Lately, Sunday has been my favorite day of the week. Sunday offers a time to recharge. (However, I can't wait to be able to spend a Sunday afternoon with Jenn. The weeks are counting down to the new job starts in Lafayette.) I have written about Sundays in past blog posts so feel free to move on in your web-browsing. However, today, I had two special experiences.
The day started out like a typical Sunday. I reluctantly rolled out of bed around nine and worked on my management homework. The financial statement assignment ended up being fun. It was exciting to already have a bit of a background in accounting from classes over the past year. I also enjoyed the library assignment and am getting excited about doing some literature research again.
Mom called and invited me out to the farm for lunch. Of course, it is hard for me to say no to a meal. After letting the food digest for a bit, it was time to for the Sunday run. Sunday is almost always my "long" run day. I put long in quotes because it is long for me, but I have some friends who would consider this relatively short. Anyway, around mile 10, some clinking noises reached my ears. Turning my head, I was surprised to see an entire herd of cattle angling across the field to meet and run along beside me. I'm pretty sure that there were 30 to 40 in all, and it was almost overwhelming to see them running across the green pasture right towards me. Having the opportunity to get outside and run and bike on Sundays has been such a blessing this summer.
This evening, I was reclining on the porch and herd someone say, "What are you doing?" Looking up, I saw Donna on her bike. This is not the first Sunday evening that Donna has been on her bike and stopped to talk for a few minutes. These have been wonderful times, and I am thankful for them. Our paths crossed most significantly last summer on the retreat to Vermont. Donna has been like another aunt, and I'm so thankful for our conversations and her wisdom.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Thinking Big and the Story About Investment
The contents of Michael Port's book, The Thinking Big Manifesto, have been on my mind much of this week (see previous posts). Yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised to listen to the parable of talents while driving to meet up with Jenn at her parents' house.
In this parable, Jesus talks about thinking big. Jesus tells a story about a boss who went on a trip. Before leaving, the boss gave three of his employees some money. Upon his return, the boss learned that two of the employees had invested the money that he had given to them; in fact, they doubled the money. However, the third employee hid the money and returned it to the boss without even any interest from a simple savings account. The first two employees thought big. The third employee was scared and he thought small.
So I took some liberties in paraphrasing this passage, but Jesus is pretty clear:
The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.' (Matthew 25:26-27)
I tend to live pretty cautiously. However, this past week, I intentionally stepped out of my comfort zone on several occasions. In one situation, I had a very frank and open conversation with one of my superiors at the company. All of this required trust - trust that Jesus accepts me and loves me. I can't think of a better way to overcome the fears and doubts that sometimes seem so gripping.
In this parable, Jesus talks about thinking big. Jesus tells a story about a boss who went on a trip. Before leaving, the boss gave three of his employees some money. Upon his return, the boss learned that two of the employees had invested the money that he had given to them; in fact, they doubled the money. However, the third employee hid the money and returned it to the boss without even any interest from a simple savings account. The first two employees thought big. The third employee was scared and he thought small.
So I took some liberties in paraphrasing this passage, but Jesus is pretty clear:
The master was furious. 'That's a terrible way to live! It's criminal to live cautiously like that! If you knew I was after the best, why did you do less than the least? The least you could have done would have been to invest the sum with the bankers, where at least I would have gotten a little interest.' (Matthew 25:26-27)
I tend to live pretty cautiously. However, this past week, I intentionally stepped out of my comfort zone on several occasions. In one situation, I had a very frank and open conversation with one of my superiors at the company. All of this required trust - trust that Jesus accepts me and loves me. I can't think of a better way to overcome the fears and doubts that sometimes seem so gripping.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Thinking Big Continued
The Thinking Big Manifesto continues to pervade my mind. Honestly, it has actually helped me look at some of my decisions through an entirely different lens.
According to Port, "To think big is an act of originality and creation, an act of abundance."
Somehow this sounds strangely familiar. But, I'll save that for another day.
He continues later, "Thinking big is always backed by good hard work."
It is about action.
People who think big stand for something. This gets them excited. This excitement excites others. It ends up being contagious.
Right now I'm trying to figure out what I stand for... what drives me... what gets me contagiously excited.
According to Port, "To think big is an act of originality and creation, an act of abundance."
Somehow this sounds strangely familiar. But, I'll save that for another day.
He continues later, "Thinking big is always backed by good hard work."
It is about action.
People who think big stand for something. This gets them excited. This excitement excites others. It ends up being contagious.
Right now I'm trying to figure out what I stand for... what drives me... what gets me contagiously excited.
Monday, August 24, 2009
The Think Big Manifesto
On Sunday, Jenn and I stopped by Barnes and Noble. I headed over to the business section because right now I'm very interested in the topic of leadership. I scanned through a few books and then came across a rather small book with a rather bold title, The Think Big Manifesto. I'm about 48 pages into this little gem of a book and am just about going crazy with excitement. As you might suspect from the title, this big is about thinking big - about dreaming and seeing dreams to fruition. However, in describing "thinking big" the books also has to describe "thinking small."
