Ken Davis » decisions

Pick one!

Ken — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:50:44 +0000

There were many thoughtful responses to my post, “None of the above.“ I was reminded of that post when my my sister sent these pictures of her grandson, Griffin! Imagine the visual and emotional overload of seeing all those pumpkins. But Griffin did what we all need to do. He did not leave frustrated and empty handed. I bet he didn’t even second guess his choice. He picked one! Might not have been the biggest, or the prettiest, but he picked one.

That’s what I like about little people. They keep it simple. “Look at all these pumpkins. I want this one.”

If you missed “None of the Above” Check it out before you leave. You’ll see why these pictures reinforced what I said there.

“None of the above”

Ken — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 20:45:12 +0000

Three principles for facing life’s multiple choice tests.

I was never a big fan of tests in high school or college. HOWEVER, when I had to take a test, my preference was the multiple choice test. It was so much easier to write all the answers on the palm of my hand. BACK OFF! I didn’t cheat… The reason I liked multiple choice was because

they usually gave four optional answers, A B C and D. That meant that I had a 25% chance of getting the answer right.

After graduation the testing doesn’t stop. Life presents multiple choice options every day. Physically, mentally, socially and spiritually we face challenges that demand a response. You CAN’T CHEAT on these tests. There is no place on your body you can prerecord the answers.

The problem is we often don’t even take the time to clearly identify the choices in life’s tests. So there is the first principle…

1. Clearly identify your options and label them A B C D

You can also increase the odds of making good choices, the kind of choices that lead to success and positively influence the lives of others by avoiding options that compromise integrity and divert you from your primary mission.

2. Choose options that are consistent with your core values and purpose

The final principle is this….

3 Don’t choose option D

Option D in many multiple choice tests is “none of the above.” It is the choice of inaction and indecision. Option D people are the poor folks in political polls who have “no opinion.” Hellooo! I see dead people!!! Option D people consider all the exercise plans that might bring health to their lives but choose “none of the above” and end up staying in bed. Option D people decide that since none of the choices are perfect or hold a guarantee of success they will do “none of the above” and allow years to slip by doing nothing. They and end up

never writing that book,
talking to that girl,
meeting that neighbor,
or getting getting that degree.

Increase the number of choices. Do some research. Take a risk. Do something, but don’t choose D!

Trust me, this is a struggle I face often. The default tendency is “none of the above.” But I have chosen to live life rather than just survive life. If I am unwilling to make choices, take chances, and move forward, if I consistently choose D, then………..

when it comes to living a healthy lifestyle
when it comes to experiencing fulfillment
when it comes to having an impact on others
when it comes to nurturing friendships and building relationship
when it comes to making a difference for Christ
when it come to succeeding

I will experience…… “none of the above”

How do you identify your choices and take action in life’s tests ? Am I alone in being tempted to choose D? I would love to hear your comments.

If you have to eat a frog….

Ken — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 05:52:33 +0000

Okay, be forewarned! This is not for the delicate or faint of heart. Yesterday, I ran 8 miles. That’s farther than I have ever run before. The sun was shining for the first time in over a week. And it was warm! A few days before I had biked 20 miles in 30 degree weather and almost froze to death. My left ear broke off when I removed my helmet. But today temperatures were in the high fifties. Two deer stood at no more than 10 yards and watched with big eyes and long lashes. I could almost hear them whispering, “That guy only has one ear.”

The only drawback was my big toe. It was hurting and I knew why. As I was putting on my running shoes I had realized I should clip my toenails. I remember thinking that the nail on my big toe could have been registered as a lethal weapon. But clipping would waste time. I’d have to find the heavy duty clippers, clear the room of innocent bystanders, pick up the lamps knocked over by flying toenails. So I just put on my shoes and ran. I started feeling a dull pain at mile five, but I pushed on. When I got home, I took off my sock and……. well, I’m not going to describe it to you. I will tell you that my granddaughters ran from the house screaming, “eeeeeeeeewww” and I haven’t seen them since. I am going to lose this toenail AND I won’t be running for awhile.

How dumb was this. When will I learn that when we ignore the little things in life, they turn into big things. A neglected hurting toe eventually affects the entire body. It’s true of every area of our life. Too often we neglect to take care of some little issue until it cripples us.

As Barney Fife used to say, “Nip it in the bud.”

Some one else said, “If you have to eat a frog eat it quick because the longer you wait the bigger it gets.”

As for me I had a personal pedicure. That means I clipped em myself, then I put on a pair of running shoes and went looking for my granddaughters.