Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Vol 11 • Issue 2
BE A MAXIMIZER
How to excel at whatever you do
Enemies of Success
Know your nemeses
aging time wisely, and so on. Others say creativity is the key, or Activated India
P.O. Box 5215
motivation, or hard work, or single-mindedness, or the ability to G.P.O.
work well with others. In reality, to have the greatest chance at Bangalore – 560 001
success, it takes a combination of these and more. Success, it turns India
out, is a tricky matter. Email: activatedIndia@activated.org
Who can help you put it all together?—Who better than Activated Philippines
God? Look at the balance of His creation. From the tiny atom to P.O. Box 1147
Antipolo City P.O.
the far reaches of the universe, can you imagine anything more 1870 Antipolo City
intricate, efficient, or enduring? And who has more or better ideas Philippines
than Him? Or who knows you and your needs better than Him? Cell: (0922) 8125326
And here’s the best part: He wants to help you succeed. He Email: activatedPI@activated.org
says, “I know the thoughts that I think toward you, thoughts of Activated Australia
+61 2 8011 4345
peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope,” 1 so “com-
Email: info@activated.org.au
mit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” 2 www.activated.org.au
You and God can make an unstoppable combination.
Editor Keith Phillips
Design Yoko Matsuoka
Keith Phillips
Production Jessie Richards
For Activated
© 2009 Aurora Production AG
www.auroraproduction.com
All Rights Reserved
Printed in Taiwan by Ji Yi Co., Ltd.
All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken
1. Jeremiah 29:11 from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas
2. Proverbs 16:3 NIV Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
2
POINTS TO PONDER
Better
as a
team
No one can whistle a symphony. Teamwork represents a set of I love to hear a choir. I love the
It takes an orchestra to play it. values that encourage behaviors humanity, to see the faces of
—H.E. Luccock such as listening and construc- real people devoting themselves
tively responding to points of to a piece of music. I like the
Teamwork is the fuel that allows view expressed by others, giving teamwork. It makes me feel
common people to attain uncom- others the benefit of the doubt, optimistic about the human race
mon results.—Andrew Carnegie providing support to those who when I see them cooperating like
need it, and recognizing the that.—Paul McCartney
If I could solve all the problems interests and achievements of
myself, I would.—Thomas Edison, others.—Katzenbach and Smith , Talent wins games,
when asked why he had a team of The Wisdom of Teams, 1993 but teamwork and
twenty-one assistants intelligence win
Synergy is the highest activity championships.
A group becomes a team when of life; it creates new untapped —Michael Jordan
each member is sure enough alternatives; it values and exploits
of himself and his contribu- the mental, emotional, and No member of a crew is praised
tion to praise the skills of the psychological differences between for the rugged individuality of his
others.—Norman Shidle people.—Stephen Covey rowing.—Ralph Waldo Emerson
One piece of log creates a small The key elements in the art The leaders who work most
fire, adequate to warm you up; of working together are how effectively, it seems to me, never
add just a few more pieces to blast to deal with change, how to say “I.” And that’s not because
an immense bonfire, large enough deal with conflict, and how they have trained themselves
to warm up your entire circle of to reach our potential. The not to say “I.” They don’t think
friends. Needless to say, indi- needs of the team are best met “I.” They think “we.” They
viduality counts, but teamwork when we meet the needs of think “team.” They accept
dynamites.—Jin Kwon individuals.—Max DePree responsibility, but “we” gets the
credit.—Peter Drucker
3
be a MAXIMIZER
By Ronan Keane
M ost people , it seems , fall no surprise, then, that maximizers are generally more successful than
into one of three broad their less committed counterparts.
groups when it comes to There is no simple formula for becoming a maximizer, but there are
their level of dedication some basic principles that apply almost universally.
