DIFFERENT IS BEST

3 Reasons Authors MUST Develop Their Own Platforms (a blog post from Michael Hyatt)

2011-03-15T10:29:00.000-05:00

This is a blog post from Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers. Mike is spot-on in his assessment (and as CEO of one of the largest faith-based publishers in the world he should know!). And we concur.

But equally, we believe the same general principles apply to recording artists. But in music biz terms, we call it "making fans."

So whether you like the term "build your own platform" or "make fans," it still comes down to one underlying theme for both artists and authors: YOU are responsible for building your career, not the publisher and not the record label.

At my agency, D-Squared Entertainment, we can help you. With 27 years of experience in working with artists, authors, record labels, publishers and film companies, we can show you how to build your platform, make fans, build a career.

Give us a call or send an email for a free one hour consult.
(615) 287-9215 or dennis@d2entertainment.com

Read Mike’s post here.

Visit my agency's website here.

Things That Make You Go, "Hmmm..."

2011-01-21T09:21:00.001-06:00

Today's DigitalMusicNews.com e-news blast contained two interesting tidbits for those of us in the music industry at large, but more precisely for the Christian music business in particular and for independent artists (of all genres).

Warner Music for Sale?

In a niche industry such as Christian music, it's already a monumental challenge for three major labels/distributors to exist simultaneously and profitably. With Warner Music owning Word Entertainment and EMI the parent of EMI Christian Music Group (which includes Sparrow Records), any deal involving the merger of the two music giants will undoubtedly have a significant impact on the operations of their respective Christian music divisions. I won't speculate on the various scenarios that could result, but between the FTC anti-trust issues and the relative miniature size of the Christian music arena, commonsense dictates that major shifts in the Christian industry would have to take place should Warner and EMI come together as one.

Superstars Bleed, Too

For indie artists and labels of all genres (including Christian music), it's always been a challenge to be competitive and profitable. The web-induced promise of a more egalitarian music business where indie artists/labels could thrive and experience significant revenue growth may actually be more of a pipe-dream. The IFPI report is worth a read. Download it from the link in the article.

As Dylan stated, "The times they are a-changin'"; and as "Duke" Wayne stated at the beginning of his 1970 film, "Chisum": "things usually change for the better." In our case, things are a-changin' almost daily...but I'm not sure how much is for the better just yet. But I do know it makes me go, "Hmmm..."

What say you?

2010-12-09T08:37:00.000-06:00

"May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us-yes, establish the work of our hands." -Psalm 90:17

5,000 Commercial Messages A Day?

2010-03-11T09:56:00.001-06:00

Depending on who you read, the accepted stat on the number of commercial messages the average consumer is exposed to DAILY is between 3,000-5,000 messages. As a marketer, how do you cut through all of this noise in the marketplace? It's a question that has nagged marketers and product manufacturers for at least 250 years.

“Advertisements are now so numerous that they are very negligently perused, and it is therefore become necessary to gain attention by magnificence of promises, and by eloquence sometimes sublime and sometimes pathetic.” Amazingly, this was stated by Samuel Johnson in 1759. Wonder what he'd think about today's commercial messaging?

ROI of Socialnomics

2010-03-06T17:21:00.000-06:00

Parking Ticket. Pollyanna. Chicken Little. What, If Anything, Did I Learn Today?

2010-01-27T22:48:00.002-06:00

For four days now, I've been aggressively conscious of my life, striving hard to live with intention and attention. I'm slowly adopting the motto: Live. Love. Learn.

Today, I learned...

...I am too hasty too often. Missing the posted signs at a parking garage rewarded me with an $11 parking ticket this morning! The military adage, "Slow is smooth, smooth is fast" is apropos. I have to slow down. Slow down my scattered thoughts. Slow down trying to multi-task like I'm 10 people in one. Slow down, period. And slowing down doesn't mean being less assertive. It simply means being intentional...and intentionally aware. What slowly becomes smooth will eventually become efficient; thus, faster. And as I wrote in an early post, "speed has its own mass."

