Be Uniquely You, No matter what!

Be uniquely you, no matter what.

No matter the situation, always be yourself.

There’s something special about people who stick to their true morals no matter what’s happening. It’s not always the easiest thing to do, and I speak from my own experiences. In the past, I used to be a “yes man.” If the boss wanted something done, I’d just go ahead and do it exactly how they wanted.

Even if they gave me a tight deadline, I’d work late to finish the project on time, even if it meant working extra hours. (Sound familiar?) Let me tell you where this got me—nowhere. I never got a promotion, didn’t get the chance to spend more time with my family, and didn’t even get extra pay because I was on salary.

I’ve changed my approach to things, and it’s working well for me. Now, when a manager tells me, “I need this done this way,” and I can see an easier way to do it, I ask why it has to be done exactly their way. If their answer is usually, “Because I want it done this way,” I start looking for a new job while finishing the project the easier way.

Life is too short to spend every moment doing things you don’t want to do or doing them in an old-fashioned way just because the boss prefers it. I don’t let myself stay in those situations for too long; I start exploring my options right away.

Here’s what I’ve noticed since trying these new approaches: Every good leader says, “Great thinking; I loved how you handled this situation,” or “Great job; how did you get it done so quickly? It would have taken me twice as long.

I’ve also had some “bosses” (a boss is not a leader, but that’s for a different blog, lol) scold me, saying, “Why didn’t you do this exactly the way I told you to?” and “What makes you think that you are so smart? You must feel like you deserve my job.” I don’t want to spend much time around these types of people. To be really honest, they are more likely than not to be threatened by having you work under them. I can’t help them grow, and they definitely can’t help me grow.

So, what are you waiting for? Take control of your situation. Stop riding the train; it’s headed to the same destination as everyone else on it. Jump out of that train and walk the path to true success. It might take a bit longer, and it might be a bit tougher. But in the end, you’ll be so much happier throughout the entire journey. It’s not about how fast we can get to the final destination; it’s about the experiences that shape us along the way.

God has a plan for every single person on this earth. We were all put here for a reason, and it wasn’t by accident. He took time to design us as individuals and cared for each and every one of us. The Bible proves this in several verses. He explains this in Luke 12:6-7: “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” He also talks about it in Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

God knew us even before we were born. He knew who we were and what he wanted us to do. We each have different purposes, and I’m grateful for that every day. I’ve decided to take the less-traveled path, understanding that every challenge God helps me overcome is making me into the person he wants me to be. I believe everything happens for us, not to us. I trust that God is in control, and I find comfort in knowing, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Stay strong, and understand that every part of our lives has a purpose. God is making us better every day. In the comments, share how you handle similar situations. God is always great. Stay strong and be yourself until we talk again.

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘WORKING JUST WORK‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com

Being a leader when you are NOT in charge

Being a leader when you are not in charge

Some of the best leaders I’ve met haven’t been managers or in charge of others.

They know how to encourage and inspire people, even if they don’t have official power.

Now, let’s discuss Dean Graziosi. Dean is someone who inspires and leads others. His goal is to assist people in the self-improvement field.

He understands how crucial it is for people to be in charge of their own development.

He doesn’t have official power over anyone, but he still guides many to success. I’ve been in a similar situation multiple times.

I don’t have control over people, but I get to assist them in making sure they follow federal rules. 

Using fear doesn’t really help in this situation. Instead, I can convince them why it’s important for them to follow the rules.

I can make them believe it’s their choice.

You know, great leaders don’t require acknowledgment for their actions; they don’t need to be in control, and they don’t need power over others.

Now, let’s talk about Christ. He gathered 12 strangers and didn’t question what they were up to. Instead, he simply said, “Come follow me, and I will teach you to bring people closer.” 

He was a leader. He guided them, and he still guides us today.

We encourage you to step into a role where you’re not in charge and be a leader today. If you’re already in charge, take note of the leaders working alongside you and for you.

Ready to Transform Your Leadership Approach? Delve into ‘TRUST AS A LEADER‘ and enhance your skills. Follow our expert insights on this transformative journey. Explore more now at EclipseDOT.com

Being nice can get you what you want

Being nice can get you what you want

Hey everyone, it’s me, Dan Greer, coming into your life from the sunny backyard of our cozy vacation spot just outside Dallas, Texas. We’re on the job, handling the task of moving more than 230 titles after a recent company merger. And the cool part? We’re making business seem enjoyable!

Today is the start of our Lone Star journey, and I’ve got a special trick for success called “Introduction Day.” It’s when we dive in, meet the important people, and make sure everything runs as smoothly as a Texan two-step.

I’ve been through a lot, and here’s the key advice I’ve found: Spend time connecting with people who can make things happen, and your journey will become much easier.

We set our alarms early and strolled into the office a whole ten minutes before our planned time because, let’s be honest, being on time is my thing. Without wasting any time, we jumped right into the work. Why? We’d already had a chat with the important people in the company.

Here’s a helpful tip: When you have a goal, don’t waste time. Show that you’re fully committed to getting the job done quickly. It’s not just about respecting their time; it’s about showing you’re serious about your work.

After preparing a good bunch of around 25 titles, we headed to the vehicle registration office. But hang on, folks; we took a scenic detour and ended up at the wrong office not once, but twice! It’s a classic mix-up, isn’t it?

But sticking with it really works. Eventually, we hit success, waited in line, chatted casually with the clerks, and smiled warmly. That’s when we met Mrs. Stacy, the expert on handling batches of titles.

Guess what? She said, “Oh, we’re not new to these titles. We’ve done this dance before!”

I thought everything would be easy, but Mrs. Stacy surprised me. She said, “Yep, someone tried this a while back, but the paperwork was messier than a rolling weed in a dusty storm, and there are taxes to deal with.”