and initiative , their work
ethic , and how much Put in the hours
they ’re able to accomplish . Maximizers don’t watch the clock. To be maximizers, we must be
These three groups are the willing to work long and hard, within reasonable limits, and sometimes
minimizers, the maintainers, and do so in less-than-ideal conditions. Ancient Israel’s King Solomon,
the maximizers. Minimizers do as who was himself a maximizer when it came to things as varied as his
little as they can get away with, building projects, pursuing wisdom, and (perhaps less wisely) acquiring
and maintainers do only what wives and concubines, put it this way: “Lazy people want much but
is needed to maintain the status get little, while the diligent are prospering,”1 and, “The lazy man will
quo, but maximizers are ready and not plow because of winter; [therefore] he will beg during harvest and
willing to go the distance; they are have nothing.”2
focused on moving closer to their Finding a balance is essential. The goal is not to become a work-
goal, even though they know it aholic, but if we want the maximum results from any venture, it stands
will cost them in time and energy. to reason that we need to put in more than a minimum of work.
Maximizers are the cream of
the crop. They take initiative, are Have a good work ethic and self-discipline
proactive, are the first to respond Cultivating a good work ethic, good work habits, and self-discipline
to a need or adapt to changing are all crucial to becoming a maximizer. We should look for oppor-
circumstances, and give their best tunities to renew our commitment to excellence through constantly
at whatever they do. It comes as challenging ourselves to stretch and grow. Good work habits include
Synergy—the working When there is mutual apprecia- my own and don’t like to be told
together of two or more tion for what each person brings what to think or do. Those oppos-
people or things in which to the team, when everyone keeps ing feelings have complicated
the result is greater than the an open mind and every idea can many situations that were already
sum of their individual effects be considered, and when it really difficult enough. Learning to view
or capabilities—has become a doesn’t matter who had the win- conflict as a necessary part of the
workplace buzzword. ning idea, conditions are ripe for process has been a breakthrough
We’ve all heard lots about innovation and progress. for me. That perspective takes the
the benefits of teamwork. Pool On one team I worked with, fear out of presenting my ideas
your talents and work together, there were opposing ideas and when others think differently, and
and you get more ideas, greater needs, which created conflict and it also makes it easier for me to be
effort, and better results. Two uneasiness at first. But because we open to opposing ideas.
and two don’t always equal four; were more concerned about work- Synergy takes work and some
in teamwork they can equal six ing together than we were about sparks may fly, but if we can get
or eight. each having his or her own way, through that, the rewards are well
But recently I saw another we didn’t let our differences stop worth it. As Kenneth Blanchard
side to synergy: that some con- us, and eventually we overcame said, “None of us is as smart as all
flict is necessary for a team to be them. The result was positive, even of us.”
successful. Working together well though it wasn’t easy getting there.
doesn’t mean sailing gently on a I’m the kind of person who gets Caryn Phillips is a member of
placid sea, as one might expect if discouraged by conflict because the Family International in
the team were made up of people I feel something must be terribly the U.S.1
with similar temperaments, wrong, but I also have a mind of
talents, and mindsets. The team
that really gets somewhere has
varied or even opposing ideas
and approaches to problems. The Coming together is a beginning.
resulting turmoil can propel the
team forward. Keeping together is progress.
Of course, there needs to
be a balance, and when each Working together is success.
member of the team genuinely
respects the others, there will be. —Henry Ford
6
the resting place By Anita Healey
I usually enjoyed the ride street and began pushing the time with Him. I had thought I
into town on my motor scooter to a repair shop down the needed time to myself, but what I
scooter, but that day street. The shop owner had heard really needed was more time with
my mind wasn’t on the the crash, rushed to help me, and Him, getting rested and refreshed
beautiful scenery or the quickly checked me for injuries. in spirit.
perfect weather. It had “You should go to the hospital,” I’m so sorry, Lord, I answered.
been a busy previous two months. he said, “and have that hand Please heal my wrist.
