Trombone Player Wanted

A few weeks ago I stumbled about an author by the name of Marcus Buckingham.  He's probably known for many things, but the stuff I've found particularly interesting is in the area of "playing to our strengths".  Though I can't claim to be an expert on his theories, what I do know is the following:

Where a traditional management/business theory would be to figure out what your weaknesses are and seek to improve them, Buckinham believes that is nonsense.  Rather we should figure out what our strengths are (what gives us the most life) and then spend the majority of our working day playing to them.  He goes on to say that after having spent many years working for the Gallup organization they found that only 17% of people spent 80% of their working week playing to their strengths.  If this is true, then the majority of us are often times focused on things we shouldnt' be wasting our time with (assuming you buy into his theory). 

So it has really got me thinking.  Not that I buy it completely (not yet at least), but it has proved to be a helpful exercise in thinking through where my time is spent and how it should be best spent.  How do I figure out what my greatest strength and subsequently my great contribution is and will be?  To that end, Buckinham contracted the creators of Nooma (if you don't know what this is, you really should) to create 6 short films (12-15 min each which are entitled Trombone Player Wanted) where he guides you through his key ideas and concepts.  Once you complete your viewing you can log on to a site and answer a series of questions to help you sort through this stuff.  Thus far it has been very interesting.

I have no ideas where Buckinham stands in regards to faith in Jesus, but much of what he is advocating seems to echo the "body of Christ" imagery that is written of by Paul.  We are at our best when we recognize what our gifts are and then use them. 

Well that's all for now.  Oh yeah, new pics posted under "August pics" to your right.  Peace.