The Management Methods of Jesus
A list of management methods used by Jesus that are applicable today.
By Bob Briner
Have a plan
Be prepared
Choose your own associates
To fill a key spot, pull out all the stops
Teach, teach, teach
Practice private communication
Establish authority
Insist on absolutes
Watch your timing
Handle corruption immediately
Don’t sugar coat
Get away from it all
Field test your staff
Practice good relations
Get good logistical support
Learn a little humility
Share the glory
Say “thanks”
Stay in touch with real people
Be responsive
Don’t neglect public speaking
Prepare for tough times
Set priorities
Beware of sycophants
Be a servant
Learn how to rebuke
Be a fruit inspector
Stop worrying
Avoid grandstand plays
Be fair to all
Be a risk taker
Take care of the children
Pay your taxes
Let your results speak for you
Don’t cast your pearls before the swine
Be an inspirational leader
Prune for productivity
Don’t try to serve two masters
Remain calm in the storm
Settle disputes quickly
Evaluate constantly
Share corporate lore
Take the narrow path
Serve families
Stand up for your people
Prepare for your success
Cut your losses
Eat with the troops
Discourage position jockeying
Enjoy your work.
Do It Anyway…
A timeless call to courage and compassion: do good, love deeply, and give your best—no matter the challenges or the world's response.
People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centred,
LOVE THEM ANYWAY
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
If you are successful, you win false friends and true enemies,
SUCCEED ANYWAY
The good you do will be forgotten tomorrow,
DO GOOD ANYWAY
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable,
BE HONEST AND FRANK ANYWAY
What you spent years building may be destroyed overnight,
BUILD ANYWAY
People really need help but may attack you if you help them,
HELP PEOPLE ANYWAY
Give the world the best you have and you’ll get kicked in the teeth,
GIVE THE WORLD THE BEST YOU’VE GOT ANYWAY
(from a sign on the wall of Shishu Bhavan, the children’s home in Calcutta)
How to Get People to Like You
Ten rules for getting the esteem of others
Ten rules for getting the esteem of others
First: Learn to remember names. Inefficiency at this point may indicate that your interest is not sufficiently outgoing. A person’s name is very important to them.
Second: Be a comfortable person so there is no strain in being with you.
Third: Acquire the quality of relaxed easy-goingness so that things do not ruffle you.
Fourth: Don’t be egotistical. Guard against giving the impression that you know it all. Be natural and humble.
Fifth: Cultivate the quality of being stimulating and interesting so that people will want to be with you and get something from you.
Sixth: Study to get the scratchy elements, even those which you may be unconscious of, out of your personality. Expert counselling may help in this.
Seventh: Sincerely attempt to heal, on an honest Christian basis, every misunderstanding you have had or now have. Drain off your grievances.
Eighth: Definitely practise liking people until you learn to do so genuinely. Will Rogers said, “I never met a man I didn’t like”. Try viewing all people in that way.
Ninth: Nevet miss an opportunity to say a word of congratulation upon anyone’s achievement, or express sympathy in sorrow or disappointment.
Tenth: Get a deep spiritual experience so that you will have something to give to people that will help them to be stronger and meet life more effectively. They will love you for it.
(Author unknown, found a copy amongst my files)
Above all learn to love, unconditionally accept, and care for and about all people that you meet.
HANDLING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
Red: stop! / Yellow: think / Green emotional control
Handling negative emotions.
Some practical suggestions in handling our negative emotions-
RED: What has loss of control cost you?
YELLOW:
Past emotional issues: list and give percentages (100% maximum emotional pain)
How did your family of origin cope with feelings? Are you displaying similar traits?
3. GREEN:
How can I better handle my feelings?
Steps to improve emotional control:-
3.1 Identify your feelings; Why am I feeling this? How ‘intense’ is my feeling
3.2 Accept your feelings. They are part of your navigational systems. Use them constructively. We are responsible for our own feelings and actions, blaming others is non-productive.
3.3 Thinking and feeling; Ask yourself….
“How does my thinking influence my feelings?” and “How do my feelings influence my thinking?”
Listen to your feelings they are sending you a message and relieve/control feelings by changing your thinking.
