Tag: Dedication

Planning for Success

We’ve all heard that “those who fail to plan, plan to fail.”

Success and quality are the results of intentionality and planning with a dedication to persevere.

When a plan is in place, foresight has already formulated direction for those unexpected or untimely challenges.

This does not mean we will never have to deal with challenges, but if we negotiate a plan before we are in them, we know better how to handle those times.

Leading requires a plan. This is more significant when the spiritual application is connected. Whatever time is given to develop a good plan, it will produce success and quality.

Committed Leaders

How committed are you? David McNally says, “Commitment is the enemy of resistance, for it is the serious promise to press on, to get up, no matter how many times you are knocked down.”

Are we committed enough to get up no matter how many times we get knocked down?

When we are committed we oppose resistance.
When we are committed we are motivated.
When we are committed we have dedication.
When we are committed we keep our focus.
When we are committed we will stop at nothing.

Nothing is more deserving of our commitment than the cause of Jesus.

Generous Leaders

Leaders should exemplify generosity. Leadership is built on giving our time, energy, money, emotions, and ability.

When leaders demonstrate generosity, others learn the value of the gift. However, our generosity must be checked.

Intention: What is the motive behind our gift?

Object: What is the object of our generosity? Work? Family? Church? Lord?

Planned dedication: Is there a planned purpose?

Action: Are we ready to start giving?

Self-examination: What are we losing by holding on to it?

What suits our giving? Do we give what is left over, easy and convenient, or is our generosity suited by the best?

Servant Leaders

Leadership is not a located idea. Leadership is universal in application and is not limited to race, gender, age, or position.

Anyone can lead from anywhere.

We must continually learn from others about leadership. When we learn about the sacrifice, dedication, passion, and attitude of true servant leaders, we should be encouraged to do the same.

They give their lives to prepare others.
They dedicate their time to the work.
They love their people.
They work to serve, not to be served.

The example provided by them demonstrates the character needed for those who learn from them.

A Loyal Leader

Loyalty is a vital characteristic in leadership. Leaders must be loyal to those they influence. How can leaders build the kind of loyalty needed to lead?

Demonstrate trust: The trust we have in God must be exemplified in our service. We must also learn to trust in others.

Develop consistency and integrity:
The decisions we make in leadership must be made with a consistent standard of integrity.

Dedicate the heart: Dedication involves the highest level of commitment. We must be dedicated to God, others, and reaching the goal.

These are three of many steps, but if we use them we can build a solid foundation for loyalty.

Leadership Habits…

It takes 21 days to develop a habit. Working on a specific activity or trait for 21 days straight is all we need.

When something becomes a habit, it is more like second nature, or perhaps first nature.

The amount of time necessary to reinforce the activity or trait depends on the dedication required to develop the habit.

Some habits are good and some are bad. Our greatest challenges involve breaking the bad habits. Leaders must develop the kind of habits that promote an influence toward godliness.

Perfecting our Leadership…

“Practice makes perfect” is a common expression. The idea expresses the need to do something over and over until the art is just right.

A modification of this thought says, “Perfect practice makes perfect.”

Olympic athletes practice drills, routines, or exercises for hours each day until their skill is perfected. They are dedicated to one purpose, performing for those few minutes without giving way to pressure.

Certain leadership qualities may be inherent, but one thing we know, the ability to lead must be worked on continually.

There must be focus, dedication, diligence, and a steadfast spirit to the one purpose God has called us for, to lead.

Decisive Leaders…

Life is filled with making decisions. The multiplicity of options makes the process challenging.

Leaders know that decisions change the course of their own lives, but also the lives of those who follow.

Here are a few ideas to help.

Pray for help, strength, and guidance in this decision.
Remember, indecision is a decision.
Investigate all possible consequences to the decision.
Do not always take the “easiest” course of action.
Give complete dedication to the decision.
Always think about the motive behind the decision.

A few steps can provide greater confidence in our decisions.