Goals | christopherhildreth

Archive for the ‘Goals’ category

How to be a Great Leader

March 15, 2008

I couldn’t resist that title. There are probably a hundred books with at least that concept in the title. Most of them I’ve read, but here is a fact I thought timely.

Next week we will start a new series called, FAQ. We will look at the relevance of having 100% of the information for making decisions. Truth is even if you waited around for a very long time you would never have 100% of the information about anything.

In the Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies, Michael Harvey wrote that curiosity is a trait that “stimulates learning and concurrently, increases the effectiveness of decision making and quality management in the global marketplace.” It seems that leaders with a bend toward the curious succeed at problem solving by “filling in the gaps between what one knows and what one wishes to know.”

This is where the joy and mystery live. Between what we know and seek to know is where we tend to find ourselves most often anyway. The ability to fill this gap with real life and following our intuition/spirit, I believe is the cornerstone to a well-lived life.

Categories: Cultural Ideas, Goals, Influence, Leadership, Strengths

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Practically Letting Go #3

February 19, 2008

Alright, here’s another tried and true way to increase your effectiveness and actually accomplish things on a regular basis. It is not earth shattering and doesn’t come close to profound, but it does work, and for me, that is all that matters.

I have lived through days where my “to do” list seemed endless. My typical movement throughout the day consisted of going from one task to the next, without finishing any of them.

OK, here is the nugget of truth – take a piece of paper (no blackberry, palm or other so-called organizer) fold it three times. On one side of the paper write the top three things that must be done for that day and nothing else. I have found that the myriad of smaller items find their way into my mind whether I write them down or not. Now you have three needful and doable things to accomplish each day. This gives each day focus and purpose and leaves you at the end of the day knowing that you were successful in fulfilling your obligations.

Only put down those things that must be done. This keeps you on track and never behind!

Categories: Creativity, Goals, Uncategorized

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Productive vs. Busy

February 16, 2008

This is one of my largest areas of “time wasters”. I will catch myself busily working on something that does not have any application to shortening the gaps between the achievement of my goals and work. I can put in hours and hours on things that either someone else can do (not being prideful, just making a point) or things that have neutral impact on my life.

Time is something that is increasing in value as I age. The seeming indefatigability of youth is catching up to me – I know I’m not old, but the term “old” is relative anyway. I want to do things that get me closer to accomplishing the things I want people to learn from and talk about when I’m gone.

We can laugh about using the terms “legacy” and “heritage”, but each day we either deposit, withdraw or ignore the balance we will leave behind. Passion is great, and something that I find increasing as the days go by, but passion without focus will just make me tired at the end of the day. Passion with focus will bring me closer to my desired achievements and give purpose to my days.

When I was growing up, people used the axiom, “busy as a bee”, it worked because it rhymed – I think bees are far more productive than just being busy. I do concede, however, that “productive as a bee” doesn’t quite have the same ring.

Categories: Goals, Influence, Me

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the margins

February 2, 2008

I have always been struck by the fact that Jesus was drawn to people who were in the margins of society. His focus tended to be on those who were off the center, or even “off the grid”. It wasn’t as though he happened to see them and went over to them. In many cases he deliberately sought them out. He didn’t talk to them after he felt guilty for not talking to them. In stark contrast to our first reactions to those different than ourselves, he went to them as though he had never entertained the thought of passing them by.

I wish I could say that I have never passed people by – but I have. I have seen people, but been busy with something and have walked by. I have seen people and hoped they didn’t look at me so I wouldn’t feel guilty about not talking to them. I wish I could say that every needy face I have seen was respected and responded to, but I can’t. Why am I drawn to the glittery center and Christ to the margins? Why does centrality suit me, but the edges suited Him?

More than anything this year I want to become the friend of the margins. I want to gaze into the face of the marginalized and see myself in their eyes. I want to respond and “do” for them what Christ “did”. I want a real palpable love to come forth for them and when it does, for it to change me.

Categories: Context, Cultural Ideas, Goals, Me

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The Big Goal

February 1, 2008

Alright, today I’m making a big goal. My intent is to write each day. No every other day, or once in a while, but each and every day. I’ve wanted to do this for a while, but haven’t felt I was up to it. So here we go.

Categories: Goals, Me

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