4. Frequent pattern:
EVENT eg criticism) → immediate interpretation/thought(“I’m not good enough/’he’s getting at me)→ feelings(hurt, humiliation, inferior)
(Red = Stop, breathe, calm down, count to ten )
→
CHOICE: What do I make of this? What is the problem here? Is it valid/invalid?
(yellow= consider what is happening)
→
ACTION/REACTION: Ignore or be assertive?
(Decision= How do I respond?)
→
5. Ways to control emotions:
a. Becoming emotionally aware (primary eg hurt) secondary (eg anger)
b. Physical Exercise; regularly.
c. Healthy eating patterns.
d. Being aware of the effect of chemicals you take(medication, supplements etc)
Learn to think logically: Traffic light technique
MEMORY LOSS: 7 TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY (MAYO CLINIC)
“I can’t remember…”
Try these simple ways to improve your memory.
Can't find your car keys? Forget your grocery list? Can't remember the name of the personal trainer you liked at the gym? You're not alone. Everyone forgets things once in a while. Still, memory loss is nothing to take lightly.
Although there are no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, some activities might help. Consider seven simple ways to sharpen your memory. And know when to get help for memory loss.
1. Be physically active every day
Physical activity raises blood flow to the whole body, including the brain. This might help keep your memory sharp.
For most healthy adults, the Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging. It's best if this activity is spread throughout the week. If you don't have time for a full workout, try a few 10-minute walks throughout the day.
2. Stay mentally active
Just as physical activity keeps your body in shape, activities that engage your mind help keep your brain in shape. And those activities might help prevent some memory loss. Do crossword puzzles. Read. Play games. Learn to play a musical instrument. Try a new hobby. Volunteer at a local school or with a community group.
3. Spend time with others
Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress. Both of those can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to get together with loved ones, friends and other people, especially if you live alone.
4. Stay organized
You're more likely to forget things if your home is cluttered or your notes are in disarray. Keep track of tasks, appointments and other events in a notebook, calendar or electronic planner. You might even repeat each entry out loud as you write it down to help keep it in your memory. Keep to-do lists up to date. Check off items you've finished. Keep your wallet, keys, glasses and other essential items in a set place in your home so they are easy to find.
Limit distractions. Don't do too many things at once. If you focus on the information that you're trying to remember, you're more likely to recall it later. It also might help to connect what you're trying to remember to a favorite song or a familiar saying or idea.
5. Sleep well
Not getting enough sleep has been linked to memory loss. So has restless sleep and sleep that gets disturbed often. Make getting enough healthy sleep a priority. Adults should sleep 7 to 9 hours a night on a regular basis. If snoring disrupts sleep, make an appointment to see your health care provider. Snoring could be a sign of a sleep disorder, such as sleep apnea.
6. Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet is good for your brain. Eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, beans and skinless poultry. What you drink also counts. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.
7. Manage chronic health problems
Follow your health care provider's advice for dealing with medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, hearing loss and obesity. The better you take care of yourself, the better your memory is likely to be. Regularly review the medicines you take with your health care provider. Some medicines can affect memory.
When to get help for memory loss
If you're worried about memory loss, make an appointment with your health care provider. If memory loss affects your ability to do your daily activities, if you notice your memory getting worse, or if a family member or friend is concerned about your memory loss, it's particularly important to get help.
At your appointment, your provider likely will do a physical exam and check your memory and problem-solving skills. Sometimes other tests may be needed too. Treatment depends on what's causing memory loss.
POSITIVE SOCIAL INTERACTION
.Getting to know you, getting to like you…
We often fall into negative interactional patterns. Some of these patterns and prejudices are absorbed from our childhood and others through experiences that have coloured our outlook.
Instead of drawing up a long list of “I will no longer…” let us be positive and practical in changes we can make in our social contacts. Enjoy the journey as you experiment with the following suggestions…
Make a commitment to yourself that you will not pre-judge anyone. Recognize your inherent prejudices e.g., race, culture, religion, social standing, appearance…
Ensure that you have sufficient self-confidence not to feel threatened by any social contact. How would you rate your interpersonal self-confidence? (shy, reticent, comfortable, outgoing?) Are you also aware of the way your non-verbal messages are conveyed? For example, what is your body language when you are shy, angry, embarrassed, etc.? Recognize that you are unique, as each person is, and allow others to get to know you.