The author Michael Port writes, "People dominated by their small thoughts and those who are thinking big struggle against one another: ... those who chose abundance versus those who choose scarcity... " A few years ago, I worked on a project that was dominated by small thoughts. Specifically, the common thought was that our employees were too busy to test the product using an improved test method. In fact, I still recall the fiery outburst that occurred when the instruments went out onto the production floor. Yet, twelve months later, this new measurement system had helped to achieve huge (multiple zeros) monetary savings. A conflict of thoughts existed - small thoughts versus big thoughts.
A friend recently shared some stories about this conflict. His storiesprobably best fit in one of these descriptions from Port, "the bold entrepreneurs versus those who dare not dream" or "the adventurers eager to explore new territory, new ideas, and new ways of being versus those set in their ways, whether by rigidity or timidity."
I guess that I'm left with a question:
Why not think big?
(Well, I can say from experience that there are a lot of reasons. However, I'm quickly starting to recognize that the reasons are pretty goofy.)
Take care,
Todd
The author Michael Port writes, "People dominated by their small thoughts and those who are thinking big struggle against one another: ... those who chose abundance versus those who choose scarcity... " A few years ago, I worked on a project that was dominated by small thoughts. Specifically, the common thought was that our employees were too busy to test the product using an improved test method. In fact, I still recall the fiery outburst that occurred when the instruments went out onto the production floor. Yet, twelve months later, this new measurement system had helped to achieve huge (multiple zeros) monetary savings. A conflict of thoughts existed - small thoughts versus big thoughts.
A friend recently shared some stories about this conflict. His storiesprobably best fit in one of these descriptions from Port, "the bold entrepreneurs versus those who dare not dream" or "the adventurers eager to explore new territory, new ideas, and new ways of being versus those set in their ways, whether by rigidity or timidity."
I guess that I'm left with a question:
Why not think big?
(Well, I can say from experience that there are a lot of reasons. However, I'm quickly starting to recognize that the reasons are pretty goofy.)
Take care,
Todd
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Going Without Knowing
Last week, I went to class for the first time with the IWU cohort meeting at the Varsity Club in Mishawaka. For the the first time in my now-winding academic career, I left a class and hated it. The class just seemed to soft. I had been hoping for some more substance. However, as I worked through the assignments this morning, I started to realize that maybe I didn't like it because it was out of my comfort zone. It was too different from other classes and programs. After completing the assignments, I'm starting to change my mind. The relatively simple assignments forced me to start writing some things down, and pieces of the larger puzzle are starting to come together. One item, though, left me feeling more than a little uncomfortable:
"List something you have always wanted to do."
So why did this part of the assignment bother me so much?
Well, the question has to do with dreams and aspirations.
I still remember as a youngster making "fertilizer" in a 5 gallon jug and trying to sell it. I also remember working out in the shop making birdhouses for gifts and to sell. In both of these cases, I dreamed of one day starting my own business. I also remember using the microphone of the old 8-track (yes, I remember those things) and preaching because I dreamed of being a pastor. My brothers can attest that they used to have to go to my school in the closet because I dreamed of being a teacher.
Over the last few years, my dream bank has diminished drastically.
Now, instead of dreaming, I too often find myself saying things are not possible.
However, by recognzing the deficiency, it is amazing how quickly the dreams start to come back:
Getting a Ph.D.
Studying piano (again)
Starting a scholarship fund
Writing a book
Teaching at the college level
Making a difference
Although extremely nervous about the upcoming job change, I am also excited by the opportunity for change. I'm not sure how it will play into any of these dreams but it certainly will be the start of a new adventure. (Of course, there are many new adventures to come in the next year.) I've already picked up some new books to read in preparation and anticipation for this change in jobs.
At class on Thursday, we read Hebrews 11:8-10:
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (NKJV)
Abraham knew all about new adventures and the challenges that they evoke. I'm confident that he had fears and anxieties. However, he went by faith and vision. As John Maxwell points out, Abraham also went with confidence, hunger, and resolve.
"List something you have always wanted to do."
So why did this part of the assignment bother me so much?
Well, the question has to do with dreams and aspirations.
I still remember as a youngster making "fertilizer" in a 5 gallon jug and trying to sell it. I also remember working out in the shop making birdhouses for gifts and to sell. In both of these cases, I dreamed of one day starting my own business. I also remember using the microphone of the old 8-track (yes, I remember those things) and preaching because I dreamed of being a pastor. My brothers can attest that they used to have to go to my school in the closet because I dreamed of being a teacher.
Over the last few years, my dream bank has diminished drastically.
Now, instead of dreaming, I too often find myself saying things are not possible.
However, by recognzing the deficiency, it is amazing how quickly the dreams start to come back:
Getting a Ph.D.
Studying piano (again)
Starting a scholarship fund
Writing a book
Teaching at the college level
Making a difference
Although extremely nervous about the upcoming job change, I am also excited by the opportunity for change. I'm not sure how it will play into any of these dreams but it certainly will be the start of a new adventure. (Of course, there are many new adventures to come in the next year.) I've already picked up some new books to read in preparation and anticipation for this change in jobs.
