Ready or Not

Ready or Not was a 1996 instant classic when The Fugees made it and it came on as I exited my truck from a night out on the town with my wife. It took me down memory lane and gave me a honed in focus for the immediate future. I have been actively seeking out the GREATEST version of me that I can achieve! This will now be the season where I realize all of my dreams coming true!  So as many are getting ready for New Years Resolutions I am telling life Ready or Not here comes the best of Jonathan that you have ever seen. 

It takes time to grow and mature into the person that we are meant to be. I am becoming one with all aspects of my life and it couldn't be a better time. My priorities are aligning God, Family and Winning Each Day! You see I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me, my family supports me through it all and once I win the next 365 days I will have won 2015!  

Making it for many takes on many different forms. As for me making it means to place my foot in position to kick the door down and I have been focused on achieving my goals!  I have worked diligently to place my goals in position, so ready or not world here comes the "Ultimate Uppercut from the UNDERDOG!" 

You see My Time Has Come!

I am on a mission to lead, inspire and educate the 21st Century learner!  So meet me in 2015 to learn What's Next for ALL students, staff members and stakeholders!

chirb.it/whGfLs

 

Will the real GPS please stand up?

In life many times we find ourselves attempting to overcome obstacles but sometimes the overcoming overcomes us and we loose sight of the initial goal. This is why being prayerful and allowing our steps to be ordered is so key. The GPS (God Projection System) is the only way one can truly propel to heights that the mere mortal would suggest are unreachable. The further you are pulled, pushed or held back ultimately dictates the distance that you will travel. Therefore when life gets hard and it seems as though nothing you do is good enough remember the footprints analogy, which tells us to have FAITH in our GPS!  Somebody needs to know to hold on help is on the way and God is preparing them for a future blessing that is going to blow their mind. At the present time God is simply testing them to see if they can truly handle the GREATNESS that He has in store for them. The best thing about God is He doesn't seek accolades for the blessing He gives you but LOVES when you simply ACKNOWLEDGE Him! So take some time each day to acknowledge God and allow His light to shine through you to brighten this dark world!  

Write this down:

The Return

I will begin by providing some thoughts shared at the:

E2 I get 2 versus I got 2 Book Study of Greatness Is Upon You by: Eric Thomas.

We started off with a little message:

http://youtu.be/splWgTBHk3o

This message was given to show how everyday you get to wake up and do things in life. At no time are you forced into doing anything, so using the words I got to get up and do this or that should no longer be words in your vocabulary. Therefore wake up each morning with a renewed sense of purpose and know that you get to make a difference in the lives of others. 

This was a message well received by a very committed staff who is currently taking part in a book study each Friday morning at 7:00 am. This staff at E2 is beyond amazing and is committed to being apart of the school year that will CHANGE the world. 

The next step was for the groups to share what the latest chapter meant to them and how it provided them with methods/ways to become a better person. At the conclusion I shared with them the following:

Write this down:

The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives. It is all decided by FAITH and by being in the right place at the right time.

We will not be judged by what's in our hand but who's hand we are in! 

This now brings me to the much anticipated  #nbtchat return and I hope that you have taken some notes as to how No Box Thinking can be used in your school or everyday life. 

Well it's been about a month since No Box Thinking has taken over the TWITTERVERSE for an hour and a half by placed thought provoking seeds in the minds of educators from all over the world. 

During the time away I was able to gain clarity and sense of purpose for my life as a leader of the change that many seek. To truly reach the top of your game it takes a purpose that drives you when nobody sees the ultimate vision that you have. 

So here we stand on the eve of "The Return" and so many pathways are before me to take. In the true No Box Thinking sense I will allow it to come to me and not seek my own path. You see many did not know that the ultimate leader for the No Box Thinking movement is God!  For the steps that I have taken up to this point have been ordered and have brought me many associates along the way to assist in this educational reform of a lifetime!  

I am so glad to be back Sunday November 2, 2014 with my #nbtchat family for the pre-chat at 6:30 pm CST and the Super Bowl of chats at 7:00 pm CST!  

