po box 272136
fort collins, colorado 80527
toll-free (888) 600-7855
Todd Bailey
In a previous article, I wrote about
how we can live life smarter, not harder. In that article,
there were four practical steps to help us to achieve this
lifestyle: (1) Asking the Holy Spirit to get involved, (2) Asking
for Godly wisdom, (3) Taking action and (4) Being thankful to God.
(1) Have mentors in your life.
The word mentor in
the dictionary actually means, "A wise and trusted
counselor or teacher." Mentors can be of any age and profession.
Mentors can help you in many areas of life and may help you develop
your talent or gift, make money, save time, improve relationships
and so forth. In my personal life, I have surrounded myself
with mentors; individuals that I can trust and that have my best
interest at heart. Sometimes, they speak a word of correction
or warning into my life, but they will always be apt to speak a word
of encouragement or priceless advice when needed.
The lives of my mentors are examples and inspirations to me.
I have many mentors in my life,
including my wife, her parents and grandmother, my mother, my
brothers and sisters, my aunts and uncles, cousins, former teachers,
fellow ministers, friends and so forth. But as I said earlier,
I really enjoy being around older individuals. I usually go over to
their homes, call them on the phone or just take them out to lunch,
ask a few questions and then listen.
Of all the individuals just mentioned,
there are too many to share with you.
But I will tell you about four individuals that I have had
the privilege to glean from as mentors.
One of my mentors has been in the
ministry since
Another mentor to me is a lady that
is close to eighty years old. I have come to know her in the past
few years. She was
ministering at age twelve in front of audiences of 12,000 or more.
She was the Valedictorian of
her class at age 15 in one of most noted bible schools in
Thirdly, my mother has been a
lifelong mentor to me and is still to this day. She doesn't
preach behind a pulpit, nor does she possess an expertise in a
professional field, but she does have some valuable insight.
Even though I travel around the world, I purpose to call her
2 or 3 times a week just to ask her how her day was or what she
has been doing that week. And
from time to time in our conservation, without her even knowing it,
she will say something to me that I will be able to use for the rest
of my life. Folks, don't
become too familiar or take for granted your family or parents,
because many of them have "been there, done that" and have watched
you live life from day one. Just take the time to ask them for
counsel or advice and listen. They can certainly make living life
smarter, not harder.
Fourth is a gentleman that I meet
about 1993. I was a manager of a food franchise and was doing
some marketing in the area next to the University. I decided
to visit the person in charge at the school to see what we could
work out to promote the University and our franchises. When I
showed up, the man that I wanted to see wasn't there, so I was
referred to this gentleman who has become a good friend to this day.
The more I got to know him, the more I realized how he was an
example of making the most out of what you have.
My friend was a College
All-American in Football and went on to play nine seasons in
the NFL. He was recently
voted into the Seattle Seahawks' "All 30 Year Team."
This team is comprised of all the best players at each position for
this team's 30 year history. What I have learned from
him is how his mother was a support to him, like my mother, and how
his brothers were more talented in football than he was, but he was
the only one to make it to the NFL. He wasn't bragging about
his success, but how he made a decision to learned from mentors and
do what they said, day after day after day, until he reached his NFL
dream. Besides, being a
success in the NFL, he has carried those principles he learned into
his business and family life. My friend has been an inspiration to
me.
Let me give you a few scriptures
that I trust will be a blessing to you in the area of mentors.
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
Proverbs
24:6 (AMP)
“….and in an abundance of counselors there is victory and safety.”
2) TAKING CARE OF THE LITTLE THINGS
Have you ever heard of the saying, "A
stitch in time saves nine?" Over the years of my life, I have
found that taking care of the little things has helped me live life
smarter, not harder.
I have engrafted these two sayings
into my daily life. They are, "Don't put off tomorrow, what you have
the opportunity or ability to do today." and "Do what you can, with
what you have, where you’re at." Little things not taken
care of over time can become "bigger" things. In other words,
"Don't let the mole hill become a mountain."
I have heard people tell me, "Todd,
don't sweat the small stuff." I agree, some things in life will
actually take care of themselves over time, and you shouldn't be
fretting over them, but some of the "small stuff" needs to be
dealt with sooner than later.
This is one area that I really
struggled in, because sometimes it is easier to procrastinate than
take care of something right away. Speaking of procrastinate,
here is the dictionary meaning of this word: "To put off doing
something until a future time. To postpone or delay needlessly."
After years of procrastinating, I
began to make a conscience decision to "Not needlessly put off
tomorrow, what I have the opportunity or ability to do today."
First, I had to understand that
procrastination is a subtle thing. It is like a small leak in a
pipe that starts under the kitchen sink. It starts out with a drip
and then another, and another, and another. Eventually, small
drops of water over an extended period of time can have devastating
effects. Instead of tightening a pipe with one turn of a wrench, now
you have to replace the kitchen cabinets under the sink, kitchen
floor and if you have a basement -- the ceiling downstairs. The same
applies to our spiritual life. Even
as a little fox can spoil the vines (Song of Solomon
Here are a couple scriptures that have
motivated me in to take care of the little things.
Proverbs
10:4
(NASB)
“But
the hand of the diligent makes rich.”
Proverbs
10:5
(NASB)
“He who gathers
in summer is a son who acts wisely…”
Proverbs 21:5
(NASB)
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to advantage…”
I must say, over the years, I have
learned (and am still learning) how to take care of the little
things. I don't have to have everything perfect in my life, but my
life isn't hindered by these little things anymore. Sure, my
garage is a little cluttered and maybe I could organize our storage
space in the basement a little neater, but I can still get to
everything just fine and my wife has plenty of room to park her
vehicle.
I have given you two more practical steps to live life smarter, not harder. They have been a blessing in my life and I pray they are a blessing to yours. I encourage you seek out and utilize those mentors that are in your life. And don’t forget to take care of the little things that need attention. Choose to have a life you enjoy living – doing it smarter, not harder.