Ben Finch Photography » Fine Art Wedding & Lifestyle Photographer

A few weeks ago I sat in this exact spot & questioned myself, “Should I really do this? Am I going to get my hopes up?” I was trying to psych myself up to enter a brochure I designed, “2009-2010 AACA Arts Guide,” into the local ADDYs competition. I don’t know about you, but I am always a bit hesitant to enter competitions. This was certainly the case. Although I thought (& many others) my design was really nice, I wondered how it would pan out against the big-time agencies. I kept padding my thoughts in the chance that I would get my hopes up, “I am foremost a photographer then designer,” I assured myself.

Well… I did end up entering (with the very kind logistical help of Susie Norris of Orange Apple Branding) & to my delight I received a letter in the mail indicating “Congratulations! Your organization has produced award-winning advertising…” I followed-up with a loud “Yeah baby!!” & a fully-extended fist pump that made the older couple walking by my studio quite happy! Awkward!

Fast-forward to this past Saturday evening, February 20. Joy & I were excited to attend the 2010 Addys Awards Gala at the Knoxville Crowne-Plaza. We were stoked about it being a “black-tie” gala & the opportunity to be out on the town without the boys. Btw… Joy was looking as beautiful as ever… absolutely great!

Mom caught this pic just before we left for the gala.

We arrived at the gala & immediately ran into our great friend & the uber-talented, Franny Priestley, a designer with the accomplished Pyxl team. She is so talented!! We walked the gallery displaying the award-winning pieces & ran into my friends, Chris & Bridget Hornsby, of Hornsby Brand Design. They have scores of design industry awards & produce some of the best work around… a real pleasure to be around. Also, I must give a shout-out to another friend, Jackie Newman. Jackie is finishing up her degree in Design & works at Orange Apple Branding. She is a constant source of smiles, laughs, & great conversation… view her design portfolio at Jackie Newman Designs.

It was a fun night! We kind of felt like we were at a mini-Grammys. The jazz band was smokin’, food was excellent, & the company was enjoyable! Not to mention, we won our first design award. It was a great reminder for me to continue to pursue my dreams & to surround myself around others who a better than me… who encourage my growth… who pursue excellence in what they do! Cheers to the Knox Addys!! Hope to see you again next year!

It was such a pleasure to sit under Dave Ramsey’s teaching this morning (www.daveramsey.com). Countless lives have been impacted by the business, ministry, books, cd’s, radio, etc. of this financial coach. We’re proud to say that he’s a TN native & his wife grew up in a small community next door. Plus, he’s a University of TN alum (yeah, yeah!). I’m just trying to give props to my home state.

This morning, our Leadership McMinn Alumni Association was able to host Dave Ramsey as he spoke on “The Momentum Theorem.” Here’s my notes & a few quotes:

“I didn’t want employees, I wanted a team. Employees need a boss, teams need a leader.” – Ramsey

The Momentum Theorem: Momentum is never an accident, it is a process… here is the formula:
{Focus + Intensity} over {Time} multiplied by {Infinity (God)} = Unstoppable Momentum

1. Focus: When you lose you’re focus, you’re dead meat… “much like a squirrel in the road.”
   “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8
   Illustration | Upon meeting a future Hall of Fame NFL wide receiver, Dave asked the guy why do professional receivers drop the ball. The receiver responded, “you drop the ball because of lack of focus… for 2 reasons. 1. Fear… because you hear footsteps & know you’re about to get hit or 2. Greed… because you already are looking towards the end zone.
2. Intensity: Everyone is intense about something. The example he gave was the intensity of those who stand outside in the freezing cold at a football game with no shirt on. It makes us wonder, what if we were to put the same kind of intensity into our marriages, kids, personal growth, jobs, etc. It would make a profound difference.
3. Time: It takes time to be successful. Referring to Malcom Gladwell’s “Outliers: The Story of Success,” Gladwell says the #1 quality of those who are successful is relational intelligence… the ability to relate to people.
   Those who are considered experts in their field have put in 10,000 hours of practice/applied skill. This doesn’t happen over night… as Dave said, “Brad Paisley did not just occur.” You win over TIME… 90 seconds of focused intensity wont’ cut it, but years of focused intensity will put you among the best.
4. Infinity (God): The Lord’s work in your life compounds results.

“Capitalism only works on a 3-legged stool… economic freedom, political freedom, & moral restraint.” – Michael Novak

“What causes greed to go away? Naturally, through time, the greedy will eventually pay the price… people will quit using their services.” – Ramsey

“Profit is the applause your customers give you.” – Blanchard

I really enjoyed the story Dave told concerning a meeting he had with a Billionaire from North Carolina. The wealthy man gave Dave some advice: “You’ve always gotta be a giver.” And, after enormously building up a must-read book, the man said, “Also, you must read ‘The Tortoise & the Hare.’ Everytime I read that book, the tortoise wins.” A testimony of those who are focused!

What a wonderful opportunity to hear Dave this morning. I’m inspired by his leadership & ability to think with reason & wisdom. His financial wisdom is unrivaled & is a testimony to what the Lord can make happen over time with someone who is focused & intense. Dave, thanks so much for your time with us today… the pleasure is ours.

You can follow Dave on twitter at @ramseyshow