin' on.

I have yet to meet my activity goals, but am staying on course and shooting for at least four days of activity this week. I have scheduled the time, now I need to add discipline to the equation.

Stay with me! And remember,

Always make a difference!

Lights . . . Camera . . . ACTION!!

The time has come! Let the action begin!!

Let's establish some baselines from which I can assess progress. First the physical characteristics:

Height: 5' 11"
Weight: 230 lbs.
Waistline: 41"
Bicep: 15"
Thigh: 25 1/2"
Chest: 44"
Hips: 47 1/2"

Next, what is my desired outcome:

Weight: 185 lbs.
Waistline: 34"
Bicep: 18"
Thigh: 20"
Chest: 42"
Hips: 38"

Now, what activities will I undertake to obtain my desired results?

• Walking
• Stationary bike
• Free weights

My exercise plan will be as follows:

1. Monday - Walking-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
2. Tuesday - Free weights - 6:30 a.m.
3. Wednesday - Stationary bike-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
4. Thursday - Walking-30 minutes - 6:30 a.m.
5. Friday - Free weights - 6:30 a.m.
6. Saturday - Walking or stationary bike-30 minutes - as possible
7. Sunday - Free weights - as possible

My initial target is to exercise a minimum of three days each week. Eventually I plan to exercise at least five.

This will certainly be a challenge as I tend to be a well-trained lazy person. It is far easier to remain sedentary; inactive. Now, however, is a time for action! Nothing ever changes until one is willing to change him or herself. So, here we go!

I will maintain weekly checkpoints and reward success. Rewards will be non-food related, and provide encouragement to "keep on keeping on." Stay with me . . . and feel free to cheer me on!

Remember, always make a difference!