Blog Posts

Turn that frown upside down

9/19/2021

I’m busy preparing for a challenge set by author Wendy H Jones. The challenge is to use the national celebration days throughout October to market your books. There are some interesting days, such as; national vodka day, boyfriend day and handbag day. Who on earth dreams up these things? It is a great challenge, but before I tell you my two favourites, I’ll tell you a short story. A youth worker friend of mine was chatting to a young person who had been dealing... READ MORE

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What's in a name?

9/14/2021

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I published my first book, The Golden Thread, in 2015, so I've been writing for over 6 years and have now published 8 books. Though I have written blogs before, this is my first venture onto 'Blogger' and so far I am most impressed. As this is my first blog, I thought it best to introduce myself a little. I love to investigate the meaning behind names... READ MORE

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Stop... Relax... Create

7/22/2021

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I had fully intended to write this blog a few days ago, but one of the things that I have learnt about time management is that, even the best laid plans, with great intentions, can be subject to change.

You could say that, the creative brain has a mind all of its own. It’s not always that easy to turn to a creative task and expect to create a master piece. It’s usually not until we are doing something mundane that the creative brain will switch on. I am often in the shower when a great idea pops into my head or just dosing off to sleep when suddenly - hey presto – where did that thought come from.

I have learnt to write down the craziest of ideas. Not all of the ideas go anywhere, but at least by writing them down they have had a chance. Sometimes I may share my crazy thoughts with wise friends and they may encourage or discourage, either way I am grateful for their wise counsel.

I use various tools for managing my time and one of those tools is a to-do list. The tasks have been identified as needed to be done, with a deadline date set next to most of them. The tasks are various and often I will decide to complete the least enjoyable first. This process is often referred to as “eating the frog.” My task list may include some creative tasks, but I will never schedule myself to “come up with a new idea”... my brain doesn’t work like that.

Can you imagine Issac Newton saying, “today I think I may discover gravity?” No he was resting under a tree when an apple bashed him on the head. What about Archimeades? It was whilst relaxing in the bath that he realised that water displaced. He became so excited by his discovery that he ran naked into the street shouting “Eureka.”

Unless we take the time to relax, we could miss the fantastic ideas and discoveries that are destined for us to find. So perhaps the most important thing about time management is to allow time for yourself.
In my Youth Work career, my work hours have been all over the place and without some form of protection, work can become all consuming (work-a-holic). Following a state where I came close to burn out I discovered the 21:7 principle. This is so simple, but it works!

There are 7 days in the week and each day can be split into 3 (morning, afternoon, evening). 3 x 7 = 21 periods in the week. The 21:7 principle says that at least 7 of those periods each week should be “me time." Give this a go and I will guarantee that the quality of your work will improve.

Likewise, take a lunch break, get out of the office, have a breath of fresh air, refocus. There is now plenty of evidence to indicate that performance can drop without a proper lunch break. So I now take a lunch break and guess what else can happen. That’s right, your creative brain switches on again, just as you start to relax.
So the key to good time management and creativity is to allow yourself space and time. Never overload the diary, for to do that is just ploughing on, blinkered and oblivious to the creative opportunities. It’s not rocket science, though it does take a certain discipline, which I am still learning.

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Business V's Ministry

6/2/2021

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Is there a fine line between Business and Ministry or is it definitive?

I am a Christian and have been for over 30 years. A few decades ago I felt that I was led, in fact I would say that, ‘God called me,’ into Youth Work. After time, I began to realise that this is my MINISTRY and as with any ministry, I saw the fruits of my labour.

Six years ago I had to give up Youth Work and my position as CEO for an amazing charity, due to health issues. That is when I started writing and making films. God was leading me down a new road.

I clearly felt God speaking to me, telling me that He hasn’t finished with me yet. That I still have gifts and tools that He has given me and that He wants me to use them. Since then, I have made over 100 films, under the banner of MESSAGE MOVIES and published 6 books, with 3 more currently planned.

I have tried to be business-like in all that I do, planning projects and workload, setting deadlines and targets, but it is other people that now refer to what I do as MY MINISTRY. How did that happen? How did I move from business to ministry?

I mentioned earlier that in ministry, we will see the fruits of our labour. My very first book that was published was my biography, called ‘The Golden Thread.’ I have since, heard from people from all over the world that have read my testimony story and it has greatly impacted their lives. Some even becoming Christians. This is fruit.

As a businessman though, the income from the sale of my books, helps to support my business and my ministry. I feel that my books are really written by God and that I am just the conduit. It would greatly bless me and I am certain that it would bless you also, if you were able to support me and my MINISTRY by buying some of my books. They are available worldwide, mainly from Amazon.

In addition, you may wish to bless me with a small, regular gift on Patreon? This type of support is essential to any MINISTRY and helps to reduce the financial burdens .

Thank you for your support and reading to the end.

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