Anticipate that you are meeting someone with a different history, life-experiences, joys, and sorrows. Be interested to get to know them. It is not about you, however, in time they will want to know about you.
Learn how to remember their names. A person’s name is important to them. Be sure to use their name when you greet them.
Acquire the quality of being relaxed and easy-going. Recognize that you have value, and have qualities that are of value. However, ask yourself, “What is my motive for connecting to another person?” If there is a genuine desire to get to know the other person, and to share deeply, this will ensure that there is no strain in being with you.
Cultivate the quality of being stimulating and interesting so that people will want to be with you.
Do not be self-centred or egotistical. Guard against giving the impression that you know it all. Be natural and humble.
Recognize your own faults in social interactions and consciously seek to correct them e.g. interrupting, not listening, being judgemental etc.
Do not be afraid to introduce discussions on deeper levels as your relationship develops. Be interested in what they believe and share yours.
Never miss an opportunity to congratulate anyone on their achievement, or to express sympathy in grief/disappointment.
Sincerely attempt to heal every misunderstanding that might have occurred. Apologise, if appropriate, for your part.
Pray for them, it will be your unvoiced gift to them.
LEONARDO DA VINCI’S 7 STEPS OF THINKING
.
CURIOSITA: An insatiable curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.
Our eldest son, at a very young age, would ask “What if…?”
DIMONSTRAZIONE: A commitment to test knowledge through experience, persistence and a willingness to learn from past mistakes.
I was never a ‘natural cook’. As I was putting the biscuits in the oven to cook, our young son asked “Are you going to burn them now?”
SENSAZIONE: Continual refinement of the senses as the means to enliven experience.
To be innovative we must be aware of what is going on around us. To be ‘blissfully unaware’ is not an option here.
SFUMATO: It is about our willingness to embrace ambiguity, paradox and uncertainty.
Life is not straightforward, nor are relationships. Accepting this helps us to reduce our stress.
ARTE/SCIENZA: Developing a balance between logic and creative thinking.
Other terms for this are balancing between art and science as well as whole brain thinking.
CORPORALITA: This is about maintaining a healthy body as well as a healthy mind.
One of the core concepts of da Vinci’s approach is keeping our bodies and our minds fit. Fit minds lead to more innovative and creative solutions.
CONNESSIONE:
This is the simple recognition of the interconnectedness of all things and phenomena.
ENHANCE YOUR LIFE
Here’s something new to enhance your life, uplift those around you, and focus on self-improvement and joy, leaving no room for negativity.
Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best.
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry.
Too noble for anger,
Too strong for fear
And too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Christian D. Larson
The Gift of Listening
Discover how truly listening - rather than offering soloutions - can deepen connections and empower those around us in ‘The Gift of Listening’
“If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.”
Proverbs 18:13
When I ask you to listen to me and you start giving advice..
You have not done what I asked.
When I ask you to listen to me and you begin to tell my why I shouldn’t feel that way..
You are trampling on my feelings.
When I ask you to listen to me and you feel you have to do something to solve my problem..
You have failed me, strange as that might seem.
Listen! All I asked, was that you listen, not to talk or do, just hear me.
Advice is cheap – everyone is willing to give me that.
And I can do things for myself. I’m not helpless.
Maybe discouraged and faltering, but not helpless.
When you do something for me that I can, and need, to do for myself,
You contribute to my fear and weakness.
But, when you accept as a simple fact that I do feel what I feel,
No matter how irrational, then I can stop trying to convince you
And get on with trying to understand what is behind this irrational feeling.
And when I can understand that, the answers are obvious,
and I don’t need advice.
Irrational feelings make sense when we can explore them and understand
What’s behind them.
So please…listen and just hear me.
And if you want to talk, wait a minute for your turn,
And I’ll listen to you.
Coping Well With Conflict
There is no person who lives without some conflict in his or her life. However, conflict can be constructive.
CONFLICT IS INEVITABLE IN ANY RELATIONSHIP.