...the allusion to God-ordained instincts read in the anecdote describing God's provision for the "bird's of the air" (as paraphrased from Oswald Chambers), also supports the contention that, even more so, I possess God-ordained instincts. Becoming increasingly more instinctual instead of blithely “seeking God" - a too often used euphemism for lack of positive action (usually out of fear, laziness, selfishness, lack of discipline, even arrogance) - I will more effectively "live up to what I have already attained."

...I live on a bungee cord between Pollyanna and Chicken Little. For a time, my optimism and positivity can "peg the needles" towards Pollyanna. I'm confident, aggressive, and visionary. Then tension in the cord starts pulling me back towards Chicken Little, where I start looking for cover from the celestial debris I'm sure will come raining down at any moment. I become quiet, hesitant, even angry. I know this pendulum swings for everyone; but I vow to attack it every day. I want to play in Polly's playpen, not shovel Chicken Little's chicken sh**.

Day is done. I'm excited about tomorrow's lessons.

So, what, if anything, did you learn today? Let me know.

What, If Anything, Did I Learn Yesterday?

2010-01-26T10:48:00.002-06:00

On Sunday night, I started this little segment on daily learning. I wanted to make this post last night, but I was too tired to write. Interestingly, fatigue is a theme to one of the lessons I learned yesterday: I need more sleep.

Yesterday, January 25, 2010, was a day full of strong lessons about life and about me. I learned...

...according to Dr. Oz, I need a minimum of seven hours of sleep a night to fully repair myself. I've been one to boast about needing less sleep than others; but I've been rationalizing. To quote Ed Young, Jr., "when we rationalize, we are telling ourselves 'rational lies.'" I like to stay up late, but I feel more productive when I get up early. So the compromise over the years has been to cut short my sleep time. The problem that has been created over my life is significantly less productivity and abbreviated impact on my world. I'm finally now tired of being tired. I covet your encouragement as I try to re-habituate my sleep patterns.

... 1 out of 5 children in the USA have elevated cholesterol levels (according to Dr. Oz). This is a startling statistic to me. I, like most people, recognize we Americans are overweight. We revel in so many excesses, why not wallow in excess body fat? But knowing that 20% of our children have elevated cholesterol levels due to lack of exercise and an over-consumption of high fat foods is alarming. And I'm one of the problems! I'm sitting here today nearly 60 pounds over my ideal body weight. My Body Mass Index (BMI) is high enough that it's literally costing me an additional $100 per month in health insurance premiums. I'm vowing to change that. I want to model and then encourage/inspire those in my circle of influence to get serious about their health. My situation is a good example of how to reduce health care costs: If I can get my BMI down, I'll save $1,200 a year just on the premiums! And this is before any of the other benefits of good nutrition and physical fitness. But to achieve my health goals, I know I have to change my thinking from "diet" to "lifestyle." Back to habituating!

...To be a thought leader, I have to think less about what other people think...about me. I desire to be a thought leader; but I too often worry about perceptions. Remember a couple of weeks ago I posted about "Mrs. Yabuts?" She's still a dancing queen in my world, but I'm determined to de-list her from my dance card. Now!

...I can be “P-brain." I too often Procrastinate. I can be Perfectionist, which slows or stops me from initiating action because I can't yet do it perfectly. I can be Pusillanimous. This is a hoity-toity word for being fearful or week. I hate being a "P-Brain."

...I must leave “elbow room” for God. Oswald Chambers showed me that, in our zeal to pursue our God-purpose, we pack our lives so tightly with so much "stuff" that God can't even squeeze in. We must allow God room to interject into our lives at the time and in the way of His choosing. I must remember, as Rick Warren wrote, "It's not about me!"

So, what, if anything, did you learn yesterday? What about today?

What, If Anything, Did I Learn Today?

2010-01-24T22:40:00.010-06:00

I've determined I'm going to be an active life-long learner. I crave to know more about myself, my world, my God. With that in mind, several times a week, I plan to post at least one interesting nugget of newly gleaned knowledge, insight, wisdom from that day. It may be trivia. It may be a skill. It may be a life lesson. Whatever.

So, "What, if anything, did I learn today?"

I learned...

...I'm way too haphazard with my weekends. I have to bring them under the same discipline as week days.

...I'm not as disciplined with my week days as I have to be.

...I'm still moved by great art and artistry. I pray that never changes.

