The Monday Memo from John Stanko

645: Ideas to Cash

Yesterday I met with a group of folks to talk about, encourage, showcase and study creativity. This group, which we are now calling G1 (for Genesis 1:1, since we are doing the work of creativity the Creator assigned), has met since last June. Some people bring things to share; some just listen; all speak of their struggles, fears, and breakthroughs where creativity is concerned. The two hours we allot to meet always move by quickly.

I did not have a chance to share an insight I recently had about creativity and Jacob, so since I could not share it there, I will share the first part with you today, with the second coming next week. Doesn't that make you feel special?

SPOTTY PAYMENTS

When Jacob was preparing to leave his conniving father-in-law Laban, Jacob proposed a plan that he would take all the spotted and speckled sheep as his payment for years of service. To Laban's surprise, Jacob proposed that all the existing spotted and speckled sheep be taken from the flock and only the yet-to-be-born spotted and speckled be Jacob's. What a strange plan, for how could Jacob expect to gain any not solid colored sheep if they were all removed before they could mate and reproduce? Laban was all to happy to comply and put a three-day's journey between his flocks and Jacob's so there would be no possibility, or so he thought, of Jacob getting any of his sheep.

But Jacob had a divine plan, a flash of brilliance and creative insight, that made him a wealthy man. We read in Genesis 30:37-43:

Then Jacob took fresh rods of poplar and almond and plane trees, and peeled white stripes in them, exposing the white which was in the rods. He set the rods which he had peeled in front of the flocks in the gutters, even in the watering troughs, where the flocks came to drink; and they mated when they came to drink. So the flocks mated by the rods, and the flocks brought forth striped, speckled, and spotted. Jacob separated the lambs, and made the flocks face toward the striped and all the black in the flock of Laban; and he put his own herds apart, and did not put them with Laban’s flock. Moreover, whenever the stronger of the flock were mating, Jacob would place the rods in the sight of the flock in the gutters, so that they might mate by the rods; but when the flock was feeble, he did not put them in; so the feebler were Laban’s and the stronger Jacob’s. So the man became exceedingly prosperous, and had large flocks and female and male servants and camels and donkeys.

PRAY FOR MONEY

This strategy seems a bit weird, but it worked. Later when Jacob was talking to his wives who were Laban's daughters, he said this in Genesis 31:10-13:

And it came about at the time when the flock were mating that I lifted up my eyes and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which were mating were striped, speckled, and mottled. Then the angel of God said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Lift up now your eyes and see that all the male goats which are mating are striped, speckled, and mottled; for I have seen all that Laban has been doing to you. I am the God of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you made a vow to Me; now arise,leave this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”

I don't understand it all, but God gave Jacob a creative strategy and prospered him with an idea. Jacob had to follow through on the idea to get the blessing. We will look at this again next week to draw some more conclusions, but often I have found that you pray for money and God gives you an idea. You have to convert that idea into action and only then does the money come. There are no shortcuts and no winning the lottery. Jacob got the creative inspirtation, had to implement what he saw and over time he became wealthy.

I will end with this question: do you have any creative ideas that you need to convert into action and then into cash and wealth? Ponder that and I will be back next week to continue the discussion.

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OFF TO KENYA: I depart for Kenya this coming Thursday and will be there for the next two weeks. There is still time (there is never a wrong time) to donate to the cause of helping the Kenyan widows and orphans. You can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible contribution to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. You can also subscribe to receive my regular travel blog updates from Kenya by going to this site and looking for the "get email updates" in the box in the upper right.

644: 10,000 Hours

In his seminal book, Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell repeatedly mentioned the 10,000-hour rule. His premise was that anyone who spends 10,000 doing anything can master the skill or field and obtain a high level of success. To support his claim, Gladwell used a wide variety of examples. He showed why a majority of Canadian hockey players are born in the first few months of the year (that gives them more ice time in their young lives), how Bill Gates invested his 10,000 hours in computers by the age of 19, and why the Beatles were such an 'overnight' success (they put in their hours playing for years in Germany).

Then in his book, The Dip, Seth Godin urges readers to become the best in the world in some practice or skill. For that to happen, successful people need to identify what that is and then be willing both to quit activities that don't contribute to that goal and also to put in the time and effort to be the best.

What does all this have to do with purpose? I am glad you asked; let's explore the answer together

I PUT IN MY HOURS

Years ago, some people urged me to broaden my repertoire of messages beyond purpose. They were afraid my teachings were not diverse enough to reach a broader audience. I took their advice to heart, but when i sought the Lord, I sensed he was telling me the opposite: to focus even more on purpose. And that is exactly what I did.

