Kevin W. McCarthy

God & The Chocolate Ice Cream

I am a fan of Nic Askew, the creator of Soul Biographies.  "God & The Chocolate Ice Cream" starring Michael Neill offers provocative thoughts on the integration of the spiritual and material worlds - the space where I like to play and work.  Invest a few minutes and watch this short film that is embedded below. 

Ironically, before opening my computer and watching this video, I awoke about 5:30 a.m. and went to the freezer.  Last night I bought a quart of chocolate ice cream against my better judgment.  I at

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e about half of the chocolate ice cream.  At 5:32 a.m. I pulled off the ice cream lid and turned the container upside down over the kitchen sink drain so it would thaw and disappear.  My decision was based on reasons of both health and spiritual discipline. 

From a health perspective I am 15 pounds over my goal weight.  I know I need to get back on the Health Program my wife coaches.  More importantly, the chocolate ice cream is a metaphorical impediment to my stewardship of all that God has given me.  Think of it as Jacob's hip or the thorn in Paul's flesh.  I've learned in talking with Judith and other health coaches, ultimately, it isn't what we're eating, it is what's eating at us.

My irrational desire for sugar, cream, and chocolate is more akin to an addiction.  It provides a profound empathy for the heroin or cocaine addict.  Truly, there, but by the grace of God go I.  It is a "no" to which I so often say "yes" (watch the video to understand).  Left unchecked, it would consume my life prematurely.  Intellectually I get it, yet lust takes over.  In this regard, I also relate to the sins of Tiger Woods.  Fortunately, my lust is more socially acceptable and less morally reprehensible.  Yet, make no mistake, it is lust gone awry.

I am reminded of Matthew 7:5: "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."  This scripture causes me to hold my tongue at the failings of others.  I'm making the attempt to avoid being a hypocrite!

So why dump the ice cream down the drain?  I've learned the best way to avoid sin is to not cozy too close to it.  Healthy boundaries make for a healthy life.  Sure, it is a fix, not a cure.  Until the deep work in my soul is reconciled, I settle for temporary acts of protection.  

Perhaps, now dear reader, you'll appreciate why I am a fan of Nic Askew.  He stirs the spirit of one who is in the business of stirring spirits.  My hope is my On-Purpose Minutes provoke you is similar fashion.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

'god & the chocolate ice cream' from Nic Askew on Vimeo.

Are You Line or Staff?

Image by libraryman via Flickr

The absence of leadership is often lauded.  When you've had a lousy customer service experience it is most often because someone wasn't willing to make a decision.  There's little worse than having a customer service person cite you the limitations of their job and why they can't help you.  I often feel like the overarching cloud of their superior outweighs the person's inherent common sense and desire to do right for their customer. 

Being a line manager or staff person defines the role of one's job, but it need not define the attitude and approach to the job. In today's classic On-Purpose® Business Minute, let's explore a structural reality that effects on-the-job performance, often negatively.  It need not if one is simply willing to see the job differently.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

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Is An Unhealthy Relationship Killing You?

Why do people stay in unhealthy relationships?  I've watched the reality crime shows on TV of domestic abuse and often wondered why.  It is easier to see the predicament of others than that of oneself.  

I am recovering from an unhealthy relationship.  Watch today's On-Purpose® Minute and see if you relate to my issue and what I've done to be healthy.

If a doctor or health coach has forwarded this blog posting to you, then follow up with him or her to help you redefine your unhealthy relationship with food.

If you need an introduction to a health coach like the one who helped me, then contact me and I'll set it up for you. 

Be On-Purpose!
Kevin

kwmccarthy@on-purpose.com

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Hey! Can You Keep A Secret?

There's a reason dirty little secrets are called "dirty."  No, I won't keep you in suspense wondering why.   They are dirty little secrets because they leave us dirty regardless of whether we are the recipient or teller of secrets. 

Feeling dirty is the personal effect, but there's a larger, more devastating corporate consequence that pulls down innocent victims of these simple acts of foul play.  In the end, we begin to ask, "Can I Trust You?"

Today's On-Purpose Business Minute will hopefully get you to reconsider your participation in the act of dirty little secrets.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

Is Your Life Getting Better?

Are you or is someone dear to you the proverbial "victim of circumstances"?  Don't Be! A victim of circumstances is a person in an unfortunate position, but those circumstances need not dictate your future.

You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can manage your responses.  Resigning to your current set of circumstances can be negatively habit-forming and send you in a downward spiral.  This response means that you're on the fast track to becoming a victim, no longer of circumstances, but of self-inflicted circumstances.

Choose a better option.  In this On-Purpose Minute, we'll be looking at how you can order your life around a different, healthier perspective of managing your life.

Are you ready to finally know your purpose in life - in two words!  Yes, your life will get a whole lot better by being on-purpose.

The On-Purpose Leader Experience may be just the program for you to order your life, define what's most important, and begin living as an on-purpose person in creation.

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Meet Contagious Leader Monica Wofford

One of the great joys of my long time membership in the National Speakers Association are my peers.    Monica Wofford and I had the opportunity to reconnect at the recent Central Florida Christian Chamber of Commerce.  Currently she is the president of the Central Florida Chapter of NSA. 

Visit Monica's web site and learn about this great lady, her programs, and keynote addresses. She has pioneered the concept of Contagious Leadership.

Be On-Purpose!

Kevin

The On-Purpose Leader Teleseminar Replay

"What am I going to do when I grow up?" 

It is funny when we say it, yet the price of not really knowing who we are as grown-ups is needlessly expensive to every aspect of our lives.

I get it!  You're stretched to the max and burdened under more commitments than you have time.  Life is wrapped so tight, that you're not sure where to begin with making your life make sense.

Now, you can test drive The On-Purpose Leader program which is based on The On-Purpose Person.  Listen and watch the replay of the introductory broadcast by CLICKING HERE.   You will be taken to the replay page.   Be sure to click on "SLIDES" in the upper left hand corner so you can watch and listen.

The program includes four remaining teleseminars, replays, and web site support.  Enrollment for this series ends: Wednesday, March 10, midnight. 

Embrace Life

Image via Wikipedia

All I can say is, "Wow!" 

Thank you Sussex Roads Partnership for sharing this message of seat belt use safety.  This adds a whole new meaning to buckle up, family love, and the guardian angel nature of seat belts.  

Who Cares?

Classic On-Purpose® Business Minute

Leadership of an organization carries responsibilities.  Having been a business advisor and strategic management consultant for more than a couple of decades, I can tell you the single, simplest, most overlooked root of more problems in organizations is the failure to articulate, communicate, and execute based on the purpose of the organization (Po). Its absence is massively expensive; its presence nourishes the corporate culture for productive and efficient growth in people and profits.

Someone in charge, however, has to care.  Is that you?

This lack of deep strategic clarity muddles every aspect of the organization.  People, process, performance, profits, customer service, and operations are just a few of the functional areas informed by a potent, simple, two-word purpose statement. 

Yet, purpose statements are amazingly misunderstood, unappreciated, and under-engaged.  In businesses, I've seen the benefit of the leadership team knowing and executing on their purpose produce a 25% or more increase in sales and even greater percentage increases in profits. 

Are you finally ready to set a strategic cornerstone and write your purpose statement?  Remember, it is just a beginning, but an essential start.  I recommend clients first write their personal purpose statement. Good news – today at 12:05 PM I'm offering a free introductory teleseminar based on The On-Purpose Person.  You need to be registered in advance to be on the live call and web site. (The link below has been updated to reference our January 5, 2011 event.)

REGISTER NOW HERE! 

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