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We have to embrace the notion that technocrates are heavily involved in the science of keeping you logged into technology of all forms and platforms. However, when you dig deep enough, you will learn that Steve Jobs refused to allow his children to use the iPad and Bill Gates limited computer usage to school assignments only. Also you will find that the former editor of Wired Magazine to the founder of Blogger, Twitter, and Medium all had similar restrictions in their homes.

I don’t know about you, but it raises the question of  WHY? As you ponder this ageless question, you might come to the notion that you should never become high on your own supply! You must embrace the science that addicts are not just weaker specimens. They are also impacted by environment as well. Relapsing occurs many time when recovering addicts visit places and people that remind them of their former habits.

What little thing can you do today to Optimize your environment today? Author Adam Alter states that people spend 1-4 hours on their phones daily. Research suggests that one hour/day is sufficient! If this is true then 88% of users are overusing! If you play this scenario out over the course of an average life span, you will  realize that 11 years of your life is spent chasing the latest chirp, tweet, chime, stock-market, and news feed. Can I just state the obvious – THAT IS NUTS!!!

In Roman times the word ADDICTION meant something very different than today. If you owed someone money and could not repay the debt, a judge would sentence you to addiction. You would be forced into slavery until you repaid the debt. The history of etymology shows that us this word came to mean any bond that was hard to break.

The most significant phrase that I can give you to challenge your technology addictions is this: You cannot unpickle a pickle! Said another way, It is impossible to escape the after effects of addiction.

Our society has become synonymous with shallow thinking. We have lost in great part an ability to think critically. Meaning that we have lost the ability to think ahead by evaluating decisions with possible resulting consequences. Since we have and are in the process of losing critical thinking skills, the question becomes, Who and by what means will we go deep into our work? Why is this important? Innovation will suffer? Who will create? Where will the inventors come from?

In closing there are three fundamental areas that are of great value in overcoming this modern addiction. Here they are:

1. Empowering people through investing in them (Autonomy)
2. People desire to feel connected socially as friends and family (Relatedness)
3. People want to feel effective in the face of a changing external environment (Competence)

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History tells us that Da Vinci incorporated seven principles of genius throughout his life. We cannot hope to obtain to that level of mastery. Yet it does point the way to climb higher in our critical thinking and behavioral skills. Let’s explore as an introduction Da Vinci’s seven principles of genius.

• Curiosity – An insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning. The quest for continuous learning comes first because of the desire to know, to grow, to learn, is the powerhouse of knowledge, wisdom and discovery. When is the last time you learned something for the first time. Da Vinci’s devotion were directed to the pure quest of truth and beauty.
• Test Knowledge – a commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from mistakes. This involves testing conventional wisdom to enhance one’s own experience of learning through practical wisdom. Da Vinci referred to “bookish prejudice” and how it limited critical thought.

• Sensory – this is a continual development of the sense, especially sight as a means to enliven the experience.
• Sfumato/Going Up In Smoke – A willingness to embrace paradox, ambiguity, and uncertainty.
• Balance – The development of the balance between science and art, logic and imagination. “Whole-brain” thinking is being emphasized.
• Cultivation – The cultivation of poise, fitness and grace.
• Connections –  A recognition and appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things. Systems thinking is being emphasized.

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There are three insights that I want to focus in order to grasp the idea of buying into beliefs that are worthwhile.

Believe In your Potential

Your Potential is a picture of what you can become. Thomas Edison stated; “If we do all of the things that we are capable of doing, we would literally astonish ourselves.” Too often we see what is our current reality without looking to what could be. For example, Joe Namath was a skinny kid who did not do his homework and was always hanging with the wrong crowd. Beginning his NFL career, he was viewed as a player with bad knees. However he saw himself as a champion!

If you could see yourself in terms of true potential, you would not recognize yourself!

Too many people fall short of their real potential. Author John Powell states the average person only reaches 10% of their potential, sees only 10% of the beauty around them, hear on 10% of the music all around them, smells only 10% of the fragrance around them, and tastes only 10% of the deliciousness of being alive.

