Stay Hungry

Much of life’s success is our desire to get what we want and be what we want to be. While we should not be driven by fame, prosperity and vain glory, we should always have a passion for life. When we lose our purpose, we begin to die.

Many people today are going through the motion. Like a robot they get up, get dressed and rush to their work place. They live for the weekends and life’s never exciting for them. They eat the bread of complacency and idleness in their spare time. They’re breathing but there’s no life, purpose, excitement or zeal in them.

Yesterday, I was in Target with my daughter Cassandra. We came across an associate who was working very diligently. She had a big smile on her face and every time we passed by her, she radiated positive energy. When we went to the checkout counter the same young lady was there. Again, she was very friendly, energetic and had a smile on her face. My daughter noted immediately and said, “Wow! She’s friendly and excited about her work!” I said, “Yes, she’s going to go places in life.”

When we’re at our job or business, we must have the same enthusiasm and zeal for our work. This is where many Christians are failing. We’re great in church but we act like we’re serving the devil on Monday through Friday. This attitude affects our performance. It devalues what we’re capable of doing in the marketplace. On the contrary, when we’re hungry and passionate about doing our best in the marketplace we draw in God’s favor and continue to rise to the top. The higher we go the more influence we’ll have. The more influence we have the better witness we can be for our Lord at our work. Being a passionate worshiper in Church is great but when we’re on top of our game at work, we’re being a witness for our Lord among the non-believers. Let’s get hungry and up our game to please the Lord at our workplace.

Daniel in the Bible was in a foreign land. He worked among the heathen people. Daniel and his friends had excellent work ethic. This brought great favor to Daniel. As a result “God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief” (Daniel 1:9). Daniel had a gift of interpreting dreams just like you have a gift from God. When the decree went out to kill all the wise men of the country, Daniel interpreted the king’s dream. “Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts; and he made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon, and chief administrator over all the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:48). In modern times, you can say, “all the employees were threatened to be sacked from their job. But when they saw Daniel’s excellence and performance at work, he was spared and promoted to be the manager of the whole department!”  Friend, you’ll not be at your current position forever. Blossom where you’re planted and your promotion will come sooner than you think. You’re the light of the world in the marketplace. Shine don’t whine!

I heard about a world famous cellist in his eighties. He practiced five-six hours every day. When a reporter asked him why he still practiced every day, the famous artist said, “I think I’m getting better at it!” What would happen if we as Christian would rise up and perform better every day? I believe just like king Nebuchadnezzar, we’ll have company presidents running to us offering us promotion, more control and influence at our work place. Let us remember, we don’t work unto people, we work unto our Lord. Our job is our ministry! Let’s become the best representation of God in the marketplace. You’re not only there for a paycheck you’re preaching a sermon with your life. What people see in you is what people believe about your God.

Let me proclaim a blessing over you today. “You’re smart. You’re intelligent. You’re creative. You’re disciplined. You are surrounded by favor. You are in the right place at the right time. You are the solution and not the problem. You have keen insight and nifty inventions. You save your company from waste and you add to the company’s bottom line profit. You provide a vital service; you cannot be replaced but only be promoted to a higher position.” Stay hungry. Promotion comes from the Lord.

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' (Acts 20:35 NIV)

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Be Someone Others Want to Be Around

Much of our success comes from being around people. Unless we have something to offer to people we’ll have very few followers. People don’t buy product and services they buy the experience of you.

We’re all attracted to people who are enthusiastic, stimulating and fun to be with. Positive people never have shortage of followers. We all like to be with people who are kind, thoughtful and genuinely interested in others.

Some people are born with natural charisma. Most people are not. However, there are a few principles if practiced over time; you too will become someone others want to be around with.

Last week, I was attending a marriage reception of friends. There were plenty of interesting people in the house the reception was held. I tried to be social. Suddenly I spotted a gentleman in a corner all by himself. I went over to him and started a small talk. He was very polite and open so I probed a little further into his personal life. I could tell he was getting comfortable with me. Finally I asked how I could be praying for him. He opened up even more and asked prayer for direction and clarity over a relationship he was in. We bonded even further and I invited him out to the backyard so I could pray for him in a quieter place. When I was through praying for him, he didn’t want to part from me! Let me share a few tips that may help you build a few followers of your own.

People don’t want to hear about your sorrow. The key to becoming an interesting person is to think outside of yourself. Be genuinely interested in others. Start with a friendly greeting and a firm handshake. If you want to be remembered, look directly into their eye. Repeat their name. Smile. Your smile is the biggest billboard you can send for yourself.

