Big Is The New Small

5 Can-Do/Will-Do Steps…

1. Imagine that you can
2. Think that you can
3. Believe that you can
4. Trust that you can
5. Know that you can

Imagine, Think, Believe, Trust and Know that you can… and you will!

What comes to mind when you hear the phrase Hole In The Wall…  I’m sure that we all have a relatively similar thoughts; however Hole In The Wall is defined as: A small, very modest, often out-of-the-way place.

In this post, I’m referring to Hole In The Wall Restaurants.  Yesterday, myself and a fairly large group of people had the opportunity to hit several Hole In The Wall restaurants for lunch.  First of all we hit Tim’s Indian Tacos and then our next stop was a little spot called Fried Pies… by the name I’m sure that you can imagine what the sell.

Maybe it’s just me, but I love finding these little hidden jewels we have come to know as Hole In The Wall’s; let me tell you, they have some of the best food.  When I travel I always try to find those Hole In The Wall’s that could literally be the billboard for Campbell’s Soup, if you know what I mean…  “M’m! M’m! Good!  Especially the little soul food restaurants like Florence’s on N.E. 23rd street in Oklahoma City, OK; or burger spots like Dairy Mart in Union City, OK…  I could go on and on with my list both locally and around the country, but that’s the purpose of this post; the purpose is for you to go on and on about your favorite Hole In The Wall’s. 

Do you like Hole In The Wall Restaurants?  If so, what are some of your favorites (Name, City, Type, Favorite Item…)?

BTW- I will be in Dallas for a couple of days next week for the Innovation 3 Conference; please share your favorite spots in Dallas.

I pulled up to the stoplight as usual and there he was… that he that I’m referring to was the panhandler!  There is a different panhandler at this intersection every morning; however it was something about this panhandler that took me to school.  In other-words this panhandler began to dish out some really valuable leadership/life lessons.  Here are 10 Leadership Lessons From a Panhandler that I learned during a 2 minute stoplight: (He’s not the one pictured in this post)

1. You never get a second chance to make a first impression (Why should I give to you right now)
2. Your message needs to be clear and concise (Hungry, Broke, Homeless…)
3. Respect your clients (Don’t be over bearing)
4. Persistence Pays (Don’t be to proud to beg and ask… and beg and ask)
5. Make eye contact (When you look someone in the eyes, you might just see their heart)
6. Location and Timing (Location and timing are critical, good intersection and during a stoplight)
7. People follow those with a following (Once one person gives, so will others)
8. Be Genuine (People can read a phony from a mile away… or even a stoplight away)
9. Dress for Success (Look the part, dress the part… attire/look does matter)
10. Be Appreciative and Thank God (“Hungry anything will help, God Bless”)

Share your thoughts on this post?  What lessons have panhandlers taught you?

I was up bright and early this morning doing my regular 3B regimen: Books, Bible and Blogs along with some writing.  I love the fact that my entire family is sleep, it’s dark outside and it’s literally as quiet as a church mouse.  I can actually hear myself think, I can hear the whispers from God, I can hear the cars drive by and in the distance “I Hear The Trash-Man…”

I was sitting in the bed with my laptop in hand, just typing away; as my thoughts were just flowing onto the computer screen word-by-word.  As I’m typing I realize that “I Hear The Trash Man…”  The trash-man began to get closer and closer to my house and the only thing I could think of is “I Hear the Trash-man…”  Finally, I could tell that the trash-man was in front of my house, so I looked out the window and watched as the trash-man lifted our two trash receptacles, dumped the trash and drove away.

I know you are probably asking what does this have to do with the price of tea in China… anyways here are the two life lessons from the trash man who emptied two trash recpticles:

1. The Trash-man has a unique sound, you can hear him from a distance, you know that he’s coming and you know what to expect when he gets there.  Are you/your church/your business… making the right noises where people can hear you coming from a distance and know what to expect when you get there?  What results do they expect: positive, negative, remarkable…
2. When we surrender our lives to Christ, it’s like… imagine hearing the trash-man coming from a distance, emptying your trash (wiping your slate clean).  The choice is ours regarding how much junk, trash, garbage we put back in our receptacles of life.