No Box or Excuse Chat 101

The need for this edition of No Box Thinking came from a conversation held on twitter the last few days. I posted a tweet about the possibility of having Emeline Carpenter join the No Excuse family soon. 

This was met by a twitter follower who jumped on the phrase but didn't understand the message. This same error happens with many educators when they hear the phrase No Excuses!  They automatically assume that means they get to throw this term out to the students and families when they feel like they are not doing there part. 

However, the phrase No Excuses is firmly based on the building up of 6 Excpectional Systems: Cultural of Universial Achievement, Teacher Collaboration, Standards Alignment, Assesment Plan, Data Management and Interventions. These systems have to be built, put in place and in the process of becoming common practice before a school can apply to become a No Excuse University!  

This makes No Excuse University a network of schools that are grounded in beliefs that lead to the motto of No Excuses. The leaders Damen and Dan Lopez created this network to give children across the world the 5 words their mother gave them: After High School Comes College!  This is a phrase that many educators give to their own children, nieces or nephews but may not provide for the students they serve. Therefore leaders of No Excuse schools create a culture that breeds the message that College is a possibility for ALL and not a private club for only the well to do!  

So tonight No Box Thinking will share the 6 Exceptional Systems with the World and hope that it will enlighten all on what No Excuses really stands for! 

For more information on No Excuses check them out on twitter @noexcusesu or their website http://noexcusesu.com/

The message they share was life-changing for me and I know it will be for you as well. The Annual Convention will be held in Las Vegas October 20-22 and I promise you that this time what HAPPENS in Vegas will NOT stay in Vegas. It will be taken back to schools and districts across the worlds to provide a renewed sense of HOPE to educators who maybe feeling defeated. Together we can make a difference and change the World by saying NO to Boxes/Excuses alike!

Join #nbtchat tonight at 6:30 pm CST for the pre-chat and 7:00 pm CST for the chat! Bring your Boxes and Excuses tonight as we will BURN them both!

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 6

Classroom Assessments that Guide Instruction and Interventions

High expectations without a means of measurement are hollow.

-Samuel Casey Carter

When testing is done most educators feel as though the assessment is not indicative of what they have actually taught the students.  Therefore, when a district assessment is given and we have an opportunity to look over the test to make suggestions, we need to take advantage. 

In the assessment realm we have summative/formative and they both have a purpose of validating our instruction.  When we look at the end of the year STAAR test, the results mostly come in at a time when we have little to no control over re-teaching the materials left un-mastered.  However, if we properly use the formative assessments we will have a better gauge as to the areas of need when it comes to the end of year examination.  

Creating assessments that are used to help guide instruction and interventions is instrumental to the development of an exceptional system.  At Carpenter we will develop at least 2 questions per subject area that can be used for our unit exams and assist us in building better lesson plan/interventions that will address student needs. 

Articulation Meetings where the data is broken down and action is taken to assist students will be very important to the overall success of our campus.  These meetings will take place following the administration of the test and guide our instruction/interventions directly following the administration.  We will not remain stale on our offering of instruction if it is showing not to work for a student.  Our primary goal is to educate and reach each student no matter what level they are operating on. 

Students should work with the teachers to examine the testing results and build future goals based on their performance.  This will also directly relate to our Goal work that we send home with students versus the traditional home work that we have been accustomed to from the past.  How will you go about informing the students of the value of the actual assessments?  What methods will you use to gain buy-in from the students to ensure our campus wide goal of defying the odds is met?

The next area of using class goals to gain the whole class buy-in was very enlightening.  The examples given will be a great lead in to our 1^st Marzano instructional strategy of Similarities and Differences. We can utilize these strategies at the beginning of the year to introduce goal setting/strategies that we will use.  The students should be able to share with any stakeholder their individual goals and talk about the goal work they will use to make it to the goal.  How will we involve parents in the conversation of goal setting and the ultimate results that we want as a campus?

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 6

Please checkout our weekly video:

Emeline Carpenter (Intro) Hold On Change is Coming - http://youtu.be/WtWxmAukXmo

The No Excuse Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/08/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_14.html

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 5

 Classroom Lessons Aligned to Academic Standards

It’s not enough that we do our best; sometimes we have to do what’s required!

