• Heart Reflections: Walk That Mile

    As I was walking on the treadmill one morning earlier this week I realized…..whether it’s the first mile you have walked in years or the final mile in a marathon after months of training that first mile is always the hardest.  You have to remain focused and determined to finish.  You may not notice the fruit of all the hard work invested right away but over time you’ll build up endurance, strength, and that extra energy you need to get through each day.  It really is worth it, stay focused.

    It is hard enough for me to get up early and walk my one mile or more but yet often I set similar expectations on others.  I figure if I can raise multiples, write a blog post for the day, work, maintain my house, attend activities, and everything else I manage to squeeze into my day surely everyone else can do the same.  Right!?  These type of expectations are not healthy, mainly because I have no idea of what complications or road blocks the other person faces in their lives.

    On the outside most people may look like they have it all together when in reality everything really could be falling apart.  Only God sees their heart.   If I had to walk a mile under the weight and pressure they are baring I would most likely crumble.  God does not call me to walk in their shoes but down the path He has given me.  While my day to day stress is not the same as my neighbors with His guidance I can have many opportunities to make a lasting imprint on the lives of others.  Instead of judging others or getting jealous of the easy life they seem to have set before them I need take those first steps down the next mile in my own life to focus on what God has for me to do today in my corner of the world.

  • Book: “The Impact Equation” by Chris Brogan & Julien Smith

    I received a preview book copy of  The Impact Equation by Chris Brogan and Julien Smith.  The subtitle to the book is “Are you making things happen OR just making noise?”  I loved their title because we get hit with a ton of information from all directions every time we go online.  How do companies, blogs, and any other items of importance have a chance to get our attention with everything being thrown at us?  What makes those few stand out?

    When I first started blogging I felt like no one was reading it…..some days especially in the very beginning that it was a waste of time (who would want to read what I was writing about anyway)…….and I looked at all the “numbers”.  If there was a dip in stats I would be upset or stressed about it.  Now I don’t stress about my numbers much at all because I am focusing more on writing and all the fun stuff that I want to share with my readers.  I still have a long way to go and a lot to learn but I was very excited to get a copy of Chris Brogan’s and Julien Smith’s new book because I have been thinking about this very topic.

    It my goal to make a positive impact on the lives around me and one of the ways I reach out to people is through my blog.  Although, at the same time it is important I take the time to review how things are going I have to evaluate how much of an impact I really am making.  Is the impact I am making on my readers positive?  I really liked how Chris and Julien’s book encouraged me to evaluate many areas, they even shared a great CREATE acronym to help.

    Here are a few things I took away from Chris & Julien’s book:

    • CREATE acronym (i.g. Impact = Contrast * [Reach + Exposure + Articulation + Trust + Echo])
    • Spend more time giving thought and refining my ideas
    • Share the great ideas of others – the “give before you get” principle

    If you have a presence online whether it is through your business, blog, or social media accounts to stay in touch with family and friends this is a great book to read.