What’s Your Answer?

So what’s your answer?” Chip asked the group last Friday afternoon. We were in the middle of a discussion regarding how we view money, profit and the trust of running a business well. The question prompted a very healthy interaction.

So what’s your answer?

As you lead your life and business, are you…

…Engaged in the undisciplined, unfocused pursuit of more?

Or

…Engaged in the disciplined, focused pursuit of less?

There is something about us that seems be enticed, compelled or drawn into more and more and more. Add the ever-reaching encroachment of technology to your already compulsive nature of adding more….you are likely feeling overwhelmed and unfocused.

Greg McKeown, in his book “Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less” invites us to think and act differently.

The apostle James holds some high value counsel for us as we look to bring greater focus to what we say “yes” and “no” to.

⁵ If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. ⁶ But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. ⁷ Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. ⁸ Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.

James 1:5-8 NLT

Here are 7 questions to reflect upon:

1. Are you feeling driven to get all things done?
2. When is the last time you considered saying “no” to an invitation?
3. Do you feel guilty when you do say “no”?
4. Are you feeling like the person in James, with divided loyalty?
5. Are you clear on what you are to say “yes” to and the things you need to say “no” to?
6. When is the last time you chose to have God help inform your thinking about what’s most important – essential for you?
7. Are you willing to call a time-out so that you can decide on what’s essential for you?

As Anne Lamott so pointedly reminds us…

“NO IS A COMPLETE SENTENCE!”

A Deliberate Application:

Doing it well, decide to say a healthy “No” to something non-essential today!