Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

Some people will never understand this...

And that's okay. Just let us be as we lavish love upon the fur-kids of the world. It doesn't mean we don't care about people. We do care. In fact most of the people I know who are great pet lovers are also the greatest philanthropists. If you're not a dog lover, you might not understand the overwhelming intensity that many of us felt about Tank's reunion this past week. You might think we've lost our marbles. That's okay, we think you've lost your heart. ;)  Before I go on with this post, let me say that we were delighted that CBS 10 posted the video and article about Tank and his Celebration Church reunion yesterday. Click here to watch it. (But then come back!) If you haven't realized it, there is a revolution in America about dogs. Dogs have always been loved and known as the most loyal companions ~ "man's best friend". But things have gone way beyond this. Dogs aren't just dogs or friends anymore. They are family me

Fifty Shades of No Way

This weekend, the Fifty Shades of Grey movie will be released and millions of women are expected to flock to the theat er s.  I will not be one of those women.   As a leader of women , some have asked me about this movie. The following is my thoughtful response. Fifty Shades of Grey has topped best-seller lists around the world. The book series has sold over 100 million copies worldwide, and been translated into 52 languages. It set the record as the fastest-selling paperback of all time.   Is Fifty Shades of Grey just a harmless book or movie? Although n o one seems to be debating this fact, let’s first establish that it’s pornography.  And not just porn, but a genre that is even more dangerous for women. The book glorifies a female character that is controlled and abused by her partner.   Who is excited about this book and mov ie? Hmmmm….you might be surprised. Many women and girls in our churches have read it. Sadly, I am even aware of

Relevant Church doing something...

incredibly RELEVANT!

I just heard some news today that really inspired me. A church here in Tampa, Relevant Church is doing a new thing this month called the "30 Days Sex Challenge." (I've never visited the church but Pastor Trinity - our children's pastor - has visited or has met some people from this church and he was very impressed.) Realizing that this is a major element missing from some marriages (the frequency factor) their lead pastor, Paul Wirth, has issued a challenge for all the married couples to have sex for 30 days in a row. At the same time he has issued a challenge for all unmarrieds to completely abstain from sex. Of course we know the Bible says that those who are unmarried should not have sex in the first place but the point is, a lot of unmarried's aren't obeying the Lord's command to abstain and this is just one pastor's way of trying to get them to see that indeed, there is a better way! (God's way!) At the same time, many married couples are not