Often our words are hurtful and we don’t even know it. Regardless of our intent, our words create a ripple effect with those around us. The pain from negative comments gets spread, as does the joy from positive comments. As a leader at work or home, you have a responsibility to be aware of the impact of your words. You have a responsibility to manage the impact of the ripple effect that comes from your words. My hope is that by the end of today, you will be able to point to something you did to create a positive ripple effect … having a positive impact on the lives of people you’ve never even met.

Somewhere along the way it became acceptable to be routinely late. I’m not referencing the occasional tardiness. We’re all busy, and sometimes life gets in the way. Despite my attention to promptness, I’m late from time to time. A conference call goes longer than planned. Traffic from an auto accident extends the normal commute. I get that, and I understand that. What I’m referencing is the pattern of consistency in never being on time that speaks volumes about how we respect those around us.

Someone early in my life told me, “If you’re on time, you’re late.” For whatever reason, that comment has stuck with me over the decades, and I take it seriously. Some people, however, chuckle about their inability to be on time. But let’s be honest about what it is. It’s rude. It’s inconsiderate. And it’s unacceptable. I used to work with a lady who would say, “I can’t help it. I’m just always late.” Wrong. Timeliness is a choice (other than unforeseen occurrences). People may not notice if you are consistently on time, but I promise they will notice if you are consistently late. How do you want to be seen by your friends, family, and colleagues? Remember, it’s a choice.

Every year brings challenges, and I’m certain 2012 will be no different. But as you get started, it is my sincere hope that you draw a difference between real challenges and the insignificant nothings that occupy your time. Save your energy for real challenges, and rise above the little things. Not only will you have more energy to effectively deal with your challenges, you will have more time to cease the opportunities 2012 will no doubt present.

Now, go out and find those opportunities! It is my hope that 2012 is the best year of your life.

We’ve all heard a similar story. In fact, we may have said those exact words related to our own lives. Sadly, that thought process is exactly what will cause most people to fail in their resolutions. The key requirement to change our lives is true resolve. If we have true resolve, then why would we ever want to wait? Every goal in our life must be driven by a passion and a real desire to change, not a day on the calendar.

If there are some things you want to do to improve your life in 2012, start now. Don’t wait until New Year’s Day. Set your goals, identify potential obstacles and ways to overcome them, and resolve to change your life. If it’s important to you, there’s no better time than right now to start making progress.

I won’t go into the details of the movie, but every year at Christmas I’m reminded of a quote that came from that movie. Fred had gone to the North Pole to help his younger brother, and during one of their conversations he said this — “You know, Nick, there’s been one thing that’s been eatin’ at me since I got here. That naughty-nice list that you got? There’s no naughty kids, Nick. They’re all good kids. Some of them are scared and some of them don’t feel listened to. Some of them had some pretty tough breaks, too. But every kid deserves a present on Christmas.”

As an adult, I know the reason for Christmas, and it certainly is not the exchange of gifts. However, as a child, the excitement of waking up on Christmas morning and opening a gift was pretty special. I was fortunate as a child that my parents always made sure I had gifts to open. Sadly, that’s not the case for all. We’re only a few days until Christmas. There’s still time to make the effort to provide for a child who may not be getting a gift this Sunday morning. Find out what organization in your local community is still collecting toys, and make a difference in the life of a child this Christmas.

God’s blessings to you all!

As I added in the personal stuff, the list kept getting longer and longer. At some point I realized there is absolutely no way I could do everything on the list this week. I realized that no matter how well I managed my schedule, I simply would run out of time before I could get everything done. Or would I?

When I consider how I used my time last week, I realized there were some things I needed to stop doing to make my week more productive. I have a bad habit of leaving my e-mail open throughout the day, and those things I think I can handle quickly end up consuming more time than expected and throw off my entire day. I also have a bad habit of checking in with social media throughout the day (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), rather than scheduling some time for it. Again, things I think I can handle quickly that end up consuming more time than expected.

This loss of productivity led to a second list … my ”Not To Do List.” I’m guessing that you may benefit from one as well. No matter how good you are, there’s a good chance you can’t get it all done without making a commitment to stop doing a few unproductive things. So, here’s my challenge to you. Take a look at your typical week and ask yourself if there are some things you do that you could stop doing to make yourself more productive. Create a list of those items, commit as much effort to that list as you do your “To Do List,” and share it with those around you. In the end, you’ll find you have more opportunities to say “yes” to the things that really matter in your life by saying “no” to the time suckers that consume your day.

Actually, most people don’t complain when we get to “fall back.” The extra hour is cherished by most people. The serious complainers come out in the spring when we are forced to “spring forward.” The loss of a single hour seems to be devastating to a large number of people.

I’m often amazed at the significance people place on a single hour. It seems most people don’t feel they have enough time in a day. I always hear, “There’s not enough time in the day to get everything done!” This past weekend we were given an hour, perhaps the most scarce resource we have. So, what did you do with it? The numerous online polls I’ve seen indicate most people used it to get an extra hour of sleep.

Regardless of how you used the hour this weekend, I’d like to challenge you to do something this week. Take an hour, any hour … and give it away. These are tough times for a lot of people. Shelters are full. Food pantries are in need of people to volunteer. Family and friends need our support. Take a moment and determine the best way to give of one hour of your time. Are you up to the challenge?

Don’t get me wrong … I’m happy for them. It’s apparent they are crazy about each other (or just crazy). In fact, when two people are that much in love (or lust, which is probably the case for these two), they should express it. However, there is a time and place for everything. While right now may be the time for them, it certainly is not the place.

Go ahead, show your affection for your partner in public. Hold hands, provide the occasional kiss, but please recognize boundaries. I’m not exactly sure what the boundaries should be, but here’s a good standard … if you would feel awkward doing it with your mother or father sitting in my seat right now, then you’ve probably crossed into unacceptable territory. At that point, just get a room!

The fires in Texas have had a tremendous impact where I live. None have gotten close enough for an evacuation, but I can see the smoke from intense grass fires throughout the area. Having gone several months without measurable rain and the frequency of significant grass fires, an evacuation in our area is certainly a reality.

With that in mind, I started thinking about what I would take with me if someone knocked on my door and told me I had five minues to gather the essentials and leave. I walked from room to room in our house to determine what I would take. Aside from my wife and our dogs, I realized there are only a handful of things I would grab. We always think the loss of all our “things” would be devastating. In my case, there were five things I would grab on my way out.

So, here’s a question for you. If you got the knock on your door telling you to be ready to go in five minutes, what five things would you take with you (aside from your family)? You may be surprised by the answer.

Interestingly (though not surprisingly), there seems to be a fair amount of people this morning complaining about the predicted impact. Some are saying the hurricane was over-hyped, causing many businesses to unnecessarily close. Sadly, some in the media seem somewhat disappointed. I suppose reporting extremely bad news is more exciting than reporting regular bad news. Sad.

When Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana, officials were critcized for not being prepared for the catastrophe (and for not preparing the citizens). Now that Hurricane Irene has hit, officials are criticized for over-preparing. I tend to focus on the good in whatever is coming my way, and I anticipate things will be good. However, I’m a realist, so I prepare for everything to go bad. In essence, I expect the best and plan for the worst. As a leader in your personal and professional life, you should always do the same … expect the best, plan for the worst, and be terribly thankful when the worst doesn’t happen. Don’t ever fall for the criticism that you over-prepared.

I’m thankful the predictions were wrong. I’m happy for those who prepared for the worst and made it through unscathed. For those whose lives have been impacted forever because of the death of a loved one as a result of Hurricane Irene, I pray for peace in your lives.