It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
This morning I spent some time with a friend over a good cup of coffee. No agenda, just catching up, encouraging each other, and challenging each other.
The appointment was random in that we decided last night to grab a quick cup of coffee, but the results of that conversation were transformational.
The passage from Proverbs jumps out to me: "As iron sharpens iron..." or in The Message it says: "You use steel to sharpen steel, and one friend sharpens another."
When you rub two iron blades together, they each become sharper, more useful.
This is the word picture presented here talking about the value of not simply "hanging out" with your friends or with others, but actually actively engaging together.
My conversation this morning was a "sharpening" time. Good questions, affirmation, asking about clarity, sharing experiences, both sides being a little vulnerable and honest. I left feeling refreshed and ready for the day.
I think I'm better when I have these kinds of interactions, and I miss them.
Think back to a recent conversation like this that you've had with someone. What about it was encouraging? Did you feel that you encouraged them in any way?
Here's my questions for you today:
- Do you have people in your life that are "sharpening" you on a regular basis?
- Are you intentional about identifying people that you can move to this level of communication with?
- Are you more comfortable in the casual and less vulnerable conversations?
I want to encourage you to find time over the next 5 days to have one of these "sharpening" conversations.
To make this happen, you simply need to:
- Identify someone that will engage with you
You want to find someone that you respect, someone that has some time or margin, someone that is genuine and who has an interest in you and your life, someone who will be honest with you, and someone who will be a part of a two-way conversation that involves listening and talking.
You also want to find someone that you trust, someone who won't take what you say and share it with others.
- Find a time, and intentionally invite that person to meet with you.
I would clarify that this isn't simply a cup of coffee, but that you have an agenda and a conversation you'd like to have. Be intentional, and don't wait for them to engage. Ask them to engage and then start the conversation.
Sometimes we have the potential for these conversations everyday but we don't go there because we're not sure they want to. Ask them. Invite them. I simply start by saying... "I'd like to run an idea and a question by you, and I'd like to hear your insight."
- Follow-Through
This involves actually making it happen. It might inconvenience you a little bit, you might have to get up earlier than you'd like, but if it's important, make it happen.
I also encourage you to clear your distractions for this conversation: Put you phone away, find a place where you can talk privately and hear each other, create enough space and time to have a deep conversation, don't try to rush it.
One conversation in the next 5 days. Share how this went with me when you've done it!
That's the challenge today!
If you want some simple COACHING TIPS that will help you in this conversation, CLICK HERE.
"If you keep sending away every person who challenges you, you'll never GROW. Some people are in your life to SHARPEN you." Mandy Hale
"You become like those you hang around. Choose those who add value & cause you to grow upward."
"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend." King Solomon
