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In the flurry of the capitalistic America we live in, it’s easy to lose perspective of how “rich” we actually are.  Consider these statistics:

• To be considered in the top half of the wealthy in our world, you would need to have $2,200 (US) in assets – yep, that’s about a laptop, IPhone, TV, and the spare change jug in the corner of your bedroom.  (Source: World Institute for Development Economic Research)
• The poorest 5% of Americans are wealthier than approximately 68% of the rest of the world- Great post here summarizing a section from the book “The Haves and Have Nots” by Branko Milanovic
• The average square footage of a US home has increased from 1974 (1695 square feet) to 2380 square feet today.  Even with the potential size of home dropping down a tad to 2150 square feet (National Association of Home Builder’s)- this represents a 26.8% increase in the size of the home while the number of people in the home has decreased from 3.1 people to 2.6.

Go ahead, say it.  I am rich.  When over 2/3 of the world would trade spots with your in a heartbeat, we need to keep it real….   So what’s our problem?

While I love several aspects of our free capitalistic society (hard work, ingenuity, pursuing a dream, and literally thousands of opportunities to explore), we’re also in a kayak of a strong rushing river being bombarded by 2000-5000 advertising messages a day hammering us with discontent.  The truth is, we’ve taken the bait whether we like to admit it or not.  The average US household wastes $8,000 a year.

We have a choice, we can keep running the rat race where we live with the tension of “if I just made a little bit more…”  Studies have shown that most Americans say they would be happy if they made 10% more than what they currently make.  The problem is, this continues no matter what your income…

What are the potential consequences of a life of discontentment and drive to simply make more?  Increased stress, health issues, time away from kids, depression, cynicism, greed, diminished character choices, and simply missing life as it happens before our eyes.

How do we dump this ridiculous cycle?

• Shift your focus.  Turn your eyes from those who have more than you to those who are much less fortunate.  Meditate on what you DO have, your health, the food you have, the access to health care, clean water, and most importantly, the people in your life.
• Shift your thinking.  What we think affects the way we feel, what we feel affects the way we act.  Stop thinking that you “don’t have” or that “you’re not rich”-  Think, “I’m blessed, I’m wealthier than over 70% of the world, I don’t need more…”
• Tune out the bombardment and pressure of keeping up, the ads you see, the people that pull you into “stuff” thinking.  Quit being a sucker to the messages you hear on a daily basis.  They are lies.
• Give and serve to those in need in an sector you are passionate about.  You may only have $16 left at the end of a month, but invest in something you really care about.  (Helping young kids learning how to read, homeless, food pantries, high school kids, your local church).  But more than simply writing a check, dive in- be all in to something to make another life better and to help someone else feel loved.  Giving and serving breaks the spell of “more”, the lies of “discontent”, and our whining.

Is money evil? No.  Is hard work and wanting to build a great business bad?  Of course not.  The question to ask is Why?  Why are you doing it?

A dollar applied to yourself is only a dollar.  A dollar applied to others can have returns of twenty, fifty, and a hundred fold in your life.  Which will you choose?

In many of the games we’re familiar with in life, there are winners and there are losers- but that’s not all.  Understanding what type of game you’re playing can have a crucial impact with your clients, your co-workers, and in your families.  David Dickinson explores the two types of games we play in Maximizers #6.

One simple Truth, one simple reminder every day can help us stay “dialed in” on our purpose and in our relationships at work and in life.  Matt Meyer discusses the importance of one simple Truth and shifting knowledge to actual application:

How could one simple Truth impact your interactions today like:  James 1: 19   My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry…

Truth, like paint in a can- it’s value is in the application…  What is it you’re dropping into your mind everyday?  How is it playing out?  Does it move you to temporary goals or eternal goals?

