Big Is The New Small

Most of us grow up being taught that we need to “Try Harder” and that phrase ‘Try Harder” becomes part of our “Work Hard, Try Harder and Get er’ Done” value system.  I would argue that many times people need to Stop Trying So Hard.  Below are 9 Ways To Stop Trying So Hard:

1. Stop trying so hard to let everyone know that your the leader… be the leader.
2. Stop trying so hard to show people how much you know… be knowledgeable.
3. Stop trying so hard to let your wife know that you’re in charge… be in charge.
4. Stop trying so hard to keep up with the Jones’… be the Jones’ (it’s not about the stuff).
5. Stop trying so hard to do the church thing… develop a relationship with Christ.
6. Stop trying so hard to show your children that your a good parent… be a great parent.
7. Stop trying so hard to find Mr./Mrs. Right… be Mr./Mrs. Right.
8. Stop trying so hard to try so hard!
9. Stop trying so hard to fit in… stand out.

We need to stop trying so hard to fit in, and embrace the fact that God has made each and every one of us to stand out.  Stop trying so hard to stand in… Go Stand Out!

Share Your Thoughts, Experiences & Additions to “Stop Trying So Hard!”

I had written a blogpost for Twitip earlier this week.  Twitip is the most popular blog in the blogosphere for tips on Twitter and its operated by Darren Rowse @problogger who is also the blogger for the most popular blogging site ProBlogger.net. 

The post that I had written was entitled 10 Reasons To Use Your Real Name As Your Twitter @Name.  Although everyone did not totally agree with my 10 Reasons, it was a very popular post nonetheless.  As of now the post has been re-tweeted 780 times, has 123 comments and has been re-posted on countless blogs.  Many of the twitter big boys @GuyKawasaki  who has 111,000 followers and @ProBlogger who has 57,000 followers re-tweeted the post.

If one thinks in the form of network marketing or pyramid marketing, you can only imagine the exponential impact of this post or any re-tweeted post for that matter.  The power of a re-tweet is like the Energizer Bunny, it keeps going and going and going… it’s ridiculous.  When you tweet, make sure from time to time your posts are re-tweetable.  Twitter isn’t just about your single tweet but rather the potential to impact, influence, educate, humor, inspire… countless people around the globe by your simple 140 character update.  In other-words it’s important to understand The Insane Power Of A Re-Tweet!    

Go check out the original post 10 Reasons To Use Your Real Name as Your Twitter @Name here and be sure and re-tweet it… it will keep going and going and going and going. 

Share your thoughts on The Insane Power Of A Re-Tweet!

“Christians With A Tattoo Is Not Taboo” seems to be the place that society has landed; especially within pockets of the Christian Community.  As a Pastor a common question that I’m asked is “Should Christians Get Tattoos?”   The answer to this question is an argument that has been debated thoroughly with people outlining scripture for both points of view.  I personally don’t have a problem with tattoos; however I believe that we should always use good judgement, which applies to what we permanently tattoo on our bodies. 

I got a tattoo when I was in college and it was relative to my Fraternity.  Although, my tattoo is very appropriate and still relevant; at times I have considered getting something added to it, or over it.  I have come to the realization that my tattoo represents part of my story and my journey so I have left it alone. (I personally wouldn’t get anything below the short-sleeve line… however there are some great-looking sleeve tats, just not my deal)

There are a lot of church staff members, worship leaders, youth pastors, senior pastors… at my church and churches around the country that have tattoos;  some of which are evangelistic in nature and others are not.  If you have never seen the Director of Service Programming at Buckhead Church in Atlanta, Mr. Ragamuffin Soul Carlos Whittaker’s  LA Ink segment you should check it out here! 

Times are changing, church leaders and church congregants have spoken and they’re saying: “Christians With A Tattoo Is Not Taboo!”

To Tat or No To Tat… That Is The Question?  Share your thoughts/opinions!  Do you have a tattoo?

