Archive for Leadership

The Dreams of a Life Time

Rodney Agan / May 24, 2013 / No comments

dreamsWe all have dreams.  Some of our dreams come while sleeping, and others while daydreaming.  I am not an expert on those kinds of dreams.  I really do not understand how our minds can play tricks on us and become so vivid, while we are in a zombie state.

I am really not talking about those kinds of dreams.  I am thinking of about the dreams you have looking at life and it’s potential.  Everyone has goals and desires of things they would like to carry out and things they would like to do.  Some dreams live and other die.  Below are my thoughts about it.

Some dreams:

  • Are just that, dreams.  They were not meant to do anything but give you a break from the norm of life. Enjoy them, but do not put a lot of weight into them.
  • Are nightmares.  For a while they look good until you think about them a bit.  After realization kicks in, you realize that you are glad they didn’t come true.
  • Turn into vision.  As you begin dreaming, some will start to take form.  You will realize they are more than passing thoughts or ideas. These are things that you should write down and meditate on more fully.
  • Become reality.  You see the pieces of the puzzle start to come together in amazing ways.  God sends the people or resources into your life and you begin to realize that this was meant to be.
  • Are preparing you for greater dreams.  God knows how much information we can take at a time.  He often reveals His plan to us in pieces.  You may begin to see one dream morph into another dream that is even greater.

We should thank God for the gift of imagination and creativity He as placed inside our brains.  That is not there by accident, so give Him the credit … and keep on dreaming.

Part #2 will be on the thought… When Dreams Die.

Category: Leadership, Life Coaching, Personal Development, Stress / Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Rafting down the Rivers of Life

Rodney Agan / December 3, 2012 / No comments

If you go into the hills of North Georgia you will see many rivers where people go inner-tubing or rafting.  The two are much different.  Inner-tubing is usually floating down a lazy river with no cares in the world.  Rafting on the other hand is more like a sport.  You get on the fast-paced part of the larger rivers with fast-paced rapids and navigate down them.  Usually you have a professional guide to take your group of 6-8 people down the course.  It can be quite challenging.

I have taking many groups rafting through the years.  Below are a few lessons I have learned.  I believe they could also be considered life-lessons.

1-    Not all RIVERS are the same.  In Georgia, what one person calls a creek another may call a river.  One is a slow-moving stream of water with various points becoming more treacherous than others.  Some rivers are filled with boulders and fast-moving water headed toward a water-fall.  All of our lives are different and the phases of our lives are different. See your life as unique.

2-    Not all RAPIDS are the same. I have been down a few different rivers on rafting trips.  Most rapids in North Georgia are classified in the 3-5 category. They all have names like “Devil’s elbow”, “Jigsaw corner”, and “Mother-in-laws kiss” (OK, I made that last one up, but you get the picture).  In life you need to be aware how to navigate through your particular rapids.  Don’t let the circumstances scare you but at the same time, take them seriously.   

3-    Not all GUIDES are the same.

  • Some want to take you where they have never been.  Once, I took a group and we had college-age girl, who weighed about 80 lbs, trying to guide our boat.  During a particular rapid, she screamed and jumped down into the boat, leaving us to fend for ourselves.  You need a guide in life that will help you through the hard
  • Some can’t take you where you need to go.  If you plan to navigate a Class 5 rapid you need someone who has “been there, done that”.  Surround yourself with someone with the confidence and ability to be there for you, but also with the experience to guide you through it.
  • Some want to take you where you are not ready to go.  Just because the guide has been there, it doesn’t mean you need to go there.  The older I get, the less adventurous I become. You may need someone to help you admit that the path you are one is not designed for you.

Life Coaching is similar to an experienced guide taking you down the river.  It will help you navigate your course with efficiency and courage.  If you would like more information about connecting to a Personal Life Coach, contact me at rodneyagan@get2thenextlevel.com

Category: Change, Fun, Leadership, Life Coaching, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Book Special – Living Between Generations

Rodney Agan / December 3, 2012 / No comments

Some years ago I wrote the book, “Living Between Generations”. This book was written at a time in my ministry where I realized that the “status quo” was killing our churches.  At the time, I was on a private journey of biblical awareness to understand what I really believed, not just what I had been told.

I recommend this book to churches and ministry leaders who are feeling “stuck” or questioning the reasons for your traditions.  This is written more to conservative, traditional ministries who are looking for a better understanding of how to get out-of-the-box, or even question “the box”, without denying the foundations of our faith.

