I Should...

Have you ever said “I should…” when describing where you feel you are supposed to be in maturity, health, and preparation? I’ve recognized my own list of “shoulds” that have been part of my thinking.

I should...

Be stronger
Be better at this
Be able to figure this out
Be farther along on my journey
Have a better plan
Have more money saved
Be in better shape
Be over this by now
Have better relationships
Be able to adjust more quickly
Be able do more
Be able to bounce back more quickly
Know better

There is a dangerous line between wanting to grow and using the word "should" as a way to shame yourself for things you aren't. Shifting your mindset to use the word “could” instead can actually be helpful. Examining yourself with a healthy perspective allows you to see progressive growth even if you aren’t as far along on that path as you would like to be.

Should is filled with shame. Could is filled with potential.

Keep pushing yourself to become your best version, but don't let gaps in growth and temporary setbacks define your character. See your potential without punishing yourself for not fully living it out yet. Each day presents another opportunity to move closer to your most complete self.

Practice Thinking

"Thinking always ahead, thinking of always trying to do more, brings a state of mind in which nothing seems impossible." Henry Ford



What are you consistently thinking about? How is your thought life pushing you to new things in your personal and professional life? Stretch your mind to imagine new possibilities and strengthen your creative muscles. You'll find new horizons and be challenged by exciting potential opportunities.

Hustling

As a lifelong New York Mets fan, I have endured seasons of unfulfilled expectations, disappointment, and enjoyment at unexpected successes. My commitment to my team doesn't waver even if I am in the extreme minority. We have had great stars play for the team over the years and have also add over-achievers who quickly became fan favorites. This week in the baseball All-Star game we will have one representative on the squad, our second baseman Daniel Murphy. I've watched him over the last several years as he has worked diligently to enhance his skill set and make the most of his abilities. I read this assessment of him online last night:



Daniel Murphy is the antithesis of a star. There is no grace in his game. There is no flash. There is no sense of ease. His value stems entirely from function, not aesthetics, and because of this, he knew long ago that his only way to the major leagues involved walking a fine line. 

"I've always felt that at the point that I don't play the game with my hair on fire, I'm just not physically gifted enough to continue playing at this level," Murphy said. "So that's how I've always approached it." 




This level of self-awareness and dedication to hard work is an admirable trait for leaders as well. It requires us to be cognizant of our limitations and be willing to maximize our efforts to make the most of the opportunities in front of us. If we fail in either area we'll end up falling short of our leadership potential.

Earning It

The NFL draft is wrapping up this week and the months of predictive analysis will now continue with months of event analysis. Everyone will want to know if the experts were able to correctly predict a player's NFL success based on his college work.

I was thinking about the college players who were drafted this morning and the high level of success they experienced at the collegiate level. Some of them have won Heisman trophies, player of the year awards, All-American honors, conference championships, and national championships. Those are all impressive accolades, but they don't guarantee anything professionally. All of their college accomplishments have only earned them an opportunity to succeed at the next level. Now that the draft is over no one cares about what they have done in their past, but only want to see what they will do next.

I don't know that's quite as cut and dry for the rest of us, but there is some truth to that principle. Our past leadership decisions don't guarantee our future success, but they do provide us the opportunity to make the next right decision. Even with an impressive pedigree we still have to be disciplined and focused enough to bring our best for the future. We might buy ourselves a bit of grace with our history, but at some point we'll need to step up our game enough to make a difference at the next level.

Game Plan

There are a lot of people that can be in charge, but that doesn't make them a leader. The best leaders don't just move an organization forward or add to their resume, but they intentionally invest in their followers. They are able to see individual strengths and weaknesses and create opportunities for people to contribute in the best way. These leaders don't see people as an asset to use up, but as individuals with incredible potential to grow. They recognize each person's gifts and understand that as they develop the staff that the organization will mature as well.

I recently read that good leaders play checkers (every piece moves the same and in the same direction) while great leaders play chess (exponential potential based on each piece.) I think the fundamental difference is in the maturity of the leader who understands the responsibility of the leader to their followers. The most effective leader is able to bring out the best in those that are following them.

How are you leading?

The Best

I believe that 2014 is the most important year of my life. I don't have any special insight or prophetic vision for the future that guarantees that, but I still believe it to be so. This is my most important year to become more mature as a follower of Christ, to increase my devotion to my wife & children, and to become a more effective leader and pastor. This year holds tremendous promise and potential for the greatest interaction with God that I have experienced to this point in my life. I can accomplish more than I ever have before and see my faith progress in greater ways as I increase my discipline and devotion to what matters most.

There is nothing magical about 2014 other than the fact that it is the year that I have to work with. I won't ever get to repeat this year and once these specific moments have passed they are gone forever. It is the most important year because it's the one that I have. Approaching this year with that attitude guarantees that I won't casually pass through opportunities for personal growth. It helps me stay focused on the power of the moment and the seize the potential God places in front of me.

New Beginnings

My blog's title represents something that I have found is very important to me--new beginnings. I started this new blog after our departure from Florida amidst my need for a clean slate. It was my

way of recognizing my own need for repentance and the opportunity to begin again. Each time I write I am reminded of how much this phrase is now a part of my DNA. A new beginning is not just about a departure from my old way of life, but it also brings the promise of unexplored territory rife with potential. It represents the newness of each day and my need for God's forgiveness. It is the excitement that I feel when I meditate on the future and the preparation God is doing in my life right now. It marks new steps of faith in my children's lives and the hope I have for their own calling. It's the love affair I have for my wife and the freshness of our relationship after 21 years together.

New beginnings isn't just the name of a place that I write--it's the mantra that I live by as God blesses me each day.

Higher

I have always considered the phrase "high capacity leader" to be something that I desired to be and am working towards. I think it speaks to the ability to get things done, the potential for growth, and someone who is able to influence others to maximize their own potential. 

I was meditating on leadership and my own growth recently however, and realized that simply striving to be high capacity is an incomplete vision. The equation that actually brings the greatest level of success, influence, and vision fulfillment is this: 

High Capacity + Execution = High Productivity

We take the abilities that God has given us and apply a focused work ethic and dedicated performance so that we are able to produce what we are most capable of. It's a conscious decision to translate "what could be" into "what is." 

Action combined with ability turns potential into reality.