Stop Trying to Be the Hero
Most of the time, we think of our organizations, ministries, and products as existing to solve a problem in the world. We see a need, we jump in to help solve that problem, and it feels good to know that we did our part to help shape a brighter future.
But one book completely changed this perspective for me. It helped me to reframe the way I think of our organization through a better understanding of how stories are told.
According to Building a Story Brand, there’s a formula for every great story:
“A character wants something but has a problem, meets a guide who gives them a plan, and calls them to action which either ends in a success or a failure.”
Think about your day yesterday. The things you accomplished, the time you spent. You can’t help but see yourself at the center of your story because you’re seeing it from your perspective. The same is true of each of our customers.
“Every human being is trying to avoid a tragic ending.” - Building a Story Brand
We make a mistake when we think of our business, ministry, or product as the hero. Instead, we have to learn to see our customers as the hero and our business as the guide. When we position our ministries and organizations to help people face the challenges they're dealing with in life, we set up our customers for success.
The best brands have figured this out. Watch any Apple commercial. Who is the hero in each commercial? Never the product. They focus very little on their products and instead focus on how the product will help people create, enjoy life, or be cool. They don’t spend a lot of time on the specs. They don’t bog down in the details. They paint a picture of a better life. More time, more freedom, or a sense of meaning or belonging.
Don’t believe me? Watch this.
And yes, people use this approach to sell people on things they don’t need (see any cigarette ad), but when you offer something that really matters, this approach will help people understand that.
To become great marketers, we have to become relentlessly focused on helping our customers succeed and find meaning in life.
Stop trying to be the hero. Become a great guide.
A post from Kyle Gilbert, Vice President for Communication at MEDIAlliance
The Slow Death of Creativity
One of the things that draws many to the field of communications and media is the desire to use one’s creativity. The first time we get behind the microphone, publish our writing, or see our design work in print, we experience a burst of excitement and energy. It’s one of the most energizing feelings to realize that we’re being used to clarify a message, to be a voice for what is right, and to share hope with others.
“This is what I was born to do! I can’t believe I get paid to do this!”
But over time, an interesting thing tends to happen. As months and years pass by, what was once your greatest dream and hope becomes just another job. The things that used to bring you joy become yet another task in your growing list of responsibilities. For many, meetings, management, and administration slowly replace the responsibilities you once loved so dearly. As time passes, the passion for the craft becomes only a smoldering flame.
“This is not what I signed up for.”
From the writings of the Apostle Paul, we can infer that something similar was happening in the life and calling of his protégé, Timothy.
“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.”
2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV
When you find yourself in a similar place, much is on the line. God has made you in His image and has placed His creativity within you. And you are a steward of this gift. You have a personal responsibility to fan the flame of your creative passion to keep it burning bright.
Fortunately, this fanning of the flame can happen in a variety of ways. Here are a few you might consider:
- Find new ways to use your creativity to enhance your primary responsibilities.
- Use your creative gift to bless neighbors, coworkers, and friends.
- Learn a new creative skill.
- Start a new hobby.
- Spend time in nature. Go on a hike.
- Reorganize or redecorate a room in your home.
- Meet up with others in your field to discuss creative ideas.
- Spend time with a creative friend.
- Bless a ministry or organization by volunteering your creative talents.
- Go for a walk or a run.
Fan your creativity into flame, and get ready to see God use your gift in exciting new ways.
A post from Kyle Gilbert, Vice President for Communication at MEDIAlliance
Traffic and Irrational Kindness (Showing Unexpected Grace)
We all experience times when life and ministry can be difficult, and sometimes the holidays seem to multiply those challenges. To help focus our hearts in the direction of grace, I want to offer up three ways to renew your heart as we begin a new year.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve discussed Changing Your Routine and Disconnecting from Distractions. Today I’d like to talk about the third way to refocus our hearts: Showing Unexpected Grace.
Maybe you’re the peacemaking type, the kind of person who never even notices when your spouse leaves his or her dirty clothes on the floor or if the kids make a mess. Maybe when someone cuts you off in traffic, it doesn’t bother you at all.
Or maybe you’re more like me, and when things don’t go according to your personal rules and plans, you tend to get annoyed.
Whether you’re more like Mother Theresa or a Type A personality, we can all be a little inflexible at times. We can harbor frustrations, doubt people’s intentions, and sometimes be a little difficult to be around.
The truth is, we’re all desperate for grace. We need God’s grace to cover our inadequacies, and we need God’s grace in our interactions with others.
Imagine if, as we went into this new year, we showed unexpected and irrational grace to others. What if we chose not to point out every mistake? What if we allowed people to say something we disagree with without having to correct them? What if we did something kind for people who tend to get on our nerves?
