Concise Reporting

Many people think that if they use long, flowery sentences then their writing will be more appreciated.  However, in our busy, information-filled daily life, many people appreciate someone who provides concise, clear information.

What does concise mean?  From the Mirriam-Webster dictionary, concise is explained as, "marked by brevity of expression or statement: free from all elaboration and superfluous detail".

For example, when writing a progress report, keep your information clear, accurate, and concise. The information presented should relate to the assigned portfolio position and provide accountability and progress to those to whom the report will be presented to.

You may choose to use tables, dot points, or main headings with key points following. Something I have learned in a new N-F-P role recently is to have a summary at the end of my report providing succinct points and recommendations for the upcoming meeting.

Whatever way you choose to present your information to an audience, board, or employer, having your information clear and concise will enable those reading the important points required to review and make decisions, without spending extended periods reading and trying to gather data and facts.

Navigating Challenges

Wouldn't be easy if life were always enjoyable, fun, and relaxed?

In an ideal fantasy that may happen, however, if we are real with each other and ourselves, we know that life is not always easy.  Often, it is fraught with challenges and difficulties. Yet, in times of trials and hardship, we grow.  Our thinking is challenged, causing us to reevaluate what is important, and what can be left behind.

No one enjoys the challenging times in our lives. Do you stop and listen to those who have overcome difficulties in their lives? I don't mean just hearing the story, but really listening. If you truly listen, hear the message of what they went through but more importantly, hear the message of how they have grown through the challenges thrown at them.

What challenges have you encountered in your life? Everything was going very well, life was enjoyable.  Suddenly, an unexpected challenge of employment, health, or housing stands up against you like a giant threatening you.  How do you respond?  Do we respond like the army of Saul who were terrified and lost all hope, or are we like David and stand up to the threat?

Read 1 Samuel chapter 17 (Holy Bible)

"David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied." 1 Samuel 17:45 (NIV)

Did David find an easy path?  No.  He simply could have returned to his sheep and left the army to stand and tremble.  But David was no coward.  God had taught him through challenges and trials with bears and lions how to defeat the enemy.  It was not through his own strength, but dependence on the Lord.

How do we change our mindset from fear to faith?  

Hebrews 11:1-3 (NIV) tells us, "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.  By faith, we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."

Life will not be always enjoyable, fun, and relaxed.  There will be times of challenges, and hardship.  We can look at these times and journey through them knowing we can choose to grow in our faith, and our outlook on life and become people who are empathic and want to help others.

Does it sound depressing that we will face difficulties? Perhaps.  Remember though, we don't have to journey this life alone.  We have the choice to view life in two ways - challenging and hard OR an adventure where we make an impact.

Let's return to David's story in 1 Samuel 17.  He defeated the giant! With five (5) smooth stones and his sling.  Was it the stone and sling?  No.  David tells us how the giant would be defeated when he said, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47.

The day of fear was turned into a day of victory. David encountered many challenges in his life, yet many know him as one of the greatest kings of Israel. He commanded the Israelite army, reigned over Israel, and wrote the Psalms.

Was his life easy?  No.  He put his faith in God and held onto the assurance of what he could not see yet, knowing that God would keep his promises.

How can you turn your challenge/fear into faith?

Expectations

Recently, I was reading some notes taken from a Sunday Church service.

One of the notes I took caught my attention:

“There is an ever-increasing demand on us to meet people’s needs and demands. We also place expectations on ourselves. We put ourselves under pressure thinking others have expectations of us. We feel that we're underproductive if we aren't busy.   We forget to stop and breathe.”

Wow! Then I read further down my notes to find, “We have to be careful with our busyness.   There's a tension in our busyness.   We have families, work, and life”.

Again, ‘wake-up call’ to me!

The challenge?

What is sacrificed when we become too busy?

Relationships?

Church on Sunday?

Bible study?

Prayer?

Rest?

How do we manage expectations? Our expectations and the expectations of others?

Philippians 1:1-11 especially verses 9 and 10, which reads, “And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ.” (NKJV)

Being discerning in what we agree to take on, plan out our day/week to intentionally include relationships, Bible study, and prayer.  Choose to commit to Sunday worship and praying with fellow Christians.

Reflect on where you are situated in your ‘to-do’ lists.  Do you need to give up something, and be more intentional in other areas of your life?

