A New Beginning: Just Start

A New Beginning: Just Start: Something big is on your heart. Just Start. I don’t know how. I have never done that before. What if I look like a fool? ...

Just Start

Something big is on your heart.

Just Start.

I don’t know how.

I have never done that before.

What if I look like a fool?

Just Start.

Other people do this sort of thing, not me.

I barely know anything about it.

It’s hard.

Just Start.

I will be 55 years old next month.

There is a lot of competition out there.

Nobody in my family has ever done that.

Just Start.

Take the first step.

Write it down as a goal.

Invest 20 minutes a day learning about it.

Something big is on your heart.

If you could do it alone, with what you have, 

it wouldn’t be God-sized, would it?

Just Start.

Remember, God doesn’t give you the strength to overcome.

He gives you the strength WHILE you overcome.

Just Start.

You are Born To Win.

So go ahead and Live To Win.

 By: Tom Zigler

5 Knots Everyone Should Know

There are literally hundreds of knots you can learn, and they are all useful. But, throughout my research, I have noticed that there are five knots that are used the most. I think every survivalist should learn these five knots.

1. The Reef Knot (also known as a Square or Hercules knot)

The reef knot is an ancient and simple binding knot used to secure a rope or line around an object. This knot is formed by tying a left-handed overhand knot and then a right-handed overhand knot, or vice versa.

 

2. The Figure Eight Knot

The figure-eight knot is a type of stopper knot. It is very important in both sailing and rock climbing as a method of stopping ropes from running out of retaining devices.

3. The Bowline Knot

The bowline knot is an ancient and simple knot used to form a fixed loop at the end of a rope. It has the virtues of being both easy to tie and untie; most notably, it is easy to untie after being subjected to a load.

4. The Sheet Bend Knot (also known as Becket Bend, Weaver’s Knot, and Weaver’s Hitch)

The sheet bend knot is a bend, that is, a knot that joins two ropes together. Doubled, it is effective in binding lines of different diameter or rigidity securely together, although it has a tendency to work loose when not under load.

5. The Clove Hitch Knot (Also Known as the Double Hitch)

The clove hitch knot, along with the bowline and the sheet bend, is often considered one of the most important knots and is commonly referred to as a double hitch. A clove hitch is two successive half-hitches around an object. It is most effectively used as a crossing knot. It can be used as a binding knot, but is not particularly secure in that role.

To learn more about other knots check out this article, 40 Essential Knots Every Survivalist Needs to Know.

http://survivallife.com/5-knots-everyone-should-know/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NL-5-6-16-content-mail-a 

12 Core Questions About Effective Leadership

Here are a helpful set of questions about effective leadership everyone should ask themselves and also ask about those who serve with them.

In the book “First, Break all the Rules”, by Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman, they list 12 core questions the Gallup organization discovered that when asked, give organizations the information they need to attract, focus on, and keep the most talented employees. I’ve included them here as a helpful set of questions about effective leadership everyone should ask themselves and ask about those who serve with them.

12 core questions about effective leadership

1. Do I know what is expected of me at work?
2. Do I have the materials and equipment I need to do my work right?
3. At work, do I have the opportunity to do what I do best every day?
4. In the last seven days, have I received recognition or praise for doing good work?
5. Does my supervisor, or someone at work, seem to care about me as a person?
6. Is there someone at work who encourages my development?
7. At work, do my opinions count?
8. Does the mission/purpose of my organization make me feel my job is important?
9. Are my co-workers committed to doing quality work?
10. Do I have a best friend at work?
11. In the last six months, has someone at work talked to me about my progress?
12. This last year, have I had opportunities at work to learn and grow?

Questions have a way of making us think deeply.

What questions would you add to this list?

Establishing Your Personal Environment

Culture is defined as “The Way We Do Things Around Here”. This could apply to the workplace, to church, to your home, or other areas. You can just watch what goes on and you will be able to define the culture.

My grandchildren spent the night at some people’s home and when they returned, they had much to say about how different things were done and expected at the home they visited. It was very humorous. The culture of the home visited was significantly different than their own home.