David Dickinson leads Maximizers #4 as he discusses Confidence.  What shakes your confidence?  When do you have confidence as a leader and how do you maintain it?  As leaders of people, confidence matters.  Watch the discussion here:

Join us live Friday mornings at 6:15 AM in Mishawaka, IN or keep up with the video posts here.  If you’re in another community, how is Faith and Business colliding where you are?  How is your leadership in business impacting your influence in your city?

I wanted predictability in my life.  If I do my part and do “good things”, God will do His part and my life will be blessed right?  My business will thrive, my family will be healthy, and I’ll live a long prosperous life.. right?  A + B should = C and good things should happen to good people.

So God, what’s the deal?  Have you ever been frustrated with the lack of success in your life?  Here is the Maximizers session from September 9th:

What are a few descriptive words you would like your organization to be known for? What are you known for? In an era of lots of promises and lackluster delivery, Butch Whitmire visits branding and how it relates to your organization and client expectations.

For organization leaders in Michiana, Maximizers meets 6:15-7:30 AM every Friday morning at the Mutual Bank Building in Edison Lakes Plaza.  Feel free to simply show up and/or share this content at will- have a great week!

 In case you missed it this past Friday, here is the video of our kick-off of Maximizers, where business leaders meet to discuss how to flex Faith, values, excellence, best practices and more in our community.

Where Faith and Business Collide from Mark Meyer on Vimeo.

This week, September 2, Butch Whitmire will be leading the discussion.  Join us here at 6:15 AM:  View Larger Map

If we believe what we believe, our Faith changes everything and gives us the opportunity to bring excellence to the workplace.  Join the discussion!

What does your Faith look like in the workplace?  How does the vision of your business have anything to do with your Faith?  Our culture would say these two need to be separated (in their own little boxes).  Our culture wants our Faith to be private.  It’s politically correct to be Faith neutral and stick to business…. Really?

Our culture says the church should be a building, our businesses should make a profit, and our purpose is to do what feels good to you….  How’s that working for us?

The church is muted, businesses are generally only focused on profits, organizations all over our communities are trying to get their voice heard to little avail, our schools our failing, and efforts are splintered and siloed.  Marriages are ending half the time, the world is restless with the financial markets, our faith in government is near all-time lows, and the finger is pointed everywhere.

Enough.  We are called to more and we are going to engage our communities.

Beginning Friday, August 26th at 6:15 AM, you are invited to meet with other business leaders to begin to connect the dots of how Faith and Business can (and will) collide.  We’ll learn business practices from other leaders in our community, we’ll learn about organizations making a difference in our cities, we’ll hear from leaders on how they’re working to integrate Faith in their workplace, and we’ll begin to connect relationally and strategically to change this Michiana community.  As Steven Furtick said, it’s time to start digging ditches for our cities.

Gosh that’s early. Yep. That’s what coffee’s for.

Where are we meeting?  Mutual Bank Building, Edison Lakes on the corner of Day and Edison Lakes Parkway (someone will help with directing you when you come in) 
View Larger Map
Agenda Week 1:

6:15-6:30   Grab a cup of coffee, meet a few other leaders

6:30-6:55  “Where Faith & Business Collides”-   Mark Meyer

6:55-7:20  Roundtable Questions/Discussion

7:20-7:30  Q & A, Next Steps

7:30 End  We’ll be done at 7:30 sharp so you can get to your business

Facilitator/Speaker Week Two (Friday, September 2nd):  Butch Whitmire 

• Butch spent 8 years in sales/sales management with Gordon Food Service, 5 years as Executive Director/Pastor of Creative Arts at Granger Community Church, and most recently- Vice President of Client Development at Force 5 Media.  He tries to make claim to the phrase “ “Hey, how’s it goin’?”- Uh, good luck with that Butch.

Questions?  Leave a comment here, ping me in Twitter (markmeyer), or connect with me in Facebook: facebook.com/maximeyer

So there it is, spread the word, we’ll start with 6 or we’ll start with 36 but we’re going to start.  I’m looking forward to meeting you and am excited about sharing some great things already in the works!