Part 1
Sheep and cattle have to be handled differently. Sheep require tending. They need clear boundaries for their own protection, not to mention the shepherd's potential loss if they are devoured by a wolf or fall off a cliff. Cattle do just fine when they're given good grazing land and left alone. What's the point? To fulfil your dream, you must 'know' the people you work with. Whether they're partners or patrons, bosses or colleagues, clients or constituents, customers or critics, people need to be identified and managed according to their talents and their temperament. So what kind of people belong on your team? John Maxwell writes: 'Some people have a dream but no team - their dream is impossible. Some people have a dream but a bad team - their dream is a nightmare. Some people have a dream and are building a team - their dream has potential. Some people have a dream and a great team - their dream is inevitable.' Moses needed Joshua; Naomi needed Ruth. The idea of the self-made person is a myth. Whether they acknowledge it or not, all successful people had help along the way. Only when you can admit that you need help will you begin looking for it. And that's a crucial step in achieving success. The next steps are knowing people's strengths, communicating your vision to them in such a way that they buy into it, bringing out the best in them and rewarding them. Chris Hodges says, 'A dream is a compelling vision you see in your heart, that's too big to accomplish without the help of others.' Soul food: Is 45-48; John 12:12-19; Ps 102:1-11; Pr. 27:7-9 Part 2 After being reconciled with his long-estranged brother Esau, Jacob agreed to accompany him home for a celebration. Esau, who was a fast-tracker, said, '...Let us go...' (12 NKJV). But Jacob said, '...You go on ahead!.' He explained to his brother, '...The children are weak, and the flocks and herds which are nursing are with me...if the men should drive them hard...the flock will die...I will lead on slowly at a pace...the livestock...and the children, are able to endure...' (13-14 NKJV). Jacob had great insight. He understood that if you push too hard and take on too much you can lose not only your business, but your family. There's an important lesson here. In your quest to achieve, stay in balance! There must be a time for work and a time for rest; a time for your career and a time for your relationships. The words, 'To love and to cherish', mean you are married to your spouse, not your job! When it comes to your home life, your character and your spiritual walk, evolution is not the natural order. What you leave unattended deteriorates. Dr. John Maxwell shared the following prayer with his friends at a recent birthday party: 'Lord, as I grow older I think I want to be known as...thoughtful rather than gifted, loving versus quick or bright, gentle versus powerful, a listener more than a great communicator, available rather than a hard worker, sacrificial instead of successful, reliable not famous, content more than driven, self-controlled rather than exciting, generous instead of rich, compassionate more than competent.' And that's a prayer you should pray too! Soul food: Is 49-52; John 12:20-36; Ps 102:12-17; Pr. 27:10-12 Part 3 Abraham and Lot started out together in business. Then a problem arose: '...Their possessions were so great that they could not dwell together. And there was strife between the herdsmen...' (vv.6-7 NKJV). So Abraham said, 'Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right...' (v.9 NKJV). There's an important lesson here: Just because somebody belonged in your early life, doesn't mean they're supposed to make the whole journey with you. When memories of the early days of working with somebody are wonderful, it's difficult to face the truth that those days are gone and will never return. Does that mean you are right and they are wrong? No, it just means you each have different destinies. If you don't understand that, people who were once the wind beneath your wings can become a weight that drags you down. Sometimes you outgrow a person's gifting and capacity, and no matter how much you try to help or improve them they won't get any better. When that happens your prospects are diminished and your momentum suffers. Some of the people you want in your life shouldn't be in it because they don't share your passion; they have a different calling. If you learn this sooner rather than later, you'll save yourself untold heartache. The story's told of a man who left this message on his answering machine: 'I'm not available right now. I'm making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I don't return your call, you are one of the changes.' Soul food: Is 53-57; John 12:37-50; Ps 102:18-28; Pr. 27:13-16 Comments are closed.
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Ana & Andre Schoonbee God uses us to motivate and encourage the body. Authors
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