keep it simple
keep it simple & focus
Do one thing great.
I've heard this concept many times in many different ways, but I rarely see people with enough focus and discipline to accomplish it.
I had a great conversation with my good friend Mitch Sugg this morning. He talked about a book he's reading, "it", by Craig Groeshel.
Mitch said that Craig has chosen 4 things for his church to focus on and that he works hard to keep their focus on only those 4 things. He's found that when they lose their focus, things fall apart.
We live in an ADD culture where muti-tasking is expected, life is complicated, and focus is rare.
If we can keep it simple, we can focus on what matters most and do those things well.
For me, that's Jesus. When I focus on my relationship with him all else seems to fall as it should. My other priorities; loving others & Kingdom work, stem from my time with him.
Jesus kept it simple when he said this:
Matthew 22:37-39
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Simple makes it is easier to communicate, easier to remember, easier to do ... and do well.
change is noticed
When something changes, people notice.
This truth applies to just about everything.
How often do you look at someone and say to yourself "something is different"? Usually due to a haircut, a new beard, or something physically different about the person.
We do the same thing on our favorite websites. If a banner on the side bar, the logo, or the layout changes, you notice it.
Movement is noticed. If everyone in the room is nodding up and down but one person is shaking their head side to side, you'll notice the one person doing something different.
Change isn't always good and sometimes you can cause negative attention. But, I'd rather take that risk than be so predictable that people stopped paying attention all together. Sometimes change, good or bad, is necessary to stand out, be different, and get noticed.
Jesus was certainly not predictable. He healed people on Sunday, argued with the religious leaders, turned over tables, walked on water, and then surrendered himself to death in order to defeat it and all of our sins. He surprised people.
I am not discrediting consistency or stability. The core of who we are or what we are doing, the what & why, should rarely change; but sometimes we've got to mix it up when it comes to how.
So switch out a banner on your site today, say something different when you walk into work this morning; step outside of your comfort zone into something new and see how it goes.
Sometimes you've got to mix it up or you'll get lost in the mix.
personal
photo credit: mukumbura
God understands the power of personalized.
He knows the words and beauty that speaks to me versus those that will move your heart. He gives attention to each of us in different ways and he loves us the way we love to be loved.
Because he is a good father.
Looking back, God has spoken to me in strange ways and in odd places. He's taken me to the opposite side of the world to show me that I needed to stay in NWA, used sticks and stones to send me clear messages, asked me to jump off of ledges, and often times through birds.
Birds? Yeah - there is something about animals in the wild, especially birds, that speaks to my heart in crazy ways.
But hey, it doesn't matter how strange it is, God nows what works for his son and I know the sound of his voice.
Marketers could learn from this.
Get to know your end consumer, like really get to know them. Not through research, focus groups, or surveys -- those things tell you about averages and norms -- learn what's strange about her, not what's normal.
A brand that really gets you, gets your dollars.
You want to wear their logo or see it in your home. It reinforces who you are and makes a statement that is important to you. Companies can't do all that by appealing to the masses. So don't. Do the opposite. Ignore the normal and speak to the differences that make us who we are.
Matthew 10:29-31 speaks to the omniscient, yet personal, God we have. It also may be the reason birds remind me that I'm loved.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
different
About a year ago, I was asked to choose one word to describe myself. This task was difficult. I didn't enjoy boxing myself in with just one word.
It took me awhile, but I eventually landed on the word "different".
It felt a little awkward, as the word has some negative connotations, but somehow I knew it was the word I was looking for. As a follower & disciple of Jesus Christ, I should be different. I should talk, act, work, play, live; differently.
In life & business, people should be surprised by the contrast.
After all, God himself, through the Holy Spirit, lives inside me. I am a son of the only King of the universe and I know him well. Shouldn't that show up?
But, do I really look any different?
I've been wrestling with that word ever since this little exercise. It has become my mantra - always asking myself "is this different?"... & if no, "shouldn't it be?".
One of my goals for this new blog, is that it isn't just another blog. I hope its different.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Other verses about being different.
If you had to choose one word to describe yourself, what would it be?
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