Winston Churchill    

The first part of this chapter jumped out to me due to the favorite lesson that had always been taught and the teachers feeling the need to continue the TRADITION.  We all have been a witness to the favorite teacher lessons that are carried on year after year, that may or may not even address the TEK.  So I want you to think about a time when you either taught or received one of those oldies but goodies and how it made you feel afterwards?  Also, after you are programed with information only to find out that you do not need it, how does that make you feel?

The chapter then talks about the alignment of lessons to academic standards and that most of the times we have average alignment at best.  Our main goal this year as a district is to focus on instruction and ensure that it is of the highest quality.  Therefore, it will require time and effort being put in to ensure that we are focusing on the verb of each TEK, delivering instruction at the highest level of Bloom’s, ensuring that the instruction is relevant and incorporating Marzano’s High Yield Strategies in all areas of instruction!  Doing the mentioned steps will ensure that we at least have a well thought out lesson plan that places the proper lesson cycle on paper.  In order for a system to be exceptional it takes the will to dig deeper into the TEKs, constantly critique/edit lessons, working together to ensure cross curricular instruction occurs daily and being relentless in the pursuit of excellence!  What will you do this year to ensure the alignment goes from paper to peak performance?

From this chapter my biggest take away is that our time is precious and we do not have a moment to waste.  We will ensure that all conversations are focused around our ONE GOAL and that is DEFYING THE ODDS.  The PLC time that has been built into the schedule will be used to create exceptional documents that will be taken from paper and translated into performance!  Instruction being of the highest quality will be the #1 focus at Carpenter Elementary and I look forward to the learning that will result because of it!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 5

Please checkout our weekly video:

Eric Thomas: How to Focus and Concentrate - http://youtu.be/Jvp0nzwE9Yc

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/08/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book.html

Jonathan Kegler's Motivation

Motivation is something that is normally easy come easy go. I however have found three sources of constant motivation: Faith, Family and Friends!  

My faith in Jesus Christ keeps me constantly motivated due to His love for me and the ultimate sacrifice He made for me on the cross!  At anytime that I begin to need motivation I think about the GREATNESS that He stands for me and it keeps me going. If it was not for Jesus I don't know what I would do. 

My family keeps me constantly motivated due to me never wanting to let them down. They depend upon me for leadership and guidance thus my constant supply of motivation to be my best. At anytime that I get down on myself or begin to think about giving up, I think about my family and it pushes me to go farther than farther has ever gone!  Thank you Tangela and Jameson for being in my corner and loving me no matter what!  You are my WHY!

My friends aka #nbtchat is an ongoing shot in the arm. I am constantly amazed at the wisdom and courage that each of them posses. The chat was born in February 2014 on a Sunday night at 6:30 pm CST and is going strong six months later in August 2014. This chat is so motivating that it trends atop the TWITTERVERSE an hour after being done. We literally started from the bottom and now we are here!  The top chat in Texas and climbing the charts nationally!

After each Sunday night chat I feel so motivated to go out and change the world on a Monday in which many find hard to do. 

The other source of motivation from a friend comes from the guru himself Eric Thomas!  Due to connecting with his TGIM almost 4 years ago my life has changed forever!  You see I listen to his messages constantly and feel as though nothing is impossible. Eric Thomas is such an inspiration to many and having him as a personal friend is something that I do not take lightly. Through him God has given me a true person to plug into for motivation and inspiration on a daily basis. 

So as you can see my motivation is key to my everyday life and through it I will make the world a better place!  I would like to send a special thanks out to Jennifer Hogan for the motivation to write this post and link to her blog site for the Motivation linkup party!  I personally invite each of you to join #aledchat each Monday night at 9:00 pm CST!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 4

Please checkout our weekly video:

Eric Thomas: You have to TAKE success - http://youtu.be/hCbyptL5TbU

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_25.html

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 3

This chapter starts out with a quote:

"Some things have to be believed to be seen"

-Ralph Hodgson

A gift that I keep with me at all times constantly reminds me to believe with ALL my heart:

I have an belief so strong that it leads me to having a Powerhouse Purpose. What is your purpose and what drives you?