Culture can be changed if desired. It just takes a little time. Some habits are hard to break. My mother was like a Drill Sargent. Our rooms had to be cleaned and the beds made up before we left for school. She was very organized to a fault, and expected us boys to be the same way.

As adults, we are still affected by her actions.

Culture can include the way decisions are made and problems are solved. It can include the way people talk and the words they use. In a fraternity house, the culture could be to have a drunken party every weekend. Today, many people are into the “drug” culture.

When a high school student gets their first job at a fast food restaurant, they find the expectations are clearly defined and they have to learn certain processes and be consistent. If they were not raised in a disciplined environment, they may have trouble with the new culture.

If you are wanting to be successful, what type of culture do you need to build around you? How will you look? How will you talk? How will you act? Before you go to work, how do you prepare for the day? These and other factors are necessary to approach in order to achieve your goals.

Two dimensions in success are consistency and discipline. Determine what culture is necessary and then apply the factors you determined are needed with strong consistency and be disciplined in your approach.

John Malloy wrote a book, “Dress for Success”. In the book, he related about teaching young people who were unsuccessfully finding a job, as to how to dress and act. Many had not been able to get a job but after going through John Malloy’s course, they were able to get a job on the next job interview. What was different? John Malloy knew the business culture and taught the young people how to relate and act to meet the culture of those hiring.

In many cases, some people are clueless about their presentation. And in some cases they are arrogant about changing to meet the employer’s expectation. In most cases, this is just immaturity and the inability to understand the business world. If their whole life has been spent playing video games, their ability to relate might be a problem.

Start your personal process by evaluating yourself and begin to be aware of how you speak, act, dress, write, and prepare. Then investigate the environment you will be addressing. Evaluate the gaps that come up and begin to change to be able to meet the expectation.

Get friends or family to help you understand yourself. Learn to go to bed at a decent time so you can awaken in time to be fresh for your job or interview.

I once had a coach who told me to only clean my desk after 5:00 in the afternoon. He said that prime times should not have interference from “cleaning or sorting and straightening”. It was extremely difficult, but I was able to perform according to the new culture and the results were extremely gratifying. I established a new component in my personal environment; being productive. I had to initiate other changes as well.

If you are a parent, recognize that your daily routine, mannerisms, and actions are being learned by your children. What they say at school will mirror what they have heard at home. You can help them by setting a good example. Monkey see, monkey do.

Good luck in creating your personal environment. You may find it will be far superior to what you have at this time. 

Take It To The Limit

I watched a documentary on the Eagles the other night and it was an excellent history of one of my favorite musical groups.

They talked about the meaning of some of their songs. “Take It to The Limit”, was one song that was actually written as a message to those who are of an older age. The intention is to not settle for retirement or the “norm” of going home and sitting, but to take life to the limit of your capability and not lose the later years in a rocking chair. The last part of the title is “one more time”, indicating taking action.

The later years of life are very perplexing. Most are disillusioned by retirement and waste themselves away, getting in a routine of some kind that does not move them to new heights or desires. They have all these talents and abilities, but like muscles that are not used, they atrophy.

Ask yourself where you are in this arena. Begin to prepare for the future. Take away the fence that is around you and explore the future. Create something to look forward to. Make lists. You actually probably have time to start a new career. If not, you have time to accomplish a “one-shot” goal.

The term “Take It to The Limit” indicates a risk; doing something you would not naturally do. You could make a “Bucket List” and begin to go through it. Completing items brings a great feeling of accomplishment. You will find that the limit is easier reached than you think.

The Eagles had another song that relates to the “limit”. It was titled “Life in The Fast Lane”. Capturing that concept says don’t lollygag around making something happen. It means that you need to ramp up your efforts. You can still take a nap.

So “Do It Now”.   Don’t wait until there is no more time.

A New Beginning: Hands

A New Beginning: Hands: Jim Loretta   October 19  ·  Kendall, FL  ·  A young man went to seek an important position at a large printing company. He p...