Great teaching tool for your deacons, teachers, leadership, etc. to help them understand the need for change.

This book retails for $10 plus shipping, but I really want to get it in the hands of people who could benefit from it.

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As one looks over the landscape of churches in America, it seems clear that there are many who are satisfied with the “status quo”.  It seems that a disconnect has appeared between the things that birthed and built the church originally and what it will take to sustain future growth and success.

In this book, “Living Between Generations”, you will find an honest, hands-on approach to some of the more pertinent subjects facing churches today.  Many write-off the problems they are facing as being a breakdown between generations that cannot be repaired.  The author shows that this should not be the case.  This book will deal with subjects such as, Living Between: Baby Boomers and Generation X, Patience and Permission, Tradition and Tragedy, Crayons and Computers, Preservationists and Pioneers, Missions and a Mission, and others.

This book will challenge your thinking, but not try to make up your mind.  That is up to you!

 

 

Category: Change, Communication, Leadership, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , ,

The Ladder of Success

Rodney Agan / November 15, 2012 / No comments

Everyone wants to be successful.  We all want to believe that we have reached a pinnacle that shows we deserve admiration and respect.  There is nothing wrong with that if it is for the right reason and done within the right parameters.  Many people who strive for success do so by breaking the rules.

Some want to be successful but are going about it in unethical or immoral ways.  The problem is they are becoming successful in something that does not matter or is not good for them. It is fine to be on a ladder leading toward success, as long as it the right one.

Consider these thoughts about climbing the ladder of success:

1-    You can only climb as high as the ladder.  While that sounds simplistic, just think about your success ladder.  Can it really take you where you need to go?  It would be a shame to sell yourself short from what real success could be for you because you are on the wrong journey.

2-    Different ladders are designed for different things.  Some ladders are made for specific tasks.  If you bring a step-ladder to paint a second story wall, you will fall short.  If you know where you are going you will then know which “ladder” to climb.

3-    Some ladders are only designed for one person.  I believe real success requires others to be on the journey with you.  If you are trying to do this “solo” you will probably wind up at the top, but lonely.

4-    Ladders have a weight limit.  Some jobs require specific tools and supplies; they need a ladder equipped to handle it.  When you start your “career” climb, you will begin to acquire “tools” along with “experience and other baggage”.  Be sure you are designed to handle all of it.

5-    The foundation on which a ladder stands is important.  If your goals and dreams are not on the proper foundation, they will one day crash to the ground.  You cannot build on things that are unscriptural, immoral, or unethical, and expect the “ladder” to survive the climb.  You will fall.

6-    It would be tragic to climb to the top of the ladder only to find out it was leaning against the wrong wall.  I have counseled and coached people who were what we would call successful, but they were unhappy. They had “arrived” but did not like their destination.

It is great to be climbing a ladder toward success, just be sure it is the right ladder and is leaning on the right wall.

Category: Change, Leadership, Personal Development, Responsibility / Tags: , , , , , ,

Giving Children Someone to Look Up To

Rodney Agan / September 28, 2012 / No comments

Children are always looking for a role model.  If they see a fireman, police officer, or doctor, that is what they would like to become. By tomorrow, they may have something else on their mind.  The point is, they are very impressionable and in need of the right kind of examples to follow.  We are examples whether we want to be or not.  We are examples whether it is a good one or not.

Here are some ways we can give them a good example:

1-    Always be honest with them.

Don’t try to hide or avoid the truth when necessary.  Obviously there are times they may not need all the information, but when we do give it to them, give them the truth.  If you lie to them, they will find out, and later never trust you again.

2-    Learn to say, “I was wrong.” 

Children are used to adults teaching them to admit wrong, but they are not used to adults admitting wrong.  If you do this to children they will trust you more.

3-    Don’t try to live your life through them. 

Remember, God made them individually, and for a purpose.  Often parents want to live vicariously through their children.  The things they could never do, they force on their children.

4-    Value their opinion.

Children are honest.  They have no pretense or ulterior motive.  Learn to listen to them.  Things that are serious to them are just as big to them as things that are serious to you.

5-    Model consistency. 

Be the same with them day in and day out.  They need to see maturity in us, or they will never know what they are to become.  Children need stability and they learn that from us.

What are some other ways we can be a good example?