One coworker and I had tried to looked at.” The x-rays showed no serious
keep up with every aspect of our I looked down and realized damage, and the doctor diagnosed
volunteer work while the rest of I was clutching my left wrist. it as a bad sprain.
our team was away, and now that Several minutes later, serious pain For the next couple of weeks,
they were back, instead of the rest set in. the brace on my wrist was a
I had hoped for, the workload had I clenched my teeth on the ride constant reminder to not push on
increased. to the hospital. I’d never felt such in my own strength, but to spend
I really deserve a break, I strong pain. I thought my wrist more time with Jesus, drawing
thought, but there’s not much might be broken. on His strength and including
chance of that! Enveloped in a As I waited at the hospital to Him more in my planning and
fog of self-pity, I never saw the be examined, I closed my eyes and work. Not surprisingly, everything
speeding motorcycle until it attempted to block out everything became easier and went smoother.
crashed into me. for a moment. Jesus, why did this Despite my sprained wrist, I got
In shock, I picked happen? I prayed. more done, not less, and the stress
myself up from the As soon as I formed the ques- lessened.
tion, the answer came. You have Now I try to not let a day
been trying to do My work without go by without taking that time
My power. Come to Me, you who with Jesus.
labor and are heavy laden, and you
will find rest for your soul.1 I had Anita Healey is a member of
gotten so wrapped up in work the Family International in
that I had been neglecting my South Africa. 1
1. Matthew 11:28–29
7
than speed. Typing tutors emphasize that speed
will come with practice, and the same is true of
most work. Over time, positive results will come
more easily and quickly, and eventually they will
come almost automatically. Don’t rush or push;
just focus on getting it right, and as you gain
experience, you will naturally gain speed.
Racehorses can spurt for a few rounds around
the track, but that’s it. They’re extremely high-
strung and not good workhorses. Pack mules
and donkeys, on the other hand, are plodders
and load carriers. You cannot rush them, but
they can carry heavier loads and negotiate trails
that horses would never survive. Some people
struggle at their work because they approach it
like a racehorse rather than a pack mule.
Other people’s troubles stem from the fact
that they have no regularity, no schedule, no
scientific organization. If they would keep a
chart or spreadsheet or even a simple prioritized
list, they would know at a moment’s glance
where their work was at and what to concentrate
on next. Getting and staying organized may
seem like extra work, but it saves a lot of work
in the long run.
That is also the best way to avoid last-minute
cramming and the stress that comes with that.
WORK SMART Having everything planned and scheduled and
charted is a far more effective and pleasant
By David Brandt Berg course of action than constantly rushing to meet
the next deadline.
One of the best things to keep in Most large companies have what they call
mind when organizing your work “efficiency experts” or “time management
is to not give yourself more to do consultants” who hang over the shoulders of the
than you can manage. Set priorities and workers to figure out how they could do their
work through your to-do list at a sustainable jobs better, cheaper, or faster, as well as what
pace, starting with the most important or urgent they’re doing that they don’t need to do. You can
items and doing what you can each day. Then do that for yourself too. By planning your work,
you will have the satisfaction of knowing you keeping records, and evaluating the results, you
used your time and energy wisely, and you will can significantly improve your work habits and
be that much closer to your goals when you start productivity. Now that is working smart!
work the next day.
Getting the job done right is the most David Brandt Berg (1919–1994) was the
important thing. Accuracy is more important founder of the Family International. 1
8
BRING OUT THE BEST
By Tina Yamaguchi
One quality that good leaders seem to be, if they can’t work well with people they will
have in common is the ability to bring soon find themselves disliked and distrusted by
out the best in others. Whether they are those they are trying to lead. People trust those
bosses, managers, team captains, or role models, who they know care about them, and such trust
inevitably they have learned to not think in terms is built by their leader taking a personal interest,
of problems, but rather in terms of people and showing concern, and being generous with praise
their potential. and appreciation. People who consistently get those
When those leaders see others doing something types of positive reinforcement usually do their
wrong or working inefficiently, rather than fum- best to live up to their boss’s expectations.