...a new word: "troglodyte." And, no, it wasn't used in reference to me.

...even when my confidence in myself is shaken, my faith in my God is actually strengthened.

...I have fallen in love with my best friend, my bride, all over again. And I hope to get to do that every day for the rest of my life.

So, what, if anything, did you learn today?

Twitter, The Movie - Featuring Zig & Tom Ziglar

2010-01-21T09:50:00.000-06:00

See this great Twitter movie put together by Tom Ziglar, proud son of inspirational speaker/author, Zig Ziglar. Tom is also the CEO of the family's company. Twitter, The Movie

One Year Later: 'Living Up To What I Have Already Attained'

2010-01-20T10:45:00.005-06:00

Today marks one year since the passing of my father. My faith tells me that his death wasn't the end; it was simply the moment he went home to be with the Father. And my faith also tells me that I can anticipate a reunion with him when it's my turn to go home.

The sorrow of missing him is very real. It's painful to let go of someone you love so much. Someone who was such an influence on my youth and my adulthood. Someone who was and remains my hero.

My dad was a bonafide "man's man" in the mold of a John Wayne character...but even more. He was a leader of men, yet gregarious. Confident, yet filled with humility. Smart, but not arrogant or elitist. No respecter of a person's bank account; character was what counted to my dad.

Tough, yet not afraid or ashamed to shed tears in public when his heart was pricked; or to publicly hug us kids, tell us and the world how much he loved us and how proud he was of each of us.

He taught me how to play guitar...well, at least three chords! He taught me to throw a knuckle ball because he said throwing a curve ball would damage my elbow. He taught me how to use tools, how to plant and tend a garden, how NOT to fix a short in an electrical cord (a little inside joke there).

He was my friend, my mentor, and my "Best Man" at my wedding.

Always an encourager and supporter of my dreams and aspirations, he would candidly tell me he didn't understand anything about what I do for a living; but he knew me and he invested in me, literally. In an early business venture, he and Mom put their money into my little agency, with no clue of how the business worked. But, they believed in their oldest son.

Dad loved quippy sayings. A few of his favorites (which I find myself using...a lot):

"Never let the facts get in the way of a good story."
"Keep it between the ditches."
"God gave everyone the same amount of hormones. If you want to use yours to grow hair, so be it."
"There it is, bigger than De-troit."
"Your Mom is the luckiest woman in the world. With 3 billion men on the planet, she married the right one the first time."

Dad also loved music and he taught me to play guitar by ear. He had three standard songs that always were sung at family reunions and even at his home-going celebration. They are: "Boney Maroney," "Frauline" and "Kentucky Means Paradise."

Dad taught me how to love a woman, to love my children, to lead a family. He modeled what a man should be. I just wish I had been a better student.

As the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3:16, my prayer is that I "live up to what I have already attained." From my father - and my Father - I have been shown much, taught much, given much. And to paraphrase scripture, "to whom much is given, even more will be required." I pray that I am found worthy of the being the oldest son of Walter Disney, Jr. (1932-2009).

I love you, Dad.

(Pictured above: my father and mother, Walt & Fannie Disney, December 2008, six weeks before Dad's home-going.)

Social Media: Fad or Revolution?

2010-01-14T16:11:00.004-06:00

As we know, the world is changing...fast. It's an amazing time to be alive, especially if you make your living as I do in media, communications, art. The tools now at our disposal are head-spinning. Check out this video from 2009 that will both inspire and overwhelm you.

I showed this to my "Entertainment Distribution & Promotion" class I teach at Belmont University. They sat in stunned silence when it was over.

So...are you overwhelmed? Inspired? Scared? Excited? Let me know. I'd love to get your perspective.

THINK TANK

2010-01-14T14:49:00.000-06:00

"The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly..."

- Marcus Aurelius

UPDATE: More Theaters/Cities Added to the "Preacher's Kid" Film Opening January 29

2010-01-12T00:20:00.003-06:00

Be sure to check out the updated list of theaters and cities for the opening of Preacher's Kid movie on January 29.

