I could never do that.
Why? I’m just not that smart.

It’s so easy to blame our intelligence for our mistakes or shortcomings but more often than not it’s our ignorance that trips us up. An adult is not going to change their IQ more than a few points but with a little effort anyone can eliminate ignorance. Here is a simple formula from Proverbs 5 that will help you learn almost anything.

Attend – Bow – Regard – Keep

1. SHOW UP. Find what motivates you. Goals and affirmations or pain and scars; whatever it is, find the thing that energizes you and use it to consistently show up. Attendance is a requirement. You cannot learn and improve if you aren’t there.

2. REMOVE PRIDE. Before you can learn anything you must believe you don’t know. A prideful mind is a closed mind. If pride will bow, you can see what you don’t know.

3. LISTEN. Thoughtfully listening and regarding a new idea is magical. When we listen, we shine a light on ignorance and it vanishes away.

4. DO IT. Put your new knowledge to work. Keep it, speak it, and act it out.

My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding: [2] That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.

Proverbs 5:1-2 KJV

Foundations are strength.
Foundations are stability.
Foundations are necessary.
Magnifical things are built on solid foundations.

Did you know foundations are not solo projects? The old cliche “We’re all in this together” is absolutely true. Each of us is gifted with abilities and excess in some areas. Generously help your neighbor patch their foundation and then humbly accept the help fixing yours.

If you are thinking to yourself… I know I have problems, but there is nobody who can fix them. You are wrong. But also know this, you are the catalyst. If you will consistently help those who are struggling you will reach up and find a hand when you are down.

And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

1 Chronicles 22:5 KJV

Be polite. Say, thank you. NOPE

In the South, we use “thank you” to a fault. It’s actually part of our culture of politeness. Most of the time the words are just habit and don’t express true gratitude to another human being. There is nothing wrong with being polite, but let’s be real too.

When is the last time you were truly thankful before the words “thank you” came out of your mouth. The next time you are about to drop a “thank you” on someone, pause and truly feel thankful before you speak. Thankfulness is a connector, an uplift, and a positive energy this world desperately needs. Deploy it with truth and intention.

O give thanks unto the Lord ; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

1 Chronicles 16:34 KJV

How do you boil a frog? One degree at a time. If you throw him in a boiling pot, the sudden change will cause him to jump out. But, if you slowly increase the temperature, he does not see the small changes until he is “well done”.

This fable is most commonly used to make us aware of drift in our lives. We better take note of the small changes we make because they will have a compounding effect over time. Even though the story is told from the negative, I believe we have positive drift as well.

What are the things that make you smarter, kinder, better, stronger, healthier, wiser, and sharper? Most likely, the answers involve some kind of relationship. 

Most healthy people have friends who eat right.
Most smart people have friends who study.
Most fit people have friends who workout.
Most leaders have friends who read.
Most wise people have friends who think.

Human beings are hard-wired masters of mirroring. It takes little effort to act like the group. The questions you have to ask yourself are… “Am I in the right group?” and “Who are my friends?” Just as a frog is boiled to death, any area of our lives can be brought to a boil with the right relationships.

How often do you break promises?

I bet it’s more often than you think. The reason: we seldom include ourselves in the equation. It’s so easy to break the promises we make to ourselves… we don’t even think about it.

I will workout tomorrow.
I will turn off the TV tonight.
I will take a social media break.
I will go for a walk after dinner.
I will start that business.
I will ask for a promotion.
I will stop being late.

I will …

The promises we make, and the promises we break are a huge part of forming and maintaining our character. Honor the promises you make to yourself. It’s a HUGE deal.

Unstable work
Unstable leaders
Unstable emotions
Unstable relationships
Unstable income

If you read this list out loud it paints a dark picture. Now remove the letters “un” and read it again. HUGE DIFFERENCE… Right?

Remember two things.

1. Small changes can make a HUGE difference. (you can be that change for someone)

2. Stability makes for a bright future. (you can be that stability for someone)

My son, fear thou the Lord and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change:

Proverbs 24:21 KJV