 

Category: Leadership, Parenting, Personal Development, Relationships / Tags: , , , , , , ,

15 Minutes of Fame … Every Day

Rodney Agan / September 25, 2012 / No comments

We have all seen the news when a big event happens.  The news camera usually focusses on someone who doesn’t have a clue, and the reporter asks them questions.  This is their time to shine in the sun.  They were not expecting it nor were they prepared for it.  They say things on live television that will make them kick themselves later.  This was their 15 minutes of fame.

Think about it, 15 minutes is not much.  Having an “occasional win” just is not enough.  I want more in life and I believe you do to.  Why can’t we experience a “win” every day? It may be because we are not planning for it and certainly not ready for it.  Let me give you 7 things to do that will make you experience your “15 minutes of fame”, every day.

1-    Start the day with a priority and keep it.  If this were your last day on earth, what priority would you have? I know every day is not that drastic, so what about looking at all the things needing to be accomplished today, and start with the most important.

2-    Identify what energizes you most and do it.  “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” (Confucius.)  When you live and work in your strengths and not your stresses you will experience successes.

3-    Be consistent.  Noah didn’t build the ark in a day.  You may not change the world before sundown, but you can make a difference.  Consistent accomplishment is what brings completion and success.  Stay at it and don’t quit.

4-    Don’t allow less important things to distract you.  There will always be “rabbits” to chase.  When you start chasing them you will soon be lost and forget where you going originally.  Stay focused.

5-    Build off of yesterday.  Take what you have done and try to do it better.  Look at the things that you CAN do, and LIKE to do, and refine them.  Become the best at it you can be.

6-    Don’t miss an opportunity.  They say, “To make money you must have money.”  I might say, “To get opportunities you have to take advantage of opportunities”.  Success often moves by very quickly and you have to be aware or you might miss it.

7-    Learn to re-group.  Every day will not be a “win”.  Every day may not seem like a “headline day”.  Have no fear, learn from it, and re-group.  If God gives you another day, take it and use it to the best of your ability.  You will find that a new day brings new opportunities.  If you dwell on failures and missed opportunities you will miss some right in front of you today.

What is a “win” like for you?

Category: Communication, Leadership, Personal Development / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Leaders Can Be Choosers

Rodney Agan / September 20, 2012 / No comments

As a leader we often feel the obligation or compulsion to make everyone around us a leader.  I acknowledge that there may be leadership qualities in everyone but I am not talking about low-level leadership here. I am talking about developing people who have potential and desire to be a leader.

As a leader to leaders, I believe that we must be honest with people (and ourselves).  We cannot, nor should not, feel it is our calling from God to transform people into something that they are not wired to be.  So with that out-of-the-way, I believe as a leader, we should be more “choosy” about who we spend our resources and time to develop.

1-    Some people DON’T HAVE what it takes to be a real leader.  You can spend all of your life trying to develop someone who will never go beyond the norm.  They are not hard-wired to become who you are trying to make them.

2-    Some people WON’T DO what it takes to be a real leader.  You can spend all of your mental resources trying to train someone who is lazy and will never reach their potential, because they do not want to reach it.

3-    Some people DON’T KNOW they have what it takes to be a real leader.  They have been suppressed or never developed.  They do not see the potential.  They have never been exposed to success.

So what should a leader do?

1-    When they DON’T HAVE what it takes, find out where their strengths lie, and strengthen them.  Give them a goal to reach for.  Show them their worth and what “success” can actually look like for them.  Just because they are not a leader, does not mean they cannot be successful.

2-    If someone WON’T DO what it takes to be a real leader, make an attempt to show them the consequences of the life they are facing.  Help them see what they are missing and all that they could enjoy.  If they still do not want to do what it takes, move on.  There are others waiting for you to pour into their lives.

3-    When you find someone who DOESN’T KNOW they have what it takes to be a real leader, you have found the right person.  Their mind is not already polluted with pre-conceived ideas or baggage.  Use the clean slate to help them learn themselves and begin the incredible road to leadership.

Do you know people who fall into these categories? What have you done? What are other ideas we could use?

Category: Communication, Leadership, Personal Development, Teams / Tags: , , , , , ,

Jack Schaap Charged, Paul Chappell Speaks Out, and The Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement’s Next Steps

Rodney Agan / September 19, 2012 / No comments

Today, I recommend you read a blog written by Ed Stetzer. I have had the privilege to meet Ed on a couple of occasions and appreciate his candor and knowledge. In his blog, he joins with Dr. Paul Chappell from Lancaster Baptist Church in Lancaster, CA. to discuss the response to a tragic situation involving Dr. Jack Schaap.