Make the right noises and empty the trash.

Share your thoughts on this post?  What do you think of when you hear the Trash-Man?

Sometimes you will be misunderstood so people will look and stare.

Sometimes you won’t have all the answers and you will not care.

Sometimes you will have a dream that you will make true.

Sometimes you will realize what God has put inside of you.

Sometimes you will fight and will not run.

Sometimes you will fight until the job is done.

Sometimes you will think when everyone else has thought.

Sometimes you will remember the lessons that life has taught.

Sometimes you will be called arrogant and you will not care.

Sometimes you will be called arrogant and you’ll say don’t you dare.

Sometimes you will fight, claw, cry, push, realize, stand, think and dream.

That sometime is today that sometime is now… Sometimes!

~Scott Williams

Just imagine if Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had Twitter or other social networking means at his disposal; his message would have been even more impactful.  Our message, story, voice, thoughts can literally be shared at our disposal… by the push of a button.  As the day we have set aside, to honor the life of Dr. King is upon us; I’d like for us to answer this one simple question:

If Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. had one Tweet to share with us at this moment in time, what would he Tweet?  Share your response in 140 characters or less!  I’ll go first!

MLK’s Tweet (140 Characters):  We’ve dreamed, now we must stand, sing, make a diff. & realize together. We are free to act, free to do, its up to you. Thank God We’re Free

Share your MLK Tweet in the comment section below! 

Thanks! Let’s not forget Dr. King’s contribution to our lives, our country, our world…

As the number of  Twitter users grows at a rapid daily rate, so do the number of Twitter apps, add-ons, services…  TweeTube is a new one out that allows you to share your favorite videos quickly with short URL’s.   It will also allow you track the visits and comments from the people that follow you on Twitter.  Below is a screenshot and you can click here to begin using:

Thoughts?  Share some of your favorite Twitter apps!

Why do you read the blogs that you read?

Most mornings I find inspiration through the 3B’s Books, Bible & Blogs; however this morning it was through 3P’s Prayer, Praise & Poetry.  As I finished praying; while listening to some Gospel music, I began to read through some inspirational poems.  I came across this poem from an anonymous author… here it goes.

I WILL DO MORE
I am only one, but I am one.
I cannot do everything, but I can do something.
And what I can do, I ought to do.
And what I ought to do, by the grace of God, I will do.
I will do more than belong…I will participate.
I will do more than care…I will help.
I will do more than believe…I will practice.
I will do more than be fair…I will be kind.
I will do more than dream…I will work.
I will do more than teach…I will inspire.
I will do more than earn…I will enrich.
I will do more than give…I will serve.
I will do more than live…I will grow.
I will do more than talk…I will act.
I will be more than good…I will be good for something.

~Anonymous

I Will… Will You?

I learned very early on as a leader the importance of simplicity.  When I was a Warden in the Prison system, I would have regular meetings with my key staff to discuss what could be done to simplify their job.  Many times the answers to the simplicity question would be things such as: minimizing paperwork, reducing bureaucratic log jams, streamlining of central office vs. prison facility processes…

I’ve always valued simplicity and have embraced the gravity of creating a culture of simplicity; both at home and at work.  A culture of simplicity can include but is not limited to:

• Stop trying so hard and making everything a”Big Deal.”
• Avoiding knee jerk reactions.
• Embracing the “5 Minute 5 Phone Calls” concept.
• Allowing your team to have some space, allowing your team to do their job. (Avoid Micromanagement)
• Reducing the amount of paperwork, steps, hoops, processes…
• Creating a culture of healthy conflict and the minimization of drama.

Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS)…  Stop trying so hard and embrace “Simplicity.” 

Simple People+Simple Culture+Great Leadership=Colossal Results!  BigIsTheNewSmall

Share your thoughts, experiences, opinions on the importance of Simplicity or the lack of.  What are you doing to create a culture of Simplicity?