A Different Approach

Our temperatures have recently changed in Milledgeville as summer starts to slowly slip onto our horizon. While we still have pleasantly cool mornings, the afternoons are starting to quickly warm up. It takes a bit more daily preparation as temperature and humidity adjust upward by the end of the day. As a runner, that creates two vastly different running experiences between morning and evening.

I ran one evening this past week and was quickly reminded of the differences in running in warmer weather. The coolness of winter and spring had spoiled me and I had to make some mid-run adjustments to keep going. I found myself thinking about all of the changes I would need to make for summer running to keep healthy and maintain a good pace. If I want to keep doing well in hot weather, I can't keep doing the exact same things I did when it was cool

How often do we approach changing circumstances with the same solution we've already been using? Even if we've been successful in the past, there's no guarantee we will be able to keep pushing ahead by doing the same thing. We've got to learn to evaluate the issues we're presently dealing with and figure out what is going to work best moving ahead.

If we aren't willing (or able) to adapt, we'll end up frustrated with our lack of progress.

Be Flexible

I've had to work to increase my flexibility and it hasn't been a quick or easy process. It has required intentional focus, discipline, and perseverance. If I don't put the time in to stretch myself out I know I'll end up getting hurt. I won't be able to endure the strains of exercise or make quick adaptations to the terrain around me and I'll fall short of my goals. 

That's not a bad idea for other areas of my life either. The terrain of life is constantly changing and things very rarely work out exactly as planned. I can choose to allow those unforeseen circumstances to derail me completely or I can be flexible enough to adapt and move forward. I've got to continually stretch my problem-solving muscles by finding ways to overcome adversity. Then I'll be able to keep moving forward in the right direction even if the path doesn't look exactly like I thought it would.

Flexible Leadership

Unsuccessful coaches are those that impose their coaching style on their players without any regard for individual abilities and tendencies. These coaches arrogantly assume that since they have had victories using their system that everyone must adapt to how they do things. This doesn't take into consideration the chemistry and capability of individual people and highlights a stubborn inflexibility in that leader. It's why some coaches that were highly successful in one program are unable to translate that to another team. A wise coach will either recruit the people that fit the mold of their personal philosophy or invest the energy in reshaping their strategy to fit their personnel. Steadfastly refusing to adapt is what separates one-dimensional leaders from those that are truly transcendent.

What kind of leader are you? Are you secure enough in your own strengths & confident enough in your abilities to make those you lead successful? We reflect our true thoughts in the way we guide people in our jobs, the church, and even in our families. 

Big & Nimble

I was listening to ESPN radio in the car today (as I always do) and heard one of the hosts use a phrase that stuck with me. He said, "If you're going to be that big, you've got be nimble." He was referring to big offensive and defensive lineman that have to be quick on their feet or their size will be a detriment. His point was that you can't just be a behemoth--you've got to learn to move. You'll either trip over your feet or figure out how to maneuver as you change.

It's not a far stretch to see that this doesn't only apply to successful athletes. Even as we grow on a personal level, see our family increase, or watch our church get bigger, the principle is the same. We can't expect to do things exactly the same way and still see the same success. We've got to learn to adapt to our new found growth and be ready to adjust or we'll get left in the dust. You can't just grow--you've got to learn to be flexible to thrive.