Book Review: The Back Of The Napkin

The Back Of The Napkin
Solving Problems and
Selling Ideas,
by Dan Roam

I read this book in one sitting; the title itself resonated with me. Ken and I used to go for coffee every day when we first founded Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission, ten years ago, now. We came in with a vision and a dream, and God saw fit to see it to reality. Today, the Mission has 25 staff members, a strong board of directors, hundreds of annual volunteers, and several top notch facilities that run programming in a broad continuum of care.

Much of our early notes are jotted during brief times of rest at the local coffee shop--right on the back of a napkin! And to this day, I carry the tradition of visual thinking by "white-boarding."

I'm a terrible drawer, but mapping my ideas on a huge wall helps flesh them out. As Joe and I set up our new offices, we are excited to create a "war room" where we can sit and dream about a brighter future for the poor of this city.

Things like the brand new Little Souls Daycare beginning for 60 children in January. Or the Youth Centre programming to begin this spring. Small things like our newsletter layouts, to more web-like designs representing our ever-changing organizational chart.

Roam, the author, encouraged doodling as a form of learning, marking up the latest business book you are reading, and making friends with your highlighter.

While I wasn't interested in learning his particular style of pictures and their interpretation, what this book did was validate my learning style, and encourage me to continue the thing that assists my team and I, in turning dreams into reality.

Book Review: The Change Cycle

The Change Cycle

How People Can Survive and Thrive in Organizational Change

A Practical Guide to Navigating the 6 Stages of Change,

by Ann Salerno & Lillie Brock

I was specifically looking for a book on how leaders of organizations can implement change in the best way possible. I stumbled upon this one at the library, and now they are beating down my door to get it back. I like to think I help keep the library in business with my late fees.

This was an excellent book. Rather than the usual psycho-babble, it was written in language that made sense. It was organized logically with relevant examples, and it wasn't overly focussed on emotions, but did acknowledge they play a part.

The 6 stages of change:
1. Loss: fear, cautious, paralyzed
2. Doubt: resentment, sceptical, resistant
3. Discomfort: anxiety, confused, unproductive
4. Discovery: anticipation, resourceful, energized
5. Understanding: confidence, pragmatic, productive
6. Integration: satisfaction, focussed, generous

The book begins by taking a look at how four general personality types might need extra help or caution with certain stages, and how change might specifically trip them up. I wish this concept would have been carried throughout the book a little more, but it was food for thought while reading through the stages.

Thanks to my upbringing and temperament, I am someone who finds change relatively easy, and often invigorating. Unfortunately, I can tend to disregard and run roughshod over the feelings and reactions of others. This book gives clear guidance on how to bring people onside to change, to recognize the stages they are going through and work with them through the cycle.

The Chinese word for change is 'wei ji.'
It means two things.
Crisis and opportunity.
That bears repeating.
Wei ji. Crisis and opportunity.

Book Review: Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway, by Susan Jeffers

Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway
Susan Jeffers, Ph,D

I had an intern with a fear of birds. We had a stuffed pheasant donated and it really rattled her feathers! Every day, as she came up the stairs to what was my apartment/office, I would holler: "Touch the bird, Sherry!" At first, she wouldn't touch it, but gingerly she made her way to tapping it slightly. Eventually, she would hop up the stairs, and, with no prompting, give the stuffed pheasant a pat on the way by.

This is the concept of "Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway."

We teach our LifeChange residents to do the right thing. The right thing is usually defined as the most difficult of the two choices. It requires more effort, physically, emotionally, or both. It often requires more grace and humility.

"Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway."

I listened to a one-CD audio version of the book, which doesn't state that it is abridged, but made me wonder, as it is a primer written in layman's language. But maybe that is the point. You don't need 99 steps to conquering fear. You just need the determination to admit your feelings and move forward in spite of them.

What do you fear today?

Book Review: The Power of Charm

The Power of Charm, How to win anyone over in any situation, by Brian Tracy and Ron Arden

This short read is somewhat repetitive, but has a few main points we can all learn to make us more charming:

1. Improve your listening skills. Look and face directly at the person, concentrate on what they are saying, and engage them in further conversation about their point.