ing or stepping in to do the job themselves, they The people expert Dale Carnegie gave an example
challenge those people to keep trying until they get of a boss who understood that principle. Gunter
it right, and then praise them when they do. Schmidt was a store manager, and he had a problem:
The bosses could probably do those particular one of his employees was careless about putting the
tasks better or quicker, but if they made a habit of correct prices on the display shelves. Reminders and
that, they would end up trying to do everything admonitions didn’t work, so after receiving one
themselves. When there is a lot to do, the leader too many customer complaints Schmidt finally
needs to delegate, and that involves trust, belief, called the employee into his office. Rather than
training, and commendation. The leader needs giving her the telling-off she expected, however, he
to provide whatever training may be missing and told her that he was appointing her “supervisor of
trust the work to others; the people doing the work price tag posting” for the entire store. It was now
need to believe they can succeed; and then the her responsibility to keep all the shelves properly
leader needs to commend the effort, even if it’s not tagged—and she fulfilled that role satisfactorily
perfect. Over time, the people doing the work will from that day on. All she had needed was for her
usually learn to get it right, but not many will con- boss to express trust by giving her a little more
tinue to try their best if all they hear is what they responsibility.
did wrong or how they could have done better. Tina Yamaguchi is a member of the Family
No matter how otherwise talented leaders may International in South Africa. 1
Work and self-worth are the two factors that interact and tend
to increase the strong sense of pride found in superior work
teams. When people do something of obvious worth, they feel
a strong sense of personal worth.—Dennis Kinlaw
9
THE RULE OF
10
blank spaces
A spiritual exercise
There are many times during someone springs to mind, instead By making a conscious effort
the day when our thoughts wander of only thinking about that person, to direct your thoughts to God
aimlessly, and those thoughts turn your thoughts into a prayer. and ask for His help, you will
usually involve others—friends, Instead of wondering how your not only be giving a great gift
family, colleagues, or those we’ve nephew is doing in school, pray for to those you care about, but
crossed paths with or heard about him to excel and be happy. Instead you’re likely to find greater peace
in the news. Perhaps you are of wondering if your mother is of mind yourself. The more
stuck in traffic, or you have your recovering from the flu, pray for situations you ask God to take
hands in dishwater, or are taking a her healing. Instead of worrying care of, the less you will have
walk, or are waiting to fall asleep about your friend who just lost his to worry about. “Cast all your
at night. When you find yourself job, pray for him to not be discour- anxieties on Him, for He cares
in one of these blank spots and aged and to find a new one. about you.”2 1
FEEDING READING
S u c c ess w i t h p e o p l e
2 Look for the good in others. 2 Show understanding to those 2 Be patient and forgiving, as
Philippians 4:8 who are weaker. God is with us.
Titus 3:2 Romans 15:1–2 Psalm 103:8–10
Galatians 6:1 Matthew 18:21–22
2 Treat others the way you want Ephesians 4:32
to be treated. 2 Be winsome; dwell on points of
Matthew 7:2–5 agreement.
Matthew 7:12 Romans 14:19 1. 1 John 5:14–15
Luke 6:31–33 1 Corinthians 9:19–22 2. 1 Peter 5:7 RSV
11
ENEMIES OF SUCCESS
By Keith Phillips
Today’s armies of life coaches and business gurus often seem Laziness: You can have a great
to build their strategies on a fundamental bit of advice idea and even a great plan for
from the 6th-century bc Chinese general Sun Tzu in his achieving it, but if you lack the
treatise, The Art of War—“Know your enemy.” Not until we necessary dedication or aren’t
identify and understand the attitudes and conditions that threaten our willing to put in the work, the
success can we take the steps necessary to overcome them. idea and plan are doomed.
