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What To Do First to Make a Profit

The PF Women Team at our Annual Team Retreat  ~ 2018 Today on Seth Godin's blog, he said: It's tempting to decide to make a profit first, then invest in training, people, facilities, promotion, customer service and most of all, doing important work. In general, though, it goes the other way. Yes, it does. If you are waiting to make a profit before you do these things, in my experience you're  not going to make a profit. So many organizations, ministries and churches are struggling with financial issues. I know your pain. As anyone who follows our story knows, our ministry was in a ton of debt four years ago when I came on as director.  Since that time, we've gotten out of debt and turned a profit every year.  God has done amazing things through out team, for which we give Him the glory! I find that what Seth is saying here is absolutely true, with one disclaimer. For Christian leaders, spiritual disciplines must always be first. Before we started inve

Lessons from Kathryn:
She who laughs, lasts!

This week Kathryn and I had a bunch of things to go over in our meeting, from a sticky situation with one of my clients, to the rhythm of a coaching call and by that term I mean -- how a typical meeting should flow.  But none of that is what I want to mention today.  It was all fantastic advice but I'm headed in another direction.


Kathryn appreciates a good laugh and she welcomes humor into the workplace whether it be that she's the one dishing it out or someone else is.  A few times I've had to say, "I hope I didn't freak you out by what I just said..."  (I tend to push the envelope, or -- as my husband has said before -- at times I own the whole stationery store).  There are times a quip just slips before I think about it and suddenly I think, "ugh, I went too far with that one...."  Kathryn assures me, not so.  She appreciates that somebody besides her thinks these things and occasionally says them in a crass manner.  I can be the queen of crass but I'm trying to think before I speak more.  :)  (My husband would say, "it's not working very well for you, dear...) 

I've always believed it's important to laugh with the people you work with.  At the church it's absolutely crucial.  If we didn't laugh, we'd have nervous breakdowns.  My favorite time of the day is eating lunch with our team at church and laughing our butts off about whatever we happen to be laughing at that day whether it's that Pastor T thinks it "wouldn't be all that hard if he had to perform a C-section" or the fact that a lady has stopped by the church to ask me to "cast a demon out of her van".  Sometimes these laughs get me through what would otherwise be very difficult days. 

I've realized it's critical no matter where you work to interject humor into the workplace.  The Bible says a merry heart is good...like a medicine.  Laughter is very healing and we all need a lot more of it. 

I'm glad I'm working with someone who is not uptight and likes to laugh.  Over the years I have worked with a few people who were wrapped too tight and it just wasn't fun.   Kathryn is a great testimony to the fact that you can be thoroughly professional AND fun at the same time.

Comments

Ruth, PA said…
Thanks, Deanna! Your post made me laugh...outloud! I'm VERY guilty of speaking before I think! I, too find the funny side of situations. My husband will look at me and say, "I see those wheels turning! Don't say it!" :)
Ruth

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