The Value of a Mentor

Oct 9, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

How do you make a difference? How intentional are you at mentoring someone? How often does it happen by the life we choose to live and how we choose to live it?

One of my spiritual mentors never set out to be one. He was a mentor to many, but it was because he chose to live his life with character – with integrity, devotion, and compassion. He never wrote a leadership lesson or had 7 steps to train a person seminar. These are so needed and valuable for us. They allow others to mentor us from a distance, often in writings or teachings. We know and are privileged to be some of those who are mentoring, coaching, and developing people in relationships from our communication opportunities. But for those who simply open up their lives and share who they are and how to live life, they too are mentors and developers of character in people.

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Choosing To Live a Life of Significance

Sep 30, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

In the March edition of Spirit magazine from Southwest Airlines, there was an article about how people were going back to the old ways in firing up the American Dream spirit. The article opened with, “The changing economy is spurring a radical new approach to living, and earning a living. And for a growing number of creative entrepreneurs, that approach seems to be working.”

They were giving up corporate, chasing after the power and prestige, and opening up their own little “mom and pop” kind of shops once again. Most are growing or making their own products. They are loving it and having a fulfilling life. This was a very good article but this opening sentence, along with the title, “The New American Dream,” got me to thinking again about some of those age-old questions for all of us….

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A Fire in the Belly

Sep 1, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

For the last few months I have been wrestling with a question. You see, I have 2 friends who have faced adversity in opposite ways.

One came out of a difficult childhood living in a poor country. She got herself and her daughter to the US. She has got a wonderful job with a lot of responsibility, bought a home and this fall is starting to work on her college degree. She made a life for herself.

My other friend, however, who also came from a difficult upbringing made very different choices. He is currently in jail facing a possible second prison sentence.

My question is, “Why do some people have a fire in their belly that pulls them up out of difficult circumstances and some people don’t?”

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The Power of Preparation

Jan 27, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

 

Back in December this a picture of Peyton Manning went viral.

The Business Insider picked up on this and wrote about Manning’s preparation.

As the Denver Broncos now prepare to play in Super Bowl, it seems even more appropriate to discuss. Not that winning or losing the game was all on Peyton Manning’s preparation, but his preparation and commitment to doing his best helped the rest of the team and coaching staff prepare.

Recently, someone said that Peyton would question the planning of even the coaches to make sure he and all had prepared properly leaving nothing to chance or hope, rather to execution on the field.

Back to the picture and the article…The Business Insider stated the following:

The explanation from Gray Caldwell and Stuart Zaas of Denverbroncos.com shows why Peyton Manning is the best quarterback in the NFL and why the Broncos are 11-2 this season:

Earlier this season, Manning and tight end Julius Thomas found themselves in the training room instead of practice on a Wednesday.

Not wanting to miss out on mental reps, Manning took matters into his own hands.

With his injured ankle in the cold tub, the quarterback kept his helmet on to listen to the play calls from Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase, who was on the practice field. Simultaneously, he watched game tape on his iPad.

What are you and I doing to prepare? For many of us presentation is often overrated and preparation underrated. We want to do something but do not want to pay the price to get ready to do it. We think that we can somehow just ride the wave. Some people are incredibly talented, but it doesn’t get them to where they need to be. They may ride this talent for a while, but somewhere along the line you and I will be outdone by someone who has worked harder in preparation.

We all have to prepare. Prepare for what? It doesn’t matter if it is for an athletic achievement or academic accomplishment, preparation is the perspiration behind the presentation. To be the best, to succeed, to do what we need to do, preparation is the critical component for our lives.

Peyton Manning should be an encouragement to many of us to spur us on. His ability is evident, but it is preparation that causes many to consider him the greatest quarterback of all time. We don’t have to like football to learn from him. Football just happens to be his focus and ability. What is yours?

Whatever we are after in life, we are learning more and more it is the preparation that moves us from where we are to where we know we can be and become.

What areas of life do you need to prepare more intently? Are you willing to work hard and even look silly with a helmet on your head while your foot is in the water? What goals do you have? What dreams are still inside you? What preparation needs to happen for the next test at school or presentation at work or physical challenge you have set before you?

Whatever it is, don’t allow the lack of preparation be your downfall. Learn from Peyton Manning and even the best of us must prepare to become all God designed and desires for us.

• What do you want to accomplish?
• What price are you willing to pay?
• What needs to happen in preparation to achieve the goal or build the relationship?
• When will you start?
• How will your preparation inspire others to do the same?

~ Jim

 

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/photo-of-peyton-manning-with-his-helmet-on-2013-12#ixzz2r4yI7kke

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Making a Difference At All Ages

Jan 13, 2014 by Jim and Jerolyn Bogear

In an August article in USA Today titled, “5 must do’s as age wave bears down on USA,” author Sharon Jayson describes what is happening with living longer lives…

Because of increased longevity, many older workers will be able to stay on the job longer, work part-time or volunteer, experts say. They may have as many as 20 to 25 years after the typical retirement age — too long to lie around on the couch.

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