Focus on God even in the busyness

I am wrapping up a busy week. A few things that have been included: I have spoken 5 times at 4 different schools, I have recruited at 2 colleges, I have attended too many meetings, I have driven for hours, and I have put all 4 of my children to bed by myself 2 different nights, attended church Wed night, played volleyball, played basketball, jogged on the treadmill, made a 280 piece puzzle, wiped a 4 yr-old's pee off the bathroom walls, did dishes, folded laundry, taught Sunday school, organized shoes in the back hall, recruited volunteers, wrote a reference, began planning a high school leadership retreat with 2 other organizations, went on a valentine's date with my beautiful wife, spoke for a 2.5 min video, etc...

I am sure that you could jot down a similar list if you took the time.

Psalm 63:1 and 3 says

"Oh God you are my God, earnestly I seek you,

My soul thirsts for you.

Because your love is better than life,

my lips glorify you."

Has this been true in my life? Have I been thirsting for God? I think the answer is yes and no. Yes, I have had a few great conversations with him early morning while driving, and yes, his word has been on my heart and my mind, but at other times, I am fully focused on myself, the problems, the challenges that I am facing. What is coming next, and what I need to do to get it done.

I need to remind myself to step back and see the big picture. My life is about him. He is my source of power, he is my source of encouragement. He is in control.

Deut 32:3-4 says:

I will proclaim the name of the Lord,

oh praise the greatness of our God

He is the rock, his works are perfect,

his ways are just,

A faithful God, who does no wrong,

upright and just is he.

So listen in as I remind myself: take time to spend reflecting on God. Don't get too busy. He alone brings fulfillment, and his way is the right way.

Choose your attitude

This is a vlog based on a true story. We did have a great time, just not what we expected! I'm sure everyone can relate!

Choose your attitude from Ben Vander Kodde on Vimeo.

Don't let a mistake hold you back!

How to overcome mistakes! from Grace Adventures on Vimeo.

Cut Finger = serving others

Should a leader care about the people around them? from Grace Adventures on Vimeo.

Encouragement

Ben VanderKodde blog update September 9, 2011 from Grace Adventures on Vimeo.

BUSY!

Life at Grace Adventures can be summed up in one word: BUSY!

Let me give you a glimpse at what this weeks looks like at 2100 N. Ridge Road.

• Saturday: Host 2 church groups here for a weekend retreat, one paintball group that played for 6 hours, a 4-H group that spent the weekend at the ranch working with the horses and cattle and host a board meeting.
• Sunday: Wave goodbye, close up and clean!
• Tuesday - Thursday : Welcome 100 6th graders, here for a 3 day overnight experience. They will be going boating, teambuilding to work on communication and problem solving, pellet guns and archery, orienteering, going to the Lighthouse, high ropes and much more!
• Friday: Welcome a math tournament for 245 participants and 2 other groups.
• Saturday: All day summer workday where we will be putting in the blob and waterfront, painting the Treasure Room and setting up Leadership Island.

Like I said, BUSY! That doesn't even capture the meetings, paperwork, and summer preparation we're in the middle of.

Sometimes, I have the tendency to get caught up in being "busy." I rush from place to place, accomplishing task after task but never stop to look around. Usually, I feel like this guy.

Yes, we're busy. But let me tell you what's GOOD about being BUSY.

• In the past 6 days, we've had the privilege of impacting 524 people with Jesus Christ on our grounds alone.
• Summer staff and other volunteers are arriving to help support us in this busy time and their excitement, joy and enthusiasm for the upcoming summer is contagious!
• God's answers to prayer are evident as we continue to search for summer staff, volunteers, resources and facilities. He always provides in a perfect way.
• Our team is able to laugh, work, play and celebrate together.
• We've been able to add another full-time staff member, Jenny Schlukebir to work in development.

When I get caught up in feeling overwhelmed like I'll never accomplish all the tasks on my list or when I start to grumble and feel like I'm just toiling away, I remember these verses:

Ecclesiastes 3:9-14

What does the worker gain from his toil? I have seen the burden God has laid on men. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that men will revere him.

What about you? Do you get lost in the busy-ness? Find satisfaction in working and working hard. After all, it's for the Lord we work.

When should a leader blow a gasket?

When is it okay to yell and scream as a leader?

We've all been there as a leader. You set expectations with those you're leading and they don't follow through. How do you respond? Is it okay to bring emotional intensity to the situation? When isn't it okay?

Emotional intensity can be a very effective tool in motivating, but when is it wise. The danger done from a half-cocked tirade in the heat of the moment can destroy credibility.

Emotional intensity is not always yelling and screaming. It can be manipulation, guilt trips, a know it all attitude, or anything else that creates unnecessary tension, drama, or emotion.

Here are a few rules for how not to use emotional intensity;

1. Don't use emotional intensity when the receiver has no opportunity to respond with their behavior. If they screwed up and made a mistake, but what is done is done, and they can't do anything about it, yelling and screaming moves from motivating to humiliating. Odds are they know they screwed up, embarrassing them won't fix the problem. It just makes you feel better for the moment. In reality you're just embarrassing yourself however.

2. Don't use emotional intensity to demoralize or insult someone. There is never room or cause to insult, make fun of, or attack somebody personally. As a leader you may need to criticize behavior or decisions, but never the person. You will lose your team immediately if you start insulting them.

3. Don't use emotional intensity often. You will become "that boss" that is always bringing too much drama to the office. Like the boy who cried wolf, you will be written off and blown off when you are trying to motivate your subordinates.

Here's when and how emotional intensity can be valuable;

1. Use emotional intensity to motivate when the person has a chance to respond. Now it is more of a pep talk than a scolding. You can be to the point, and point out unsatisfactory behavior or results, but then you need to send them out on a mission.

2. Let your anger and emotion shine through when someone needs to understand how important an issue is to you. If they are blowing off the assignment or initiative, it may be valuable to help them understand how important it is.

3. If you do choose to let some emotional intensity into the situation, the best thing you can do is walk right out of the office, and get your hands dirty with the person. This will demonstrate that you're not better or view yourself as superior. It will also diffuse any resentment or anger from the subordinate. Gordan Ramsey is the master of this. In almost every episode he will dress down the kitchen staff about how disgusting the kitchen is. Then he will grab a mop and get his hands dirty along side them.

So beware of letting your emotions get the best of you. If in doubt the best choice is to approach an interaction with the intention of eliminating personal intensity. Ultimately emotional intensity is an external motivator and left alone will not sustain change in a person. There must be an internal motivator as well or else change will short circuit.

What do you think? Ever been the victim of emotional intensity from a boss? What would you do different?