Birds of a Feather

August 16, 2010 in Church, Meaningful Work, Passion with 2 Comments

Birds of a Feather Flock Together, so Choose Who You Fly With and How High You Get

Yesterday morning, three time WCW Television Champion Marc Mero spoke to our church community at Real Life Clermont. Man, I’ll tell you what, dude can preach as well as put you in a figure four leg lock! His story is one of dreams, goals, success, heartache, failure, and then redemption and renewal! Such a powerful testimony and picture of the Kingdom of Heaven.

One of the things that really struck me during our time together was the idea of who you hang out with, you become. You probably have heard time and again, “Birds of a feather flock together.” So incredibly true. Marc told of his transition from being a boxing champion to beer guzzler and pothead. The people he was hanging with influenced him greatly in spite of his good intentions, goals, and vision. I had a CD back in the day (well, not that long ago) called Music 2 Ride 2. One of the jams on there had a line, “Birds of a feather flock together, so choose who you fly with and how high you get.” Pretty accurate!

You want to be a better disciple? Hang with those who are headed that direction. You want to be a better businessperson? Hang with people who are where you want to be. You want to be a better father? Hang with fathers who are getting it done, and then hang with your kids! You can’t get better at fathering by not doing it!

Personally, I’m surrounding myself with people who are where I want to be. They are pastors, authors, speakers, coaches, radio guys. It is pretty awesome. So encouraging to know that it can be done. So encouraging to have folks to stand with me as I move forward in this crazy journey!

What steps are you taking to become who you were created to be? Maybe you’re already well on your way…I’d love to hear your story!

Toil Radio: Creating Meaningful Work Episode #1

August 13, 2010 in Meaningful Work, Passion with 0 Comments

I’ve begun the latest leg in my journey: Podcasting a radio show!

While in it’s infancy, I aim to bring in questions/answers, guest speakers, and overall simply create a community that learns to create meaningful work.

Have a listen, let me know what you think!

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Toil-Radio-Episode-1.mp3|titles=Toil Radio Episode 1]

Toil: The Search for Meaning

August 10, 2010 in Passion, Work with 0 Comments

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/Toil8102010.mp3|titles=Toil: The Search For Meaning]

“That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiates 3:13

Toil is a word that isn’t used much anymore. For those of you (as I did) who think that toil is another four letter word for work, take a second to think about how the word used to be used. You see, in the good old days (think before electricity and English with thees and thous) toil meant something deeper. Toil was used, according to Miriam-Webster, to describe a battle or struggle. I find it very interesting that these words would be used to describe what we would now translate as ‘work’. Quite fitting, if you ask me! Moreover, toil can also be described in it’s verb form as, “to proceed laboriously; advance or move with painful effort or difficulty”. I don’t know about you, but just the thought of toiling makes me tired!

Seriously, though, how often do we (I) want the easy road when it comes to work? For me, I want a 40 hour work week with 8 hour days or to be self employed with the freedom to use my time as I see fit. I want to say that I would be happy then, but truth-be-told, I’d still find something to whine about. Toiling isn’t easy. It is often painful. It is work and takes work.

If we are supposed to find satisfaction in our toiling, as the wise author of Ecclesiastes suggests, then how is that accomplished in light of what toiling actually is? In all honesty, there have been very few times in my life where I have found satisfaction/meaning in my daily toil. I can vividly picture the places and people that I toiled alongside and served that brought that satisfaction. I believe, friends, that is called the sweet spot.

If you’re anything like me, you remember a time where you hit your sweet spot. You remember the sights, sounds, and smells of those moments. You remember the feeling of true satisfaction of a ‘job well done’. You remember truly feeling alive.In that moment, you found your meaning. Can you go back there? Can you work in that sweet spot? Why or why not?

That, my friends, is the meaning of toil. Now go find your sweet spot! I’d love to hear your story. Please feel free to chime in!

