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Stuff I Starred

Here’s a list of some of the stuff I starred in Google reader, favorited on Twitter, or clipped into Evernote.

I Know I Talk Too Much

In the front of my Moleskin notebook, I wrote a short statement that’s my unofficial theme for the year.

Speak less. Listen more.

This is a challenge to me because I’m terrible at this. As a public speaker and writer, my weapons of choice are words. I’m sure I could get better at putting those words together in a more intelligent way, but what I really need to work harder at is being quiet.

I need to listen to my readers more. I need to listen to my friends more. I need to listen to my wife more. I need to listen to my kids more.

I’ve been in conversations with people who are great talkers and bad listeners, and those conversations are incredibly one sided and terribly miserable.

I don’t want to be the talker, the guy in the meeting who keeps sharing his opinion and talking about his issues.

I don’t want to be the name dropper, the guy who talks about everyone he knows like he’s their best friend.

I don’t want to be the one upper, the guy who hears my story and tells a more dramatic version of his.

I’m not always going to get this right, but I’m going to try.

Speak less. Listen more.

Seems appropriate to say comments are open.

You’re Communicating Important Information That Nobody Wants to Hear

The other day, I left Atlanta for Norfolk, Virginia on a Delta flight. As I stowed my carry on luggage and put my electronic in the off position (why don’t they use normal language?), the captain came over the PA to convey some seemingly important information. He told me we’d be leaving from Runway #5, [...]

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The Entire Group of Volunteers You’re Missing

Churches are often great for helping people find places to serve. We’ve got spiritual gift tests, web forms, and volunteer expos that do a fantastic job at matching people’s skills to the needs in the church. Here’s some common volunteer needs: Teach children Be a greeter Play in the band Set up or tear down [...]

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Don’t Start a Prayer Team

A few weeks ago, I was visiting a church doing a Sunday morning evaluation for a church. In the evening, I spent some time with their key leaders talking about unity and just answering questions. One of the volunteer leaders asked me about how to recruit people to the prayer team she leads. She was [...]

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Two Minute Book Review: Imagine – How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer

Imagine: How Creativity Works is one of the better books I’ve read this year. If you like Malcolm Gladwell or you work in any creative or problem solving capacity, you’ll benefit from reading this book. Check out my two minute book review. Grab the book in my Amazon store.  While you’re there, you’ll see some [...]

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