2. Be free with your praise - give compliments! Catch them in the act of doing things right.

3. Smile!

4. Forget about yourself. Focus on the other person.

It's an age old recipe found in an unlikely place:

In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

Phil 2:3b & 4

Book Review: Singles at the Crossroads

Singles at the Crossroads, A Fresh Perspective on Christian Singleness,
by Albert Y. Hsu

One day on my Facebook newsfeed, I read the words,

Rebecca thinks everyone (including all those "marrieds") should read "Singles at the Crossroads.

I fell for it!

I was frustrated by the first half of the book as it connected Scripture passages that aren't necessarily connected and used The Message to prove theology.

Hsu wants singles to feel "normal" and not special in any way. He equates singleness AND marriage, when it is obvious in the Bible that singleness is a gift of a better way.

The problems of singles and marrieds are the problems of human nature: temptation, loneliness, worldliness, selfishness.

Truth be told, Paul said he wished everyone could be single, but agreed that it would be better to marry that special someone than to fornicate. And the apostle DID say that singleness is a gift. Hsu complicated this concept, and I'm not sure why!

Just because you are single, doesn't mean you have the gift. The Bible presumes the most common state is going to be married, but is up front about a special group of singles that are eunuchs for the Kingdom.

This book carries a victim mentality, and is obviously written to placate singles who are unhappy and wishing they were married, assuming this will solve their issues of loneliness, isolation, lack of deeper companionship and personal significance.

The second half of the book picks up and, while it dwells far too much on what mainstream media is promoting, it does have some good advice for those who are struggling in their singlehood:

1. Serve God.
2. Get involved in a church!
3. Stop focussing on dating and romance.
4. Fight loneliness with friendships.
5. Slow down and learn to be alone with the Saviour.

Book Review: "YES" or "NO" The Guide to Better Decisions

"YES" or "NO"
The Guide to Better Decisions
A Story, by Spencer Johnson, M.D.

This parable, a quick read, makes a case that all our decisions have consequences, and that, like a chess game, we need to think ahead before acting on our decisions. We should make decisions by consulting both our head, and our heart. When we ask ourself a practical question, when we ask others for advice, then listen to what our real need is, our decisions will become easier and more fruitful.

To distinguish between needs and wants is a Biblical truth. It's so easy to say, "I NEED..." but to what end? What is achieved when we make our decisions based on selfishness and circumlocutious reasoning.

Johnson also makes the case that we need to simplify our decision-making. Complex doesn't mean complicated. If we are mulling over "complicated," we aren't breaking decisions down into baby steps.

Finally, tell the truth. This means, if a decision isn't sitting right with you, if you find yourself rationalizing or making decisions without thinking them through, you may not be being honest with yourself. And if you aren't completely honest, how can you trust that your decision will be the right one?

Just a little story to make you think.

Book Review: The Millionaire Next Door

The Millionaire Next Door,
by Thomas J Stanley & William D Danko

I read this book over the summer for two reasons.

1. It was recommended by a fellow mission director to understand some of our wealthier donors.

2. I wanted to start investing some money and was looking for some ideas. When Ken and I first moved to Regina, we had about $30,000 in RSP's and some from the sale of our house. We used it to finance the Mission and ourselves for the first year or so.

We didn't mind. And I don't mention it as a bragging point, but as a significant part of our Mission's history and heritage. I believe giving inspires giving. So many people are out there wanting a "job" at the Rescue Mission. We are looking for more than employees. We are looking for "workers."

Then said he to his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the workers are few; Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth workers into his harvest. -Matthew 9:37&38

At any rate, time to build up some savings again. Last time we thought we were saving for a house, but we ended up buying one as Ken's was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and we needed some space away from the Mission. God obviously had other plans for that money. Now we thinking we're saving for retirement. We'll see!

So, as for the actual book review, if you Google "The Millionaire Next Door" you will learn more about the book than I can ever tell you here. It turns out everyone is talking about this book! Ha!

What it boils down to is discipline and hard work. As it turns out, what we put our mind and effort toward, is what we get. Oh, wait. I've heard this before.

Whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. -Galatians 6:7b

Tips of the Trade:
*Your spouse must be involved and just as committed--millionaire wives look after the family finances.
*Don't be showy--no fancy cars, houses or watches are owned by millionaires.
*Don't spend on frivolous items--different book, but same concept as "The Latte Factor."
*Don't blow your money on your kids--particularly as adults.
*Value education--even though you may not have any yourself!

The book bases these and more on much research, and so, in some places, reads like a textbook, breaking down millionaire facts into demographics of nationality and even by state. Also by the cars they drive and watches they wear.

I enjoyed it because it made me realize that most people have a relatively low "net worth" because they don't want to work hard at work, and then work hard at home. Anything that tells me the reward comes with discipline and determination causes me to be excited about spiritual and heavenly rewards as I invest my life in Souls Harbour RESCUE Mission.

Book Review: Time Management from the Inside Out

Time Management from the Inside Out,
by Julie Morgenstern

The Foolproof System for Taking Control of Your Schedule - and Your Life.

I've read a lot of these kind of books, but as I skimmed this one the main thing that was "revolutionary" was the concept of time as a box.

The critique on Amazon.com says,

Morgenstern likens a cluttered schedule to a cluttered closet. For example, a closet is typically "crammed with more stuff than storage," and a schedule is typically "crammed with more tasks than time."

When you look at your time and your schedule as a closet, you can figure out if your closet is organized, stuffed, overstuffed, disorganized, or what have you.

One of the most helpful things in the book was the diagnostic tool to determine what things hold us back. Here are mine:

Tasks Have No "Home"
Your lists do you no good if you don't place a priority on the "to do" item and set aside a time to do them! I love this quote: "If you think you will get to anything in your "spare time," keeping in mind that there is no such thing as spare time!" Again, reminding us to think in more tangible terms - that time is like a closet, or a box.

Your Space Is Disorganized
Need I say more? Space wise, my office needs a total make-over. Or it needs to double in size. Vicki and I are currently seeking out tips from those whose professions require that they juggle multiple tasks and do them often simultaneously! Accountants and others, please leave us your comments! Did you know it takes 3 days to organize an office, and one to organize a room in your home? There's hope for all of us Messies! (I'm getting a desk with drawers next week, which will help correct this diagnostic error!)

You Have and Unrealistic Workload
Yes. Yes I do.

You Are in Transition
Yes. Yes I am.

You are in an Interruption-Rich Environment.
Part of the beauty of my ministry is the variety and excitement the daily mission chaos provides! However, it often means I have to close my door for a while or come in after hours to get things done.

You have a Disorganized Partner.
No comment.

Book Review: Easier Than You Think

Easier Than You Think,
by Richard Carlson.

Carlson, who passed away December of '06, is best known for his Don't Sweat the Small Stuff series.

I chose this book on CD from the library to listen to on the way to and from the campground last month. It's a series of short "vignettes" on "The Small Changes That Add Up to a World of Difference."

A couple that stood out in my mind were:

Watch your thoughts. I am always intrigued by the power of the mind. Part of the Genesis Process we use at the Mission teaches that the brain is very powerful and it learns patterns of behaviour. The good news is, we can re-train our brain!

Set your expectations to zero. Okay, I've always heard to lower your expectations, but zero?! This was encouraging to me because, while I push people to their best on the job, if you attach that to expectations, you are in for trouble! The only one you can control is yourself.

Don't take notes. Are you kidding me? I can't NOT take notes. It's part of my learning process! I'm stressed out about this one. Your feedback will be appreciated.

Leave things as you found them. Well, this is about not taking seashells from the seashore, and always leaving a place a little neater than you found it. It's about reusable grocery bags. I think in my past I've been a little too hasty in this category. My reasoning has been that we're going to have a new Heaven and a new earth one day anyways! But God's command to take care of the earth has not been overturned. Steve is right. It's a stewardship thing.

In the end, Ken wondered if there were too many easy solutions that we couldn't remember them all. Kind of defeats the purpose. I pictured him, head in his hands, tearing his hair out, saying, "I should have remembered rule 72!"