Trusting God in the Process

My current phone wallpaper reminds me to "trust God in the process".  

The Bible reference is Ecclesiastes 3:11, which tells us, "Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end."

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT.

Life happens.  Change happens.  Unexpected moments happen.  To whom do we turn to? Who do we trust? People? Why? People hurt people, use people, and exploit situations to their benefit.

If you want to make a positive life change in you and your community (however you define community) then begin by understanding, we cannot know the beginning from the end.  We go one step at a time, having plans, which may change unexpectedly. Unlike God, we cannot see everything from beginning to end.   Life is an adventure; sometimes you scream, sing, and shout.  In all this, whether expected or not, we need to ask ourselves, what positive action can come out of this situation?

Trust God in the process, He won't fail you.

Appreciate The Little Things

How often do you take the time to appreciate the little things in life?

If you woke up this morning, had you coffee or tea, spoke with those with you do life, then appreciate these small, but important events.

Often, we are so busy doing life, we forget that we are human ‘beings’. We long to ‘be’ – loving, living, enjoying, appreciating. However, life happens, and too often, all we do is go-through-the-motions of existing.

If you didn’t do some things, what catastrophe would occur? If you didn’t wash for one day, or didn’t check your email 20 times a day but shut the system for a day to spend with others, or rake time for yourself? These are questions I ask myself. With social media, taking on N-F-P roles, and daily tasks around the home, it’s easy to be 24/7 connected and have information overload.

Today, what action can you take to ‘be’ instead of ‘doing’?

Something to reflect on.

How do we communicate effectively?

How important is communication? The dictionary defines communication as “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior”, “a verbal or written message”, and “a technique for expressing ideas effectively”.

Communication is an essential skill, not only in your personal and community relationships but also in your workplace.  Do you stop and truly listen to those around you?  If you remain quiet and listen to what your colleagues and work friends talk about, it may surprise you that communication, or lack of it, is often referred to.

How can communication in the workplace improve?  If you are an employer, director, manager, supervisor, or team leader, make time in your diary to ensure you meet with your staff/team.  Don’t talk down to them, ask them questions about how they view the company/business/organization, ask them how they view communication between the different areas of the business.  You may choose to do this individually, in small teams, or as a whole group.  Note, however, that some people will not engage if they feel threatened.  If people in your organization are not engaging in the conversation, it may take some time to build a relationship where they feel they can speak without fear of losing their job.

We do not know what all our team members are going through outside of the workplace, sometimes managers and supervisors are unaware of what’s happening in the workplace. You need to be listening, aware, and taking note of your team and how they interact with you and each other.

The skill of communication doesn’t just apply to the workplace.  It applies to all areas of our life – family, friends, marriage, relationships, social interactions.  The ability to communicate well, not just hear noise, but listen with intention, and engage in meaningful conversation assists you in understanding your partner, children, and colleagues much better.

How do we communicate effectively?  Listen – don’t just hear what you want to hear, don’t just hear the ‘noise’ people make; really listen to what is being said. Lead by example – if you want to improve communication, then show how; read about how to improve and practice by action. Learn – accept criticism and correction. 

Be Intentional

What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘intentional’? 

Do you think, being purposeful, or taking a deliberate action that lines up with your beliefs, and values?

Many people have heard or read the verse from Proverbs 16:3, which states, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.”

One passage that has been important to me is from Philippians 4:6-7, which states, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

If we are not intentional then we simply flounder, make sub-standard decisions that cause distress to those around us, and make a mark against our character.

Being intentional, as stated in the dictionary, says “done with intention or on purpose”.

So, what does this mean for you and me? Are we intentional? Does what we do matter?  I believe that being intentional is important.  We should be intentional in our faith, friendships, relationships, workplaces, and aspects such as communication, kindness, work ethic, and mental and physical health.

Each moment being positively intentional adds up to create an affirmative outcome.  Do you commit your time wisely in undertaking your work, whether paid or voluntary, to achieve a productive outcome that benefits the business or organization? Do you use and plan well with available resources (staff, volunteers, products, equipment) to achieve the best result possible?

If we seek to be intentional, then first commit to becoming:

·        Wise in our planning,

·        Communicate with clarity and encouragement,

·        Meet deadlines and reporting timelines,

·        Be accountable,

·        Be kind.