Daily Stop & Thinks

A true leader has the confidence to stand alone, the courage to make tough decisions, and the compassion to listen. (Douglas McArthur, late military leader)

McArthur defines a great leader in three simple concepts: 1) the confidence that does not depend on others for the courage 2) to make choices that are not easy and may be challenged, and 3) the consideration of others that gives them the right to be heard. That’s a rare combination worth developing.

Wise and knowledgeable leaders bring stability (Proverbs 12:14). If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot. (Michael Altshuler, sales and performance expect)

It’s been said that “Time flies when you’re having fun.” It does seem that way, doesn’t it; and time seems to drag when you’re going through a difficult time or task. Well, Atlshuler reminds us that we’re in charge of our time. We’re allotted only so much, but we have to take charge to determine how well that time will be used. Don’t give up hope, take charge!

If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. (Romans 12:8)

The only certain means of success is to render more & better service than is expected of you, no matter what your task may be. (Og Mandino, late American author)

Are you looking for the secrets to success? Self-help books and expensive seminars may help some people to become successful. Often, however, we know intuitively what we need to do. Do what is expected of you to the very best of your abilities and even better if possible. Even in the mundane tasks of life, it is rewarding to try to do even better than you thought you could.

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. (Proverbs 12:14)

Joy and cynicism. Both are contagious. Everyone infects the world with one or the other. (Scott Sauls, author)

There’s a good reason to stay away from someone who has a contagious illness. Caution in this regard is important, of course. But Sauls suggests that we should be more concerned about how our attitude affects others. Are we causing someone to be cynical because we are cynical or are we spreading real joy?

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. (Proverbs 15:30)

What we are today is more important than what we plan to do tomorrow. (Jesse Deloe, writer, editor)

Our success in business, education, or in any other endeavor may very well depend on our advanced planning. We need to know where we want to be and how to get there. But, our future achievements will depend on our integrity as much as our hard work. So, paying attention today to developing personal character is vital to tomorrow’s good work.

Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed. (Proverbs 16:3)

Anybody who thinks talk is cheap should get some legal advice. (Franklin P. Jones, author)

That may be a tongue-in-cheek statement, but we really can’t overemphasize the importance of our verbal expressions. With our words we can uplift someone with encouragement or we can devastate another person with our criticism. Once the words are spoken, they can’t be retracted. Guard your mouth today and think carefully before you speak.

For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way. . . . Blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely . . . this is not right!  (James 3:2, 10)

You and I are essentially infinite choice-makers. (Deepak Chopra, author and public speaker)

Chopra continues, “In every moment of our existence, we are in that field of all possibilities where we have access to an infinity of choices.” From choosing what to wear or where to have lunch to making/accepting a proposal of marriage or changing your career path—all are choices that determine minor or major course direction. Do you have a source to help with your choices?

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5)

Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else’s fairytale. (Wale Ayeni, investment advisor)

When you’ve lost an investment or had a difficult day on the job or at school, do you sometimes think you don’t have it very good? Are you having a “pity party” and think you’re just unlucky? Look around! You’ll see many others who aren’t nearly as well off as you are. Be grateful for what you have; it will change your attitude toward life.

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Success is falling nine times and getting up ten. (Jon Bon Jovi, singer, songwriter)

Perhaps you feel as if you have experienced more failures than successes. You’re discouraged to the point where you don’t even want to try anything again. Bon Jovi’s advice is good; don’t give up; keep trying. Maybe it will be helpful to lean on some close friends for advice and encouragement. In any case, keep getting up and trying. Success may lie just ahead.

Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again. (Proverbs 24:16) Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

Focus on changing yourself, not on changing the world. In the end you’ll do both. (Kary Oberbrunner, author and motivational coach)

We don’t have to look far to see things that need to be changed. Poverty, crime, political unrest, world-wide turmoil—the list is endless. And a lot of us want to do something to bring about significant change. But Oberbrunner suggests a starting point: each of us as individuals. Progress begins with you and me. Is there something you should change today?

And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching (Titus 2:7). If you teach others, why don’t you teach yourself? (Romans 2:21)

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. (Will Rogers, 20^th century American humorist)

“Live and learn,” we’ve been told. And haven’t we all learned a lot from living? While we like to think we are making good decisions, we often fail because we didn’t plan carefully enough. That’s unfortunate, but it’s even worse if we don’t learn from those mistakes and keep moving forward with increased learning and motivation.

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing. (Psalm 143:10)

Nothing ever comes to one that is worth having, except as a result of hard work. (Booker T. Washington, 19^th-20^th century American educator)

When you know something of the struggles that Washington had to overcome to become an admired teacher and an advisor to presidents, you can appreciate this important lesson. When things come easily to us, they are often appreciated little and do not enhance our learning. As inventor Thomas Edison said, “There is no substitute for hard work.”

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards. … Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave. (Proverbs 12:14, 24)