The film, starring LeToya Luckett, is a modern rendition of the parable of the “Prodigal Son” told in an urban setting. Written and directed by Stan Foster (whose credits also include Bishop T.D. Jake’s Woman, Thou Art Loosed), Preacher's Kid is the first feature film for LeToya.

Preacher’s Kid also stars Durrell “Tank” Babbs, Grammy® nominated Trey Songz, Kierra Sheard, Clifton Powell, Gregalan Willams, Sharif Atkins, Tammy Townsend, Essence Atkins, among others.

Become a fan on Facebook.
Follow the film on Twitter.
Check out YouTube and MySpace.
Banners and Wallpaper

Don't Miss Preacher's Kid Open January 29!

I'm a Dancin' Fool

2010-01-10T09:09:00.251-06:00

I'm a dancin' fool.

Actually, more the fool because of the dancing.

For years now, weekly if not daily, I find myself at the same dance hall, standing in the stag line waiting my turn to satisfy what has become a habit (or is it a lifestyle?). I often get impatient and even jump line. Interestingly, the other patrons never object when I do.

My regular dance partner is an experienced conniver. Many-partnered (in every sense of that phrase) with a well-developed penchant for wanting to lead rather than follow, she at once seductive, enticing and comforting in a debilitatingly diabolical manner. I sometimes find an odd sense of security in thinking she knows me better than I know myself.

I didn't know her name until just a few years ago. For nearly 20 years, I'd been taking regular turns around the dance floor with her, without ever mentioning her name. I was mesmerized, I guess, by here manner of eagerly, but gently, taking my hand and rhythmically twirling me around to the beat of the day.

I eventually learned her name from authors Mark Victor Hansen and Robert Allen who warned of her in their book, The One Minute Millionaire: The Enlightened Way to Wealth.

Mrs. Yabuts.

Seductress. Provocateur. Emasculator.

She gets around; you most likely know her as well as I do. She's the whisper in your ear every time you're ready to stretch yourself, to attempt something new, to risk something of your ego.

"Yeah but, what will [insert name here] think?"

"Yeah but, you're too old (or too young)."

"Yeah but, remember what happened last time."

"Yeah but, you don't have the time (or talent or money or connections or education or...or...or!)."

It's dangerous and devastating to dance with Mrs. Yabuts. She lulls you into "paralysis by analysis." She stalls your momentum. She threatens your dreams, ambitions, goals, and derails your pursuit of your purpose. Ever enervating, she causes you to cower in the corner of your true, complete self.

"Waltzing with Mrs. Yabuts," as Hanson calls it, reminds me of the scene in the movie National Lampoon's European Vacation when Chevy Chase gets caught for hours on the inside lane of traffic on the Lambeth Bridge Roundabout, unable to make his way to the off-ramp and towards his destination. He literally drives in circles. Are you doing the same with your own personal and/or career development?

How to Stop the Dance

So how do you break it off with Mrs. Yabuts? It's not easy. Like any bad habit, she's there to "console" you when you have even the slightest dip in confidence or enthusiasm. Her powers can be eradicated, but, at least for me, it's a on-going process:

1. Get a big "Why." I'm a firm believer in owning a very big "Why" with each significant endeavor I pursue. As Tony Robbins espouses, you must get your "why" big enough to withstand the battering it/you will take as you pursue your purpose. And you will get battered: emotionally, spiritually, financially, relationally. It's inevitable. Even scripture promises that "in this life, you will have trouble." Know why you're pursuing your goal, get it large enough to take the beating, and you won't give up prematurely.

2. Prepare yourself. Confidence grows with better and thorough preparation. As I was coached growing up playing basketball, you play the way you practice. Practice is preparation. Michael Hyatt writes eloquently and effectively on developing and preparing yourself. You need to read his blogs. Additionally, a great book you should add to your library is Dare to Prepare: How to Win Before You Begin by Ronald M. Shapiro. An attorney, author, speaker and preparation guru, Shapiro even includes links in his book where you can download preparation checklists.

3. Focus on the real value. In William Paul Young's best-selling book, The Shack (Special Hardcover Edition), at one point the Holy Spirit character tells the main character that "the value isn't in the work; it's in the purpose behind the work." Focusing on the purpose of what you're endeavoring, as opposed to the activity itself, is a massive weapon to repel Mrs. Yabuts.

