Doing Something Different
Continuing on the theme of “doing something different” with Monday Meditations as we start a new calendar year, today, we will look at some interesting ways we can characterize our approach to the year.
Last week, Monday Meditations posed 15 questions that were intended to help you think about the previous year, and also the year ahead.
Did you find time to answer the questions? Were you able to share some of your thoughts with others?
Here’s another question I want to ask you today… How would you characterize the start of the new year, for you?
This may sound a bit strange, but let’s start the year by doing some
“OVER-thinking”.
The first concept to consider as we start the new year is by thinking about
“LEFT-OVERS”. These are characterized by the things that didn’t get done in the past year (or longer). We all have things that we just didn’t get to. Things that matter to us but we didn’t complete for various reasons. Mental fatigue and physical exhaustion often leads us to procrastinate and push-off some of the lesser pressing topics. Over time, these left-overs might grow in urgency and rise to the top of our priority list. Or, they might seem insignificant now but, over time, grow to become critical.
Q: What “LEFT-OVERS” do you have from the previous year?
The next idea to consider is “HANG-OVERS”. These are characterized by the bad choices made in the previous year that lead to lesser performance. Our lack of discipline during times of excess can often create headaches that linger. It creates the feeling of “sickness” in your organization or personal life that can only be remedied by re-engaging in the productive behaviours that will help get you back on track.
Q: What “HANG-OVERS” do you have as you start the year?
The third idea is that of the “DO-OVERS”. These are the mistakes made in the previous year that can be reversed if we act quickly. We sometimes need a ”mulligan” of sorts to wipe the slate, remove judgement, and give us a fresh start, albeit this time with better information.
Q: Can you identify any areas that require “DO-OVERS” as you start the year?
The next idea is called the “BLOW-OVER”. These are characterized by the desire to put our head in the sand until the storm clears, or the problem simply goes away. We hope it will just blow-over. However, every storm has the potential to damage the landscape in some fashion. Waiting for something to simply blow-over means we don’t want to deal with the situation now and are just agreeing to accept the consequences of a “damaged landscape” later.
Q: Are there any areas where you are waiting for things to “BLOW-OVER” as you start the year?
There is a definite theme to the first four “over-thinking” concepts; they are all generally quite negative and unproductive. They require a lot of effort to correct and have little return of value.
There is one additional concept that we should also consider… the
“MAKE-OVER”. The idea of a make-over is interesting. Think of renovating a home, rebuilding a car, reworking a relationship, or acting to turn around a failing business. The make-over concept requires us to accept the reality of “what is” and to dream and strategize about “what could be”. Of course, we do this with the intent of making something better. Nobody renovates a home to make it worse or less valuable than it currently is. A make-over, by nature takes something old and makes it new. It adds value. It creates a future with longevity. It’s the act of transforming something less desirable to something more desirable.
Q: What areas of your personal or professional life currently needs a make-over and transformation?
As Corpath members, and Christ-followers, I encourage all of you (and me) to submit to the care and guidance of God as we start the new year. To follow the teachings of Christ as written in the Holy Bible. To listen the urging of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. Doing these things means we will be fully engaged in the act of “transformation” as we continue to give our sinful selves over to the Creator of all things to give us a make-over.
Romans 12:1-2 says, ”And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
We also have faith that God is always working for our good as we strive to live according to His purpose for our lives.
Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
I can’t think of a better way to start the year than by letting God take our left-overs, hang-overs, do-overs, and blow-overs and give us a complete make-over as we work our business, live our lives and grow our spirits.
In the same fashion as with last week’s Monday Meditations, take time to answer the questions. Make plans to share your thoughts and insights with your Corpath Forum Group. You may even want to take these concepts and share them with your business as you start the new year.
My Prayer:
God, I thank you for yet another New Year. I pray that you would take my challenges and rework them to your glory. Give me the sense of peace as you journey with me in the days, weeks and months ahead. I pray that you would transform me in ways I can not comprehend. Amen.
Blessings as Always!
Steve Shrout
President, Corpath Forums
Email: president@corpath.ca
"Pursuing Excellence in Business, Life and Spirit"
Special Note:
If you enjoyed today’s message, then share it with someone. Also, use this content and questions as a discussion guide in your next Forum Group meeting.
Attached to this is a printable PDF you can use to help with your meditation and reflection. I encourage you to print it, answer the questions and then keep it in a Corpath binder or folder for future reference and thought. You will receive a new PDF each week with each new Monday Meditation, and, over time, your binder will become a book representing your Corpath journey of BUSINESS thoughts, personal LIFE development, and SPIRITUAL growth.
