Doug Heisel

There’s an often missed phrase in the story of David and Goliath that I love. I wonder if you have seen it before. It’s found in 1 Samuel 17:48 (NLT). It says: “As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.”

Often people run FROM their Giants. David ran TOWARDS his – and fast! 40 days this giant had been taunting them. There would be no 41^st day!

This attitude of courage was not a misguided impulse or what some call, “blind faith.” This giant stood opposing God and the people of God, and David knew it was time to act. He did not go out in his own strength and wisdom; he put his faith in God, who has no equal.

David shouted in reply, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord Almighty—the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. …And everyone will know that the Lord does not need weapons to rescue his people. It is his battle, not ours. The Lord will give you to us!” 1 Samuel 17:45, 47

There may be some giants between you and the Break Thru you are working on. But let the Lord God Almighty give you wisdom and courage to face it head on. Let him give you the mindset and attitude of David. And when he does, RUN to the BATTLE! Victory is in sight!

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

If you aren’t already doing this, here’s a good idea. Find one really good resource and use it as a way to stimulate your thinking on your “red bucket”.

I find it helpful to have one great book on the topic I am working on. I read just a couple of pages (not even compete chapters) just to get (and keep) the mental juices flowing, and to break beyond my current routine of thinking.

Ask a few people, who you feel have good expertise in your “red bucket” area, for what they have found to be helpful books, podcasts, audio books or cd’s, etc.

Don’t go overboard on material. One great resource is better than three or four. Too often we think more is better. But often, more is just more — and it takes time away from deeper reflection (with is core to the process). With unlimited information at our fingertips, its easy to go 1o miles wide and a quarter inch deep, instead of drilling down in one area until we strike oil.

Let one really good resource help you drill deep!

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

As you know by now, the daily “Focus Time” is at the heart of the Red Bucket Strategy. Taking time to reflect, journal, determine an action, etc, all happen here. Even though a perfect 90 days in a row is not required, consistency is still something to strive for.

One way to be more consistent with this focus time is to align it with something you already do every day, and then just establish your focus time right before or after that (rather than a fixed time, like 6 AM). For instance, I do mine “before” I fire up my computer for the day (no matter what time that is). I know I am daily going to use my laptop, and so I restrain myself from checking email, doing any work, etc until I have first spent 5-10 minutes on my focus time.

Other people I know do it:

• Right AFTER they workout
• or in their car, right “BEFORE” they go into the office
• or in Starbucks “BEFORE” they go to work
• or AFTER the kids are off to school and BEFORE doing anything else.

Linking it to an “event” you do daily rather than a “specific time” will likely help you be far more consistent.

Try several ways until you find the one that works the best for you. It’s 10 minutes that can bring transformation to you!

Feel free to share what you do in the comment section below.

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

I trust you are progressing on your Red Bucket journal.  Five minutes every day to slow down, think, and write does more than most of us realize. 

Depending on when you began, you may have already come to Day 9 (”Clarify your Reasons“).  If not, this is a very valuable journaling day.  In fact, even if you are already past this day, let me encourage you to continue to add to your “reasons.”  Giant reasons produce giant results.  Sometimes “giant” involves the size of your list, as well as the size of the items on your list.  Keep adding to it AND keep it in front of you.  Let me suggest you not “bury” your reasons in your journal.  Transpose them onto a sheet, or highlight them somewhere on your computer, and look at them everyday during your 90 days. 

Finally, begin to thank God even now for your Red Bucket Victory.  One of the ways to “move your bucket” forward is through prayer.  God won’t do our part, but Jesus said, “…a part from Me, you can do nothing.” (John 15:5).

VICTORY is not only GOD’S will, VICTORY is possible.  Thank him before you physically see that victory.  Let your prayers reflect your faith!

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

I received the following question, that may be one of the more common. Check it out. It might relate to where you are:

“Dear Doug … I’m working my workbook. except there is not a lot of “work” to it. I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to be doing. It says, ‘How will you move your red bucket forward today?’ I’m not sure; I thought it was gonna help me do that! Maybe I should have picked something more tangible. It doesn’t feel like I’m doing anything , but thinking about it. What am I missing here? Please advise. Thank you.”

Here’s my reply:

Good question (and very normal). As a culture we are so inclined to get “instant” results that we forget how God designed so much to happen in a “process” (ie: seeds being planted and it appearing for quite some time as if “nothing” is happening.) Sometimes the “process” does just involve a few minutes of “thinking” and then writing down your thoughts, feelings, questions, prayers, desires, etc. [I am assuming you are doing the journaling too. That is part of the thinking process that makes the difference]. Even that process, of slowing down to “reflect and journal,” may indirectly be affecting you in ways you don’t yet see. Thinking is part of “focus” and focusing does pull is in new directions … and focusing long enough is required for this kind of break through. Keep it up!

However, in addition to that, consider these couple of thoughts:

• The “Red Bucket” journal was written without a 6 week series in mind. In other words, the first 5-7 “coaching items” cover things we’ve already covered, so there is no “new” info there to process. Keep going though … “deeper” requires some repetition.
• Work the process, and I think you’ll be surprised over time. The problem with most people (and their lack of change) is not that they didn’t “work” at it, but that they didn’t work at it long enough. So don’t worry that the process doesn’t involve a bunch of “make-work”. It is the consistent repetition that pays off.
• It is also great to add in scripture memorization or mediation. Since this journal was not written for a Christian audience, the absence of Bible passages is one weakness (…something I hope to solve by next year). As such, you might want to, on your own, do a topical Bible search on your topic [See the following link for an online tool: http://www.biblegateway.com/topical/ . Find 1-3 of the best verses that speak to you, and give some time thinking/reflecting/ and journaling about them (as well as whatever the “coaching” notes suggest…).

Add your questions / lessons/ insights / progress to this section, as well!

Tags: BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey by Doug
No Comments »

The series may be over, but the next 90 days is where the adventure (and Break Thru) happens. Feel free to check in each week to read some thoughts and encouragement regarding your change-journey. Victory is not only God’s will, victory is possible.

Feel free to share your insights / questions / challenges and/or victories. What you share can help others!

The following link is a PDF of my Life Objectives that I shared this past weekend [ life-objectives.pdf ]. My first “Red Bucket” (area of 90 day focus) was getting clarity on this part of my life. For me, I felt like having clarity there would help me with all my future “Red Buckets”. I do best when I have the context for learning to happen in.

Tags: BREAK THRU, BREAK THRU - "RED BUCKET" 90 Day Journey, Weekend Series (past series) by Doug
No Comments »