4. Outwork everybody. I've been a fan of coaching great, Rick Pitino, since before he took over at the University of Kentucky in the early 1990s. In his book, Success Is a Choice: Ten Steps to Overachieving in Business and Life, he writes that one of the ways to deserve success is to outwork EVERYBODY! He wrote that he didn't know if his were the hardest working teams in the country, but because of how hard they worked and prepared, they believed they were. It was that belief that propelled them to win the national championship in 1996 and to return to the title game in 1997.

5. Remember: it's not about you! It's the mantra popularized by Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, but it's true. By adhering to this axiom, then you are relieved of the ego-centricity upon which Mrs. Yabuts feasts. You are freed to move fast and to move now.

Now is the time to take off your dancing shoes and to put on your work boots. Tell Mrs. Yabuts to take a hike!

I would to hear your comments and to hear about some of your own "dance moves" with Mrs. Yabuts.

IMAGINATION

2010-01-06T19:03:00.000-06:00

“A strong imagination begetteth opportunity.” -- Michel de Montaigne

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T10:00:00.001-06:00

"Leave the broken, irreversible past in God's hands, and step out into the invincible future with Him." -- Oswald Chambers
Read the full text here: http://ow.ly/NNxz

NEW YEAR INSPIRATION

2009-12-30T18:14:00.001-06:00

“What the New Year brings to you will depend a great deal on what you bring to the New Year.” -- Vern McLellan

Preacher's Kid Film Starring LeToya Luckett Opens January 29

2009-12-30T15:08:00.000-06:00

Be sure to start your New Year off in a great way. Be sure to see PREACHER’S KID, starring LeToya Luckett in her debut film. The Stan Foster written and directed feature opens in select cities on January 29. Visit http://www.preacherskidfilm.com for cities and theaters.

Reprise: Christmas, The Gospel and a Haircut by Gracie Rosenberger

2009-12-30T15:07:00.000-06:00

Due to pain in my back and shoulders, washing and drying my hair can often be challenging and even more painful. So periodically, I give myself a break, and treat myself to a shampoo and a blow-dry at a local walk-in salon. Rick has worked there for several years, and is always gracious to work me in quickly. Rick is a kind man, with a quick smile, often concealing his own heartache. He recently underwent heart-by-pass surgery, and is still having some difficulties; I know without him saying a word; I can tell; yet, he's always eager to help me (and anyone else, for that matter).

While sitting under the dryer last week, I watched a couple come into the salon. The man used to be one of the most prominent surgeons in Nashville, but now Alzheimer's is ravaging his mind. His precious wife escorted him in to see Rick, and gentle as always, without a word, Rick went to work.

This disease brings on disorientation, causing this once very focused, dignified, and reserved man to cry out in distress. While bursting out of his chair, and walking around the salon waving his arms wildly in the air, and talking loudly, his wife (obviously familiar with this behavior) quickly stepped to his side, singing gently and sweetly into her distraught husband's ear. While he was slowly calming down, Rick followed him around, smoothly trimming a little more of his hair, while ending up standing in the middle of the salon. A few minutes later, the whole scenario repeated itself, and Rick quietly followed the man around, again, clipping the man's hair, while his wife's singing calmed her husband, once more.

This went on for about thirty minutes, leaving the surgeon with a great haircut - and a grateful wife. Without missing a step, and with no sense of frustration, impatience, or annoyance, Rick went back to managing my hair, and getting ready for another client. Seemingly, it was just a regular part of his day.

Rick was very busy, so I didn't discuss this with him, but knowing him, as well as I do, I know he would be embarrassed by my bringing it up; he'd shrug it off and say he was just doing his job. But I disagree. I know others who would act put-out, embarrassed, or even refuse to cut the man's hair. Rick lovingly cares for this man with dignity and respect, and in doing so, beautifully models the Gospel.

I've always thought of Christmas as an opportunity to serve others; to let them know that you are thinking of them to the exclusion of yourself. Christ did that for us in such a profound way. On Christmas Eve, Christians around the world pause in unison to remember that God Almighty humbled Himself and became a servant. He stepped into our dysfunctional and diseased world to redeem us. With patience, understanding, gentleness, and humility, He follows us through our outbursts and flailing around, and gently cleans us up.