My purpose is to ensure that Emeline Carpenter becomes a student empowered environment. If someone takes your focus away from student empowerment tell them that WE don't do that here!  After all possession is 9/10 of the law!  So posses and internalize this process and know that this is OUR school!

In this chapter they refer to a certain type of teacher that says:

I teach them and it's their business to learn. What are your thoughts on this type of teacher?

When establishing a Culture of Universal Achievement it takes each of us to step up and accept Personal Accountability. For his I would like to know what Personal Accountability means to you and who does No Excuses actually begin with?

So many of us have been building the Carpenter BRAND throughout this summer. The culture is being built and I would like to know what will you do to protect our BRAND?

As this chapter states in elementary you have three non negotiables: reading, writing and math. However, I have been amazed at the drive of everyone to integrate the curriculum and allow it to build upon itself. We will be able to add the use of Technology and Science to empower the students of Emeline Carpenter!  After all we are the Technology and Science magnet school that everyone wants to attend!

The chapter breaks down the amount of time that on average you have to educate a student. How can you get optimal production from the 5 hours?  

I will close with a few burning questions that jumped out to me:

Do you have an intense/impatient obsession to achieve our ONE GOAL?

How will you embrace the No Box Thinking mentality?

Many students will have broken spirits at the beginning of the year, how will No Excuses come into play?

I am super excited about the Turnaround process that has already began at Emeline Carpenter and will leave you with this:

Burn your boxes and excuses because we deal in Turnaround Solutions!!!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 3

Please checkout our weekly video:

Eric Thomas: Resiliency - http://youtu.be/QtkSGhvF350

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogsot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_21.html

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 2

This chapter is all about being solutions oriented versus problem oriented. It starts off with the feel of the quote:

Give a man a fish and he eats for a day

Teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime

This stuck out to me due to the comparison that was made to the shipment of food to the country. They spoke about smaller doses given at frequent amounts throughout the day versus giving it to them in large amounts once or twice a day. How could this practice relate to instruction of students who maybe behind?

The next phase of chapter 2 that stuck out was the fact of knowing what systems are currently in place. With that being said we are a new group with a blank canvas. What will write on this blank canvas?  What will you do to make an impact?

The author then goes into detail about the 6 exceptional systems that will ensure success. Which of these systems do you feel is most important and why?

As with all things in life we need leaders to step up and make the difference. Who is willing to step up to the plate and lead the charge for the turnaround process?  Would you be willing to serve on the leadership committee and why?  If you would like to serve on the leadership committee, how will you assist in silencing the opposing minority?

At the end if the chapter they spoke on many systems being in place but just not being Exceptional. In your opinion what makes an Exceptional system?  I would also like to know what makes a school Exceptional?

Thanks for your willingness to go on this journey before school begins!

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 2

Please checkout the weekly video:

Eric Thomas: How bad do you want to succeed? - http://youtu.be/WTFnmsCnr6g

The No Excuses Turnaround Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book_14.html

Weekly pictures:

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Chapter 1

Today the Revolution Begins!

The title of this chapter placed me in the proper mindset of the upcoming school year.  The very first sentence speaks volumes:

You don't believe ALL your students can learn. 

This statement was made by a principal towards a staff whose students had not performed at an optimal level. 

The word those students was used often to describe the kids that attended Los Pen and it has been thrown around to describe our Carpenter kids as well. 

The next phrase that stuck out to me was that from this day forward EVERY student will be academically successful. This is where our mission statement comes from:

Every student without exception or excuse, will be proficient or advanced in Science, Technology, English and Math. 

We are beginning the development of the six exceptional systems and will start with a culture of universal achievement. 

My question to you is what does a culture of universal achievement look like, feel like and sound like?

What will you do to change the those students label?

What was the highlight of chapter 1 for you?

