Leadership

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Character Is A Choice

“Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.”  Dr. John C. Maxwell

There are many things in life over which we do not have a choice, over which we do not have control.  Character development is not one of them.  Whoever we are, whatever type of leader we choose to become, it, indeed, is a choice.  The positive of that is, if we are not the leaders we want to be, if we do not possess the character that we want to have as leaders, as long as we continue to breathe, we have the opportunity to change.  As we become a better version of our selves, we effect positive change in those within our circles of influence, who then effect change in their circles of influence, and so forth and so on.

#character #leadership

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Suggestion Versus Requirement?

In life, we constantly have decisions to make:  What are we going to wear?  What are we going to have for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?  How will I prioritize my busy schedule?  Will I go to church this Sunday?  Will I go to that party on Saturday night?  I have an X amount of “blow” money.  Do I want to spend it on this or that or put it in my rainy day fund?  Hmmm…decisions, decisions, decisions.

At what point do we decide, of those things that could be suggestions, to turn them into requirements?  Is it working out, doing community service, being a better employee or a more committed business owner or both, paying tithes, giving back in some manner, going to school or going back to school?  What in your life is currently on your suggestion list that needs to move to your requirement list?  Ponder…and then progress towards your next S.M.A.R.T. goal.

#Choices  #Life  #Change

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Don’t Trade Life for Temporary Things

From Rick Warren’s Daily Devotional – This particular devotional spoke to me because it is so terribly easy to get distracted for both the long term and the short term. However, the words below remind and encourage me to stay focused on the things, the people, the relationships, the projects, the expenses, the whatever(s), that matter most.  It is the only way to make marked progress.  If you are fortunate enough to know that you are near the end of your days, wouldn’t you want to be able to reflect and know that most of what you were focused on, mattered? 

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So much of what we waste our energy on will not matter even a year from now, much less for eternity. Don’t trade your life for temporary things.  

 Jesus said, “Anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 TLB) 

 Paul warned, “Deal as sparingly as possible with the things the world thrusts on you. This world as you see it is on its way out.” (1 Corinthians 7:31 MSG) 

 What are you allowing to stand in the way of your mission? Whatever it is, let it go. “Let us strip off anything that slows us down or holds us back .” (Hebrews 12:1 TLB)

#Life  #Focus

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Sowing Is Key

“Sow an act, reap a habit.  Sow a habit, reap a character.  Sow a character, reap a destiny.”

-Charles Reade (attrib.)

I normally have additional thoughts to add, but I feel this quote is rather clear, so “nuff” said.  I will ask you to ponder:  What will people mostly remember about your character when you leave this earth?  What are you sowing?  This is not just about wealth of money, it is equally about wealth of character, of paying it forward, of sowing into people.  Welcome to the weekend!

#destiny #character #sowingandreaping

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Quotes and Goals

From Mary Kay Ash:  “Give yourself something to work toward—constantly.”

I read this quote and immediately LOVED IT,  because I feel that it epitomizes what it means to set goals.  I love talking about goal setting, the art of taking large tasks or projects and breaking them down into smaller, more easily realizable and achievable pieces.  It is absolutely necessary to achieve progress in any area of life.

Goal setting can be beneficial for tasks as simple as going to bed at a reasonable time in order to achieve a proper night’s sleep.  With that said, any  objective, large or small, should be accompanied by a S.M.A.R.T. goal.  Such goals are S-specific, M-measurable, A-attainable, R-realistic, and T-time-bound or have a time frame.  S.M.A.R.T. goals prevent tasks, objectives, project, and dreams from seeming insurmountable, from completing a high school or college paper to starting a business.  The only caveat…once it’s written, you gotta stay focused, or else it’s written for nought.  Focus = action.

Consider what areas in your life (large or small) could benefit from change and then write a SMART goal to work towards the change you want to see.  If you need help writing it or brainstorming , contact me.  I’d LOVE it.  Tootles!

“Be not afraid of going slowly; be afraid only of standing still.” —Chinese proverb

 

 

 

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Memorable Quotes

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ”   ~Anne Frank

“When you are in leadership, there’s a smaller window for mistakes. The training is worth the trial.”    ~Unknown

#MakeADifference

 

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More Leadership Lovelies #leadership

From Leadership Gold by John Maxwell

  • Leadership is the ability to submerge your ego for the sake of what is best.
  • Leadership is evoking in others the capacity to dream.
  • Leadership is, above all, courageous.

I don’t know if many people think of leadership as courageous, but when you consider the fact that leaders often have to make tough and unpopular decisions, or make decisions based on information that is limited but all that is available at the time, there is indeed courage in those moments, and not a place where everyone would want to be.  It’s not only the decision, but also the consequences, that fall on the shoulders of the leader.  Cheers to good leaders!

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Leadership Principles

It’s no secret that I love studying leadership, though I don’t do it as fervently as I did when I was pursuing my last degree.  Specifically, I appreciate gaining progressive knowledge about what it means to lead well, whether one is leading one or many.  So, I recently decided to revisit some of my favorite leadership principles and decided to share them with you.

From John C. Maxwell’s Leadership Gold:

*Leadership is the passion to make a difference with others.

*Leadership is being dissatisfied with the current reality.

*Leadership is taking responsibility while others are making excuses.

**Leadership is seeing the possibilities in a situation while others are seeing the limitations.

Does any of the above linger with your heart?  Do you have any to share?