God Is… (___Fill In The Blank___!)

Dear Mr. Church: I wanted to formally let you know that I Don’t Want To Go To Your Church.

I don’t really understand the God thing and your rules make it even more difficult to understand.

I know you say come as you are, but let’s not go too far because you really don’t mean that.  Don’t you really mean come as everyone else in your building is?

Mr. Church: I really don’t understand this God thing and when I come through your doors and try to sing, for some reason the elevator just doesn’t go ”ding” because I just don’t get this whole God thing.

I am out here doing my thing, you know all the stuff you church folks call sin… No matter what I do I just can’t seem to win.

I’m out here doing my own thing and wished I knew of the God whose praises so many people sing; but in my mind the elevator just doesn’t go “ding.”

Dear Mr. Church: I want to find God, but I don’t know where to search, to the best of my knowledge I can find him at your church.  Mr. Church, I know that your people will look at me funny and simply just want my money.  They expect me to dress and act a certain way and they will keep me in your service all day.   They will make a scene if I’m new and beat me up with all the rules until I’m black and blue.

Dear Mr. Church: I Want To Know God, but I Don’t Want To Go To Your Church!

Sincerely,

Non Church Attending Searching Lost Hungry Far From God Guy/Girl

~Scott Williams~

Often times people are assessing their jobs, roles, callings… by asking themselves the following question over and over: “Should I stay or should I go, should I stay or should I go…?”  Here are 10 Signs It May Be Time To Move On:

1. You get an upset stomach every morning on your way to work.
2. At-least once a week you think the following thoughts “If so and so does (_blank__) again today I’m going to quit.”
3. You’ve asked God for signs that it’s time to move on and he has spoken to you through people, places, circumstances, His Word… you’ve heard its time to move on from God in every way besides hearing his audible voice.
4. You can’t find anyone within a square mile radius of your job that you like, trust or believe in.
5. Your boss has said to you “It may be time for you to move on!”
6. You are 100% certain that you could have a bigger impact, be happier, put your family in a better situation… by moving on and the only thing that’s holding you back is fear.
7. You tell yourself, your spouse and your friends on a regular basis that it’s time to move on and they agree.
8. When an American Idol Contestant is sent home; you begin envision the greener pastures that are on the other side of them be kicked off.  You then draw parallels to yourself being in the Top 10 and imagine how being kicked out of your workplace will be better for you.
9. Every time your boss calls you in his office or on the phone; you immediately start wondering what you did wrong or think they’re going to act like Donald Trump and say “You’re Fired!”
10. You’ve read through the 9 signs above and said to yourself “That’s the confirmation that I needed.”

Life brings us many seasons and we have to be prepared for each and every one of them.  There is always a time to stay and a time to Go.  Many people are absolutely supposed to stay exactly where they are; however there is a percent who should definitely Go. 

Whatever decision you make, don’t merely make it on emotions alone; but rather give yourself and your family opportunity to evaluate legitimate considerations.  Don’t be the miserable person sitting around saying “Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda but never Dida!” Shh, be quiet & listen to God’s Whispers.

Share your stories, perspective & thoughts?  What are other signs that it may be time to move on?

This past Sunday boys had their first track meet of the season.  I always enjoy going to their track meets because both of my boys can really run and my 9yo. is really fast.  If you have been reading BigIsTheSmall for awhile, then you have probably heard me braggin’ on his Usain Bolt track skillz ( “skillz”to be said like Napoleon Dynamite).

It was a crazy weather day for a track meet as it was cloudy, cold and windy.  I was running around with my hoodie on, as my wife and I were tag teaming our sons to and from their events; some of which were almost simultaneous.  They both earned second place in their events, only missing first place by a hair.

This competitively proud father, for maybe the first time was actually excited with both of my sons second place finish.  Below are three reasons my sons taught me to embrace the fact that Second Place Ain’t So Bad:

1. They listened to the advice of their coach and their parents.
2. They ran hard, competed and finished strong.
3. They’re committed to getting better, with plans on earning 1st. place next time.

