The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers

April 20, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede The Make It Happen Moment ® , , Leave a comment

This Make It Happen Moment ®  was written as a guest post for the 10 Day Book Club writers blog.

Open book icon

Quote: “The person who does not read good books has no advantage over the person who cannot read them!” – Mark Twain

As a young leader growing in the field of financial management, I thought I was doing well with an MBA, a Finance degree, and a CPA…that is…until I was given a real leadership responsibility for a team of people and quickly realized that I needed to learn some things about leading people.  In all of my formal college education and training, I learned a lot about financial management, but unfortunately, as a new leader of people, I learned that my education was significantly lacking in the practical areas of leadership. So I went on a personal quest to learn how to become a great leader and discovered that a wonderful leadership education was available to me by simply reading books written by great leaders.  Furthermore, because I learned from Stephen Covey that a person learns 95 percent of what they teach, I also began a leadership development book club called The Make It Happen Leadership Development College to begin to help teach other leaders how to become great leaders as well. With my little after-hours leadership development book club and the simple concept that “leaders are readers”, my team leaders and I began to grow each month as servant leaders of an extraordinary team of “Make It Happen” people. And the best part is: I believe that you and your team leaders can do the same thing if you carefully choose great leadership books and read them together!

Now that I am a pastor and a faith-based writer of leadership development books, I also believe that the words we read as leaders have a powerful influence on the direction and outcome of our personal and professional lives. In fact, the Bible says in Psalms 119:105 that “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” which clearly indicates that God’s word can and will direct our lives if we choose to read His word.  Furthermore, if the words of God can direct our lives when we read it, other words we read can also influence our lives as we allow those words to have access into our mind and our thought patterns. 

To fully understand how powerful the words we read can be in our lives, it is essential for people to understand the Life Cycle Of Words. Further explained:

  • Words create Thoughts
  • Thoughts produce Feelings.
  • Feelings inspire Choices.
  • Choices generate Actions
  • Actions determine Habits
  • Habits develop Character
  • Character fulfills Destiny
  • Destiny breeds Legacy

And legacy is the life you leave behind when you are no longer alive on earth.  Simply put, the Life Cycle Of Words demonstrates that the power of life, destiny, and legacy is actually in the power of the words we read, think, write, and speak on a daily basis. Wow! With a spirit of wisdom and commitment, may you and I become outstanding leaders whom leave a powerful lasting legacy by carefully choosing the words we read, think, write, and speak each day.

The Make It Happen Training And Development Value: “Make It Happen” People Invest And Participate In Training And Development!

Have a blessed “Make It Happen” day!

The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers Copyright 2012, The Make It Happen Learning Institute.  You have permission to reprint The Make It Happen Moment ® Leaders Are Readers, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved.

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Planted In Love

April 2, 2012

Gary J. Borgstede Faith And Family , , , , , Leave a comment

Wooden cross on the top of Zámčisko

Wooden Cross

“Good morning, son!  I am so glad you will be home.  I have some orders to finish up and was wondering if you could help me today.”

“Yes Papa.  I can give you a hand.  What would you like me to do?”

“See those large logs over there in the corner of the shop?  We need to square them off into wooden beams.”

The small woodworking shop is a family owned business with many customers in the city of Jerusalem.  Tables, chairs, doors, cabinets, desks, and furniture are normal everyday customer orders.  But this week’s special order includes the making of large wooden beams for the Roman government.

With hammer and chisel in hand, the carpenter’s son begins to chip away at the logs as requested by his father. 

Clang.  Clang.  Clang.  As he goes to work on the logs in his hands, he contemplates this tree of life planted in love by his father thirty-three years ago.

 

Growing up in a place known for religion,

A harvest of wheat is worth more than a smidgeon.  

An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,

Can something be done to make such a penalty moot? 

Strong and sturdy, full of life and shade,

This tree was cut down so that debts can be paid.

 

Providing shelter for many from the storms of life,

So much can be done for those living in strife. 

Doing everything in their own power and might,

Why do so many work and work blinded in their sight?

Gentle and humble living day after day,

This tree has grown up just to give its life away.

 

“How’s it coming son?  Are you ready for a break?  Your mother has cooked some lunch.”

“Ok, Papa.  I’ll be right there.”

After having lunch with his Papa, the carpenter’s son gets back to work.

Clang. Clang. Clang.   He reflects again on the life of this tree being sculpted by his hands. 

 

Laughing and giggling, climbing up in its branches,

Innocent children find a tree of adventure and plenty romances. 

Adults searching for answers and a life full of meaning,

Find a tree that can be trusted is a tree that isn’t leaning.

Old or young, bald or grey,

This tree embraces all and never turns away.

 

A subtle breeze blowing through its leaves forecast a change in season.

Although the wind cannot be seen, this tree and its branches sway for a reason.

Perched high up in a nest, rising early in the morning,

Can you hear the gentle dove announce the sun as it is dawning? 

Swinging on a swing and life twirling all around,

This tree is always safe because its roots grow deep into the ground.

 

“Son, how’s it coming in there?  Are you finished yet?  We don’t want to keep the government waiting!” 

“Yes Papa.  I AM finished. The cross beams are prepared.”

The special order is delivered to Pontius Pilate in time for Passover.

Clang. Clang. Clang.   “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 NKJV

Planted In Love Poetic Devotional Copyright 2009, Gary J. Borgstede.  You have permission to reprint the Planted In Love Poetic Devotional, in its entirety only, and forward to your colleagues and friends, provided the copyright notice remains part of the reprint and transmission.  All other rights reserved. http://www.makeithappenbooks.com