Waiting.

It’s a word that I abhor even though I know at times it can the best action to take. But I am a man of action, and when I discover something I am passionate about doing or want to make happen, I hate sitting idle while the world passes me by. Especially when you know your idea can help other people or benefit those involved.

Hurry Up and Wait.

It’s just one of the military sayings and attitudes I experienced in the Army. You rush to get ready for action or primed to take your objective and then … nothing! Your battalion or company gets caught up in a Charlie Foxtrot of red tape or messy logistics that prevent you from moving forward. And you sit and wait. It’s hard to win battles when you lose momentum and morale suffers.

Ironically, I also see this happen with business ideas or business decisions quite frequently. People come together to plan and share a desire to “take that hill.” They get the adrenaline rush, prepare to take action, and then … nothing. It’s very maddening.

Shoot. Move. Communicate.

This is another term that an infantryman learns in training. You are taught to shoot your enemy, move so you don’t become a target, and make damn sure you tell your buddies when you are moving — so you don’t get shot in the back or so they can cover you from enemy fire. The goal is to continually move forward until you take your objective.

I believe many of us need this attitude and discipline with our business strategies or world changing ideas. We need to push forward to take that hill. Sometimes we need to do it at all costs and sometimes we will have to go alone. Heroes never emerge from hiding in a foxhole or being in the rear with the gear; heroes are born by taking action and not waiting when something needs to be done.

Fix Bayonets and Charge…

I’ve spent many hours over the last twelve months talking business ideas and world changing strategies with people who say they want to do something. They talk about charging into battle with a fiery passion in their voice, but without action they will never know what it’s like to be a hero. Maybe the goal isn’t really to be hero, but I hope you get the point. You cannot achieve anything great or worthy without action.

I’m not waiting on others anymore to do what needs to be done. There is too much at stake. I want people I can count on and have my back, and if I can’t find them, I’ll take out the hill alone.

Follow Me!

Are you ready to do something worthwhile? Have you been wanting to pursue that new business or start a non-profit? Are you tired of waiting? Then lets roll into battle together. I’ve got your six (that’s got your backside covered) and am here to push you on. Lets do this!

Soul Surfer /sohl serf-er/ – noun; 1. A term coined in the 1970s, used to describe a talented surfer who surfs for the sheer pleasure of it. Although they may still enter competitions, a Soul Surfer’s motives go beyond winning.

There have been a few stories in my 40 years of living that have truly inspired my life. What is even more rare is hearing one that compels me to take action on that inspiration. Soul Surfer has done exactly that.

I read the amazing story of Bethany Hamliton back in 2005. How one could have such courage and passion to want to return to surfing only one month after a horrible shark attack was beyond me. Even more touching was her positive attitude towards God and life after suffering the loss of her arm. And she was a teenager!  I don’t know about you, but when I suffer a traumatic event I don’t want to do anything that has to do with what happened. Heck, if I just get kicked in the shin playing soccer, I fear getting back on the field at all. Bethany thought differently; she was BORN to surf.

So many of us let our passions die because we’ve either been hurt in the process of pursuing them or have experienced failures. Then there’s those of us who have only chased a goal or dream for money or winning or recognition – reasons that are not truly worthy of our time or focus. It’s here where I want you to take away two things from this post.

1. GET BACK ON THE BOARD:

If Bethany Hamilton could have the courage to go back into an ocean filled with sharks and uncertainty, and with what others may have considered a handicap, then you can too! You were made to ________________ (surf, paint, teach, build cars, be a missionary, etc) and you need to fulfill that calling. Setbacks and failures are normal but you have to have the right attitude to rise above them and to press forward to catch your wave.

2. DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS:

I am guilty of chasing ideas only because the opportunity of money or recognition. I’m very competitive and want to win. Because of this shortsightedness I have robbed myself of time, pleasure, joy, and doing the things I love to do. I am changing all that NOW before it’s too late. You and I have one life to live. We will not get more time when our time is up. Start “surfing” for the sheer pleasure of it — not just because you can win a trophy. Besides, you will be more committed to making your dreams a reality if you sincerely feel them in your soul.

WILL YOU CATCH YOUR WAVE TODAY?

I will no longer let my fears subdue my calling anymore and I won’t chase the waves I am not supposed to ride. If a teenage girl can change the world around her, I can too. The question is will you do the same?

