Start!
As I think through my life, I can see many times where I hesitated because I wasn’t sure. I can also see times where I should have hesitated. The times I should have hesitated were marked by my own impetuousness and instead of simply counting the cost upfront, I paid the price. The times when I hesitated because I wasn’t sure, were usually because I did count the cost and wanted things to get a bit better before I proceeded.
One of the poor habits I come across as I talk with group leaders is a reluctance to continue a scheduled group meeting if one or two people are unable to attend. This is going to be a little weird: I sometimes wonder if, even in a small group setting, we can become numbers driven. The fact is that people are not going to show up on occasion… and even for good reason!
Some of the best times I’ve had a group are when most of the members didn’t make it. We’d just put the material aside and spend a drawn out time focusing on the really important part of group life: each other.
As we look forward into this new and coming year, I wish to challenge you to keep this word in mind: START. Absolutely take time to count the cost! Don’t neglect that by any stretch. But don’t let the paralysis of analysis stop you in your tracks. Solomon writes these words:
Ecclesiastes 11:4: “If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (NLT)
I don’t believe in the whole New Years Resolutions thing. If you don’t have the discipline to change in April, why would you have more discipline in January?? So, don’t make this a resolution… just start what you believe God wants you to do.
#5 Belief
This is the last in the series regarding my strengths as indicated by Tom Rath's Strengths Finder 2.0 assessment tool.
People who are especially talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their life.
I believe that my faith in God and the principles that are taught through His Word are the reason that this strength appears in the Top 5. However, I know of mature believers who do not have this rank in their Top 5 and therefore believe it would be a mistake to think my faith is the only determining factor in this strength.
Recently the phrase has been crossing my mind: "The right thing is rarely the easy thing." Over the last few years, I've set aside times to spend evaluating what drives me. As a result, I have more consciously focused on making decisions that are values-driven more than anything else. Whether it is in the workplace, home life or personal journey, making values-driven decisions has not made life easier, but it has definitely made life more satisfying and fulfilling.
#4 Relator
Continuing the results of my Strengths Finder 2.0 evaluation, my fourth strength is that of "Relator."
People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.
I have a great love for working on teams. There is incredible potential when people set aside personal agendas and work toward a common goal. John Maxwell used to say that "teamwork makes the dream work." How true it is. In fact, David says in Psa 133:1 that when unity is present, everyone wins. Unity requires that individual preferences and agendas are set aside for the greater good.
To use a very popular phrase: "We are better together!"
#3 Learner
This is Part Three looking at my results from the Strengths Finder assessment by Tom Rath.
My third highest ranked strength is that of "Learner."
People who are especially talented in the Learner theme have a great desire to learn and want to continuously improve. In particular, the process of learning, rather than the outcome, excites them.
It has been said that when you stop learning, you've started dying. I remember my college graduation like it was a long time ago... maybe 'cause it was! I do remember having the thought, "I'm done with the formal education system. For here on, it's the School of Hard Knocks." In recent years though, the idea of furthering my education has crept into my thinking occasionally. I lay down and it eventually goes away.
I do have a desire to continue to grow. I read books and attend conferences in an effort to learn more. I can count on one hand, and have fingers left over, the number of fiction books I've read in the past couple of decades. I used to read novels all the time, but I made a switch years ago to focus my reading on gaining information with the goal of personal growth.
I remember one of my kid's first grade teachers. She had been teaching for 30 years. I believe that she had taught one year, thirty times. It seemed that she hadn't made any significant shifts in her teaching methods, even some of the decorations she had in the class were yellowed with time.
I don't understand people that want to change for the sake of change, I also don't want to be caught in the 'how did we do it last year' mentality!
Growth requires learning!
Sabbath!
For the last couple of weeks I've been enjoying my annual extended Sabbath. This year was a transition point in our family. Last year, it seems, was our last 'family vacation.' This year our eldest stayed home to work and minimize her accumulating student loan. Our middle child chose to join the youth Ministry Tour instead of spending time with us! So, my wife and I packed up with our 12 year old son and headed off.
I've learned about myself that it takes me a few days before I begin to unwind. This year was made more complex when I decided to attempt a washroom renovation. That turned out to be more akin to pouring gasoline on a fire than anything else. I didn't get nearly as much done as I planned and that didn't help with my stress level the first few days of vacation! However, once we blew town, I began to feel the stress dissipating from my body.
It was great to have the detox time, now it's climbing back in the saddle and getting back up to speed.
BTW: I've decided that unless you are a boater, scuba diver or a drinker: you don't need to spend more than a couple of days in Key West.
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- RT @BackstageLeader "You never know how good of a parent you r until you become a grandparent."- @DanCathy (Chick-fil-a)/ I've gr8 parents! 1 day ago
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