Strengths

I bought a book recently called Strengths Finder 2.0.  It's an assessment test to help you define your strengths.  I took it a few months ago, but I'm reviewing it again this week.  When you buy the book, you receive a unique access code that gives you online access to the test and a bunch of resources to help you take appropriate actions towards utilizing your strengths in your every day - whether it be at work or home.  

Here are my Top 5 strengths:

FOCUS

EMPATHY

POSITIVITY

RELATOR

COMPETITION

None of these are a surprise to me.  If you've taken this test, I'd love to know what your Top 5 are.

Dear Mommy and Daddy...

We received this card from Kaden on Valentine's Day. Notice, Krissy's pregnant belly. Notice the picture of us, the heart and the world meaning we're the best parents in the world. 

We love you Kaden.  

The True Source of Peace

Remain in peace; the fervor of devotion does not depend upon yourself; all that lies in your power is the direction of your will. Give that up to God without reservation. The important question is not how much you enjoy religion, but whether you will whatever God wills. Humbly confess your faults; be detached from the world, and abandoned to God; love Him more than yourself, and his glory more than your life; the least you can do is to desire and ask for such a love. God will then love you and put his peace in your heart." - Francois Fenelon (Spiritual Letters or Let Go)

Father & Son Bowl

A few weeks ago, my boys and I played in the Father & Son Bowl.  This is the second year in a row we've done this.  It's sponsored by local area churches and businesses as a way for Fathers & Sons to bond and make memories.  It happens every year the weekend of the Superbowl.  

I highly recommend it for anyone in the Brentwood, Franklin, Spring Hill area.  When you arrive, you receive a t-shirt and a goodie bag and you play a game together with 2 other dads and their boys (or girls).  All of it for $10 per entrant.  

I'm so thankful for Darin and his wife for putting this event together every year. 

The only dangerous parts (for the boys) were the competitive dads that run over the kids (by accident).

Big Government

A government that is big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take it all away. 
Barry Goldwater 

Never Check E-Mail In The Morning

Here are some of the most important points I learned from the book "Never Check Email in the Morning" by Julie Morgenstern:

Dance close to the revenue line.  This was the most important tip I learned from the book.  It means, when deciding to do one task over an other, make sure the first task is one that is closer to affecting the revenue line of your business.  I've already seen positive results and better decisions made.  

Other tips include: 

Capture all To-Do's in one place

5 Q's and 4 D's when deciding how to prioritize

1. How long will it take?

2. What is the return on investment?

3. What is the deadline

Delete

Delay

Delegate

Diminish

Check emails at 10, 2 and 5pm only.

Move personal emails to evening or 5pm time slot if necessary.

Sort items in folders within arms distance.  File away things in permanent folders when finished with a task.