It breaks my heart to know Rick is alone for Christmas this year. There are a lot of people who read these e-letters, including Rick. And so, Rick, as you read this, I hope you'll see that you not only care for a man with Alzheimer's, who can no longer thank you;but you also illustrate a love that invaded our world, so long ago, in a stable.

"And the King will answer and say to them, assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me." Matthew 25:40

Merry Christmas,

www.standingwithhope.com

The Art of Why

2008-12-02T08:41:00.006-06:00

THE ART OF WHY

You’ve probably heard of a BHAG – a Big Hairy Audacious Goal. But have you ever heard of the BHAW?

Big, Hairy, Audacious Why.

This is the one fundamental element that all successful people and companies have in common. They each have a clear understanding of their purpose. They all have a clear vision of what they do and who they are. But, even more fundamentally, and more importantly, they know why they exist.

In the film Ocean’s 11 (somewhat embarrassingly, I have to admit that I really like this movie), you recall that Danny Ocean (played by George Clooney) and his team have a very strong purpose for robbing three casinos. Well, actually, they have several “whys” that converge into one mammoth purpose.

Their BHAWs drive them to pursue a heist that:

• has never even been attempted;
• requires split second timing;
• demands multiple players;
• requires elaborate resources;
• requires walking out of the casino with the money in front of thousands of unsuspecting gamblers;
• has a very low probability of success.

Why are they willing to do this, to take such a huge risks? For them, it distills down to just a few simple, but powerful reasons:

• For the challenge of doing it. No scam of this magnitude had ever been attempted.
• For the pay-off ($160+ million dollars). This heist had a very high reward if successful.
• As revenge for past actions done to members of the team. Emotions are strong motivators.
• And for the girl. At least for Danny Ocean, this is perhaps the biggest “why.”

All of these reasons are very big motivators by themselves; but, combined, they combust into a white-hot “why” that drives these men with laser-like focus.

GET BIG OR GO HOME

To paraphrase the rallying cry of extreme skiers - whose motto for going airborne is “get big (air) or go home” - you must get your “why” big, very big. If you don’t, you run the very real risk of suffering the gut-wrenching, too often career-defeating un-sustainability of a purely romantic idea based on infatuation instead of being based on an authentic purpose. Getting a big enough “why” is fundamental to achieving and sustaining any success. It goes beyond just identifying your or your business’s purpose(s); it about recognizing the thing(s) that will drive you forward to your goal through the inevitable struggles, fears, exhaustion, lack of confidence and setbacks you’ll experience.

In scripture, Paul recognized and identified his “why.” And it was big. In Philippians 3:10-11, he writes: “[My goal] is to know Him (Christ) and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.” (HCSB)

Paul then encourages us, showing us that with a big enough “why” we can endure. He continues in Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already fully mature, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” (HCSB)

As you can see with the Apostle Paul and as portrayed in the film, having a big enough “why” allows you to forget what is behind and press on toward the goal. A big “why” gets you past seeing the impossible to seeing that anything is possible.

GET QUIET. GET PERSONAL. GET TEST-Y

But how do you determine the “why” and then get it big enough that it sustains you through the inevitable struggles and fears you’ll encounter? That, my friend, is a very subjective undertaking. “Why” is personal. It may be altruistic. It could be philanthropic. It can be short-term or long-term. It might change over time.

A ‘why” can focus on relationships, finances, ego.

“Why” is truly for you only. You must determine it yourself.

For me, I ask a lot of questions -- of myself, others, God. I read. I get into a quiet spot and a quiet frame of mind. I explore the opinions of others in my circle of influence. I research and study. I pray for insights and discernment.

But then, I test-drive it. I run it through my mind in every way imaginable, looking at it from myriad angles. I write it down and read it, then re-read it, and read it some more. Does it move me? Does it withstand my scrutiny? Can I easily articulate it? If the answer is “no” to any of these questions, then my working “why” will never sustain me in the real world in real time.

Getting to the big “why” for your project, career or life is challenging; but, without determining it, clearly knowing it, and truly owning it, you’re headed for a season of stress, fear, futility and most likely failure.