Cartoonist Charles Schultz offers this comparison; “Life is like a 10 speed bicycle. Most of have gears we never use.”

Charles Schwab states; “When a man has put a limit on what he will do, he has put a limit on what he can do.”

Believe In Yourself

It is one thing to believe that you possess remarkable potential. It is another thing to have enough faith in yourself that you think you can fulfill it. Many people are agnostics when it comes to believing in yourself. THis keeps you from becoming all that you can become. It has been discovered there is a greater correlation between self-confidence and achievement than there is between IQ and achievement.

Hanging on the wall of Arnold Palmer’s office was this credo: “If you think you are beaten, you are. If you think you dare not, you don’t. If you’d like to win but think you can’t it is certain you won’t. Life’s battles don’t always go to the strongest or fastest, but soon or late, the man who wins is the man who thinks he can.”

Believe In Your Mission

Belief in what you are doing will lift you above your talent. William James states there is one thing that will guarantee the successful conclusion of a doubtful undertaking – FAITH in the beginning that you can do it!

• Belief in your mission will empower you. Having confidence in what you are doing gives you the power to achieve it.
• Belief in your mission will encourage you. What often allows people to keep moving in negative environments is a strong belief that I can accomplish this mission.
• Belief in your mission will enlarge you. As you collect micro-wins you will find yourself doing the seemingly impossible. You grow to new heights!

LINKS

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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Whatever we change inwardly will change outer reality – Otto Rank

The power of this opening quote suggests that what we fail to achieve internally will alter the opportunities we have going forward. The burning question is; “What principles lead to becoming a dynamic learner?” I believe it is a combination of what I have just stated. It starts with a mental model of perfection – what does it look like to become a dynamic learner? Secondly, why am I not doing the things that will take me to this mental model. Thirdly, what are the hurdles that I need to overcome?

Let’s consider what author Bradly Staats suggested in a Harvard Business article. There are eight keys to becoming a dynamic learner.

Valuing Failure – Dynamic learners are willing to fail in order to learn. John Maxwell suggests that we fail first, fail fast, fail often in order to learn. The key is not measure our progress in successes and failures. That notion limits growth.

Process Rather Than Outcome– Dynamic learners recognize that focusing on outcomes is actually misguided. What did we do to get here? Process focus frees us to learn as we go.

Asking Questions Versus Rushing For Answers – The statement “I don’t know” is a fair statement as long as it is followed by “What are our first steps?”

Reflection and Relaxation – Dynamic learners fight the urge to act for the sake of acting. They recognize that when the going gets tough, the tough will get rest. Learn the art of silence and solitude. Develop a quiet place of reflection.

Being yourself – Dynamic learners are willing to stand out versus conforming. Learn to blaze trails where they do not exist.

Playing To Your Strengths –  Stop trying to fix your weaknesses. Understand where your strengths lie and focus upon those.

Specialization and Variety – Learn to develop a “T”-shaped portfolio of experiences. Go deep in a particular area and broad in other experiences.

Learning From Others – Dynamic learners recognize that learning is not a solo activity. One is too small of a number for greatness. They key idea here is interaction with others – in teaching and imparting knowledge we learn together.

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The uphill climb in life is filled with intentionality, hard work, and consistency. You have to keep your eye on the big picture. You have to be determined by logging the time necessary to keep your life moving forward. The right thing to do and hard thing to do are usually the same things.

I want to give you nine insights on being productive!

Fail Fast, Fail First, and Fail Often

This step seems counterintuitive against reaching for perfection. To be productive you have to be willing to fail often. A key to insight is to viewing your efforts as right or wrong; success or failure. Instead think of yourself as moving closer to your vision of perfection. If it in fact moved you closer – it is a win. If not, learn, evaluate and then make adjustments and try again. Learning from what did not work is the key.

