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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
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Why You Need to Take a Bath (Beyond Hygiene)

This is Ernest Hemingway's bathroom.

Yes, I imagined myself there too.

I didn't limit myself to the writing room or the kitchen.

I get some of my best creative ideas sitting in the tub. I wonder if Hemingway did too. I was thinking maybe he kept a little notebook and pen on the little stool there by the bathtub, to write thoughts.  Maybe because that's what I would do.

I make time to take a bath vs. a shower most everyday simply for the creativity factor. When I relax in my tub I get message ideas, song ideas, even solutions to problems that have perplexed me.

If you've never tried taking a bath as a way to set the atmosphere to create solutions or share your art, let me give you a few pointers:

1) Light the candles - just for you.  This isn't reserved just for romance. Aromatherapy is a tremendous help for relaxation. My favorite scent for candles or bubble bath is Moonlight Path at Bath and Body works. I have our children's pastor's wife, Brenda, to thank for introducing me to this great scent years ago. 

2) Play some music - not too loud and nothing too distracting.  Ideas won't come to you if you're singing along to Someone Like You. Seriously. You'll sit there in the tub and tear up while you're singing, "Never mind I'll find someone like youuuuuu..." and then think, "what the heck is happening to me? This is just a stupid song.." A lot of times I play something from Liquid Mind or even Gregorian Chants by Monks. (Yes, for real.) That really helps me to relax without words and chatter cluttering up my mind.

3) Have some paper and pen nearby to write down a thought if it comes to you. Capture it there before you lose it. 

Nine times out of ten when someone says, "where did you get that amazing series idea?" or "where in the world did you come up with that quote?" The answer is -- in the bathtub.

Hemingway had his place, and I have mine...

You can see the fresh roses on the tub...when my husband or anyone else gives me flowers that is where I put them. I enjoy taking a bath most in natural light when the sun is first coming up or setting. Favorite time ever to take a bath and my greatest thoughts come during that time for some reason.

Give it a try. I wouldn't be surprised if you come up with the next great idea...

Solitude sets the atmosphere for creativity and change comes to the world through you and me. 

 
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