I decided, before I read Godin, that I was going to be one of the best purpose coaches in the world, with God's help and guidance. And that has led me to invest my 10,000 hours over the last 22 years into the topic of purpose, also doing that before and after I read Gladwell. How did I do this? I have:

• written 644 weekly Monday Memos since 2001, many of which are on purpose.
• developed a comprehensive website and two companies with PurposeQuest in their names.
• written six books about purpose.
• composed one daily devotional on purpose.
• met with more than 3,000 people in one-on-one sessions to talk about purpose.
• conducted hundreds of free seminars around the world, including 10 in the last five years with 425 in attendance.
• spoken about purpose in 24 countries.
• submitted numerous articles about purpose for publications around the world.
• read just about every book on purpose I can get my hands on.

You get the idea. If I know anything about purpose, it is because God gave me grace and because I put in my time. There were and are no shortcuts. God did His part, but I have done mine. Whether or not that makes me an expert or successful is in God's eyes and people's minds, but I have done my best. Any success I have had is not an accident.

THE VERSE

If there is one verse that has guided me through this process, it is found in 1 Corinthians 15:10 (NAS):

"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me."

Paul attributed his ministry success to two things: the grace of God and his own labor. It could not be just one or the other; it had to be both. The same is true for you and me. Of course, anything we do, have or say is by God's grace. But Paul acknowledged that we can receive God's grace in vain in 2 Corinthians 6:1 (NAS):

"And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain."

I leave you this week to ponder two questions. The first is: What do I want to be among the best in the world at doing? The second is: At what am I willing to invest the time and energy to become one of the best? Ask God help's as you answer those two questions and then you know what to do. Stop looking for shortcuts to purposeful living and get busy doing it. Thanks for reading and have a blessed week.

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KENYA: My departure for Kenya is 11 days away. You can read about our exciting computer project here. If it is in your heart to give toward this trip, now is the time. Please donate through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. We are amassing a wonderful fund to distribute to widows and orphans while we are in Kenya, and you have made it happen. Thank you for all your help and please be praying that our container shipment can take place before we depart.

643 - What To Do With a Big Head

How do you react when you do something well?  What's more, how do you handle it when someone compliments you for something they admire about you? If you're like some, you may not know what to do in those situations. You don't want to appear proud or egocentric, so you actually may minimize your strengths and achievements in your eyes and in the eyes of others. This may seem spiritual or noble, but it's actually detrimental to your ongoing development and growth!

What should you do when you succeed or receive a compliment? I'm glad you asked. For the answer, however, you will have to read on.

A BIG HEAD

We have looked at the story of David and Goliath the last two weeks.  (If you didn't read or receive those Memos, you may want to go the site where they are posted and get caught up.) Last week, we saw how David made specific declarations of what he was about to do to Goliath. David made good on his promises and killed Goliath with one stone from his slingshot. It's what he did next that answers the questions I raised above.

David cut off Goliath's head! That was one big head not only to cut off but also to carry around.

The armies of Israel were encouraged by David's victory, and went forth to win a great victory over the Philistine army. That was one byproduct of David's success. Then David did something else that would be quite uncharacteristic for many I know"

David took the Philistine's head and brought it to Jerusalem, and he put the Philistine's weapons in his own tent (1 Samuel 17:54).

What did David do with the head? I doubt if he kept it in his tent or made a keychain out of it. He did what most champions did with such spoils of battle. David probably hung the head on a post for everyone to see. David celebrated his own victory and advertised his achievement! What's more, he kept a souvenir of the battle by keeping the giant's sword in his trophy case.

How does that answer the question of what to do when you achieve success? How does this give you insight into how you should respond when you receive a compliment?

DON'T WORRY THAT A BIG HEAD WILL GIVE YOU A BIG HEAD.

David celebrated his victory. He wanted people to see Goliath's head so that they would be encouraged to fight their own battles. As a good leader, David wanted the people to see that they didn't have to cower in fear. More importantly, David didn't minimize his success.  He didn't say, "Well, it was nothing.  You know, it was a lucky shot and God really did it, it wasn't me."

No.  David said, "Look what I've done.  What can you do? If this is what God helped me do, what will He help you do?"  That's what you need to do as well.

If someone compliments you on something you've done or for something you are, say, "Thank you." Don't push their praise away.

If you have done something and no one compliments you, then compliment yourself! Admire what you've done.Savor the moment, without being self-conscious or worrying about what others will think of you. If you achieve a goal for which you have worked hard, throw yourself a party and invite your friends to celebrate with you. Take a trip in honor of your new job, degree or completed project.

David knew how to celebrate his victories and use them to spur himself and others on to greater things.  You and I need to do the same. Don't worry about a big head; there will be enough tough knocks and challenges to keep your feet firmly planted in reality. When you do something great, however, don't be afraid to acknowledge that, well, that it was great! And if others acknowledge that as well, then it is all the better.

This whole process may help you see that you may not be afraid of failure, but afraid of success - of what you will do if and when you succeed! Can you handle success and the admiration of others? I hope you will learn to broadcast your victories rather than hide behind mediocrity so that no one is offended and you aren't uncomfortable. Aim for great things, do them and tell the world if others don't. Have a great week!