Stay Focused Longer Than Everyone Else

Attempt numerous times at one thing, instead of one attempt at numerous things. Others will give up – you stay the course. This insight is not based on the level of education, or certifications – this is good ole fashion grit. When others go home you are still working.

Take Inventory of Skills and Resources

This is about an inward look at yourself! What have you accomplished thus far and what is your next step for growth? You reaching your full potential is about your personal growth plan for life. If your desire is to be more productive then take charge of your own productivity.

Stop Doing What You Are Not Good At Doing

You will start accomplishing more by stop doing what you are not good at. Focus rather on what you are good at doing. Find ways to focus your time, attention, and work by eliminating from your schedule anything that does not have a high return.

Tune Into Your Team Every Day

The success of the “5-Minute Manager” taped into connecting with your team everyday. Get to know who labors with you – know their dreams, hurts, and goals. You have learn to the vibe of the tribe!

Make Daily Decisions That Move You Forward

If you become stuck on the idea of ideas being successful or failures you will inevitably miss the learning opportunities that come from things that do not work. Please understand I do know that ethical and character issues has a right and wrong. But when it comes to productivity it is a matter of it working or not. Either our ideas move us forward or they don’t. Learn to make quick decisions, try new things and then judge whether they move you forward or not.

Continually Reevaluate What Could Work Better

Productive people are always working to become better and finding ways to improve. The place where today and tomorrow meets is the only place where you can create positive change. That place is NOW! You cannot change yesterday or control tomorrow. The only guarantee that you will get better tomorrow is to get better today.

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Practice Patience

Possess Self-Discipline

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Leadership Teams are called constantly to improve and to grow in rapport and wisdom in order to fully carry out its mission. Yet like any body, human or organizationally, it is exposed to diseases. These diseases can weaken any organizations effectiveness. This will be a 2-part podcast series. Here are the lasteightof these diseases.

Existential Schizophrenia

This is the disease of the double life. This produces fruit of mediocrity and emotional emptiness. When you are more focused upon titles you fail to see ordinary people all around you that have ordinary issues in their life.

Gossiping Grumbling, and Back-Biting

Coffee pot conversations seem innocent at the beginning. This is the disease of the coward who lack the courage to speak directly and openly instead of staying the background to speak. Gossip is a form of terrorism.

Idolizing Superiors

When you court the favor of superiors you become an opportunist possessing the quality of lethal selfishness. For the leader this disease if quite real in that you may court the submission of others that leads to unhealthy complicity.

Indifference Toward Others

When we lose the servant’s heart of becoming least instead of desiring to be the greatest we open ourselves to competition and jealousy versus sharing and caring. There ought to be an attitude of excitement seeing others excel beyond my capabilities.

Downcast Face

This is the glum melancholic that finds it difficult to be optimistic and joyful. I want happy people in my life. It is highly beneficial to have a dose of humor in our life.

Hoarding

When material possessions fill a void in our life we are led to believe the next purchase will satisfy and the cycle never ends. Possessions burden us with more and more work to maintain our stuff versus building lasting and meaningful relationships.

Closed Circles

When the clique becomes more powerful than our shared identity, the cancer of self-centeredness sets in on the team. “Friendly-Fire” becomes an insidious danger. Every Kingdom that is divided against itself is laid waste.

Extravagance and Self-Exhibition

Do not ever turn your position into personal gain and obtaining greater power.

LINKS

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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Leadership Teams are called constantly to improve and to grow in rapport and wisdom in order to fully carry out its mission. Yet like any body, human or organizationally, it is exposed to diseases. These diseases can weaken any organizations effectiveness. This will be a 2-part podcast series. Here are the first seven of these diseases.

Thinking That We Are Immortal, Immune, and Indispensable.

A leadership team that does not have regular check-ups, is self-critical, does not keep up with the times, and who does not seek to become more fit is a sick body. When a leader becomes a lord and master and thinks of themselves as above and not at the service of others risks gazing at their own image and failing to see the faces of others. The antidote is HUMILITY – I am a servant!

