Reading4Champions Book Club: Never Give Up

Happy New Year Champions!

In December, in "Failing Forward" by John C. Maxwell, we learned a powerful championship lesson: failing is okay, normal and to be embraced.  

The book for January is "Never Give Up!" by Joyce Meyer.  Ms. Meyer is one of the world's leading Bible teachers.  She has written numerous inspirational books and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author.  Her ministry, Enjoying Everyday Life®, is enjoyed by two-thirds of the planet daily over radio and television.  I selected this book as our next read because it reinforces what we learned in "Failing Forward"- circumstances are always ideal, but we should learn something from the and never give up.  Also, it's the first month of a new year, a time when you are making resolutions to change.  What better time to change your mindset so that you will not abandon your resolutions by February, but actually accomplish them?

In the introduction, Ms. Meyer says:

Think of this book as a manual to use as you pursue the best in every area of your life.  It will give you the inspiration you need to keep putting one foot in front of the other when you grow weary on your journey and remind you over and over again, in a variety of ways: you can do it if never give up. 

This is the second time I am reading this book and I am excited!  Already, I have highlighted ideas and concepts that I did not pick up on during my first read.  Read pages 15-28 and tell me what you think in the comments section.

Question for Comment: Did you learn how to fail from reading last month's book?  Do you have a book you would like to suggest for reading and why?

Thanking and Giving

Each year, between November 1st and December 31, people focus on thanking and giving...... just in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  Thinking of others is good, but thanking and giving are not relegated to a season. Thanking and giving are for everyday. 

The Bible says:
  
    "[i]n everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:18

Think you have no one to thank or no reason to thank everyday?  Well, for a moment, sit back and see yourself standing on a street corner with nothing but the clothes you have on right now.  Imagine you have no home, no possessions, no job, no money, no family and no friends.  Also imagine no one sees you and no one acknowledges you. 

Reading4Champions: December Book

Hello Champions!

The November book, "A Setback is a Setup for a Comeback" by Willie Jolley, gave us great tools to effectively handle the bumps in the road of our championship journey.  (if you haven't finished reading it, keep going until you do!) I don't know about you, but no more "awfulizing and catastrophizing" for me.  As Mr. Jolley says, "you cannot control what happens around you, but you can control what happens in you."  Remember, the purpose of the book club is not only to fill our minds with champion thinking, but also to implement champion behavior in our lives.  So don't forget to take one or two of Mr. Jolley's tools and start using them right away.  

Our December book is also about effectively handling the setbacks of life.  This book was recommended to me by a mentor and was the first book I read by this gentleman who has become my favorite author of self-improvement books.  My library is now full of his books.  I even use his Leadership Bible which highlights the leadership principles found in the Bible.  I have had the privilege of hearing him speak, or teach as he would say, on several occasions.  He is known as America's expert on leadership.

Are You Missing You?

The other day I was having a pity party.  When I had a job, I had a high level of income and I could buy lots of stuff.  That income has dropped since I chose to become self-employed.  So while I was sitting at my computer wearing my "poor me" face, I decided I should look for a job-sharing or part-time job.  Yeah, I reasoned I could work part-time and make some extra change and still have time to devote to my business.  Yeah, I could have my cake and eat too! Yeah!  So, I started my Google search and found some websites for employment.  But as I was completing an application, I heard something inside me softly say, "If you work for someone else, you will never develop into the person you need to be for your business."  I froze.  Needless to say, I immediately left those websites and have not been back.  But the incident got me thinking, "What kind of person am I going to develop into (I got excited!) and what would I miss if I didn't keep moving forward?  It also got me thinking, "How many people never develop into the people they were meant to be?"  In effect, are you missing you?

Reading4Champions: November Book

Hello Champions!

Were you able to finish 177 Mental Toughness Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold in one month?? The book is so chock full of insights that I was not able to finish it.  I am still chewing on many them.  Did you do at least do one Action Step For The Day?  This book is definitely one you will refer to time and time again.

Speaking of re-reading, the book for November is a re-read for me and it has a special place in my life.  You see, I met the author in 2000 when he was speaking to youth at the start of a summer works program.  He spoke with such passion and his message so inspired me that I bought not one, but two of his books! (yes, they are autographed). The November book is

Look up!

It's Monday morning.  The alarm goes off, you jump out of bed and the race begins.  You race through Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday doing job things and family things without looking up.  Saturday and Sunday come and you race around doing chores and other weekend stuff without looking up.  Monday morning comes, the alarm goes off, you jump out of bed and off you go. Week after week, month after month, year after year, without looking up.  LOOK UP!

Now I know if you are an adult, you have bills to pay and responsibilities to handle, but life is not just about paying bills and handling responsibilities.  I am not saying to forget them.  What I am saying is life is a gift so,