I can be a very driven person. It’s easy for me to get caught up in a drive to be successful in this life. But what really is success? I’ve put together a short list for 2012 to help keep me on track. Let me know if it helps you.
10 Things to Remember in 12.
1. Life is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. It’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish the race. Sustainability counts more than speed. Don’t give up! Run the race for a “heavenly reward that never disappears” (1 Cor. 9:25)..
2. Every person matters.. There is no such thing as an insignificant person. Jesus died all people and if he favors anyone, it’s the poor and downtrodden. Don’t look down on anyone, in fact, make plans this years to help more of those less fortunate than you.
3. Take time for yourself. If you are feeling like life is out of control, that you are undervalued, that you are too busy, or if you put the needs of others consistently before your own, then it is time to create some time and space for yourself. Taking time for yourself allows you to renew, heal, and create reserves of energy and peace. Honoring yourself enables you to discover your truth, access your creativity and experience a sense of peace, wholeness, purpose, and balance.
4. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. It is foolish to compare. Why? First, you can always find someone doing a better job than you and you’ll get discouraged. Second, you can always find someone you’re doing a better job than, and you’ll become prideful. Either one can sabotage your life and calling. . When you get to heaven, God won’t say, “Why weren’t you more like ….? He made you to be you not someone else.
5. Live for an audience of One. The moment you start worrying about what other people think, your life is handicapped. If criticism is true, listen and learn from it. If it is false, ignore it and forget it. Remember that God is the ultimate judge of your life and calling. Maintain a tough skin and tender heart.
6. Never criticize nor envy others. . I’ve seen more people defeated by these two traps than anything else. A critical or an envious spirit quenches joy. We are to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
7. Be humble or you’ll stumble. He who gets too big for his britches will inevitably be exposed in the end! Whenever I am prideful I become the enemy of God because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble people are teachable and don’t rush to judge others. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less! It’s not about you or me!
8. Learn from everyone. Work smarter, not harder. Every time I hear about anyone making an impact, I say, “Cool! Now teach me how to do it too!” All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. You can learn from anyone if you ask the right questions.
9. Personal growth is seasonal. Every living thing goes through seasons of growth (spring and summer) and dormancy (fall and winter). We all go through these seasons. Healthy personal growth takes TIME. A mushroom, takes 6 hours to form. An oak tree takes 60 years. Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree? You may feel like your life is dormant right now, that’s okay, just keep doing the right things. Keep on believing, learning, loving, and putting down roots. Spring and summer are coming! Hang on!
10. Never confuse prominence with significance. Yes, my nose is prominent, (insert your own joke about me here), but I could lose it and still live. On the other hand, my lungs and liver will never been seen but they are far more significant. I’d die without them. You may have big dreams but you may be living in a small town or in circumstances with limited growth potential. So what? Reach out and help the people you are around. You are there for a reason, no matter how insignificant you think it is.
Which one of these points speaks to you?
Happy New Year!
10 Things to Remember in 12.
1. Life is a marathon, not a 50-yard dash. It’s not how you start that matters. It’s how you finish the race. Sustainability counts more than speed. Don’t give up! Run the race for a “heavenly reward that never disappears” (1 Cor. 9:25)..
2. Every person matters.. There is no such thing as an insignificant person. Jesus died all people and if he favors anyone, it’s the poor and downtrodden. Don’t look down on anyone, in fact, make plans this years to help more of those less fortunate than you.
3. Take time for yourself. If you are feeling like life is out of control, that you are undervalued, that you are too busy, or if you put the needs of others consistently before your own, then it is time to create some time and space for yourself. Taking time for yourself allows you to renew, heal, and create reserves of energy and peace. Honoring yourself enables you to discover your truth, access your creativity and experience a sense of peace, wholeness, purpose, and balance.
4. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. It is foolish to compare. Why? First, you can always find someone doing a better job than you and you’ll get discouraged. Second, you can always find someone you’re doing a better job than, and you’ll become prideful. Either one can sabotage your life and calling. . When you get to heaven, God won’t say, “Why weren’t you more like ….? He made you to be you not someone else.
5. Live for an audience of One. The moment you start worrying about what other people think, your life is handicapped. If criticism is true, listen and learn from it. If it is false, ignore it and forget it. Remember that God is the ultimate judge of your life and calling. Maintain a tough skin and tender heart.
6. Never criticize nor envy others. . I’ve seen more people defeated by these two traps than anything else. A critical or an envious spirit quenches joy. We are to “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (Romans 12:15).
7. Be humble or you’ll stumble. He who gets too big for his britches will inevitably be exposed in the end! Whenever I am prideful I become the enemy of God because “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble people are teachable and don’t rush to judge others. Humility is being honest about your weaknesses. Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less! It’s not about you or me!
8. Learn from everyone. Work smarter, not harder. Every time I hear about anyone making an impact, I say, “Cool! Now teach me how to do it too!” All leaders are learners. The moment you stop learning, you stop leading. You can learn from anyone if you ask the right questions.
9. Personal growth is seasonal. Every living thing goes through seasons of growth (spring and summer) and dormancy (fall and winter). We all go through these seasons. Healthy personal growth takes TIME. A mushroom, takes 6 hours to form. An oak tree takes 60 years. Do you want to be a mushroom or an oak tree? You may feel like your life is dormant right now, that’s okay, just keep doing the right things. Keep on believing, learning, loving, and putting down roots. Spring and summer are coming! Hang on!
10. Never confuse prominence with significance. Yes, my nose is prominent, (insert your own joke about me here), but I could lose it and still live. On the other hand, my lungs and liver will never been seen but they are far more significant. I’d die without them. You may have big dreams but you may be living in a small town or in circumstances with limited growth potential. So what? Reach out and help the people you are around. You are there for a reason, no matter how insignificant you think it is.
Which one of these points speaks to you?
Happy New Year!
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