These days, life seems like a rat race most of the time. At work, we want to be seen as the best at what we do. Competition shows up in meetings, in discussions with our peers, and whenever someone else is applauded for a job well done. When we hit the soccer field, basketball court, or dance studio with our kids, we feel a need to push them a bit to be sure they understand we expect them to perform at their best (and win). Even at church, there’s always someone willing to take on one more task to further “The Lord’s Work”, but they make sure everyone knows about it.

What seems to be getting lost in this need to win is an active desire to see others succeed and to lift them up. Why does it feel like bragging on someone else means we’re less wonderful?

To make this post count for more than just unleashing the thoughts in my head, I’m going to do some Random Bragging. And for anyone silly enough to even ponder the thought that my listing any person below is meant as a “suckup”, please close this website now and never return.

1. To the unsung “behind the scenes” folks who make our lives easier by keeping bathrooms clean, store shelves stocked, and stop lights bright.
2. To the men and women who live out two stories as they protect our freedom and raise families.
3. To exceptional leaders like Allen Arnold, Mark Schoenwald, and Michael Hyatt who use their strengths to carry forth a mission and breed excellence in their teams.
4. To mentors like Jerry Park and Tami Heim who can see diamonds in the rough and are willing to polish and cut for as long as it takes.
5. To @ksbond and Ashley Schneider, who give me grace when I move too fast, throw curve balls, and manuever as we go.  These times will benefit others in the years to come as I learn to be a great leader.
6. To friends like @kristij911, Lisa Young, @chrispauldesign, @dee_wilcox, and @lindseynobles who through no extra effort cultivate the best in people.
7. To authors like @colleencoble who turn a working relationship into  something better, which makes the work so much more rewarding and feels like family.
8. No list would be complete without noting how different and wonderful life is when the Lord leads it.  But that’s another post.

To each of you, I say Thank You.  My life is better for knowing you.

Who will you brag on today? It’s a win-win situation.

Being creative takes energy.  It takes time.  It definitely takes money.   There’s an art to it. 

I realized last week that I live in some phase of creativity pretty much all the time.  I was thinking about the artsy sorts of things I enjoy doing on the weekends…painting (my most recent attempt is shown here), pottery, baking, making cards, and doing craft projects.  And during the week, I’m spending company time and money finding new ways to promote great novels from amazing writers.  

 Surprisingly, having a plan for creativity really helps the ideas bloom.  Here are my thoughts on how to foster the best ideation:

1.  Buy a field in the land of “What If”- Be Curious.  Challenge “business as usual” thinking.  Ask questions. Dare to be different.
2. Head to the Farmers’ Market- Make time for networking.  Some of my best ideas have come from a random discussion at Panera where I overheard someone talking about a new artist, website, etc. And I’ve met amazing people who can do parts of my job faster/cheaper/easier than I can through social media like Twitter and Facebook.
3. Till the soil- Ideas need time to cultivate (time to blossom, not rot in a stack of sticky notes).  They also come to fruition faster when people are talking about them.  Share your ideas with others and open them up to other points of view to make them stronger.  Firmly planted roots bear better fruit. 
4. Be prepared to pluck some weeds- Some ideas never end up happening.  Some ideas just suck.  But cherish the process and be glad you live in a world of possibilities where tomorrow will bring new ideas.

What has to happen for your ideas to become reality?

In Monopoly, there are several moves that can be made during the game.  You can invest early or you can pay rent.  You can build houses or hotels.  You can draw a Chance card and advance directly to Go, or you can get stuck with one of the ” Do not pass Go.  Do not collect $200” cards.  This card selection stinks in the board game and in the game of life.

In the business world, sometimes we’re caught off our game.  We get overloaded with work; we’re trying to reduce an Inbox from 2,000 down to 0, or we accept too many meetings meetings thereby limiting the amount of time to get work done. 

I had one of those rare  ”off” moments last week.  I was knee-deep in a discussion with coworkers where solutions to a problem were being figured out.  The discussion ran long, and before I knew it, I was going to be late for a meeting.   I was scattered as I power walked into the other person’s office.  The start of the meeting could have been much better than it was, and because it was just two people, there was slim chance that my lack of focus went unnoticed.   The other person became disengaged, and it was work to get the discussion back on track.  I walked out feeling like I’d just lost an hour and left the wrong impression. 

I stewed for two days over that bad meeting.  Did I lose value with the other person because it hadn’t gone as well as intended?  Would I now be viewed as less capable because of it?   And then God reminded me that we can’t go through life pushing the rewind button.  Our hearts were not  made to bear the torture of regret, or the sting of guilt.   We all make mistakes.  And it’s through acknowledging the mistakes and looking for ways to minimize repeats that we learn the biggest lessons.

My lesson was that I need to say “no” more often so that I make time to focus on what’s most important while at work.  I probably wouldn’t have gotten the picture as clearly had I not screwed up in such grandiose style.  Praise God that we get second chances…the “advance to Go” card, if you will.

What mess-up have you made where God has used it to teach you a valuable lesson?

Yesterday, I sat in a meeting that changed my outlook on several things at work.  I learned about changes in how we’ll communicate with each other, how we’ll be more accountable to each other, and how we’re going to work together better as we reach for the Same Goals.  It was empowering.   And I needed it.  

An open door...

In this same meeting, I learned more about the two doors.

Last Friday, I had noticed something different about these two doors.  They were pushed completely open.  We’re so used to seeing them closed that I thought maybe the a/c had leaked or something had burned in the microwave and the space had to be aired out.  Those doors always being closed represented exclusivity, power…an ivory tower one dared not enter unless really necessary.   

Yesterday, I learned that the light bulb had come on and these doors would be open all the time.   That simple act told everyone outside that they are important and worth the risk of distraction.  And sending that message gains a huge amount of respect from ones followers.  The biggest win will be for those inside because others will see them in a new light.  Approachable.  Looking for connection.

I am excited about the days ahead.  There is a renewed vision.  A new sense of teamwork.  My attitude has shifted.  And all it took was one great meeting and two open doors…

What actions have you seen at work recently that give you a glimpse of great leadership?