Developing Your Unique Winning Strategy – 2

Frank Shines proposed a seven components formula called (PAR+KASH): Purpose, Actions (Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits), and Results. 

 First is your Purpose. Why are you here? What assignment were you sent from your Creator? Get this clear, in my quest for the understanding of the subject of purpose, I came across quite a number of self-help books but I need to tell you the truth that you can’t determine your purpose by yourself! Self-help books can’t help in this. Purpose is more than defining your governing values and engaging only in activities related to your dreams. I need to tell you that for the mere fact that you did not create yourself, then it’s only your Creator that can give an exact purpose for your existence. Every successful man in the Bible had a purpose for existence. They did not come up with one for themselves (I don’t intend to take this too far because I’m going to do a post on “Purpose” very soon). Your purpose; the very reason for your existence is what stands you out from the crowd. John the Baptist need not compete with Jesus because John understood purpose (John 1: 19-27). Apostle Paul knew very well that though he was sent on evangelism, he is not sent to everybody but the Gentiles (Gal. 1:15-16). Even when it appears that your purpose and that of some else looks alike, Apostle Paul will arise and tell you that he was only a “planter” while Pastor Apollos was a “waterer” (1 Cor. 3:6) in the Gentiles soul winning business.  Your purpose gives you a sense of uniqueness. You only work at your own pace and standards. You will be at peace (provided that you’re performing) with the feat you’re achieving without headache about what your neighbour is doing.  

Next is Actions, comprised of four parts: Knowledge: What you know; Attitude: How you feel about what you know; Skills: What you have; and Habits: What you do with what you have. Let’s roll! 

1. Knowledge. What you know

                     “….my people perish for lack of knowledge” – Hosea 4:6  (a)     Knowledge of the psychology of change for individuals, organizations, industries and nations. The world is changing very fast and many people are unable or unwilling to adapt. Don’t let that be you. (b)     Knowledge of Web 2.0 Business models. According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is a phrase coined by O’Reilly Media which refers to “a perceived second generation of web-based services—such as social networking sites, wikis, communication tools and folksonomies—that emphasize online collaboration and sharing among users”. In simple terms, Web 2.0 tools make it cheaper, faster and easier to do many daily personal and work related tasks, and then to share what we have done with anyone in the world at no cost (in most cases). (c)      Web 2.0 knowledge: knowledge of blogs, Wikis, tagging, intuitive and interactive user interface design, RSS (real simple syndication), mobile devices, open source, web-based learning, mashing up and re-mixing, web-based apps, rich internet application (RIA), the long tail, the Pareto principle, the use of interactive websites. (d)     Knowledge of foreign locations, cultures and histories. 

1. Attitude. How you feel about what you know. 

(a)     Boundless curiosity; always looking for great ideas whenever you can find                       them. Answer this question: Which is better – to just fold your arms, wait and let things happen to you, or take the initiative and go on the offensive and actualize what you desire? (b)     Humor, optimism and humility. (c)      A genuine caring for others; sensitivity.  “The rules for work are changing. We are being judged by a new yardstick, not just how we are or our expertise, but how well we handle ourselves and each other”              - Daniel Goleman (author of Emotional Intelligence) (d)     Greater work ethic vs. entitlement or victimization. (e)      Always be willing to learn… non defensive. (f)      Two-way interactive learning, not passive absorption. (g)      Think sharing, not hoarding. One man gives and he increases and another hoards unnecessarily and come to a ruin- Proverb. Read Eccl. 11:1-2 (h)     Interest in different languages and culture; openness and tolerance engaging and welcoming others who are different. (i)      Trusting users; comfort with interactive prototyping (get “stuff”) in front of the customers and improve it quickly based on their feedback.(j)       Comfort with ambiguity, change & urgency (think speed, speed, speed) (k)    Truly thinking global (e.g. thinking 24×7, not 9-5; follow the Sun mentality. Reach out and develop overseas relationship.         3. Skills. What you have. (Your gifts, talents, capabilities)                                     “At creation, certain things were deposited inside of you to make you a success on planet earth. There is something inside in your nature that is able to terminate all your pressures in life. Until you know it, your struggle continues. The treasure is what I call Talent” – Dr. David Oyedepo                   (a)  Persuasion, negotiation and selling skills.                 (b) Ability to learn quickly, simplify the complex and communicate it effectively to others.                  (c)  Good business sense and political awareness.                  (d) Creative thinking and problem solving.                  (e) Process analysis and improvement capabilities.                  (f) Quantitative, financial and investing skills. 

                 (g) Change leadership capabilities; how to get people and organizations to    change.

                 (h) Communication and listening skills.

                 (i) Global teaming skills; ability to work through online collaborative networks   and web meetings.                  (k) Analysis and synthesis skills (ability to take apart and put back together)                   (l) Higher level of technical, cultural and geographical literacy.                  (m) Interactive vs. passive learning skills.                  (n) Some basic ability in designing your own website, blog, wiki, etc.                                               to be contd

The Strand I Could Not Fix

Like fog in the morning, the spirit of Christmas had vanished. Still, I shuffled in the garage. One by one, I retrieved the bins I’d stored the previous Christmas. While the aroma of sugar cookies wafted through the air and Silent Night played in the background, I began the decorating.

Placing the nativity scene as the focal point of our family room, I spread the rest of the decorations around the house: red and green candles, musical boxes with winter scenes, and bright red poinsettias framed with green garland adorned with burgundy, velvet bows. They all transformed our home into a lively winterland.

Next, I retrieved three stockings to fill the marked places above the fireplace; each embroidered with our sons’ names: Jason, Jeff, and Joe . Once Jason and Jeff’s were hung, with tears burning my eyes, I clutched Joe ’s against my chest.

The empty stocking sears my heart. It’s been five years since the Lord called Joe home. Five years that Joe ’s absence left an emptiness we can almost touch. And five years that God’s grace wiped away portions of the grief that flogged our hearts. But often, it’s the scorching pain that opens our eyes to a bigger picture.

Years ago, when our three sons, including Joe , were still young, I focused on providing a perfect Christmas; a perfect tree to wrap a perfect celebration. As a result, little things tended to roil in me such as a light strand that refused to shine because of a burned bulb. Annoyed at the glitch, I promptly set off to resolve it -I fussed, I rearranged, plugged and unplugged until frustration grew hot in me.

How foolish and silly. I focused on that one bulb, dismissing the glow of the star atop the Christmas tree. I’d done the same with light bulbs that burned in my life-from broken relationships to shattered plans. Exerting tons of energy trying to fix them, I missed the star– the one that gave significance to my life.

When that void in our heart aches to be filled, it’s the star of comfort that makes it whole. When bitter sorrow robs the spirit of Christmas, it’s the star of His genuine love that whispers joy. When a health diagnosis shakes our world, it’s the star of reassurance that shines the certainty of new tomorrow’s. It’s the same star that never loses the brilliance of hope, incomprehensible hope, one we can only embrace when all strands of life burn out.

With eyes focused on the star, I hang Joe ’s stocking along with his brothers’; not empty anymore-but filled with sweet memories–his wit, laughter, his hugs and kisses.

For that reason, God called it His “Morning Star” to dispel our darkness, dry our tears and repair strands we cannot fix.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Janet Perez Eckles is an author and national speaker.