Burn the Boats

I’ve been hearing this story a lot lately. The idea is pretty simple. Sometimes the best way to move forward is to eliminate the possibility of turning back. Here’s a little tip, the way forward very rarely involves going backwards. Where in your life do you need to burn the boats?

Book Review: The Bottom of the Pool by Andy Andrews

Leave it to Andy Andrews to be able to take a made up childhood pool game and turn it into a way to success that has helped companies reach stellar heights, by doing what seems counterintuitive and yet ends up making so much sense. Sometimes the way up is down and the way to outpace your competition is to do what others aren’t doing, competing at a level where no one else is playing. While this is largely a business book, in typical Andy Andrews style, there is a larger principle that works every time it’s tried in every aspect of life. This guy is a walking wisdom generator, and I love all his stuff. Check this one out.

Book Review: The Traveler’s Summit by Andy Andrews

Let’s start at the beginning. I love Andy Andrews’ writing. I consider him to be a brilliant storyteller and motivator. That being said I wanted to ding him a little bit on this one. The reason is simple. The Traveler’s Summit is a repackaging of his book The Final Summit, with some new writing added. I wanted to ding him, but I can’t. This book is great, fantastic, even. It is truly a follow up to The Traveler’s Gift. It looks at the future of humanity and what it will take to turn around. The main character meets with more great people from history but this time they must come together to find a solution to getting humanity back on track. Like a modern day parable, this book speaks to life today. I was on vacation and I read this book in about two days. It’s a great read, and highly worthwhile. My recommendation, if you’ve read The Final Summit, but it’s been a few years, get this book and read it. If you’ve never read The Final Summit, you don’t have to. This one is all of that and more. If you’ve never read The Traveler’s Gift, read that one first. These fictional books give real world suggestions and solutions for all that is going on today. This is one you don’t want to miss.

Andy Andrews and The Little Things

The Little Things is another moment of brilliance from Andy Andrews. This man may be my favorite writer and this book does not disappoint. Most books in this genre tell us to look at the big picture. Andrews focuses on small things that make a big difference. Small choice that yield amazing results. His chapter on offense and tolerance alone was worth the price of the book. Working through true stories from his personal experiences as well as other great people throughout history, Andrews weaves a compelling book that will no doubt do some real good in this world. This is a man who describes himself as a noticer and taking to heart the things that he notices could yield serious results in your life. I could not recommend this book any higher. It is a must read for anyone breathing or at least anyone who wants to lead a blessed and fruitful life.

Anybody Want to Join Me Reading Andy Andrews’ “Little Things?”

I just started reading Andy Andrews latest book, The Little Things and I was wondering if anyone would like to join me as we read it together and share thoughts back and forth. I am of the belief that he is one of the great thinkers of out time and this book is no exception. I’d love to share this journey with a couple people. Any takers?

It’s a Wonderful Life…

I think I was among the last people to see this amazing film, but I have always been struck by the overarching theme and I think many people need to consider it’s theme in their lives. A despairing, despondent man begins to wish he had never been born and from there the film explores the impact of his life. I hope you are never despairing or despondent but please believe that your life matters and how you live it matters, because the impact is larger than you think.

You never know what will make a difference. Sometimes it’s a huge project, sometimes its a kind word. In my life, some of the biggest things have happened because I painted a backdrop for Vacation Bible School. I was a floundering new Christian who was starting to believe that I didn’t fit anywhere and I never would. I was loving God and my new-found faith, but I really felt like I failing in the serving God department. Then my pastor asked me to paint a backdrop for vacation Bible school and it changed everything. That one act set a whole lot of things in motion that eventually led to my call to ministry and this amazing life I have today, pastoring a church and traveling the country painting pictures, telling stories and preaching the Gospel. It led to writing this blog, writing books, helping churches to embrace creativity and creative people and on and on.

I think most people go through life feeling like they are not making a difference, but you won’t know the scope of your impact on this world, and it’s not really for you to worry about. You just need to live your life faithfully, making the most of the opportunities set before you. Here’s what you need to remember. God made you on purpose for a purpose. Bring your best to every opportunity, which will sometimes feel a lot like making your own opportunities, but really it’s more like following God through the doors He opens. Will you always get it right? No, but God is bigger than our failures and uses some of those things to bring us even more growth. Develop your gifts and put them to use to the glory of God, then put your work in His hands and trust that He can do more than you can ask or imagine, because He can and He will.

Your impact on this world is most likely a lot larger than you think, but even if it isn’t, it’s a wonderful life and today is the first day of the rest of it. The past is gone bring your best to today and keep learning, working and most importantly praying and trusting God. Let Him deal with your impact. You be faithful.

It truly is a wonderful life. Watch this clip from Andy Andrews to get a better understanding of the way our lives can have a huge impact.

Andy Andrews is Not Normal

This week I shared some really thought provoking and challenging things from Andy Andrews. Today I just want to share some humor from him. Being normal can be overrated, to stand out requires more than normal. It requires being remarkable.

Andy Andrews: Choose to Be Happy

So many people are walking around miserable. Here’s the thing. A lot of it is a choice. Part of being happy is choosing to be happy. We don’t get to pick what happens to us, but we do get to choose how we act to it. This clip is a reminder to choose to be happy.

Andy Andrews: Check Yourself

The conclusion of Andy Andrews Seven Decision DVD reminds us of something huge. EVERYTHING YOU DO MATTERS.

This video may be a little out of order but as I hear Andy talk about his little boys, I think about a little boy that came into my life a year ago today, my little grandson, David. Happy Birthday, little buddy. You make pappy very happy and you make me want to make this world better for you.

Andy Andrews on Burn the Boats

You want to succeed at whatever you do? You might have to burn the boats. This is the power of a great story told by a great storyteller.