I was reading an article in Time Magazine titled, 25 People to Blame for the Financial Crisis and some of it struck me. Here are some of the names that were listed as to be at fault:
Alan Greenspan, Former Federal Reserve Chairman
Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the USA
Frank Raines, Former CEO of Fannie Mac
George W Bush, 43rd President of the USA
Angelo Mozilo, Co-Founder of Countrywide Mortgage
Some of the names were familiar and some were not, but #4 on the list is the one that struck me the most. #4 on the list is no other than the American Consumer…that would be ALL of us. There are probably a lot of thoughts on this one, but I personally think that the American Consumer should take the #1 spot!
Americans have a bad habit of buying on credit and not with the money they have in the possession. Some people say the banks are to blame, but I would contend that it is not the banks job to make sure that there is money in everyone’s account. Yes, our economy is screwed up, so who do you think is to blame??
To close, here are some quotes that I recently heard that struck me and are timely…
Peter Peterson had this to say in The New York Times in May, 1982:
Tomorrow’s needs are getting short shrift because the Great American Majority – the broad Middle Class – is choosing to consume rather than save for tomorrow.
Paul Hoffman, President of Studebakers Inc., said in January, 1947
…we have had 26 depressions in the last 200 years…because in periods of boom we have never so conducted ourselves as to prevent the cause of the ensuing bust.
H.E. Martz said in The Wall Street Journal in February, 1963:
Prosperity is when people buy things they can’t afford and recession is when they stop doing it.
Bill Clinton was interviewed by Anne Curry and was asked a lot of questions on many different topics, but it was the end of the interview that caught my attention. You can watch the whole video below, but here are the statements that struck me:
“In the 21st century, it is going to be important for every citizen to not to just be an active, informed voter, but to also do some kind of citizen service.”
“The most important thing I can do now at this point in my life, besides try to save as many lives as possible, is to empower other people.”
Online etiquette of social networking?!?! What are the rules for online interaction on sites such as Facebook and Twitter? Do we have a set of rules? I was wondering about this the other day because it seems to me to be a moving target…one day we do, the next it has changed! Anyway, here is a video I found that talked about social networking, what are your thoughts??
I just watched DL Hughley’s interview of Mark Driscoll. Thought Mark did a good job. Check it out. (If using feed reader might need to go to site to watch.)
Just saw this story….commit to no sex before marriage and have a chance to win $10,000. Read about it here.
Be sure to read the WHOLE article…some interesting comments in the article…such as that there is no one has entered and that they have relaxed the rules. Interesting to say the least.
Catalyst this year was probably the BEST conference that I have attended. They had a GREAT line-up of speakers: Steven Furtick, Craig Groschel, Andy Stanley, Seth Godin, Jim Collins, and Matt Chandler. There was so much information that was presented that I will be processing for a LONG time. I am looking forward to being able to process the information, but also talk with some of the other NewSpring peeps that were there and get their perspective as well!!
Highlights of the Conference:
Andy Stanley’s messages
Matt Chandler live…WOW
Seeing Aaron Keyes lead worship
Seeing Jonathan Herron for the first time in 3 years
Dahara Children’s Choir…I cried like a baby
Listening to Steven Furtick…dude was amazing
Fogo De Chao…amazing dead cow
Dave Ramsey was dead on!!
Meeting some of the folks at Northpoint Community Church’s Pastoral Care area
Hearing all the speakers doing a RAP in video form! INTERESTING!!
Catalyst, GREAT job with the conference! Looking forward to next year.
I came across this list of Ray Evernham and how he defines success for him and his organization. Take a moment to read through them. What are your thoughts? Disagree or Agree? With all or some?
Here is success as defined by Ray Evernham:
God & Family – With out God’s grace and the support of my family, I would not be here now.
Doing Whatever It Took – Do whatever it takes . . . any job that must be done . . . any position that must be filled to complete the mission is your responsibility . . . Find A Way…
Being Surrounded by Good People – “Over achievers”. . . Learn to identify good people . . . Figure out how to get them on your team . . .
Learn what motivates them and provide that motivation.
Setting The Work Ethic Example – Get in early, stay late . . . Work neatly . . Work efficiently . . . Work in the same manner you expect your people to work.
Always Pushing To Get Better – Do one thing every day that makes you a little better at your job . . . Remember in our world 75% is average . . . If you can get to 76% you have three-fourths of your competition beat.
Studying – To learn you must study . . . To pass exams in school you had to study hard . . . Life, business, or big exams . . . To get high grades you’ve got to study . . The world is full of books, videos and information other people have gathered for years . . . Use it!
Not Being Intimidated By My Competition – I respect them but don’t let them intimidate me . . . Never underestimate your competition . . . Always try to overestimate them . . . If they are stronger than you think they are, you get beat . . . If they aren’t as strong as you think, you beat them easier.
Belief In The Team And The Project – Strong belief in a project by its leader trickles down to the troops . . . That belief soon becomes confidence.
Willingness To Put Personal Gain Behind The Project – When your mind set changes from “what is this project going to do for me” to “what more can I do to make this project successful”, you are about to accomplish big things.
Making Change When Change Is Needed – You have to be willing to change direction when needed . . . Never change for the sake of change . . . Make sure you have a reason, purpose and direction . . . Then make your change without looking back.
Working On My Weaknesses – We all have them . . . Identify them . . . Go to work on them . . . Eliminate them.
Working On Communication – You can’t lead if you can’t communicate . . . effective and clear communication is a great tool that is seldom used properly.
Resources And Using Them – Identify them . . . Acquire them . . . Use them.Being Able to Focus On Short-term Goals Without Distraction – You need long range goals for sure but you also need short term goals . . .Train yourself to keep an eye on the tree while grabbing the low hanging fruit first.
Having The Freedom To Do My Job – If you give someone a project . . . give them guidance, resources and time frames and let them go . . . Don’t Micro-manage.
Creating Team Spirit – Everyone wants to be part of something special . . . Create something special for your people to be a part of.
Sharing The Money And The Glory – Nothing great is ever accomplished alone . . . If your team’s performance is rewarded by money and glory, make sure that everyone shares in the rewards.
Always Having A Plan And Sharing It With The Team – People have got to know where you are going before they will follow you . . . Share your vision often . . . Soon your team will see it, too.
Compassion, Passion and Emotion – You can’t be great without it . . . Have compassion for your people . . . Let them know it . . . Have passion for your mission . . . Make sure everyone knows it.
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