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Here’s a sample issue that to give you an idea what you’ll be getting:
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This edition:
1. Burn the Boats!
2. Hammer Time
3. Just for Grins
4. Thought of the Day
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Burn the Boats!
On April 21st, in the year 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortez sailed into the harbor of Vera Cruz, Mexico. He brought with him only about 600 men, and yet over the next two years, his vastly outnumbered forces were able to defeat Montezuma and all the warriors of the Aztec empire, making Cortez the conqueror of all Mexico.
How was this incredible feat accomplished - when two prior expeditions had failed even to establish a colony on Mexican soil? Cortez knew from the very beginning that he and his men faced incredible odds. He knew that the road before them would be dangerous and difficult. He knew that his men would be tempted to abandon their quest and return to Spain.
And so, as soon as Cortez and his men had come ashore and unloaded their provisions, he ordered their entire fleet of eleven ships set on fire and destroyed. His men stood on the shore and watched as their only possibility of retreat went up in flames and sunk into the bottom of the ocean. From that point on, they knew beyond any doubt that there was no turning back. Nothing lay behind them but empty ocean. Their only option was to go forward, to conquer or die.
When change is required, the most essential element is commitment. It's much too easy to go back to the comfortable old ways of doing things. If you really want to gain your organization’s (or your own!) commitment to the change, ask yourself,
"Is there still a way to retreat? ..... Have I eliminated all other options?"
If not, they may sneak back to the boats while you're not looking.
(S - http://wwwsalemfamily.homestead.com)
Hammer Time
If you have a car, it probably comes with a light on the dash that will glow red when your engine overheats. Now, one thing you can do if that light comes on is hit it with a hammer you keep in the glove box for just this purpose. Then you can keep on driving.
This will work for a while. But soon, the car will stop, and you'll get out, look under the hood and kick yourself for attacking the wrong problem. This is how most of us go through life - hitting the warning signs with a hammer while ignoring the real problems.
(S - Chuck Swindoll, Insight for Living broadcast)
Just for Grins
Zig Ziglar tells of visiting the Washington monument. As he and his party approached the monument, he heard a guide announcing loudly that there would be a two-hour wait to ride the elevator to the top of the monument. However, with a smile on his face the guide then said, "There is no one waiting to go to the top if you are willing to take the stairs."
(S - King Duncan, King's Treasury of Dynamic Humor, Seven Worlds Press)
Thought for the Month
"If you can't win your race, make sure the guy ahead of you breaks the record."
~ Steve "Pre" Prefontaine (1951-1975 - American runner)