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KENYA UPDATE: My next trip to Kenya is three weeks away. I need your help so we can help as many as possible while we are there. Please read this latest post and then give generously and quickly, for time is growing short. You can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Your gifts will help feed and educate a boy such as the one pictured here. Thank you in advance for your generous support.

MY RADIO: Did you know I upload all my Saturday radio shows to my website after they are completed? You can listen to any of them here. Also I have a slew of archived interviews from my Tuesday show Ministry Beat and others archived from my Friday show Leadership Talk. Soon I will start a new Wednesday show called Urban Heroes.

ALASKA CRUISE: I took a Caribbean cruise over New Year's and I am ready to take you on an Alaskan cruise this coming August! I think a cruise is the ideal vacation, with something for everyone to do whenever they want to do it. I am attaching the cruise brochure below - take a look and then put your deposit down on the vacation of a lifetime.

NEW DAILY DEVOTIONAL: This year I started a new daily devotional entitled The Leadership Walk. You can view it and sign up to receive it on my blog site. You can also read a quick overview of the format and objectives here.

Download Alaska Flier

 

642: Talk the Walk

Have you ever said something about yourself or referred to something you wanted to do and then thought, "Why did I say that?  What are people thinking of me right now? They must think I am boasting or have a big ego!" If so, then that may be why you can't clarify your purpose, simply because you are not comfortable talking about or referring to yourself. Don't worry, however, for I have someone who can help you. Read on.

DID HE REALLY SAY THAT?

Last week we looked at one aspect of the story of David and Goliath. We saw that David could not wear Saul's armor to go and face Goliath.  He had to wear and use what was most comfortable for him. I pointed out that you cannot walk in someone else's expectations for you, no matter how well-intentioned they may be.

So David, armed with the right equipment (a sling and some stones), stepped onto the battlefield to face this fearsome giant. Immediately he was confronted with some daunting threats from this behemoth:

He said to David, "Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?" And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. "Come here," he said, "and I'll give your flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field!" (1 Samuel 17:43-44).

Now if David was like some people I know, he would have then said, "Well, maybe, I mean perhaps the Lord may want to use me, but don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I know for sure and if something good does happen, it will be the Lord and not me. I don't want you to ever think it's me."

Fortunately, David was of a different mindset.  When Goliath verbally attacked, David was quick to retort:

"You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands" (1 Samuel 17:45-47).

What bravado! What courage! What confidence David had! There was nothing tentative in what he said or planned to do.  He was bold and specific. Many think that kind of talk alienates God. Are you one of those who thinks that? If so, then you need to change the way you think!

God isn't repelled by such talk; that talk drew Him to David's cause. He promptly went out with David to meet the giant. David made good on his promises, while Goliath died trying to figure out what went wrong.

TALK THE WALK

How can you apply this lesson to your life right now? First, David had a track record from which he could draw. He had killed lions and bears, and he saw killing this giant as a continuation of those exploits. You must allow God to put you in challenging situations so that, when you overcome, you will be able to refer back to those experiences to help you fight future battles.

Second, you must know who you are and what you want to do. David did not hold back; he was clear and concise. He said, "I am a champion of God and you, Goliath, are not. You are coming down, in spite of your size, words and confidence."

Finally, David said what he was going to do without fear of what others thought of him. He spoke positive, affirming, and powerful words and then set about fulfilling them, even thought he was young - a lot younger than all those soldiers, his brothers, and even King Saul. 

What are you speaking these days? A better question is what aren't you speaking? Tentative, faithless words produce tentative, faithless actions. Positive, powerful words produce similar actions. Stop being hesitant and fearful of making bold statements where your purpose and dreams are concerned. Dream great things, talk about them and don't worry about how you sound to other people. Only be concerned with how you sound to God.

Many people are concerned with walking the talk, but if you aren't talking about what you are going to do with God's help, you won't have anything to walk! Dream great things, talk about doing them and then go for it! It's simple to describe but not simple to do, I know. I also know that you can only do great things once you stop stumbling and mumbling through your purpose and dreams. Every day this week, you need to watch what you don't say and follow David's example. That's what I will do this week and I plan on having a great week. I invite you to join me.

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KENYA: Don't forget - I depart for Kenya on February 27 and need your blessing to be a blessing. Donate generously to the Kenya fund through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Bo 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882.

MY RADIO: Did you know I upload all my Saturday radio shows to my website after they are completed? You can listen to any of them here. Also I have a slew of archived interview from my Tuesday show Ministry Beat and others archived from my Friday show Leadership Talk. This week or next, I will start a new Wednesday show called Urban Heroes.

ALASKA CRUISE: I took a Caribbean cruise over New Year's and I am ready to take you on an Alaskan cruise this coming August! I think a cruise is the ideal vacation, with something for everyone to do whenever they want to do it. I am attaching the cruise brochure below - take a look and then put your deposit down on the vacation of a lifetime.

NEW DAILY DEVOTIONAL: This year I started a new daily devotional entitled The Leadership Walk. You can view it and sign up to receive it on my blog site. You can also read a quick overview of the format and objectives here.

Download Alaska Flier