Keep it Simple

I ended my work day with an interesting discussion on what a Project Management “Center of Excellence” would consist of. I’m constantly amazed at how overcomplicated we can make things. There is value in those who study the Word day in and day out (that’s for you, Russ) – we need you to help clarify things for us. We need those who study “adult learning theory” and “project management theory” and come up with great understanding of the human mind – and then we need you all to simplify it.

Jesus said it like this – all of the law can be summed up into these two things: 1. Love the Lord with all your heart, soul mind, and strength. 2. Love others as you love yourself.

I wish sometimes we could just keep it more simple. It’s REALLY hard for people to understand 25 competencies or 14 competencies. We need it simple. When the time comes where we need more, we go find more, but if we could generally do the first two really simple ones, we’d nail it – but we fail there all of the time.

For project management, I would say it could be summed up in three things: 1. Communicate everything to all people – status reports, project plans, strategies, expectations, requirements, risks, needs, etc. 2. Pursue quality and excellence in all things. 3. Be a problem solver, not a fault finder.

Oversimplified? Maybe… but I can help fill in the gaps if we could just start with those three things.

Those that Came Before Us

I’ve waited a few weeks to post this as I know the rumor mill regarding my parents, but after the “revelation” I’ve had over the past two weeks, I want to share something I’ve learned.

My Dad’s in the middle of some transition and he’s moving to Nashville. While he gets planted in this community, he’s staying with us. I shared this with a couple of friends and they shared their concerns/hesitations about this. We had a few of our own, but something hit me like a lightening bolt: I’m getting the opportunity to return the investment my Dad made in me.

My parents are both pretty wise, both are “people” people. They instilled leadership, solution finding, and excellence in me for as long as I remember. Almost all of the blessings I enjoy in my life today are as a result of what they invested in me. Dad staying here with us for a few weeks/month while he gets his roots planted in Nashville is just a chance for the investments my Dad made in me to be returned to him. Most folks don’t get to give back to their parents until their old… we get to do it today.

Are you investing for your future in your relationships, not just your 401K?

mjd

She’s Here Because of You

I’m guilty of making fun of those local christian talk shows and TBN, but today I met Susie and Ron on the plane.
Susie and Ron spent four years pouring all of their personal finances into their local TV show.
Yes, Susie had big hair.
Susie told me how much she enjoyed doing the show, and I sat there full of skepticism.
Then she told me about the time a few years after the show was off the air that they visited a small local church.
A woman came up to her and said, “Are you Susie?” Susie replied yes.
Then the young woman reached behind her and pulled a young girl out from behind her.
“I had an appointment for an abortion, but the day before, I saw your show where you told me I had a choice.”
“This is my daughter, and she’s here because of you.”

BAM! Conviction.

It may not be “my” style, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have an impact on people….

Career-Changing Week

In the corporate environment, I try not to discuss my age – at all. I’m surrounded by people who are 35+, often 45+ and with 15+ years experience in their fields. When I’m asked, I have to say 26, and then the wheels start turning – either this kid didn’t got to college, or he’s only been in the field for 5 years. Then they realize they’re putting hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of dollars worth of projects in my hands to manage or lead. I usually fake it well, but this week, I’m overwhelmed by my own lack of experience.

I hired into my company b/c I liked what they did, and my first 6 months with the General was spent running copies. Yep, I was the copy boy – granted I had a team of 3 and 7 copy machines, but I was still just a copy boy. I had the grand salary of $26,500 and I couldn’t have been more proud. Over the past 5 years, the favor on my life has been remarkable. I don’t deserve one iota of what I have today. I work hard for it, but every door has been opened for me.

In 4 hours, I’m flying to Chicago, then to DC on Thursday, then driving to NJ on Friday. This week is where the rubber meets the road. Though I often facilitate, I’ve always been accompanied by some senior level somebody to make sure I don’t screw it up. This week, the training wheels are coming off the bike and if I fall, no one can catch me. 2 new customers, 4 new projects, and a trip to corporate = me feeling slightly overwhelmed.