I have never been a fan of Jack Schaap, nor am I a follower of First Baptist Hammond. I do pray for his family and for the church that God would help them get through this. I applaud the church and it’s leadership for transparency in dealing with this matter.

Ed Stetzer and Pastor Chappell deal with this issue honestly and directly.

To that I say, “Thank you.”

Check it out here:

Jack Schaap Charged, Paul Chappell Speaks Out, and The Independent Fundamental Baptist Movement’s Next Steps

 

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Category: Communication, Leadership, Responsibility / Tags: , , , ,

Patriotism Pt 3 – My Responsibility to my CHILDREN

Rodney Agan / September 13, 2012 / No comments

I am deeply burdened about the future of my children and grandchildren.  The world they will inherit is completely different from the world in which I grew up.  Because of selfishness and a complete lack of character from earlier generations, we are handing over a broken nation.  It is broken financially, emotionally, philosophically, physically, but most of all spiritually.

I am encouraged by the resolve of some of the next generation. There seems to be somewhat of a resurgence to simplicity and honesty that is refreshing.  They are not impressed with our vision of the American dream. They are seeking a religion that is real, led by people who are honest, reaching people who are hurting. To them, it is not about having the biggest, most expensive anything.  It is more about making a difference.

Below are five quick thoughts for you to consider.  We have a responsibility to our children:

1-    Not to strangle them with person or national debt. 

They need to be led by example to pay our bills and not have more than we can afford. They need to be trained to pay as you go and as you can afford it.

2-    To secure them a safe place to live.

We need to stand for a strong defense and not be ashamed of promoting an America that will defend itself and its allies.

3-    To protect their freedom of worship.

In recent years there has been an attack on Christianity. We must take a stand for freedom of religion in America, without apology.

4-    To give them an opportunity for a good education.

Our nation is the most industrialized in the world, yet we seem to find ourselves far down the list educationally.

5-    To teach them not to rely on government.

Government is a tool not the center point of our lives.  When we live our lives based on biblical principles we will individually learn to do what the government was never designed to do.

6-    To lead them to love God with all their heart.

The next generation will have no chance of survival without a return to God and the fundamentals of godliness.  The two greatest commandments are to love God and love our neighbor.

These are basic tenants of what I believe to be the formula for turning our nation back in the right direction.

 Did you miss the first 2 parts?

Patriotism Part 1- My Responsibility as a CHRISTIAN
Patriotism Part 2- My Responsibility as a CITIZEN

Category: Leadership, Parenting, Patriotism, Personal Development, Responsibility / Tags: , , , , , , ,

Through the Eyes of a Child

Rodney Agan / August 30, 2012 / No comments

I wanted to write a follow-up post to a guest post from Michael Nichols yesterday entitled, “Non-negotiables of a Healthy Family”.  Raising a family is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding, things an adult will ever do.  Children view things from a much different vantage point than we do as adults.  Not only are they physically shorter, they have far less experiential knowledge, too.  Just because we are chronologically older than they are does not mean we are mentally superior to them in every way.  We may know the ways of the world, but our viewpoints are also tainted by the input of experiences whether good or bad. See an earlier post: Parents are the Problem.

Children on the other hand look at things in a much different light.

1-    Children see the good in you.

They look at you for who you “could” be or “should” be, and think that is who you really are.  They do not yet realize how bad someone can really be so their mind sees you as they imagine you to be. They believe you are making decisions in their best interest, so they completely trust you.

 2-    Children see you without all the baggage.

They can’t see all the hurt and damage caused by bad decisions and experiences of life.  Since they have not yet developed a long-term memory, there is not a mental dictionary to explain all of your “adult” problems.  They look at you with pure, unfiltered eyes.

 3-    Children see you as who they want to become.

They see you bigger than life.  They see you as perfect and mature. They are watching your every move and mimic you in every way.  All they know, they are learning from you.  You are teaching them how to have a home, how to handle money, how to treat other people, and even a work ethic.  You are their hero, good or bad.

The next time you start to make a decision look at it through the eyes of a child.  I just heard Governor Tim Pawlenty say, “Getting a tattoo…it seemed good at the time, but one day you will have to explain it to your children.”  One day we will have immature children who become mature adults. They will see us for who we “really are”, not for who they “thought we were.”

Category: Leadership, Parenting, Relationships / Tags: , , , , , , , ,
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