 

Organic Cube Farming With Dwight Schrute

August 7, 2010 in Church, Passion with 5 Comments

dwight bobblehead

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/OrganicCubeFarming0807.mp3|titles=Organic Cube Farming with Dwight Schrute]I’ve been consuming SO MUCH stuff lately regarding entrepreneurship, career, and all that surrounds those areas. It is kind of funny because a few years ago I was diving into this whole arena, but from a different angle with some different business opportunities (which I still pay for every month…Dave Ramsey calls this ‘Stupid Tax’), and I really had no idea what I was doing. One of the guys that I have been learning a ton from is Kevin Miller, who runs a community called Free Agent Underground. In one of his latest blog posts/podcasts he talks about the dichotomy that exists between the painful laughter caused by shows like The Office and comics like Dilbert and the valiance of the epic stories that portray the ‘above the law’ guy and ‘heroes’.

We are drawn to epic stories, filled with adventure, intrigue, and danger, but then on Monday morning we head back to the cube farm to live out our Dilbert fantasy.

Yesterday, as my wife and I were discussing life, love, and other mysteries, she kept going back to one point. She has a difficult time understanding if it is a man thing to have at least a portion of your identity tied to what you do to earn your living. When she worked outside the home, she said she was content to go to her job, earn her paycheck, then go home and do things that she wanted to do. My issue with that is that I can’t get back those 8 hours I just spent doing something that I don’t love.  As long as she has known me, and frankly for as long as I’ve known myself, I’ve struggled with this very issue. Currently, I’m a card carrying member of the Organic Cube Farming Association of America. Personality wise, I’m probably somewhere between a Jim Halpert and David Brent from The Office UK. But, I am not what I do for money. Far from it. Am I good at what I do? I’d say I’m good, but there is always room for improvement.

I’m not sure it is an identity issue. I’m a lot of things, but Organic Cube Farmer is far from what I’d identify myself as. For me, it is a values issue. I value my time, energy, and talents so much more than to simply give them away for a few silver coins. I want to do something with my time that adds value to the world, something that helps others in their 0wn journey.

What about you? What is holding you back from living the epic adventure that you dream of? Are you content, like my wife, to simply get money for your time so then later you can do whatever you want? I’d love to hear your thoughts..chime in!

Until next time…

Men are From Mars

August 6, 2010 in Uncategorized with 3 Comments

[audio:http://www.tonywheeler.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/MenAreFromMars0806.mp3|titles=Men Are From Mars 08/06]Men are from Mars. There, I said it. To the ladies out there, this may seem like an obvious statement. Fact, even. The dudes aren’t so sure. You see, here is the issue. The dudes have no clue!

After our gourmet feast this afternoon, my wife and I were discussing some really serious things. Big things. Dreams, visions, goals. Life threatening things. I was attempting to convey all of the dreams, visions, and goals that I have inside me. She was attempting to understand and then draw more information out. I didn’t have it. In that moment, I sincerely felt like I was from Mars, attempting to win the fair maiden’s affection.

Here is the issue: We’re speaking a different language. I’m pretty cerebral. I visualize ideas, plans, goals. I have a very broad idea of which direction I’m headed and a general idea of how to get there. Map? I don’t need no stinkin’ map! My wife, while she is very creative and right brained, she is also very literal. She needs the actual picture or action plan before her so that she can understand what is going on.

At this stage in the game, I don’t have the total picture. I’m okay with that. I’m okay with the 30,000 foot view, whereas she needs/wants the minutiae. She wants to know how she can help and I literally have no idea other than to keep feeding me.

When mapping out the next stage of life, I’m finding that it is important to take some language lessons. Learning to speak in such a way that paints the picture for the fair maiden is important. If she can’t understand where I am headed, how can anyone else?

What language do you need to learn today? Whom do you need to communicate with to help YOU understand where YOU are going?

As always, I’m here for you. I’d be glad to chat, text, tweet, whatever…Just reach out!

