Perhaps no greater indicator of success is best identified by the company you keep.

Think about it.
If your friends are into school...you will likely be into school.
If your friends are responsible...you will likely be responsible.
If your friends are wealthy...you will likely be wealthy.

Similarly the list is endless that has negative associations.
If your friends do drugs...you will likely do drugs.
If your friends are smoking...you likely will be a smoker.
If your friends are dishonest...you will likely be dishonest.

So why is this so powerful a determinant?

If has been said, "Birds of a feather---flock together."
Teachers will tell you that if a new "bad" student arrives at school...by the end of the day he will have found his or her "bad friends".  It is like they are comfortable with each other.  They understand each other.   How does this so easily happen.

A favourite Proverbs says: Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens the wits of another.  It is likened to  peer pressure that can either be positive or negative.  Positive peer pressure could be sharpening in that it encourages you to "lift more than your comfort zone" in the Gym.  Whereas negative peer pressure would be to cheat on an exam as all your friends are.

From this we can take from it that our relationships can sharpen us for good...or for bad.  So who is sharpening you?  Is that friend sharpening you for "good"?  

The big learning here is that it seems like we are in the drivers seat on this one.  We get to choose who we get to hang-out with.  We know the people who are good for us and we know the ones we should stay away from.  We are chooser's ---- we get to choose and therefore we must choose wisely...as its resultant effect on us will be great...either for good or for bad.

Lots actually.

Consider the Tsunami of 2005 that hit Indonesia...places like Puket became household names on that fated day.  Many people died that day...that need not have had they been able to understand the signs and then take appropriate action.

But first lets consider the concept of "drawback"  (click on the link to review it before you go further)

Essentially, all the water on the beach is 'drawn back' and for a short period of time the seabed is open to view.  You can see the bare seabed which was underwater only minutes ago.  Many find this intriguing and go out onto the seabed to explore...not knowing of the impending danger that will soon beset them.  Even more sad is that many tourists will ask the locals..."what is all this about".  They too, were unable to interpret what is happening.   In the picture attached to this entry is a shot of family that were unable to interpret the times...they went exploring when they should have been seeking higher ground.

Leaders of all roles and responsibilties, whether it be in the home or in business or government...must be able to interpret the signs of the times and make decisions that will make a safe harbour for their followers.

The tsunami did not arrive without first providing some "signs" that it was coming.  Many "signs" today announce that change is coming (like the "drawback") but will we be wise enough to interpret them or will we miss it and risk losing our lives and those we lead?

What are the warning signs that you need to heed?

What are the warning signs that our society needs to heed?

What you going to do today about it?

“Give people a second chance if they screw up. Even people who have stolen from us have become, when given a second chance, incredibly loyal and valued employees. I don’t know where I’d be if I hadn’t been given second chances.” (Richard Branson TED Talk)

"Trust is a key facet of any business, but how you deal with being let down can also contribute to success. Are you willing to give people a second chance?

When I was running Virgin Records, a member of the talent-scouting team was stealing and selling boxes of records to local second-hand shops. Tipped off, I called him out on it. He admitted everything. Rather than fire him, I gave him a severe warning and a second chance. Everyone messes up sometimes, I told him, and I said I expected him to learn from his mistake and get back to doing what he did best — finding artists. He went on to discover Culture Club, one of our biggest-selling artists of the 1980s.

We all slip up at some stage in our careers. I did. When I was just a teenager, I fell foul of the customs and excise people as I was trying to bring records into the U.K. I was given a fine, a second chance and have tried to make the most of it ever since. I think this has made me much more accepting and forgiving of people’s mistakes."
(Canadian Business)

The question for all of us is are you willing to give people second chances?  I know God loves to do that (thank-you very much!)...but I am not so quick to be generous in this.  The bible tells of the story of Jonah.  Jonah is told to go down to Nineveh and share the good news down there with the folks.  Jonah of course, he goes the other  way...because he knows the heart of the Father is merciful...full of second chances.  He disliked those Ninavites...he was not interested in seeing them turn their lives around and experience the "love of God".  Nope.  He knew that God is soft toward others. 

So are you a Jonah...and do not like to extend second chances or are you like the Father...who is quick to forgive and extend second chances? 

It worked for Richard Branson!

President Jimmy Carter tells the story of his interview with Admiral Rickover.
 
Rickover's technique for interviewing prospective commanding officers was brutal. Along with the expected detailed examination of your qualifications he had you sit in a chair that had the front legs sawed off just enough to make you slide forward and remain very uncomfortable during the interview.  President Jimmy Carter once wrote about his interview with Rickover when he was still a young junior officer. Rickover asked him about his class standing when he graduated from the Naval Academy. Carter told the Admiral that he had graduated fifty ninth out of one hundred and twenty graduates in 1946.

Rickover then asked him, "Why did you not graduated number one?."

Carter thought about it for a little while and replied that he supposed he had "just not tried hard enough."

Rickover asked. "Why not?"

Carter was speechless. He could not come up with a sensible answer to this logical question. A young kid from Plains, Georgia was given the opportunity to go to the Naval Academy, no doubt the biggest opportunity of his life up until that time and once there he did not give it his best effort! Carter didn't know what to say next, but he made a decision that would change his life forever. Never again would he shirk a great opportunity. Many years later President Carter wrote a book titled, "Why not the best?" I bet you can guess how he came up with that title.

When are you going to start doing your best work?  This year upon viewing Michelangelo's great works of art and architecture...you get the impression that everything he did was great.  Everything he put his hand to was a masterpiece.

What is stopping you from doing "Your best work now?"

Make a commitment to putting your signature on everything.  Everything is a masterpiece.  This must be a little of what it means to be "made in the image of God"...everything He touches is a masterpiece...so it should be with his children.

Money Allocation...the Western Way.

Whatever money comes in...put it in a single pot and spend. 

Money Allocation...the Jewish Way.

Whatever money comes in...
First, we put away the Tithe (10%) - This is money that you give to God's work.
Second, 10% is for Giving - this money is for neighbour needs that come up.  How can we say we love our neighbour if we do not have any money to help them should they have a need.
Thirdly, another 10% is for savings. 
Fourthly, 20% is for investing.
The fifth allocation is the balance of 50% is for spending.

What did your Father teach you about money management?

Our problem is that we have "no margin" in our life.  We live in a race to get things...and are in the same way in a race to get rid of every cent we have.  If we have any money left over at the end of the month...that becomes our savings.  Fat chance in that happening.

ACTION PLAN.

Get five jars and allocate your money in the same way as stated above.
Also,  once the money is allocated you cannot move it from one jar to another.  It must remain in that jar.

For those that prefer more of a tech solution.  Go online or visit your bank and have them set up five accounts for you as stated above.  As money comes in allocate it immediately. 

Let me know your thoughts...