I am a competitive kinda guy who likes to win.  Through my life experience and through the lessons my boys are teaching me I am embracing the fact that it doesn’t matter if you come in Second as long as you: listen, compete and are committed to getting better. 

Remember: Second Place Ain’t So Bad… as long as you are keeping first place in sight and in reach.

Share your thoughts on Second Place!  What lessons are you learning from your children and their lives?

I’m trying something new for a late Sunday night blog post, called the Sunday Seven.  Earlier, I Tweeted for people to send me a link of any of their favorite blog posts they have written or read this week.  Below are some of the blog posts that were forwarded to me; as well as some of my personal selections from this week.  This is the Sunday Seven:

1. Blogs Books & The Irony Of Short~Seth Godin
2. 5 Reasons Being Normal Sucks ~Scott Williams
3. 5 Steps To Quit Being A Jerk ~Zen Habits
4. Insane Small Groups~Alan Danielson
5. 10 Things :: Lifehacks ~Lists Galore
6. I’ll Call You Back Tomorrow ~JC Riley
7. 13 Twitter Tips and Tutorials For Beginners~Twitip

Share any other blog posts that you came across this week that caught your attention!  Be sure and shoot me a Twitter @Reply, DM or email with any of your favorites for next Sunday… Maybe they will be one of the Sunday Seven.  Make It A Great Monday!

That’s a pretty catchy blog title huh!  I thought there might be some synergy between the search engines and the blog title, with all of the @Oprah  and @Aplusk  Twitter Buzz.  There has been a lot of talk over the last couple of years about whether or not Twitter will  ever go mainstream; well let me answer the question, Yes it’s officially gone mainstream today!  There are 14 million Twitter Users to vouch for the mainstreamness!

Ashton Kutcher or @Aplusk  was the first to hit 1million followers; barely edging out CNN and making him the Twitter King late last night.  As I watched Ashton’s interview on Oprah; I was impressed with the depth of his knowledge and the clarity of his perspective of social media and the world today.  Ashton had a couple quotes that I thought were spot on… He said “One person can have a voice as strong as an entire news outlet…  You can be ahead of the news, break the news, set rumors straight; everyone has a voice.”

Twitter Founder Evan Williams or @Ev  made a couple of comments that caught my attention during his interview on Oprah.  He said that “Twitter Democratizes Media; Twitter the company only has 35 employees; Twitter is the word for the sounds that birds make.”

Oprah is following and Tweetin’ with @mrskutcher  @theellenshow  @THE_REAL_SHAQ  @kinggayle  @jimmyfallon  @ev  @gstephanopoulos.  Today was a  big win for the Twitter folks, because no matter whether you dislike or disagree with Oprah; you have to accept that she’s got the Midas touch.  Get ready for everybody and there moma to be on Twitter, in addition to a serious revenue model coming around the corner.

SIDE NOTES: I personally think @iamdiddy  is one of the better celebrity Tweeps and @Oprah  and @Aplusk  are really not following me, however you can… it’s  @ScottWilliams.

What do you think the Oprah influence will do to Twitter?  Who is your favorite celebrity Tweep?

First of all I want to say welcome, to all of my new BlogFriends who have recently started reading BigIsTheNewSmall.com and thanks to all the loyal readers who have been around for quite some time.  I wanna know just a little bit about “Who Are You?”  I know that’s improper grammar but it goes along with the title of this post. 

If you would answer these 5 short questions below, it would be greatly appreciated.  Everyone join in, even those of you who are reading through an RSS feed.  Here we go:

1. Name? 
2. Age/Gender?
3. City/State?
4. How did you find BigIsTheNewSmall.com?
5. Do you Twitter?  If so share your Twitter @name or blog address.

Thanks again for answering these ?’s and thanks even more for reading!  Make it memorable weekend!