No New Year Resolutions For Me
I am not much for New Year’s resolutions. I think they are short-sided. Years ago, I would spend the days before New Year writing out my goals for the next year. I thought somehow this was better than a list of resolutions.
All of that changed for me when I was introduced to what is now one of my favorite books, Inspire, What Great Leaders Do. In this wonderful book written by Lance Secretan, he talks about leading from Inspiration rather than motivation. Here is a short clip from him on that topic:
He goes on in this wonderful book, to explain how we must first be inspired, before we can inspire. He takes the reader through a ”Why-Be-Do” self-inquiry process to help them discover their Destiny, Cause and Calling.
After, reading this wonderful book, I realized that goal setting was simply a way to motivate myself to accomplish certain things. Instead of focusing on goals, I now focus on my ”Why-Be-Do”, my Destiny, my Cause and my Calling:
My Destiny: To promote Excellence and Optimism
My Cause: To Inspire Others to Strive for Excellence
My Calling: To Lead and Serve Through My Gifts of Administration & Leadership
I no longer sit down once a year (quarter, month) evaluating my performance. Instead, I consider why God put me here, who he wants me to be and what he has called me to do (Why-Be-Do). Instead of focusing on performance, I focus on understanding who I am and how to be the best me I can be. Instead of being motivated, I am Inspired.
I hope you consider picking up a copy of Lance Secretan’s book. It will give you a new way to look at life and leadership.
Have a wonderful and Inspired New Year!
Keith, thank you for your encouragement and support. We have some very exciting news – I have a new book due out next year which will become the rallying call for a new movement of Inspired Leadership. I invite your readers to join the inuagural conference call on January 27th., 2010, in which we will invite new members of this movement to become “Torchbearers”. Call 519-927-5213 or e-mail info@secretan.com for more information. May you all have a blessed New Year.
Great stuff, Keith. Given the importance of Leadership in church life, and the dearth of good books on the subject from the religious press, I’m ordering a copy. Let’s talk about how else we might promote and teach this critical subject to our pastors and their lay leaders.