Someone once said that it doesn’t matter how you start, it’s how you finish that matters. I disagree a bit. It does matter how you start, because the better you start, the stronger your probabilities of success. The stronger you start, the better you finish.

But where you start should always be at Why.

Be sure to check out my website at www.d2entertainment.com . Also, you can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ddisney

Saddle Up Your Horses-Reprise

2008-12-02T08:28:00.006-06:00

Saddle Up Your Horses - Reprise

"Stop the whining!" Man, do I need to hear that - especially at this time of year! So, I dusted off an old "musing" of mine and thought I would reprise it here.

Entering each New Year, if you're like me, you review your vision. You set new goals. You put a plan in place that excites you. You say to yourself, "This coming year will be different. I will achieve the goals I've set." But, after a few months, or maybe even just a few weeks, you lose your momentum. You find yourself off-plan. Your drive and enthusiasm wane and you feel yourself tiring. Your frustration with yourself - and towards others - grows.

In scripture, the prophet Jeremiah felt many of the same things. He pleaded with the people of Judah and especially those in Jerusalem to be obedient to God; but no one listened. In other words, his goals were not being met. In fact, just the opposite was happening. The people who ignored him were prospering - at least by the world's standards. Jeremiah, in a moment of great frustration, asked God to destroy the people who were being disobedient to God's commands. He wanted things changed.

God answered him:

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out, how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in the safe country, how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?" -- Jeremiah 12:5 (NIV)

God basically tells Jeremiah to stop the whining and complaining and to get on with the job He has given him. He admonishes Jeremiah to consider only himself and his own preparation and activities and not to compare himself to the others.

Aren't we like Jeremiah? Don't we allow ourselves to be worn down by "racing with men on foot" when what we really want is to "compete with horses?"

Jeremiah 12:5 offers great motivation for me to pursue the things I'm called to do.

"If you have raced with men on foot and they have worn you out..."

We've all experienced exhaustion - mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. We know what it means to be "worn out." But why do we tire so easily? Some of the reasons are:

- We are not prepared -- mentally, emotionally, physically, financially or spiritually. We are not disciplined toward building up our strength, stamina, persistence and perseverance.

It's time to be like the Boy Scouts: Always be prepared. You must train well and be disciplined in your training. Spend time in study, research, prayer. Ask questions and then ask better questions. Listen. Observe. Get your mind and heart, as well as your body, ready to compete.

- We're running too many races, too close together, and resting too little. With fatigue, come mistakes. With mistakes comes frustration. With frustration comes more fatigue, especially mental, emotional and spiritual.

A little planning and a little discipline goes along way. Plan your efforts. Work hard, play hard, rest well. Get plenty of sleep. Get your mind involved in things other than your work. You must find time this year to relax, rest and re-create as part of your regular life routine.

- We run the wrong races. Choose your battles, as the old saying goes.

In the seminal book, The Art of War, the ancient Chinese general, Sun Tzu, declares that "all battles are won before they are ever fought." Choose your fight, choose the time, choose the place. And choose the way you prepare for it.

- We don't set goals that go beyond racing with men on foot. In other words, we don't stretch ourselves. Just like some cell phone batteries, if you don't use them till they are completely out of charge, they will never be able to last longer than a few hours.

This coming year, stretch yourself as you prepare to compete with the thoroughbreds. Consider a rubber band: once stretched, a rubber band never returns to its original size; it's always a little longer. The same is true for you and me. Once we stretch ourselves, we never return to same person we were. We've grown.

- We find comfort in only racing with men on foot. In other words, we get complacent. Complacency is the ugly sibling to mediocrity.

Don't get comfortable. In fact, stay uncomfortable. It's through the disciplined working of the muscles that we grow stronger, faster and attain increased stamina.

So for 2009, I encourage you to "saddle up your horses" (to quote Steven Curtis Chapman) and get in the race...the race you're meant to run. Be disciplined with self-control. Pursue the year with enthusiasm and passion. Don't settle for complacency. Avoid mediocrity. Through Christ Jesus, you do have the power to compete with horses.

Be sure to check out my website at www.d2entertainment.com . Also, you can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/ddisney