8th March, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Happy Monday, and welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
EXECUTION
Ever get a great idea, mess with it, dream about it, develop a bunch of possibilities, talk to others about it—everything except actually doing something about it?
Ever see something really fun and think, “I couldda done that?”
Ever wonder why folks with inferior ideas get so much more accomplished?
Yeah—me too.
The difference between thinking and talking about something and actually doing something with it is execution.
It doesn’t matter what’s involved. Maybe a business idea, a program at church, a hobby you want to develop—it might be as simple as cleaning off your desk or deleting old files from your computer. But until you execute, it’s all just unproductive use of brain space.
What do you want to move from the “wish I would do it” pile to the “did it” pile?
Here’s to a week of less wishing and more execution.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back. Today’s tip:
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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1st March, 2010 by Rich Dixon 1 Comment
Happy Monday! Welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back.
Today’s word is:
STRUGGLE
Whatever the struggle, continue the climb.
It may be only one step to the summit.
Diane Westlake
As a teacher, I often joked with kids that if they were as creative and persistent in doing the work as they were in avoiding it, they would achieve amazing results.
I think we’re all a bit like that. I put a lot of effort into avoiding struggle. Given the choice, I rarely choose the more difficult path.
But we all know the easy route usually doesn’t get you to the best destination. So if I want to accomplish important goals, struggle is going to be part of the equation.
My dictionary defines struggle as to proceed with difficulty or with great effort.
When I think about struggle, I tend to focus on “difficulty” and “great effort,” But the key word here is “proceed.” Even when it’s tough, I need to continue.
Difficulty’s part of the deal. Worthwhile stuff requires effort. Once I accept those facts of life, I can remove my eyes from the struggle and focus on reaching the destination. Like my students, I can re-direct my energy toward reaching the goal.
Then I can proceed.
It’s better to lose some of the battles in the struggles for your dreams than to be defeated without ever knowing what you’re fighting for. Paulo Coelho
What’s a struggle you need to accept so you can proceed in pursuit of your dream?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
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Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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22nd February, 2010 by Rich Dixon 3 Comments
Monday is word-or-the-week day here at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is …
DREAM
I’ve been watching a lot of different Olympic events. I don’t get all that excited about the well-known athletes. The thing about the Olympics is the athletes who are there making huge sacrifices, taking risks, for a simple reason: they’re chasing a dream.
They’re never going to be famous or make a lot of money as athletes. No medals, little or no media attention. Most of the fans will never notice them. Except for family and friends, no one will know their results.
They are there because they had a dream that was worth more than anything else to them.
I really admire people who pursue their dream. Most of us wish we could do some particular something, but we allow life to get in the way.
Watch one of the obscure Olympic events—like curling. Pick out an athlete who’ll be back at a regular job in a few days. Consider the thousands of hours of practice and training.
Think about the pure joy and satisfaction of achieving a dream.
What’s your dream?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Today’s suggestion:
Join the Relentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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15th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Happy Monday, and welcome to word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
LEADER
You can buy stacks of books on leadership. I’d like to offer one simple thought:
You don’t lead from behind.
Bosses and managers often confuse leadership with coercion and manipulation. But those are push models. They don’t work long-term.
Real leaders don’t push—they attract and inspire from the front. They provide an example that other want to follow.
By definition, if you want to lead you have to be willing to go first.
You don’t lead by hitting people over the head. That’s assault, not leadership. Dwight D. Eisenhower
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Join the Relentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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8th February, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Welcome to another Monday, which also means it’s word-of-the-week day at Bouncing Back. This week’s word:
PLAY
I don’t play enough. Too busy, too many important, serious, adult-type tasks waiting for my attention. Who has time for play?
That’s one of many things I like about having a dog. If I get too attached to the keyboard, suddenly a nose appears, pressing on my forearm and rendering typing impossible. He has some inner sense about the right time for a Frisbee or a slobbery old tennis ball. Even though I grumble about being interrupted, I’m refreshed after a few tosses and some minutes spent chuckling at his intense pursuit. It’s always time well spent.
My goofy-looking dog understands the importance of taking a break to play. I need to learn from him.
Join me this week in taking time to play.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Join the Relentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
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1st February, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
It’s Monday, which means word-of-the-week time here at Bouncing Back. Today’s word is:
Peace
We usually think of peace as the absence of war or conflict. But I’m thinking of something a bit more proactive. Jesus said:
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. [John 14:27]
I’m seeking the sort of peace that involves intentional calm and contentment, an attitude that doesn’t depend on external circumstances.