Honestly, we can get far too comfortable being the boss of our own lives (and everyone else’s). It might be time to let God have His place back and learn from Him.
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” - Proverbs 17:9
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” - Matthew 5:9
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves….” - Philippians 2:3
A few ideas for showing unexpected grace:
- Forgive someone without needing an apology.
- Give an extravagant gift (financially or time-related).
- Confess to God that you’ve made an idol of your plans.
- Willingly follow along with the ideas of others.
- Share a word of encouragement to someone who needs it.
- Be willing to forgive yourself for not living up to your own expectations.
If there is anything that should mark the life of a believer, it is grace. Let us yield our hearts to His Spirit and allow His grace to shine through us in new ways as we start this new year.
Technology and Scattered Minds (Disconnecting from Distractions)
We all experience times when life and ministry can be difficult, and sometimes the holidays seem to multiply those challenges. To help focus our hearts in the direction of grace, I want to offer up three ways to renew your heart as we begin a new year.
Last week’s Monday MEMO was about Changing Your Routine. Today I’d like to talk about the second way to refocus your heart: Disconnecting from Distractions
A confession: I’m a recovering tech junky. I remember when I first laid eyes on a Palm Pilot, and I knew I needed one for seminary. More recently, I used to be one of those people who lined up in the early morning at Apple stores on iPhone release days, wanting to be one of the first to get their hands on each new iPhone.
As a human being that remembers life before the internet and smart devices, I can attest to the fact that people have become increasingly distracted over the past two decades. We have at our immediate disposal unlimited amounts of information on every topic, updates from our friends, video games, and online video.
While our digital devices have opened up amazing opportunities for creativity and connection, they’ve also made us less focused. For instance, one call from a telemarketer rings through on my phone, my computer, and my watch. But unlike the telemarketer call, most of our distractions are self-imposed. Most of us whip our minds into a distracted frenzy each day as we multitask and jump from meeting to meeting. And when we’re home, we check Instagram or respond to email while sitting at the dinner table or browse the internet from our bedrooms, often to the neglect of the people sitting right next to us.
So in order to refocus our hearts on God as we start this new year, let’s work to minimize some of the distractions.
A few ideas:
- Keep your phone in a different room during meals.
- Go for a walk, hike, or campout.
- Temporarily delete social media apps from your phone.
- Put away your tv remote.
- Read a paper Bible instead of digital.
- Play a board game, do a puzzle, or read a book out loud.
- Set aside time for extended prayer.
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.’”
Luke 10:38-42 ESV
Let us be mindful of God’s presence and work to choose the “good portion.”
Weird Habits & Oatmeal (Changing Your Routine)
A guest post from Kyle Gilbert, Vice President for Communication at MEDIAlliance
We all experience times when life and ministry can be difficult, and sometimes the holidays seem to multiply those challenges. To help focus our hearts in the direction of grace, I want to offer up three ways to renew your heart as we begin a new year.
Today I’d like to talk about the first way: Changing Your Routine
Habits are interesting things. Usually they’re helpful, but sometimes they can be a little bizarre. For instance, I read that some people can’t help but remember all the numbers they see each day. Other people feel like they need to close each door and closet in their house before they go to bed. For me, each morning, while microwaving my oats for breakfast, I scramble around the kitchen getting everything I need (spoon, milk, cinnamon, sweetener) before the timer hits zero. Another weird habit of mine is feeling an insurmountable urge to enter my house and close the door before the garage door closes completely.
Despite the weirdness of some habits, when you take time to look at it, much of what we do each day is based on our routines. What we do when we wake up, how we begin and end our meals, our activities at work, and what we do to get ready for bed.
Fortunately, habits can be very useful. I don’t have to think about putting on deodorant or brushing my teeth in the morning, because that’s what I always do when I get out of the shower. Our routines assist us by reducing the number of decisions we have to make each day.
But, sometimes our routines cause us to focus on things that don’t really matter, like scrolling through social media or looking at the news. Our routines can also cause us to take the things and people around us for granted. And the same can easily happen in our relationship with God.
Fortunately, the reverse is also true. When we intentionally break some of our routines, we allow ourselves to consider new alternatives and create opportunities for God to speak to our hearts in new ways.
Here are a few examples of routine changes:
- Going for a prayer walk.
- Fasting a meal or a few meals.
- Writing out your prayers.
- Reading a different translation of the Scriptures.
- Including your spouse or family member in your devotional time.
- Watching a movie or television series about our Jesus.
- Reading a devotional.
- Writing a song or poem to God.
- Sharing a struggle with a friend.
- Memorizing a passage of Scripture.
- Creating art while listening to worship music.
So, what new routine should you begin this week? What would allow you to begin your time with God with new energy and intentionality? Is there some way you need to engage with your kids or spouse?
Take a moment now to plan what you want to do differently.