Lack of a clear goal: “What often leads to failure,” says entrepreneur “Some people dream of success,
and consultant Joseph Ansanelli, “is [the absence of ] a well understood, while others wake up and work
small set of very important goals.” hard at it.”—Author unknown
“If you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll wind up somewhere Rigidity: Few things undermine
else.”—Yogi Berra initiative and progress worse than
holding on to the way things have
Lack of a plan: It’s okay to dream of building castles in the air, but been done in the past.
they won’t become realities without a realistic step-by-step plan for
putting them there. Today we have space stations, but they didn’t just “A closed mind is not only closed
happen. to outside thoughts, it is often
closed to itself as well. It is closed
“He who fails to plan, plans to fail.”—Author unknown to new thoughts and anything
that threatens the status quo. But
Lack of focus: Various things can contribute to lack of focus, includ- if you can open the doors, maybe
ing low motivation, a poor work environment, or being distracted by just a crack at first, the ideas that
matters of lesser priority. Identify interferences and determine how to have been patiently waiting at
best deal with each. your gates will flood in.”— David
Straker and Graham Rawlinson,
“One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never How to Invent (Almost)
direct our focus; we never concentrate our power. Most people dabble Anything
their way through life.”—Anthony Robbins
12
pressure is off, because the natural They are the vital process of policy
tendency then is to not try as making.”—Herbert Hoover
hard. It may be possible to coast
for a while, but valuable momen- Moral compromise. The credo
tum will be lost; if left unchecked, of some seems to be “All is fair in
things will grind to a halt. love, war, business, and life,” but
what works is not always what’s
“There is a very fine line between right. Victories won immorally
confidence and complacency. If are shallow, usually short-lived,
you win the first game against a and often have consequences that
team, the worst thing you can do cancel any success. “Whatever a
is fool yourself into thinking that man sows, that he will also reap.”1
the second game will be easier.”—
Dave McGinnis “Success is more permanent when
you achieve it without destroying
Overconfidence. The hare and your principles.”—Walter Cronkite
the tortoise, the giant Goliath and
the boy David, the Titanic—you Failure to learn from mistakes.
Lack of enthusiasm: If an idea get the picture. Victory is very often decided
is like a spark, enthusiasm is the according to who has learned the
wind that whips it into a bonfire “Before you attempt to beat the most from past mistakes. 1
strong enough to withstand the odds, be sure you could survive
rain of adversity. the odds you’re beating.”—Larry
Kersten
“Success consists of going from
failure to failure without loss of Procrastination. The most
enthusiasm.”—Winston Churchill capable people in the world, with
the best ideas in the world and all “The real test is not
Accepting defeat. Very often, the financial backing in the world,
the battle is lost in the mind will get nowhere until they take whether you avoid
before the real action even action.
begins. Expect defeat, and you failure, because you
are already defeated; hope to win, “There are a million ways to lose
and you give yourself a chance; a work day, but not even a single won’t. It’s whether you
expect to win, and you increase way to get one back.”—Tom
your chances exponentially. DeMarco and Timothy Lister let it harden or shame
Even the most seemingly impos-
sible situation can be overcome Disunity: Joint efforts rarely you into inaction, or
if approached positively, as a come to full fruition without
challenge. reasonable levels of consensus and whether you learn from
compatibility, so work at building
“Success seems to be largely a mat- those. Then when opposing ideas it; whether you choose
ter of hanging on after others have and interests emerge, rather than
let go.”—William Feather becoming stumbling blocks, they to persevere.”
can be used as stepping stones.
Complacency. The greatest —Barack Obama
danger often comes when things “Honest differences of views and
are running smoothly and the honest debate are not disunity. 1. Galatians 6:7
13
APPRECIATE Think about Jesus’ interactions with
mankind when He lived as one of us. He
Dear Jesus, thank You for giving Your life for me. Please forgive me
for the wrong things I’ve done, come into my heart, give me Your free
gift of eternal life, and teach me more about Your love. Amen.
1. 1 Corinthians 13:3
15
FROM JESUS WITH LOVE