Misplaced - 

Over the years I have dealt with feelings that, although not detrimental to me, were in the wrong place.  Misplaced feelings or emotions will devastate your effectiveness.  Not because they are bad, but because they are misplaced.  Many times you get frustrated at your family only to find out later that the frustration was related to your job – and you were taking it out on your family.  This is an example of being misplaced.

Duplicate - 

As a result of having misplaced files, I would often find myself downloading duplicate files (to save time) but only to find that I had 3 or 4 of everything and can’t remember which file is the original (right) one. Duplicate Emails, duplicate files, duplicate pictures. This one doesn’t have to be deep. What do you have in your space that is duplicated. More importantly what are you trying to duplicate that someone has already shown you the way or invented. What have you taken from your past and duplicated in your present. I just might be time to clean out your duplicates.

Extraneous -

I found a program that will go through your hard drive and delete extraneous language files. It seems every program you download or load on your computer comes with files for various languages. Although this seems like a worthwhile endeavor at the end of the day – you will probably never speak Russian or Chinese.

I thought I would only find a couple of files – I actually deleted 10 gigs of extraneous language files from my computer.  What are you downloading from the universe that is doing you no good?  Some of us download attitudes and perceptions from our friends. We download biases and prejudices.  These are things that are not helping you to get to the next phase of your life.

All of these things are not helping you to get to the next phase in your life. Take a moment to take inventory of your life, your space, your relationships, and see what you can delete.  As it certainly made my computer move faster, I promise it will help you achieve your dreams faster.

J. Richard Byrd

courtesy of Alejandra Mavroski

Who ever said leadership was a lonely place- really knew what he was talking about. I have never felt this alone in my life. I mean I know I have God, but this feeling of sheer desperation is some times overwhelming. You see for most of my life I have made really big moves. But here is the secret, most of those moves have been well thought out, well crafted, and frankly safe. I have been able to fly under the radar. No more. Now God is calling for me to make audacious and in some peoples opinions foolhardy decisions. In fact, He is not even letting me delegate or move the decision to some one else. And frankly my friends that puts me in a lonely place and scary position. I am not afraid to tell you I am scared out of my mind.

Have you been called?

That was the question staring me from the paper – Have I been called? The answer in emphatically yes. I feel it in every fiber of my being. I heard the voice clearly. Here is the struggle. I don’t feel worthy of the call. That is not your usual humble saying, that is so much the truth. The very thought keeps me up at night. Why me? I don’t have it together?

Can I be transparent: I sat in an Elders training meeting the other day and as the pastor started to describe what an honor it was to be chosen, this feeling of inadequacy poured through my body. I mean it literally made me nauseous. I could barely speak, I could barely think, and I couldn’t eat. I know I usually have a big pep talk for you. But today I just couldn’t manage. I know how Moses felt. God has called me to a place where I have to be in front. I have to do those things that are opposite of how I have lived for the last 20+ years. I had to get that off my chest. I do however know one thing. God is still sovereign. He is still on the throne and I still believe God saves.

Over the last 21 days I have participated in the Daniel Fast with my new church family Shiloh Family Worship Center. This i my second year participating, but this one was a very different. Not in the restrictions, but the results, both natural and physical.

Spiritual

Spiritually it was a great adventure. I am more focused, more in love with Jesus. My fears and cares have been wiped away. I find myself able to handle everyday stress so much better. In other words although trouble still abounds, I have PEACE.

Physical

The physical results have been out of this world. Not only have I lost 22lbs, but it is my tastes for food has transformed. I am no longer consumed by meat or better yet consumed with eating. I told a few friends the story of going into the chinese buffet and the vegetables and fruits looked more appealing than the meat. Now many of you know I am a true carnivore. Vegetables and Fruits are definetely small side dishes that go around the meat. But no longer, I look forward to those dishes. That has been the best change.

Going Forward

I really like this new way of eating, I like the spiritual connection. I will continue to make the principles of the Daniel Fast a part of my daily living. For those who want more information on what it is here is a website that explains the fast.   I am also including a link to the specific fast guidelines I used. I pray you have the spiritual and physical success I had. Daniel Fast Guidelines  – Feel free to add your own list of prayers on the front page. I pray you have the spiritual and physical success I had. Share below -

J. Richard Byrd

Cheating requires some hard choices. Changes in my job. Downsizing my lifestyle. It required sacrifices. I also had to change the expectation of my clients. I had to give away my Blackberry, set-up actual business hours and not take calls after a certain time. This perhaps was one of the hardest things to do. But the benefits have been marvelous. For the first time in a long time, I can breathe. I didn’t realize that I had been holding my breath climbing a success ladder. My bonding with my family grew. I got to share the last high school years with my boyz pouring into them. And Frankly being loved on by them.

Life with my wife has improved immensely. Have you ever stopped and taken a look at someone that you have known for years and think I don’t know them at all. We have been able to spend quality time together and really get to know each other at a whole different level. My decision then became very simple. At the end of the day did I want financial success and a messed up home life, or did I want a healthy family. I chose Family. — I Chose to Cheat. 

Tell me Your story – Have you ever Chose to Cheat.

1. Grab a White Board.

2. Sit with my team – and ask these questions. What is most important to you for this company? What are your “not going theres” ? what do you admire most about the work we do?  What do you want our clientele to take away from this organization?  What do you want employees to take away from this organization?

3. Write everything down – It is important that you record all the ideas.

After following this process, I will let the suggestions sit on the board for a few days. This allows it to really get deep in the psyche. I then sit with the suggestions and craft a values statement. Once we agree it becomes the Organizational Values. Now this process works for me and the companies/ministries I have consulted. Do you have Organizational Values? How do you set-up your Organizational Values?

Image Provided by http://www.flickr.com/photos/superfantastic/

As a young boy, I often had to take tests. These tests were a determination as to whether I was fit to move on to the next assignment. Invariability the test would prove whether I had learned the lesson(s) properly.

There is also another type of test used in manufacturing. In this test a piece of metal or equipment is tested to see if it can withstand the pressure. Can it withstand the weight. Can the object just withstand. In life we are tested in the same way.

1. Did you learn the lessons taught.

2. Are you adequately prepared for the next level.

3. Can you stand the pressure and weight.

Elevation and success requires that you pass all three tests. You have to have all three in place to make. So my question to you today. Is Can You Stand the Test?