You could see she was a bit worried, thinking we might be up to something tricky. So, I used my big smile to calm her down. I told her we just wanted to make things easier for them and needed some help to finish the task.

Mrs. Stacy called the boss, and they joined in, using a bright red marker. They marked our papers with a lot of energy, like rounding up cattle, and said, “Here’s what needs fixing!”

I asked a couple more questions, still smiling a lot, and bit by bit, Mrs. Stacy became friendlier. She said, “Here’s what’s really going on. If you make these changes, we can work together on this. Just a few fixes, and we’ll be on the same page.” 

“Great! Can I come by later today with a few things for you to check, so we can keep this big party going?”

“Sure, we’d love to help you get things on track. Thanks for being easy to work with!” We gave one more smile and said goodbye, promising to come back for another round of “Super Bros. Smash Party.’ (You know I love a good laugh.)

The next time I walked in, I waved at the lady behind the counter. She stopped what she was doing and gave me a really cheerful wave back. It wasn’t just a regular wave-like, “Oh great, he’s back.” It was more like, “Hi friend, so happy to see you again!”

I waited patiently for her to finish helping another customer. While waiting, I chatted casually with her colleagues. When she was finally free, we had a good conversation. She was really friendly and even asked me some personal questions. I answered with a big, sincere smile.

She looked closely at my papers and said, “I just need one more sheet for this. Can you get it?”

“Let me check really fast. Can I step away for a quick call?” “Sure, take your time, and I’ll be here to help.”

I called, got the form, and asked if I could email it. She kindly gave me her work email, and I sent it right away. 

She said, “Come back this afternoon, and we’ll take care of everything for you.”

So, we rushed back to the office, working late into the night to prepare the remaining 200 titles for the big showdown. Now, you might be wondering, “Dan, this is an exciting story, but why be kind to others to get what you need?” Well, my dear readers, it’s all about understanding the unspoken messages.

We walked into a tough situation where people were upset, like the feeling you get from a Texas sunset. By just being really nice to everyone on that important first day, we got almost everyone on our side, ready to grab success.

The key here is being real. If you’re fake or give fake compliments, you’re as lost as a tumbleweed in the desert. It has to be genuine. As I sit here thinking about the day, I’m truly amazed by what we achieved just by being kind and giving honest compliments.

Here’s the important thing to remember today: Be nice and give real compliments. I guarantee you can find at least ten kind things to spread around you today. Heck, on most days, I can do that in about ten seconds!

In conclusion, let me share this: Initially, we had planned a three-week stay in Dallas to complete this project. But, thanks to our actions and the way we harmonized with others, we wrapped it up in less than two weeks!

To wrap it all up, we don’t take credit for that; we tip our Stetsons to the Big Guy upstairs. Without His guidance, this wouldn’t have been achievable. We recognize He’s the reason for everything, the beacon lighting our path.

So, my friends, wrapping it all up, I’m signing off with this message: Attribute all the good in your life to God. Catch you on the flip side!

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “How Being Nice Can Get You What You Want” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

Birthday

Birthday

“Age doesn’t define life. It’s about living. When your birthday comes, be grateful for the year that just passed and look forward to the next one with a happy heart.”

Today, I got a fantastic chance to celebrate my 35th birthday. What an awesome life I’ve had so far! I’m lucky to have a great wife who’s been by my side for almost 16 years.

I have four kids, and they’re mostly great. They play a lot, and sometimes they go a bit too far. Honestly, I’m happy they push limits because it means they’ll keep pushing themselves to new levels as they grow older.

I feel lucky to have raised my kids on our family’s homestead. They are the 5th generation growing up here.

My parents back me up, even when they should probably say my ideas are a bit wild.

Our business is doing well. Shameless plug, check us out at www.eclipse-dot.com. We also began a nonprofit to help serve God. Shameless plug for that too, www.godfirstlifenext.org. I genuinely feel blessed in my life.

One early lesson I learned was not to compare myself to anyone but the person I was yesterday. 

When I was younger, I always tried to measure up to my older brother. He was 4 years older, and I thought I was just as big as him. I believed I could and should be allowed to do everything he did.

I’m sure he saw me as a bother most days, but he still took time to be with me. He let me join in with his friends, and I began comparing myself to what they were doing.

I always felt like I hadn’t achieved much.

Then, one day, it hit me. How can you compare yourself to anyone? No one has had the same life, so there’s no real way to compare our lives.

Today, I want to encourage everyone to take a good look at their lives. Look closely to see where you’ve succeeded, and look even more closely at your failures to see what you’ve learned.

One big success for me is writing these blogs.

Back in school, I didn’t enjoy reading and certainly didn’t like writing. Now, I write a devotional and a blog every week. If I look back over the past two years, I bet I’ve written a couple of books. Lol.

What used to be a failure is now a success! How cool is that?

Another significant failure in my life was when we were in a lot of debt. At one point, we had maxed out several credit cards, struggled to pay bills, and were just trying to get by.

We weren’t making a lot of money, and it was hard to support our family of six. But my wife and I made a budget and stuck to it. By doing that, we managed to get out of over 35K in debt in less than 2 years.

That might not seem like a lot, but for a family of six living on one income, it’s a huge deal! We learned so much from that experience, and it was amazing.

When we were going through tough times, it was hard to see any hope for the future. There were days I doubted we’d ever say our only debt was a mortgage.

Suddenly, it felt like we could drown quickly. The main idea is that everyone has dealt with challenges.

I’m grateful for the good life we have, and I believe that God will keep blessing us in many ways.

The first 35 years of my life have been great, and I’m excited about many more years to come. I believe they will all be full of blessings.

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “Blessings are all around us” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

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