Recently, my husband and I had dinner with good friends.  As the meal was being prepared, we watched their 18-month-old daughter building towers of blocks.  I marveled at her awareness that one or two blocks required quickness balanced with focus.  But as construction slowed and the tower reached six and seven blocks high, she began clapping after each addition!  No need to see if the guests noticed, but Daddy better be pleased.  Once the tower was properly admired, she knocked it down and started again.

Here is what she taught me:

1. Build a good foundation, but don’t linger:  Sometimes, when we get started on a new ‘tower’, we spend too much time working on the plan and not enough time taking risks and putting new blocks in place.  As a certified project manager, I can’t suggest that you don’t plan, but if you are laminating your sticky notes and framing your ‘finalized’ business plan – you are going too far!
   
   
2. Celebrate everything, even the small stuff:  I was in a meeting this week with an executive and her employee discussing core values.  I was struck by the intensity of the employee’s appeal, “Sometimes, I just need a pat on the back.”  I know it is easier to celebrate the big things, but we can’t dismiss the little things.  Frankly, it is demoralizing.  Discounting progress (of our own or that of our team’s) introduces a temptation not to progress at all.
   
   
3. Build your towers for Father:  I am reminded of the Tower of Babel: “Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves..." (Genesis 11:4)   ‘Towers’ ought to be built for His glory – not our own.  Business endeavors ought to be pleasing in His sight – not our own.  I can still see this toddler’s dad, busy co-hosting a dinner party, pausing to smile down on his daughter’s work.
   
   
4. Move on:  No need to worship what was built.  Our accomplishments don’t define who we were, who we are, or who we will be.  We learn many things with each challenge.  Once we reach the pinnacle of an effort, it is time to apply our knowledge and experience to the next tower.

Start smart and quickly, celebrate wins, continuously check-in with God, and move on!  Let’s share in our Master's happiness!  If we are faithful with a few ‘towers’, we hope to be good and faithful with many ‘towers’.  (Matthew 25:21 & 23)