It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"There is more to life than increasing its speed." Mahatma Gandhi
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
September is here, and if you're like me, it came with a bit of SHOCK. How can it be September? I've been thinking about the idea of PACE. Back a couple of months ago, I spent some time on RHYTHM, and I realize that PACE is different. I'm going to dive into it this month. Join me...
To read past quotes & thoughts.... CLICK HERE.
Last week, I just needed to stop. I was in the midst of busy 14-day stretch, and I sat down to write and there was nothing there.
For years, I've learned to power through these times, working my list, getting stuff down, pushing beyond my normal limits, and this thought from Gandhi just hit me: "There's more to life than increasing its speed".
It's not always about producing and getting things done. Yes, there are going to be busy times, but for years, I've come to realize that one busy time just runs into the next.
"There's more to life..."
Last week, I still had to push through some things, but there were a number of moments where I was able to recalibrate along the way...
A deep conversation with a colleague in Kansas City
A long walk in an airport terminal just to move, think and wander
A few hours on a stream in Colorado fly fishing
A long drive through the mountains with Gina
The quiet of my office early in the morning before anyone else was up
Playing with my grandkids
Spending time with good friends
Even when I pause to write about it, what I felt was that I was just running full steam, from one thing to another, missing any opportunity for real connection or purpose, yet as I look back, these past 14 days have been sprinkled with moments that have sustained me, fueled me and reminded me that it's not always about the list or the things I need to get done. It's these moments, these connections that mean so much.
That's what Gandhi was talking about. Forget about the increased production, the accomplishments and the latest technology.
Find what the "more to life" is for me today!
Look back at your last 14 days. What moments can you find littered among the accomplishments that remind you of that "more to life" idea?
DEEPER STILL:
How Can I Slow Down the Pace of My Life?
1) Stop Filling It So Full
Create margin in your life, your schedule, your day. Margin for the surprises, the interruptions, the people that need some time.
2) Learn To Say No
You don't have to say yes to everything. Say YES to the right things, and say no to the things that are distractions.
3) Eat Slower
I devour food because I'm usually in a hurry. Savor your food. Pause to talk, think, listen. Take some time to enjoy what's in front of you.
4) Stop Trying to Multitask Everything
Focus on one thing, do it well, then move on to the next thing. When we multitask, the pace picks up and we increase our speed to get all of the things accomplished.
5) Pause/Stop/Listen
The next time you're on a walk, just stop and look around. Listen to what's going on around you. Don't be so focused on the destination, but be in the journey.
6) Ask God For Peace
Lay your burden at His feet, you don't have to carry the weight on your own.
7) Get Unplugged
Turn off your devices or leave them on your desk. Find some space to be truly unplugged.
8) Focus on your Breathing
Pay attention to your breathing: rate, depth, tempo. Just thinking about it will help you slow down a little bit.
9) Write Some Stuff Down
The act of writing your thoughts, prayers, questions, ideas... putting them on paper is a way to intentionally slow down.
10) Connect with Someone Significant in your Life
Just spending quality time with someone in your life will help you to regain your pace.
What do you do to slow down, to reset, to catch your stride?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I'm re-reading this book by John Rinehart, Gospel Patrons. It's a book about generosity and it's impact on the world!
This past week I attended a workshop with a number of ministry partners given by The National Christian Foundation. They have some great tools available for both donors and ministries. I'm a fan!
Gina and I enjoyed a few days in the mountains of Colorado this past week. We had never experienced this area. Check out Crested Butte, Colorado. We're fans of this whole area!
We gathered with other Barnabas Group Managing Partners for a few days and talked through this book. Once again, so many great things from The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker.
I finally watched this series after reading the book series: The Terminal List on Prime Video. I really enjoyed the books, but this series was good too.