My first mentor (Cassie Green) taught me that God’s interested in who I am in the workplace. That my promotion(s) have been about influence and impact on the lives around me. My greatest concern this week is to properly steward the influence I’ve been given. Here are a few of my guidelines for the week.

– Don’t talk unless you have something of value to add.
– Discernment is the greatest gift I have when leading meetings.
– Write more questions than assumptions.
– Choose my words carefully – the fewer words used, the more clear the communication.
– I must be the peace maker.
– I will lean on the expertise of those around me (your customer will always know when you’re full of crap).
– Projects succeed and fail b/c of details, rarely b/c of glaring oversights.
– My influence is a gift that I must steward with utmost care.

I’m scared out of my mind and so excited about where this will all lead. Be careful what you pray for, you might just get it…

mjd

When did you last dance?

I hope today you get so excited about the grace and mercy of your God, that you get so excited about the fact that he is for you, that you get so overwhelmed by his presence, so lost in your praise and adoration of Him, that you can’t help but dance. When my worship becomes more about my experience, I dance less – but when I allow myself to focus on his goodness, I find myself overwhelmed and I can’t help but dance. When did you last dance? Today’s a good a day to dance…

Won’t Be Moved

On September 19th, 2001 – I sat at a piano and Chels set on the bench next to me and we wrote our first song. It’s pretty simple, but there are seasons in life that I have to go back and sing the words over and over. I remember the date because it was the Wednesday after the bombing of the WTC. Everything felt like it was shaken then. Things feel a little unsteady today, so I sing in advance:

When the earth quakes
And my life shakes
When the darkness surrounds
And the shadows invade
I won’t be moved
But by you

Find me here
There’s no need to fear
You keep me from harm
Right here in your arms

When my heart hurts
And the pain lurks
When all grows still
And the tear start to fall
I won’t be moved
But by You

One Thing

I woke up this morning with an old Charlie Hall song on my heart:

Single Minded, whole hearted, one thing I ask
Single minded, whole hearted, one thing I ask

That I may gaze upon your beauty oh Lord
That I may seek your holy face
That I may know you an intimate way
And follow after you all of my days
And follow after you all of my days

Cause all of life comes down to just one thing
That’s to know you, oh Jesus, and make you known
Cause all of life comes down to just one thing
That’s to know you, oh Jesus, and make you known

The video isn’t from him, but it’s someone playing the song:

Sing my Song

I have a friend and we used to talk about our “songs” all of the time. We used to say we had to sing our “songs” to each other so we wouldn’t forget them. I need to hear my song sung back to me right now – seems like I can remember the lyrics, but the tune and passion around it seem long gone. Sorry to sound like an artist for a second, but one of my goals for 2010 is to find my song again.

mjd

A Return to the Blogosphere?

I’m quite sure I have allowed this blog to lapse into anonymity, but I’ve got to get back to writing for me. It’s my outlet, it makes me think, it makes me publish what’s going on inside me and process it all.

Work for the past 10 months has been brutal. I’ve worked in an environment always short on time and always short on funding trying to put together high quality e-learning – and we’ve done it. It hasn’t been easy, it’s required a lot of sleepless nights, tough conversations, and sacrifice, but looking back at the increased quality of our products, I’m proud of what we’ve done. Today, I got a glimmer of hope. I’m not looking forward to traveling again, but the time for a new customer has come. Here’s to an adventure, another life change, and all of the ups and downs that come with it!

mjd

Defining Value

In recent months, I’ve become overwhelmed with value. A few definitions:

*to consider with respect to worth, excellence, usefulness, or importance
*to regard or esteem highly

I’ve always been someone who was focused on purpose. I think finding yours and living it is key, but over and above your purpose, you have value. You were designed with values, to be valued, and with certain things that you value in others. Here are a few questions that are racking my brain over and over right now:

1. What is it that I value?
2. What value (worth/usefulness) do I bring to the table in my friendships/work/ministry?
3. Who values (esteems/regards) me?