September 2009 – Page 3 – 300 words a day

looking back at the first week of September

For Labor Day That’s why this song was in the hymnal. They were on a God trip, heading to Jerusalem because He told them to. This song says that career and business, farm and family, are in God’s hands. We can worry, changing nothing. Or we can gratefully rest. last or first or simply graced […]

by Jon Swanson

you need to copy someone.

When you decide to do something, you don’t work in a vacuum. You look for models. You look for examples. You look to your training and your experience. Sometimes, you want to be exactly like someone. Sometimes you want to be nothing like someone. (For example, when I was a young father and faculty member, […]

by Jon Swanson

really good seats

If you want the good seats, you have to get in line early. You have to spend the night. You have to pay extra to get really close. Unless, of course, you are going to a messy show. If it’s a messy show, where the person up front sprays water or smashes watermelons, you want […]

by Jon Swanson

renewing the mission

Bosses need to review the mission of the organization. Some people say that every 28 days the mission should be reviewed, renewed. Leaders need to be clear about purpose, about passion, about direction. It helps bring about alignment in the organization. When Jesus told the disciples that they were on their way to watching him […]

by Jon Swanson

last or first or simply graced

The first will be last. It’s a great little phrase for arrogant humility. Hey Buddy. Go ahead, you can cut line, but remember, the first will be last and the last first. It’s okay, little Timmy. Don’t worry about the attention they are getting, remember, the first will be last and the last first. I […]