We have different personalities, needs that may clash, issues that are sensitive etc. It is often felt that conflict is a destructive element in a relationship. In some cases, it is, but when it is handled constructively it leads to growth and greater fulfilment in the relationship.
SUGGESTIONS FOR CONSTRUCTIVE CONFLICT
Do not withdraw unless you need ‘time out’ to gather your thoughts. Explain that you need to have some space and will re-engage. Note that this is not avoidance behaviour.
Identify issues. “What are we fighting about?” If there are more than one, deal with them one at a time.
Don’t ‘bottle-up’ emotions. Feelings need to be expressed. Try to share them as they arise but keep them neutral eg “I am feeling very frustrated at the moment”, rather than “You are making me very frustrated.”
Stay on the subject don’t bring in other issues. Don’t raise old arguments. Attack the problem not each other. Don’t focus solely on the negatives.
Be determined to approach the discussion with a clear desire to find a solution despite the negative emotions that you may be experiencing.
To be constructive we must refrain from focussing solely on the negatives.
Avoid name calling or categorizing e.g. ‘you have always been a liar’
Back up what you are saying with fact. Don’t be vague.
Discuss all possible solutions, looking at the pro’s and con’s together and choose one solution to try.
APPLY FORGIVENESS. “To err is human, to forgive, Divine”.
The Value of Keeping a Personal Journal
Unlock the power of personal journaling and discover its transformative value. This article explores the profound benefits, from providing a safe space for emotional release to capturing numinous moments and significant life events. Learn practical tips on how to start and maintain a journal, enhancing self-awareness and fostering positive growth.
1. THE VALUE OF KEEPING A PERSONAL JOURNAL.
*A safe place to ‘unpack’ our thoughts and emotions. I find that I start by just pouring out the details and impact of the previous day, or week. As I write and name the events and emotions somehow a clarity emerges and I can then, prayerfully, consider how to respond- inwardly and outwardly in my words and actions.
This is also very useful when major decisions must be made- you constructively record and reflect on all the relevant factors.
*It is a precious record of those ‘numinous’ moments. The deep revelations when you ‘hear’ God speaking to you through something in the Bible, an inspirational message, a movie/book/talk that went deep into your psyche.
*It is a record of significant events your own life and in the lives of your loved ones. Also a journey through the hurts that are part and parcel of being in relationships.
*Some years ago I went on a Dream workshop and learned the value of recording and meditating on significant dreams. My journal is a place for that journey.
Journaling sensitizes us to the hurts of others. As we contemplate what others are struggling with, even if they have hurt us, we see that we all are imperfect and each struggling with their own ‘demons’. I read a lovely illustration on empathy. A mother asked her 10 year old son “What is empathy?” He relpied “Empathy is your pain in my heart”
These are a few personal benefits, there are many more however, ‘the proof of the pudding is in the eating”. Have delight in your own journey.
a. HOW TO JOURNAL:
1. Buy a good solid cover book. ( I have been journaling for approximately 45 years. My journals are stored in boxes and if I didn’t choose hard-covered books they would not have survived 😊)
2. Choose a time that is suitable for you. It is important to journal regularly but do not turn it into a boring ‘diary-like’ chore.
3. Record important events in your life or in the lives of significant others, including what that event meant to you.
4. Record your feelings and questions. They may change but they are also important indicators of what is happening in your life. The Psalm writer said, ”Wy are you downcast O my soul?”
5. Be creative use words, pictures, poems, quotes, drawings, etc. It is your space, there are no rules about your use of the journal- except do not use it as a weapon to hurt others if they happen to read it.
6. Keep your journal private- it needs to be a ‘safe’ place for you to be totally honest. I read a quote. ”If I die before I wake, throw my journal in the lake” . I have not yet decided what my instructions will be.
7. Aim to be positive- acknowledge the painful negatives but don’t wallow in them. Look for understanding, insight, ask God to help you to deal with it positively.
A journal is like communicating with your inner self in total freedom and it is often the place where God speaks to us. Whether it is through reflection on a sermon we have heard, an inspirational book that we have read, or some verse or passage from your daily bible reading, or an answer deep inside where we know that God has heard and spoken.