Team Carpenter Newsletter Vol. 1

The weekly newsletters will be archived here for easy reference.  Please checkout the weekly video:

Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion - http://youtu.be/SFnMTHhKdkw

The No Excuses Turnaroud Schools book study can be found below:

http://bottomblogging.blogspot.com/2014/07/no-excuses-turnaround-schools-book.html

Below you will find some July 4th images from Team Carpenter:

No Excuses Turnaround Schools Book Study - Preface

Turnaround Schools

Creating Cultures of Universal Achievement

Book Study for Emeline Carpenter Academy of Technology and Science

July 4, 2014

Preface

My light bulb moment was the MLK quote of seeing the Promised Land as I can clearly see Emeline Carpenter Academy of Technology and Science becoming the model elementary school for all others to follow. This school year will be monumental due to the hard work and dedication that each of us will exhibit on a daily basis. 

The journey that we are beginning today will not be easy but if it was easy everyone would do it. Please enjoy July 4th and look for our first newsletter Monday morning. 

Reflection Time:

 

Please take some time to reflect on the preface and tell me what jumped out at you as a key word, phrase or sentence?

Action Time:

Please go out and purchase your favorite Kool-Aid packet and use it as your bookmark! More details coming soon.....

Leadership 101

Excited about the opportunity to #leadwithgiants Monday!  Checkout the blog entry below:

http://www.leadwithgiants.com/leadership/servant-leadership/

I need A LOT more Jesus

Most people want a fool proof plan of how to live out thier dream. This plan does not exist if you do not seek GOD to be your guide!

I just read a book titled, Take Matters Into Your Own Hands Dream Now by Manuel V. Scott, that my wife got from a coworker who was cleaning out her office. 

The writer spoke at a conference that the coworker attended and left everyone in tears! So the book ended up in my hands and I read it from cover to cover while awaiting my flight to the Model Schools Conference in Orlando, Florida. 

You see  the book grabbed my attention due to the content being aligned with pretty much everything that I had experienced lately. Basically a road map to my destiny and some additional tools to help me get there. 

Most intriguing part of the book was the author mentioning that it was through finding Jesus Christ that he was made whole and unbeatable. It was yet another sign to me that GOD was trying to tell me something. I am bound for GREATNESS if I will humble myself and simply follow his lead down the road that has yet to be constructed. The FAITH freeway is under construction and it takes mustard seed faith to even be privileged to the road of opportunity. 

The last few days I have been in constant contact with the Holy Spirit and everything I touch turns GOD! This has been an unbelievable experience and I'm thankful to have been chosen to deliver the message of FAITH to a world that needs a LOT more Jesus! 

http://youtu.be/ysdR4QAYRqI

This story wouldn't have ended right unless I was actual sent through a storm and needed to lean on my FAITH to make it through. 

Early this morning I got a call that my grandfather had passed away and had it not been for GOD being with me I don't know what I would've done. So just because you may be working on living your dream does not mean that you will not have nightmares along the way!  So when things get hard and seem like the odds are stacked against you:

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

MAN up!

http://youtu.be/jZf-Zft85Xs

The song made by K. Michelle couldn't have been phrased any better, "Can't raise a MAN!"  Too many times in the world today do we find women attempting to raise a boy to a man!  As the picture states boys will be boys, until someone TEACHES them to be MORE!

Never allow them to settle for being okay. Always strive for GREATNESS and bring your A game!  Turn down for what should be engrained into their heads. 

http://youtu.be/KS7IlF8BLnM

I was recently at a restaurant and a patron beside me complained about everything from the beginning. At first he wanted a HOT drink, secondly he wanted a discount on the cold drink and thirdly he said that his food was okay (the bun was not good, tomatoes not crispy, meat not done enough). So the waiter asked him what he could do to make it better, to which he replied, nothing it's okay and it's okay for things to be just okay sometimes. I was furious because that's what's wrong with the world today!!!  Everything and everybody is pleased with things being just okay!  

The new buzz words are it is what it is!  Well my reply is, it ain't what it ain't!  It ain't good enough to just be OKAY any longer. It is no longer okay for your pants to sag, for your grades to be poor, for your friends to be thugs, for you to try drugs, for you to sell drugs, for you to get tattoos that cover your entire body, for you to downgrade women or for you to shoot and kill one another. The list could go on forever however, my point is that we can no longer accept less than your absolute best!

http://youtu.be/dwXbsMjgMLM

Now is the time for us to show our young men how to be clean cut, honest, hardworking, dependable, gentlemen, intelligent, boyfriends that turn into husbands, high school graduates that become college graduates and most of all chain/cycle breakers that set the stage for future generations that no longer subscribe to mediocrity! 