Excessive Busyness

The focus here are those who immerse themselves in work and neglect the Sabbath Rest. Neglecting rest leads to stress and agitation. No work should trump special moments with family and friends.

Mental Petrification

If pushing paper becomes more important than being compassionate to others you risk losing sensitivity of weeping and rejoicing with others. You cannot afford to lose generosity and humility toward others.

Excessive Planning and Functionalism

Do not allow the obsession to plan every detail of your life at the expense of losing spontaneity. Beware of the dangers of “my way or the highway” reactions in life.

Poor Coordination

Once leaders lose a sense of community among themselves, the body loses its harmonious functioning and its equilibrium. The team becomes an orchestra that produces noise instead of music. Scriptures declare that if the hand says of the foot, I do not need you… discomfort is the outcome.

Leadership Alzheimer’s Disease

This occurs when we as leaders forget those who nurtured, mentored, and supported us in our journey of life. When you build walls and systems around yourself so that you do not hear the voices of other leaders speaking into your life, you have begun the road of Alzheimer’s.

Rivalry and Vainglory

When appearances, perks, and titles become the primary drivers in life, we have lost our way. Do nothing from selfishness or conceit but with humility count you others better than ourselves.

LINKS

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I did not get up this morning and declare to the world that I want to be average. I do not want to claw my way up to middle management. I do not want to be forced into early retirement.

These are expressions of mediocrity and what passivity looks like! If your desire is to rise above mediocrity then you will invest large amounts of time, thought, and work. Average people are going to invest as little as possible just to get by. Remember this one axiom of leadership; Mediocrity is a downhill discipline. Here are some insights on staying pro-active to reach your fullest potential.

Take Charge of Your Calendar

Your calendar dictates what you do, so take charge of it. When someone else takes charge of your calendar they fill it with their priorities, not yours. If you allow yourself to stay passive in this area, other people will take your time and you will wonder what happened to the day. When you choose to get active with your time, you fill it with your priorities. Understand this truth, you do not manage your time, you manage your priorities. Fill your calendar with things that are important. Do things that are important and will take you above average.

Do What Others Are Unwilling To Do

Successful people do things that unsuccessful people are not willing to do! I have always felt that declaring something is impossible is a green light to go ahead and prove it wrong. Life is about testing new ideas and then failing. It dose not stop their we get up and learn from failure, we figure what happened and why, then we do it better in the next version and then we start over on the next biggest idea that is supposed to be impossible.

Average people do not test much of anything because they do not want to fail. Many times average people are fearful of learning and they are not looking to prove or test anything. The status quo is just fine.

Either Wake up Earlier or Stay Up Later

Only you know your natural bent. Figure it out and stay after a goal earlier or later than everyone else. Each morning I invest two hours in personal growth before I go to the office. That equals 30.4 days per year of preparation and personal development time that I gain annually. Who among us does not want to gain one month of opportunity every year?

You Are Not Good Enough To Remain The Same

Recognize that your talent allows you to become good, but it is not enough to take you to greatness. The ugly truth of the matter is that you and I are not good enough to remain the same. Peter Drucker states there seems to be little correlation between a man’s effectiveness, versus intelligence, imagination, and knowledge. Effectiveness is the result obtained. Without effectiveness, the other categories become lids that contain progress.

Exceed Expectations

Expectations are only the floor upon which you build your life, not the ceiling. Expectations are where you start a journey not the conclusion. Understand the difference between best and better. Your best is what you should be doing today. Better is where you want to be tomorrow. If you become content where you are presently, you will become mediocre. Do not become comfortable with your yesterday’s. If you value the people that you have surrounded yourself with, exceed your own expectations for their sake. You are not good enough to remain the same.

LINKS

Shepherds Advantage Leadership Podcast is now on iTunes – SUBSCRIBE

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!

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The big question becomes, “How do you motivate people?” In the bookCoaching For Improved Work Performance, the author suggests five reasons that people do not perform in the way they are capable. Here are those five reasons.