In fact, this inner sense of peace is most essential is when the storm rages around us.
Where do you need to be especially conscious of peace as you begin this week?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Join the Relentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
25th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 1 Comment
Happy Monday and welcome to word-of-the-week here at Bouncing Back.
SURRENDER
“Surrender” isn’t a popular notion in our culture. We don’t like to lose, and surrender usually connotes admitting some sort of defeat.
But there’s another reason to surrender. Sometimes you simply conclude that a particular battle isn’t worth fighting, that the possible gains simply don’t justify the pain and sacrifice required. It’s the acknowledgment and acceptance of circumstances that can’t be altered. It’s the wisdom to spend your energy on what can be changed rather that battling what cannot.
I learned about this sort of surrender when I finally said something obvious:
God, I’m not you. I want my life to be about what You want, not about what I want.
This isn’t a defeat, it isn’t losing. Surrendering myself and my limited vision to God’s will is a win. I can stop trying to do it my way, acknowledge the reality the God’s bigger than I am, and give myself the opportunity to be what I was designed to be.
What would you like to surrender this week?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Something new–a Relentless Grace Facebook fan page. You can click the link, become a fan, write a comment on the wall, and suggest that your Facebook buddies also become fans.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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18th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon No Comments
Welcome to Monday and the word-of-the-week here at Bouncing Back.
Jump!
I like words that sound like their meaning. Just saying “jump” makes me want to—well—jump!
As a wheelchair user, I don’t physically jump over things. But I’m thinking today of a different meaning.
Jump: to enter eagerly or enthusiastically into.
This meaning of the word almost requires an exclamation point. You don’t just jump—you JUMP! Rather than timidly testing the waters, you can JUMP! in and get going.
You JUMP! into a game or a project. On a Monday morning you can JUMP! Into a new week. Instead of dreading another dreary meeting, you can JUMP! In and make it special.
I don’t want to simply survive this new week. I want to thrive.
I want to JUMP!
How about you?
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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11th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 2 Comments
It’s Monday, and at Bouncing Back that means it’s time for the Word of the Week.
ENCOURAGE
This is a follow-up from last week’s word, courage: the willingness to act for right regardless of risk.
One of the most important aspects of courage is encourage. To me, that means you give courage to others.
So encourage means helping others discover and develop the willingness to act for right, regardless of risk. It’s an act of service that helps others extend their limits.
When you encourage someone, you help them climb the ladder and move closer to their full potential.
Who will you encourage this week?
The people who are lifting the world onward and upward are those who encourage more than they criticize. Elizabeth Harrison
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I gently encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Facebook Fan Page. This is a great new way for Facebook users to spread the word to their friends. Just click the link, become a fan, and recommend the page to your friends.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
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Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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4th January, 2010 by Rich Dixon 2 Comments
Happy Monday!
It’s the beginning of a new week, a new year, and even a new decade—just in case you didn’t know. So, since everything else is new, we’re going to try a new Monday feature for Bouncing Back. I’m creatively calling it our WORD OF THE WEEK.
The idea is to simply put a word out there to stimulate our thinking at the beginning of the week. I’ll offer my brief thoughts and hope that you’ll share your reaction in the comments below. So, here’s our very first word of the week.
COURAGE
Courage is the willingness to act for the right, regardless of risk to self. (borrowed from Gus Lee)
It’s a simple concept with powerful implications for every aspect of our lives. Courage is not the absence of fear. Courage confronts fears with action for whatever’s right as we understand it. I hope we all find and seize opportunities to demonstrate courage.
What’s one situation in which you can choose this week to act courageously?
Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.
This is also Word-of-Mouth Day, when I kindly encourage (or, from your perspective, pester) you to help spread the word about Bouncing Back.
Forward the link to someone who might be interested.
Subscribe below to receive blog updates via email.
Link to a post on Twitter or Facebook.
Sign up for my free semi-regular newsletter.
Thanks for all of your help and support. Word of mouth is the BEST word of all.
Did you enjoy this article? Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
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Related articles:
Courage–A Visit With Gus Lee
Courage and Fear
Taming The Monster (Relentless Grace Excerpt #6)
