LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"If the big rocks don't go in first, they aren't going to fit in later." Stephen Covey

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

This month I want to explore some ideas around PROJECT MANAGEMENT. Pretty exciting theme for a summer month, but I'm finding myself looking for some tools to help me get some things done over the next few months.

I know how I can be the most productive, but there are times that I just allow some bad habits to sneak back into my work life and it messes with my ability to focus on priorities and to manage the most important things to completion.

Of course, trying to do this while the World Cup is on is a problem, but I'm talking about "managing the time you have left AFTER watching your favorite World Cup Match!"

Stephen Covey talks about "BIG ROCKS" in many of his books, and often he's uses the terms of "priorities" or "first things first" interchangeably.

He shared this video illustration years ago that best describes his theory of Big Rocks:

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." Jesus, John 15:11 (ESV)

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

Wrapping up the conversation around JOY today. It's been really good to camp out on this theme for a few weeks. READ BACK to see all the posts on JOY. Also, read this book by Matthew Kelly, Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy. It's been good to go back through this book at a "slower pace"!

In John 15, Jesus tells us to ABIDE IN HIM. He's telling us that when we abide (when we REMAIN) with Him, He will help us understand what joy is all about, not just simple joy, but FULL JOY, the kind of joy that can only come from Him.

We've talked a lot about JOY over the past number of weeks, and this passage and promise just puts it all in perspective.

Jesus is telling us what we must do, he's "commanding" some things from us, but it's not to add to our burden, it's so that His joy can become our joy.

He wants us to live a genuine joyful life, and he's showing us the path to get there.

Read the full chapter of John 15. Love and Joy Abound.

Over the past number of weeks I've been sharing some thoughts and ideas around how to figure out JOY in your life. I've been challenged by the book by Matthew Kelly, and I've become aware of how much my "PACE and RHYTHM" affect my ability to see, appreciate and experience JOY.

However, this passage actually makes it clearer:

"Abide in me, and I in you." (John 15:4)

When you read John 15, what does ABIDE look like and feel like for you? What is He asking of you?

LEADERSHIP QUOTE:

"The speed of joy is the speed that allows you to flourish." Matthew Kelly

A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:

Continuing on in our conversation around JOY for another 2 weeks.

I've been talking about this book by Matthew Kelly, Slowing Down to the Speed of Joy, and this quote is just a theme throughout the book.

Basically Kelly is saying that Joy isn't found by moving faster - it's found by moving at the right pace for you.

The core idea: modern life pressures us to do more, faster. But joy - genuine flourishing - has its own natural rhythm. When you outrun it (overcommitment, constant busyness, chasing the next thing), you lose it. When you slow down below it (stagnation, avoidance), you also miss it.

"The speed of joy" is whatever pace lets you be fully present, engaged, and growing - not burned out, not coasting. That speed is personal and varies by season of life.

Here's his major takeaway: "If you're not experiencing joy, you might not need to try harder - you might need to slow down."

I won't bore you with more stories about my bird watching! (see last weeks post if you missed it) but that experience last week did something in me that I'm trying to figure out.

Steps from my home office is an incredible back yard. We've been working on this yard over the past number of years and Gina has everything blooming, the landscape looking great and the yard is "flourishing".

We enjoy the yard, and often use it to host our family and our friends, but it seems that the only times I'm using the yard by myself is when I'm working in it. I'm not taking advantage of this refuge we have right here.

The bird watching experience reminded me of this great space that I don't use and appreciate near enough.

This past weekend, I found myself on one of our chaise lounges, not only watching and listening to the birds, but just enjoying the silence around me. I didn't reach for my phone, I didn't have a book in my hand, I just sat in the silence. This led to a short nap which then led to an even longer nap on the couch.

I can't tell you when the last time I fell asleep sitting outside was. It's been a while. I really don't nap, but for some reason, this weekend, it was a gift!

I'm trying to slow down. I'm trying to not be so tied to my phone, to the news, to what's happening every minute of the day. I realize that slowing down isn't just shifting from one pace to a slower pace, but it's actually stopping completely: stopping to catch my breath, stopping to replenish, stopping to just sit in the moment. I'm tired of living at a pace where I continually miss the things that are right in front of my face.

What does personal FLOURISHING look like to you?