Reflecting On & Learning from Your Day – A Framework

Posted on by BG Allen
Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

We have all read and heard about the importance of taking time to reflect on our day so that we may learn from the day. However, some of us struggle to do so without some type of framework to guide us through that reflection in a productive manner.

Following are the highlights of a framework that many some of the leaders that I coach have found to be helpful and it is an adaptation of the Daily Examen.

“Some questions you might ask yourself:

  • From your perspective as a manager, what was the high point of the day?
  • The low point of the day”…Again, look for reasons and patterns.
  • When were you working at your best during the day?
  • When did you struggle to stay focused and engaged?
  • How hectic was the day?
  • Think about each of your direct reports. Imagine how he/she might have pictured interacting with you.
  • Look toward tomorrow.”

Go to http://bit.ly/2NgHEso to read the article and to see the model in full.

Hope it is a great day for you!

BG

Want to Remember What You Read? Switch to Paper

Posted on by BG Allen

http://www.inc.com/laura-montini/paper-might-help-your-ability-to-recall-what-you-read.html

“5 Things Really Successful Learners Do” – Inc.com

Posted on by BG Allen

“5 Things Really Successful Learners Do” – Inc.com

where do you learn?

Posted on by BG Allen

beautiful shies“A school is wherever a man can learn, Mr. Shafter, do not forget that. A man can learn from these mountains and the trees, he can learn by listening, by seeing, and by hearing the talk of other men and thinking about what they say.”

– L’Amour, Angelique (2010-12-01). A Trail of Memories: The Quotations Of Louis L’Amour (Kindle Locations 728-730). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

quotes on learning from Louis L’Amour

Posted on by BG Allen

Louis L’Amour was and is one of my favorite authors. He was a man with a love for learning and it permeated all of his books. Following are a few of his quotes on learning that I particularly like. As you read his comments, maybe you can take time to reflect on your own attitude towards learning. Do you have a hunger for learning? Does the complexity and beauty of God’s creation cause you amazement and wonder?

“A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner, so if one’s life is cold and bare he can blame none but himself. You have a chance to select from some pretty elegant furnishings.

… I seek when I can the company of others who learn, for who knows when my knowledge combined with theirs might prove the answer? Each man learns a little, but the sum of their knowledge can be great. 

Sometimes I wonder if anything is ever ended. The words a man speaks today live on in his thoughts or the memories of others, and the shot fired, the blow struck, the thing done today is like a stone tossed into a pool and the ripples keep widening out until they touch lives far from ours.”

L’Amour, Angelique (2010-12-01). A Trail of Memories: The Quotations Of Louis L’Amour. Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

achieving a different result requires ___________

Posted on by BG Allen

LAM PatioGood morning! It was a spectacular day here in northeastern Indiana yesterday. Beautiful weather. Angela and I had a nice walk around our neighborhood last night.

One of the things I sometimes struggle with is desiring different results – I want to do some things differently, live differently, think differently and so on. So, I work hard as some of these things, but I don’t get different results. I just get more of the same, plus a lot of frustration. One of the reasons is that while I am working hard, I am just working harder doing the same old thing I have always done and achieving the same old results.

If I, and you, really want to achieve different results in our lives, then that requires doing something different! Simple logic right? Yes – but for some reason most of us don’t get it. What we have to learn is that when we hit the limits of our current abilities, systems, and etc. then maybe we need to look for new models and systems of doing things. We need to learn, adapt, and grow – continually. If you keep doing the same things the same way, you will stay stuck and seldom see any different results.

If you really want to see different results in your life then that requires doing things differently. Get out of your comfort zone, quit doing things the same old way, learn new ways to do things and start to see different results in your life.

Have a great weekend!
BG

A Culture of Growth

Posted on by BG Allen

Well, this is the week we move our household from southwest Michigan to northeast Indiana! Bittersweet. Sad about the friends and ministry we are leaving, but excited about the new organization, the opportunities and the new friends we will meet. A big week for our family!

Leaders grow – in fact that is one of the defining characteristics of a true leader. Good leaders also lead others to grow and are a part of their growth process. Great organizations have a culture of growth. not just professionally, but holistically as a person.

So, are you developing a culture of growth? Are you driving it deep into the “DNA” of our organization? How are you showing your staff just how important it is to be on a path of continuous growth?

You don’t have to start big, just start by sharing and talking about articles or blogs you have read. Learn your people, what are their dreams and passions? How can you help them reach their goals? Can you provide them resources or point them to resources? Make their growth a part of your everyday conversations with them. Help them to see that it is important and how they will benefit from a holistic approach to personal growth.

Build a culture of growth in your organization and you will be amazed at what happens!

Blessing on your week!
BG

Receiving Instruction

Posted on by BG Allen

“Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, . . . ” Proverbs 10:17

Do you receive instruction well, or do you have everything “figured out”? Too many of us actually don’t “heed” instruction very well. Especially in the areas of our life where we have a great deal of experience and expertise. We often say that we are teachable, but we just don’t seem to run into anyone that we think can teach us!

Starting into the third day of my new position with Ambassador Enterprises, I have been thrust back into the role of a “newbie” and very much in a learning mode. Actually it is a tad uncomfortable, even though exciting. At Life Action I have come to learn that at a certain level, I thought I had things figured out since I had been there so many years and had held my position for quite some time. Not an overt or conscious thing, but very subtle. Entering into a new environment has demonstrated to me that I did not have as much of a learner’s heart as I had thought.

So, my question to you is – “Are you really a learner? Are you really heeding instruction?” Do a self assessment then ask some of your co-laborers – maybe like me, you might be surprised at the answer.

By the way, one of my favorite Louis L’Amour quotes (not exactly probably) is. “You can learn something from anyone, even a fool, even if the only thing you learn is how not to be a fool.”

Have a learner’s heart today & grow in your service to the Lord and others.

BG

A Key Characteristic of a Leader – Are You Teachable?

Posted on by BG Allen

Good morning to you! I hope you have a great day planned today!

We all know, or should know, that it is so important that as leaders we are to be continual learners. I have found that a good many leaders are learners, they do read, go to seminars and so on.

But, are we teachable? Proverbs 10:17 says, “Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.” (ESV)

It is one thing to be a learner, it is another to be teachable. Are you inviting others to speak into your life? Is it “safe” for your team members to challenge you on your behavior or your assumptions? Do you accept their “reproof”? Do you actually change based on openly considering and applying the reproof of others to your life?

As leaders, most of us are learners, but it so much harder to be teachable. With being teachable comes the possibility that I may have to say I am wrong and someone else is right and I am the one that needs to change. My pride often gets in the way of that type of attitude.

if you truly want to grow as a leader, not only should you be a learner, you have to have the humility to be teachable. Otherwise, you will lead others astray.

Grace & peace to you today,
BG

Are You Learning?

Posted on by BG Allen

Leaders are constantly growing. One of the ways they grow is in acquiring knowledge. In Scripture is this passage:

“An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” Proverbs 18:15

So seek and acquire knowledge and grow so that you may better serve those you lead.

Grace & peace to you today,
BG