Last week, I blogged about what to do before you start, but I also want to share some ways I’m initiating a fresh start this fall season.  Here are a couple “to dos” on my list as I continue to strive to grow as a communicator:

Mine Resources

Notice I didn’t say “Read Resources”.  I used the word “mine”, because I want to dig deep, go below the surface and implement.  Too often I have the habit of reading through books, blogs and websites, thinking “Wow!  That was great!”, and moving on without any change.

This summer I found out that a friend and I are both reading the same book, by Michael Hyatt.  She suggested meeting every two weeks to discuss, make an action item list and stay accountable.  It’s been wonderful!  Instead of racing through the fantastic content without any implementation, I’m taking a few tangible steps toward growth every week.

Here are the other books on my list right now:

by Brad Lomenick (If God’s given you a message, then you’re a leader! I’ve started the book, and it’s wonderful.)

by Nancy Duarte

by Chuck Swindoll

by Jon Acuff

Have you got any resources you’re ready to mine?  I know we’d all love to hear about resources that are helping you learn and grow.

Work on My Website

These days when I’m working with Next Step clients on biosheet and website development, I always beg them NOT to look at mine!  There are two dynamics going on here.  One, my online presence is sorely in need of updating.  Two, the more I teach other people, the more I learn myself.  I’m DYING to rewrite lots of my own promotional materials.

I have limited financial resources (and you probably do too), but here are the pieces of my plan to update my personal website:

1. Study some well-done websites to see how people with professional  help are setting up theirs.  I look for creative elements to get my juices going too.  I don’t want to copy anything that makes their site unique, but it helps with my own inspiration.  For example, Renee Swope has photo albums on her site.  I love how she’s included a very personal way to allow people to know her better through pictures.  Take a look by clicking here.  I’m not going to copy her albums, but I’m thinking and praying about my own way to allow visitors to know me well.  I do plan to copy effective website elements that help with social network sharing, enlisting subscribers, graphic techniques, etc.
2. Have new photos taken.  I’m very blessed to have a super-talented niece with a fancy-schmancy camera, and I’ve decided I’m going to pay her instead of a professional photographer.  She has an artistic eye, and I’ve seen pictures she’s taken for family and friends that exceed many of the professionals I’ve seen.  Yay for digital cameras!
3. Write new content for each page.  I’ll have several friends in ministry give me feedback.
4. Hire a professional graphic artist.  This is where I’ll invest, and I’ve found that it’s an investment that can’t be beaten.  Be very, very careful about working with a friend who is doing it “for free”.  I won’t say that it never works, but very often you get what you pay for.  Paying a professional ensures that you can see a portfolio, get multiple samples to choose from and say honestly what you like and don’t like.  Working with a friend can get sticky on many levels, and I’ve seen a few websites developed this way that just didn’t measure up.
5. Get feedback and make changes.  I’ve got one friend in particular who is in ministry, savvy and brutally honest in the loveliest way.  She’s the one I’ll ask for feedback before I launch the new site.

I’ll let you know when I hit “refresh” on my new website by the end of Oct.  Maybe we’ll do some kind of fun sharing party there to celebrate!

What are your plans for the fall?  Let’s make a list and start together.

My flowers look tired, the days are shortening, and back-to-school end-caps dominate every store.  It must be the end of summer.

Although I’m sad that the days of no alarm clocks and leisurely evenings are coming to an end, I’m always ready for more structure and a renewed work schedule at this point on the calendar.  I’ve started gearing up by making action items lists for growing my personal speaking ministry, refreshing my website and generally upping my game.  I’m a sick, listing-making girl, so that’s just how I roll.

I’ll share some of my ideas for starting the new season off with growth next week, but right in the middle of my list-making fervor, I realized that my proverbial horse was panting along behind the cart.  Correcting my priorities is where I want to start this week.

I’m currently reading Michael Hyatt’s Platform, a can’t miss book for all speakers and writers, and in the chapter titled “Think Bigger…No Bigger!”, I read this quote:

“Don’t listen to that mocking little voice that tells you to be more realistic.  Ignore it.  You can either accept reality as it is or create it as you want it to be.  This is the essence of dreaming–and thinking big.”

I love that idea.  Ignoring the voice that says, “It can’t be done” is the beginning of embracing big dreams.

But I also realized that following my own dreams will ALWAYS be too small.  So I wrote myself this note below Michael’s quote:

Start by consulting God about His dreams.  They’re bigger than your own.  Walk in His dreams, and they’ll definitely come to pass.

Now, I want to be clear.  I met Michael Hyatt briefly at She Speaks and also heard him speak.  He’s a godly man who I know assumes we’ve already taken this step to consult God before we write down our dreams and goals.

But sometimes I forget.

I had a very long list developed for the new year, and I hadn’t prayed about that list.  At. All.

So I’m backing up, and I’d love for you to join me.  The week Nolan starts back to school, I’m going to do a day retreat with Jesus.  Right now (and unless I am led differently) I’ll find an empty room at my church to spend the school day in silence, worship and study.  I’ve done this a couple of other times, and God hasn’t let me start with any big plans.  I show up in the silence with my Bible, a notebook and a pen.  That’s it, and then I let God lead.

I’ll listen for His plans.

I’ll record His dreams.

And then I’ll make my fresh list, based on the guidance of The World’s Biggest Dreamer.

Let me know if you’re going to join me, and I’ll pray for your Retreat with Jesus if you’ll pray for mine!

(Ok, I’m cracking up…and I had to share.  Before I even hit “Schedule” on this post, I decided I needed to make my retreat with Jesus official by putting it on my iPhone calendar.  I can’t type worth diddly on my phone, so I enlisted Siri.  Here’s what she said to me at the end, “I set up your event with Jesus.  Would you like to confirm?”  I don’t know why it tickled me so much to hear Siri say that.  She makes it real for sure!!  Event with Jesus confirmed.)