I am sitting here on a Saturday morning reflecting on how quickly time has gone by. It’s almost been one year since I made the decision to walk away from a great career, as well as a healthy income and benefits. I had the opportunity to help build a phenomenal business and was able to work with an amazingly talented team. Long term I really did want it to work out and my hope was that I would one day “retire” from my involvement there. And while there are some regrets, from a personal perspective, it was the best decision I could have ever made.

I was an alcoholic again. My ego was off the charts. I was angry about the way things were being handled in the business. I was amidst people in a community who could only be compared to Judas Iscariot. It was one of the best and one of the worst times of my life. Regardless, I am thankful for all of it because I learned and experienced so much … and it brought me back to God, something I had been missing for quite a while.

A monstrous roller coaster ride into the darkest depths of hell.

Starting over in business is never easy – especially at the age of 40. Putting together the broken pieces of life is emotionally exhausting. Not knowing what the future holds income wise is stressful. The months have been filled with enormous potholes and just when you feel as though you are gaining speed again, along comes another roadblock that completely stalls your progress. Top it off with my “little princess” graduating from high school and one can see why I could be a great candidate for a Zoloft commercial. There has been much pain and bitterness during this ride. Yet here is the deal; I am extremely blessed beyond measure and the future will be better.

There is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s not a gorilla with a flashlight.

Why am I sharing this with you and why all this crying and whining? Because I care about you. I’ve talked with so many others over this past year who have also been through some really tragic or emotional stuff. Many of them have been doing everything they can to hide the pain or frustration. They don’t feel there is anyone they can talk to or that they are all alone in the journey. You are not alone and it’s time that we experience freedom by getting the gorilla off of our chest!

Yesterday I was finally liberated from so much of what has held me back. I don’t know how it came about (though I think my beautiful wife was the catalyst AND watching Soul Surfer) or why it’s taken so long, but I saw the light at the end of the tunnel for the first time in a while. The future IS bright and we can make it better if we just believe and have faith. The best is yet to come.

Today things are still rough. I’m working on rebuilding a business and mending broken pieces. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. And that’s OK. What I do know is that now I can experience joy and freedom again — and YOU can too. We all need to find that place where we can let go and live again. We all need to be able to smash the rearview mirror and focus only on what’s ahead. Who is with me?

I can do all this through Him who gives me strength. - Philippians 4:13

Lets be honest. We always have a great intention to start worth goals when a new year rolls around, and by February, we’ve already given up on them. Some of us will remain strong in our resolutions, but for many they will be lost in the rearview mirror.

I’m no different. I have notebooks and word documents filled with goals or resolutions. Maybe 10% ever get accomplished. I think part of the problem is that we are creatures of habit and that trying to do too much causes us to do nothing at all. But I also believe that when we focus on the MOST important ones, we can at least make progress towards crossing the finish line.

Experts say that when we define the goal, that we should break down steps for completing this.  This is a great method to follow. It’s easier to eat an elephant one small bite at a time than trying to engorge and stuff yourself full.  My recommendation is also to pick no more than three main goals.  Finish the three and go back for more.

What do I want in 2011?

I’ve thought about the amazing list that I could put together but then why?  Most I won’t achieve (this really is being optimistic and not pessimistic) because I know my limitations and habits.  And it’s not lack of motivation because I am an extremely huge can of NOS (Nitrous) wrapped in a pleasantly plump body. It’s just reality that ALL of these goals won’t be checked off by the end of the year.  So here are my three …

1. Provide for my family. Whatever it takes short of sin to meet our needs as a family, I will do it.  I’ve launched a new business and will launch more.  If I have to clean poop, work for politicians, or donate my body to science fiction – I will take care of my people first.
2. Spend time building stronger relationships. I am truly sick of the the “text you, hopefully we’ll have meaningful conversations one day, if I can break away from my self-absorbed and highly task driven life” mentality.  Your life and mine is a wisp of smoke.  I won’t regret working more but I will regret not spending quality time with my family, friends, and community.
3. Give generously. Whatever I can do to help people whether that is through time, money (I’m fasting from money right now), talent, or resources.  Our world is screwed up, and the more I can contribute positively, the better it could be.  Giving back has always been something I’m passionate about.

Of course there are the other things like getting a life-size tattoo of myself, skydiving naked, doing a flash mob with mimes, and becoming a life-style design guru that sits on the beach in a third world country drinking margaritas, but the three that HAVE to be done are those three.

I’ll wrap up this post by giving you a K.I.S.S.  Keep It Simple Stupid.  Know this is sent with much heart-felt love!  Keep your goals to a manageable list, work each a portion of the time, and get em’ done.  Ciao.