Lemonade Stand Philosophy

August 4, 2010 in Church, Church Planting with 0 Comments

Did you have a lemonade/kool-aid stand as a kid? One of the most addicting games that I have played on my iPhone is Lemonde Stand Tycoon. You start out with a card table, a pitcher, some lemons, sugar, cups, and ice. As you use your business savvy, you upgrade your stand, your equipment, and your location. I eventually got to a point where I had so much money built up that I could not spend it all.

So what? I’ve been thinking a lot lately about business, ministry, and just life in general. I’ve been listening to a ton of podcasts (you remember those, right?), reading a ton of interesting material, and trying to map out plans for the future. So why am I thinking about lemonade stands?

I think the same principles that apply to growing a lemonade stand apply to pretty much every facet of business and ministry. You see, everyone starts somewhere. In both business and ministry, usually you start with nothing and grow into something. You use what you have to get your ministry or business positioned to grow and thrive. In business that usually means starting small used equipment and working alone, then expanding when resources become available. In ministry, particularly church planting, you start with two people (the pastor and his wife, plus any kids), and expand as God allows.

If everyone starts somewhere, in business or ministry, what are you doing TODAY that will get you to where you dream of being? What fires are you feeding in your soul that will grow your business, your ministry, or simply yourself?

Passionpreneurialism: Fueling Your Passions in Work/Life

August 3, 2010 in Passion with 0 Comments

Passionpreneurialism - There is a mouthful! A big word, to say the least, but what the heck does it mean? You’ve no doubt heard about being entrepreneurial, which is the art, science, and spirit of starting new things. As of late, I’ve been doing a lot of reading, listening, and reflection. I’ve stumbled upon a great group of folks over at 48days.net, which is a group of people who are essentially passionpreneurs, founded by a guy named Dan Miller. If you’re a Dave Ramsey fan, you’ve probably heard Dave talk about Dan’s book 48 Days to the Work You Love.  One of the big concepts floating around is identifying your passions and pursuing them in such a way as to make income. In my travels of this fine nation, I have encountered a lot of people who really don’t love what they do for a living. I can’t imagine anyone getting fired up every morning to do taxes for other people. Or scrubbing toilets at rest stops. Or stirring ‘samples’ in the hospital laboratory.

So what if…

Do What You Love

One of my ‘heroes’ is a guy named Indian Larry, who prior to his tragic death, built custom motorcycles. He was very successful doing what he loved. He died doing what he loved. Many times, young, aspiring motorcycle builders would approach him and ask for advice on how to get started in building. His simple advice typically would be, “Do what you love, the money will follow.”

Do you think this could be true for you? Do you even know what you love to do? If we’re mostly honest, I’d venture to guess that many people would say no. Even those of us who are ‘called’ to something have days where we wonder why the heck are doing whatever that calling may be.

Show Me the Money

If we do we love, does it even matter if we get paid for it? I don’t know about you, but I only have 168 hours every week. Most weeks I spend between 40-60 of those hours at my job. Imagine if I could put all of that time and energy into doing what I love. What would that look like? What other things could I do with my time instead of exchanging it for a little bit of cash? I have a laundry list of things, let me tell you!

Identifying Your Passions

For many, this is a hard process. How the heck do we even know what it is that we’re passionate about when our lives are so filled with work, school, kids, meetings, etc? I’m still in process with this, but deep in my heart I know that I’ve been able to identify my passions, which will take some time to flesh out. If you’re like me, it may be helpful to talk these through with someone. I’m always willing to exchange emails/phonecalls/tweets/whatever…hit me up!

Be Willing to Look Foolish

It probably goes without saying that many people will look at you funny when you tell them you’re stepping out to live out your passions. And, if it goes without saying, why did I have to say it? Bottom line, you probably will look a bit foolish and make mistakes. In my first few transactions as a seller of custom goods, I made a few pricing mistakes. I also made a few mistakes in communication of expectations. But even through those mistakes, I’ve had repeat business because I took care of the mistakes, learned from them, and moved on!

So, what is it that you’re passionate about? What are you working on that you’d like to share with the world? What kind of help do you need? I’m here for you. Let’s talk!

 

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