Be Sensitive. Whether you’re with one person or a room full of people; be sensitive to your environment. Every situation commands a different response. Had I not noticed the gentleman in the corner of the room, I’d not have made a great impression on him. Fortunately, I was able to make the connection because I was not only sensitive to reach out to him but I added value to him by offering my sincere prayers. Prayer is a strong bond between people. No matter what you do, you can offer prayers for others.

Make people feel good about who they are. Whether you meet a rocket scientist or a janitor, you have the power to add value to the person you’re with. When we endorse, affirm and accept people just the way they are, we invoke a positive response from them. Most people don’t even have one person cheering them on or telling them that they’re worth anything. People are not mind readers. Until we express our confidence, trust and well-wishes for the person in front of us, they will never know. Make a habit of speaking life-giving words over people. Ask question that are pertaining to their interest. When they speak; listen, and engage in the conversation.

Becoming a person of charisma is easy. Having integrity and character takes time. It is an inside job. When people know, that we genuinely care, they want to be around us. The basis of every good relationship is trust. When we earn people’s trust by living these principles we’ll have more followers in our lives. Jesus was a master at connecting with people. He never talked about His problems. He was sensitive to people’s needs. He made people feel valuable. Two thousand years later, He still has the highest followers in history! We too can be someone others want to be around when we follow these basic tips. This week, try out these principles and I guarantee increased customers in your business and followers in your personal life.

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, and favor is better than silver or gold” (Proverbs 22:1 ESV).

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Be Enthusiastic

Enthusiasm goes before success. When we’re enthusiastic, we boost morale, inspire confidence and build loyalty. Enthusiasm is contagious. You can feel enthusiasm when you shake people’s hand, the way they talk and the way they walk.

None of us can be “up” all the time. But if we have the mindset to be enthusiastic we will attract more positive people into our lives. Enthusiasm alone cannot solve our problems but it puts us in front of the right people faster.

Many decades ago when Charles Schwab was earning a million dollars per year, he was asked if he was drawing such large salary because of his ability to produce steel. Mr. Schwab replied, “I consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among the men the greatest asset I possess, and the way to develop the best that is in a man is by appreciation and encouragement.” Is there any wonder Charles Schwab was regarded one of the most influential men of his generation!

Most of the time, we don’t wake up feeling like dancing. It is at that very moment we have the opportunity to decide if we’re going to enjoy and be enthusiastic about the gift of today or if we’re going wallow in our mediocrity. When we face each day with enthusiasm, we’re going to create miracles for ourselves. Enthusiasm will open doors for you where talent alone can’t.

Many people label Peter in the Bible as rash, quick tempered and impulsive. But it was enthusiasm that got Peter out of the boat. He was the only disciple who walked on the water with the Lord. Peter was enthusiastic about life. He was quick to draw his sword and cut off the ear of one of the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus. I believe it was Peter’s enthusiasm that led Jesus to recruit him as the pillar of the New Testament Church. Later, when Peter got filled with the Holy Spirit, He led three thousands to Christ in one meeting! We too can be enthusiastic about life. When we’re passionate about people, God and the work we’re involved in, we’ll inspire others to be their best for God.

Let me share my adaptation of Mark Twain’s, “Whitewashing the Fence.” Tommy, a young lad had to whitewash a long stretch of fence all by himself. At first he was reluctant. When he realized that there was no other option, he cheered up. Instead of sulking, Tommy began to paint the fence vigorously putting on the biggest smile on his face. The more he smiled the faster he painted. Tommy was actually excited and enthusiastic about his job at hand. Just about that time a bunch of his friends were riding by on the bicycle. When they saw Tommy enjoying himself painting the fence, they couldn’t help but ask for a turn. At first Tommy was eager to change hands. But then he got smart. He asked for a dime from each person in exchange for a turn to paint. In no time kids pulled out their treasures and turned them to Tommy. The fence got painted twice over and Tommy became the richest kid while resting under a tree watching his friends paint. How did all started? It started because Tommy changed his attitude about doing something with enthusiasm. You too can get others to “paint your fence” if you become enthusiastic about life.

Friend, whatever you may have to do, put some energy, attitude and enthusiasm in it. Get excited about doing laundry, washing dishes or vacuuming the floor. If you put enthusiasm when you make those cold calls, you’ll have better success rate to close the sale. The world belongs to those who are excited about life. Some people freeze in the winter others ski. A positive attitude will produce a positive result. Jesus said, “You’re the light of the world.” If we’re to shine our light, we’ve to turn on the switch. Enthusiasm is the switch! Not everything in life is fun but if you are enthusiastic about life, everything will become more endurable and you’ll spread joy and confidence along the way.

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV).

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