At class on Thursday, we read Hebrews 11:8-10:
8By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. (NKJV)
Abraham knew all about new adventures and the challenges that they evoke. I'm confident that he had fears and anxieties. However, he went by faith and vision. As John Maxwell points out, Abraham also went with confidence, hunger, and resolve.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Paul, Imprisonment, and Management
In anticipating my transition from a walker to a commuter, I have been trying to identify pieces of my day that might be appropriate for incorporation into my morning or evening drive. Thursday and Friday, I started experimenting with listening to the Message on CD. I listened to Ephesians, Philippians, and part of Colossians several times as part of my trip to class on Thursday evening and Lafayette on Friday morning. I kind of had my doubts about listening instead of reading but have been pleasantly surprised by the insights.
One of the nice things about the Message version of the Bible is the introductions to each book. These are included on the CDs. I particularly enjoyed the introduction to Philippians. The introduction describes Paul's apparent happiness despite being imprisonment. Yet, the writer of this introduction unlocked something for me. The writer indicates that happiness is not something that can be learned out of a book. Instead, "something more like an apprenticeship is required, being around someone who out of years of devoted discipline shows us, by his or her entire behavior, what it is." By reading or listening to Paul's words, it seems obvious that Paul lived out a joy-filled life. Paul offers an example of what it means to live not necessarily by direct instruction but by simply being. I mean, here is this guy sitting in a prison. Yet, all he can thinking about are other people and their relationships with Christ. He writes, "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered."
By example, Paul highlights the importance of relationships - leading others, serving others. Fast forward a day and I'm reading about managers:
"The Gallup Organization, which has polled millions of employees and tens of thousands of managers, has found that the single most important variable in employee productivity and loyalty isn't pay or benefits or workplace environment; it's the quality of the relationship between employees and the direct supervisors."
In living out his faith, Paul (a supervisor of sorts) developed deep relationships with people all over the place. Consequently, even his imprisonment could not squelch the productivity of the mission. Instead it prospered. Now that's a manager.
One of the nice things about the Message version of the Bible is the introductions to each book. These are included on the CDs. I particularly enjoyed the introduction to Philippians. The introduction describes Paul's apparent happiness despite being imprisonment. Yet, the writer of this introduction unlocked something for me. The writer indicates that happiness is not something that can be learned out of a book. Instead, "something more like an apprenticeship is required, being around someone who out of years of devoted discipline shows us, by his or her entire behavior, what it is." By reading or listening to Paul's words, it seems obvious that Paul lived out a joy-filled life. Paul offers an example of what it means to live not necessarily by direct instruction but by simply being. I mean, here is this guy sitting in a prison. Yet, all he can thinking about are other people and their relationships with Christ. He writes, "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered."
By example, Paul highlights the importance of relationships - leading others, serving others. Fast forward a day and I'm reading about managers:
"The Gallup Organization, which has polled millions of employees and tens of thousands of managers, has found that the single most important variable in employee productivity and loyalty isn't pay or benefits or workplace environment; it's the quality of the relationship between employees and the direct supervisors."
In living out his faith, Paul (a supervisor of sorts) developed deep relationships with people all over the place. Consequently, even his imprisonment could not squelch the productivity of the mission. Instead it prospered. Now that's a manager.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Change
Yesterday, I received an email with an announcement:
"We are pleased to announce that Todd Huff has agreed to accept the role of Process Engineer in the Lafayette, IN Fabricating (Bare Wire) facility reporting to Andy Wiseman at the end of September 2009."
So, I guess that means it is official. A few weeks ago, I was offered this position at the Lafayette facility and was pleased to have this opportunity to gain improved proximity to Jenn. Although this decision was difficult, I'm excited by opportunities for continuous improvement and growth at the Lafayette facility. Also, as much as I have come to appreciate Bremen, it is probably not a bad idea to step out of the "bubble" for awhile. However, I am extremely thankful for the friendships that have developed after moving back full-time to Bremen from West Lafayette and school in Rensselaer. It is kind of strange how paths can cross almost unexpectedly. In addition to the job change, I will continue pursuing the MBA at IWU. Again, it is difficult to leave Bethel but I'm excited by the IWU program. The next year should prove to be interesting!
"We are pleased to announce that Todd Huff has agreed to accept the role of Process Engineer in the Lafayette, IN Fabricating (Bare Wire) facility reporting to Andy Wiseman at the end of September 2009."
So, I guess that means it is official. A few weeks ago, I was offered this position at the Lafayette facility and was pleased to have this opportunity to gain improved proximity to Jenn. Although this decision was difficult, I'm excited by opportunities for continuous improvement and growth at the Lafayette facility. Also, as much as I have come to appreciate Bremen, it is probably not a bad idea to step out of the "bubble" for awhile. However, I am extremely thankful for the friendships that have developed after moving back full-time to Bremen from West Lafayette and school in Rensselaer. It is kind of strange how paths can cross almost unexpectedly. In addition to the job change, I will continue pursuing the MBA at IWU. Again, it is difficult to leave Bethel but I'm excited by the IWU program. The next year should prove to be interesting!
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