This is Seth Godin’s new book. It was a quick and easy read! If I had to summarize the book, I would say it is the sequel to Seth’s last book, Linchpin (which is a must read). Seth continues to encourage and inspire people to start and do great work. To ship. To make a difference. To make their lives count.

Personally, I don’t think we can read enough of books like these until we’re so convinced we can do something great that we actually go out and do it. It’s only 96 pages, you can read in one sitting. I’d encourage you to take the time to go through it! Then go start something! Ship!

Some Highlights:

• The first rule of doing work that matters Go to work on a regular basis. Art is hard. Selling is hard. Writing is hard. Making a difference is hard.

• When our name is on a project, our ego pushes us over the hump and drives us to do even better work. Ego drives us to seek acceptance, to make a difference, and to push the envelope.

• One way to start every morning with your team is to have everyone check in. Go around in a circle and let people update and contribute. It’s not a silly exercise if it helps people speak up and it communicates forward motion.

• Please stop waiting for a map. We reward those who draw maps, not those who follow them.

• I think we might be afraid of how much freedom we actually have, and how much we’re expected to do with that freedom.

• If you had a chance to do a TED talk, what would it be about? What have you discovered, what do you know, what can you teach? You should do one. Even if you don’t do one, you should be prepared to do one.

• If you don’t ship, you actually haven’t started anything at all.

• the best way to become an insider, a leader, someone who matters, is to initiate.

• Keep starting until you finish.

• If you can’t fail, it doesn’t count.

I loved this video by Tom Peters. I love to read!

Are you a reader? If not, I encourage you to be! It will make a huge difference in your life!

If you are, what books are you reading right now? What books do I need to be reading? What are you reading right now? Let me know!

Thoughts?

This past Saturday, I left my position as a youth associate to take my first official youth pastor position at a church plant.

As I reflect on my last 9 years of youth ministry, I started asking myself, “What were the most important lessons I have learned about youth ministry?” I’ve found that one of the most important lessons we can learn is learning how to earn influence with students so we can make a lasting impact in their lives.

So how do we do this?

You Earn Influencing by Caring – John Maxwell has taught us all, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” That’s a fact. Students know whether or not we genuinely care through our words, eye contact, and the time we spend with them. Be intentional when it comes to caring for your students. Encourage them, pray for them, be there when they need you, and point them to Jesus every chance you get.

You Earn Influence Through Creating Memories – Every time I am with students, I ask the question, “What could we do right now that would create a memory that we will never forget?” The more memories you make, the more influence you’ll have!

You Earn Influence Through Leading by Example – It’s true that students will do what you do, not what you say. You can preach the greatest sermon ever, but if your life doesn’t back it up, you will not earn any influence with students. If you teach it, make sure you are living it.

You Earn Influence by Being Vulnerable – I’m extremely vulnerable with our students. I am myself around them, I share my weaknesses, and I share my hurts with them. I remember asking some of our core students this summer if my vulnerability made my influence with them more credible or less credible. Without hesitation, they all said, “more credible.” Be vulnerable. Be Real. Be You.

Thoughts?