The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that our aim is too low and we make it. 

-Michelangelo

MENTALITY - Part 5 - DRESS

The long anticipated DRESS MENTALITY is finally here!  I have been going back and forth on this issue for a while now with the MENTALITY series to show for it. So, I am actually very grateful and my mind said YES TO THE DRESS! Ha! Ha! Ha! Simply a little TLC humor for all of my female readers! 

Now, let's get down to the business at hand. Many times in life women find themselves needing to fit into that DRESS!  In order to fit into that DRESS, they attempt many different measures which have been chronicled in the MENTALITY series they fall back on religion and praying, they get a workout partner thus forming a relationship, they get a side job selling a weight loss supplement or product and gain a new JOB, they use that new JOB for what it can give to them and get discounts on the products to supply diet plan number 99 and this ALL was done to get into THAT DRESS!!!

So, as the weeklong series culminates my hope is that you appreciate the work I put in to help you fit your DRESS!  You see initially I simply wanted to discuss the process that women go through just to fit into that DRESS but a larger cause jumped out to me and I saw the need to adDRESS it. 

Our lives eerily go step for step with the process it takes to get into that DRESS and the sad part is after we get into that DRESS we fall back into old habits! After reading this series, I would like for you to reflect on your life and figure out what your DRESS is?  It could be God, significant other, or a dream job, illness that is causing your health to decline or a wedding DRESS you actually need to fit into. The reflection should be on what you did or will do after you reach that destination!  Also, what if you have to go through a Job like series of events in order for God to meet you on the other side? Will you have the MENTALITY it takes to GO GET IT? 

In order to attempt to fit into my DRESS of education I created a MENTALITY called No Box Thinking and it is not just a flavor of the month for me. I truly believe in the power that positive and creative thinking has on one’s life. I stepped out on FAITH and began a blog that you are currently reading, a chat on twitter to share this MENTALITY with others from across the globe and I am hoping that by using my God given talents I will be able to meet him on the other side!  I borrowed from Steven Covey and began with the end in mind with the initial post of this series and will leave you with the same thought: 

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the final installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you Sunday at 7 pm CST to talk MENTALITY!

Please follow @nbtchat for more information on the No Box Thinking MENTALITY and join #nbtchat to further the discussion and assist in the development of a MENTALITY of a lifetime! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 4 - Diet

The next installment of MENTALITY will touch on a very touchy subject "Dieting!" When attempting to find the definition one can find 99 different versions, just like the failed attempts at adhering to a DIET falls prey too. For this entry we will begin with the following definition: 

To eat and drink according to a regulated system, especially so as to lose weight or control a medical condition.

By this definition one can easily see that when on a DIET one must follow a regulated system, to lose weight or control a medical condition. This is something that many have tried and failed at by simply attempting to trick themselves into depriving their body from the essential nutrients it needs to perform at optimal levels for a short duration of time. However, the key word that I see missing in the definition is the MENTALITY that it takes. 

Listen closely and I will give you an actual DIET definition that will work!

To establish a new lifestyle and eating habits that closely mirrors a healthy MENTALITY, that ensures one permanently loses weight and stabilizes all medical conditions. 

So, in summary when one changes their lifestyle instead of just their eating and drinking patterns, they add the needed MENTALITY to make all the difference!  The main ingredient in the DIET goes back to the initial entry of this series: 

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the fourth installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tonight at 10:00 for the DRESS MENTALITY! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 3 - Career

Careers are made dependent upon the type of MENTALITY that one possess. The average American has a job that they work from 8-5 and they only expect to produce during that time frame. When asked to work during anytime that does not fall within that timeline, we have come up with additional compensation package known as "Overtime!"  This compensation has taken out the, whatever it takes MENTALITY that it ultimately takes to turn a job into a career!

To dive a little deeper look at the difference between an hourly and salary employee. One is paid by the amount of hours worked and that in turn dictates the amount of responsibility that is bestowed upon that individual. They are normally the entry level type of employees who are just beginning with the company and not yet vested into the company. So this person would have a, what can the company do for me MENTALITY.

