Wanted: Manifesto Ghostwriter

Last night Steve and I went to an activity at the church. It was a presentation entitled "Seeking Out Simplicity" given by Franklin Covey consultant James Cathcart. He talked about the meaning of the words "important" and "urgent". Something is important if it carries consequence. For instance spending time with your family is important because it helps to build better relationships. Urgent is something that is compelling or pressing - in need of immediate attention. Urgent is NOT the same as important. Two-day sales are an example of something that could be considered urgent but not important. The two can and do coincide (like say, when I broke my arm) - but we need to know the difference - so that we don't get sucked into running around "putting out fires" and neglect the truly important stuff. Sometimes we just need to say "no".

What's important? Well, that's the real question. Bro. Cathcart challenged everyone to draft their own mission statement - as a way to clarify our purpose and narrow down what's really important to us. He gave a few examples - the first was quite lovely and longish - it was written by a poet (I want to say Browning...but I might be wrong). The second was "I want to be the kind of person my dog thinks I am". The last one was my favorite. It is God's mission statement:

Moses 1:39

39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

Now that's a tough act to follow. Short, sweet and to the point.

What's your mission statement? (or should I be asking for your manifesto?) I could use some more ideas.

Pep Talk

I've been looking at the calendar for the last couple of days feeling like I need to hurry and get things done. February is quickly coming to an end I have have plenty of things to keep me busy. I tend to put a lot of goals in time increments. Some are daily, weekly, and for the bigger projects monthly. With this month wrapping up, I thought it would be a good time to revisit where and how I am doing with the goals that I set at the beginning of the year.

Honestly, I had forgotten a few of them. Not that I wasn't necessarily doing them, I just forgot that I put them on my "to-do" list. Teaching my Sunday class, that was a no brainer. I put it on my list so that I would remind myself that it is something that I do and hopefully will improve throughout the year. Thanks to the family resources (you guys), I have been able to muddle my way though learning how to teach a class. Treats and games are great motivators.

I have revised a few goals. I made a small goal of painting the upstairs, well, I know that isn't going to take all year. I think I should push myself and paint the rest of the house...I need to borrow a really tall ladder again, anyone have one? Better yet, anyone want to help?

So, (while I channel Dad) as this month winds to an end, where are you at on your goals?