May 19, 2018
What You'll Hear:
- Mike was baptized in the Catholic church as an infant. In college his faith was re-invigorated after attending non-Catholic Christian churches
- He attended Miami University of Ohio and joined ROTC to help pay for college. After college he went to intelligence school
- His scariest moment in the military was when he was in Iraq the 2nd time. A large rocket landed 100 ft away from him. At least a dozen were killed. If you don't hear rockets or artillery you know you're in trouble.
- Mike's most proud and most difficult moment was when he was on a team that introduced the MC12 bi-plane - they went through the form/storm/norm/perform process
- For the last 5 years, he's worked for Caterpillar with sellers of their supplies in Supply Chain
- There is more camaraderie in the military, but in the private sector there is more freedom
- Living out his faith in the corporate world can be challenging. His approach has been to be friends with colleagues first. Once they get to know you and trust you, opportunities come up to share your faith.
- The acronym JOY has helped Mike. Focus on Jesus, then others, and finally yourself. Bad times happen if we focus inwardly and on our own self-interests.
- Our military is still the best in the world. Limitations are on aging infrastructure.
- The military, like any organization, can be too politicized, but our military is one of the best institutions in the US.
- Mike wrote a lot in college and over the years, and recently finished a draft of a fiction novel called Cornerstone.
- It involves a convention of citizens meeting to fix their government. It gives a lot of history and is wrapped around a love story taking place in 10th Century England. It's part of a trilogy. The first book is mostly about male spirituality.
- It started after Mike got involved with Convention of States, an organization that wants to use Article 5 of the Constitution to reduce the size of the federal government.
- To decide what to do with your life, think about what is your passion, what motivates you, what are you good at, rely on others to help you, try to know yourself.
- Try to find a mentor to help you navigate where you want to go. Be willing to learn.
- You may have to pursue some of your passions, interests, and purpose outside of your full-time job, and that's OK.
- Write it down, pray about it, talk to people who will give you honest, constructive feedback.
- He has several mentors in different industries. Your church is a good place to find a mentor. Ask your boss at work if there is a mentorship program. Also professional organizations.
- Prioritize and budget your time. Write down how you spend your time each day.
- The greatest misunderstanding men have about their work is what work is for.
- The goal of your work is to glorify God. Use the opportunity to form relationships with people. When you have a chance, share your faith.
- We're all called to love one another. My faith keeps me honest and accountable
- One way to maximize your commute time is to hold meetings. He tries to unwind and listen to Christian music.
- Life verse is the prodigal son story in Luke 15. Fatherhood is so important.
- Check out www.conventionofstates.com
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Contact mikewestrich@hotmail.com
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