However, you could take that same employee, turn them into a manager or salary and all of a sudden they gain a, what can I do for my company MENTALITY.  This employee no longer needs the lure of the extra compensation package "Overtime" to motivate them to produce after hours or to develop their skill while not on the clock.  Thus a, whatever it takes MENTALITY is present and separates the leaders from the followers! The main difference and key ingredient can be found at the beginning of this MENTALITY series:

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the third installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you later today for installment number four! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 2 - Relationship

The second installment of this series will focus on relationship MENTALITY and we will look at the two key types of relationships (plug and outlet.)

Now when we talk about the plug MENTALITY we are talking about a person who plugs into others and looks for external motivation. These people need others to provide them with guidance on how to effectively get from point A to point B. They are not usually self motivators and find it difficult to complete task without constant reinforcement. When you approach someone with a plug MENTALITY with a problem, they usually cannot provide you with any type of direction and normally find some way to make the problem worse. Those with plug MENTALITY are usually your followers and rarely accept challenges to step up and lead! 

The outlet relationship is one that is built on providing a boost to outside sources and being available for others to plug in to.  This type of person is normally your leader and requires minimal external motivation as they thrive on the intrinsic motivation to keep them going. They are self-reliant and are rarely seen following others as they would much rather be leading the crowd. These types of people have the MENTALITY that if they want something done right, then they must do it themselves!  At the most trying times the outlet type find themselves wondering who it is that they can plug in to and my answer relates back to the beginning of this MENTALITY series:

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the second installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tomorrow for installment number three!  Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ

MENTALITY - Part 1 - Religion

When one comes upon their GREATNESS they must first discern whether or not they have the proper MENTALITY. 

You see in life many times we fall prey to having that just enough to get by MENTALITY and do not follow through with the needed passion or persistence to fulfill the promise. 

This blog entry will be broken down into a series titled MENTALITY where we will discuss religion, relationships, careers, diets and dresses! Most would probably ask what does a man know about a dress, well hang in there until the end of the series for the answer!

In religion the type of MENTALITY needed is to have the unshakable faith to persist and seek God no matter what the circumstance or situation. When looking for examples one can stop by and visit Job for the type of mentality that a true believer must have to overcome adversity and live the life that God wants for us. You see Job was tempted by the devil in every possible situation but refused to curse God and believed that he would be brought out of his valley! 

Job 1:8
Have you considered Job? He is a man who fears God, who is upright and shuns evil! 


Job 1 20-22

The Lord giveth and The Lord taketh away.

When watching others suffer through Job like challenges, most would want to question and ask why me Lord? However, I was once told by my mother to ask the question in reverse, Why not me Lord? It's all about having a different mentality! God wants to use his people as an example of how his grace and mercy is sufficient for even the toughest of times. 

When God saw that Job had that Why not me MENTALITY the Bible reads that he rewarded him double for his trouble by restoring everything Job had two fold!

Next example of religious MENTALITY came after a conversation with Coach Hamilton today. When discussing the topic for my latest entry he lit up and shared with me an excerpt from a sermon he had heard. It fit so well that I had to insert it here. You see when God is giving the message and you are being obedient the message comes to you! Stay still and listen to hear him speak to you!

This example comes from David in Psalms 40 1-3

I waited patiently for The Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the lord. (Psalms 40:1-3 NLT). 

You see David had the mentality to wait and trust in The Lord to place him in his rightful position. Many times we rush The Lord and fail to trust the process. He allows us to go through trials and tribulations in order to prepare us for the final destination. MENTALITY building process that will at times get a lot worse before it better, however if you want to get something that you have never got then you have to be willing to do something that you have never done! 

The key factor to the religious mentality is not being satisfied to just get from God but to actually be faithful enough to continue to give to God! He has called each of us to do his work while on this earth and we must not forget this once we receive the blessing!

Count it all joy and in all ways acknowledge God for he is truly the author and finisher of our FAITH!

That's the first installment of the new MENTALITY series. See you tomorrow for installment number two! Go get it MENTALITY!

http://youtu.be/ADGnIi9KrLQ