It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Currently, I'm exploring different leadership quotes on this blog post, and pulling out some application for all of us. This is part of my personal journey to keep growing, learning and being stretched! Join me each Tuesday at 2:00pm (PST). It will take you just a few minutes to read through the 2 sections of this post, but don't miss the final section where I share some of the things I'm reading, listening to and enjoying this week.
Russ
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"Stop setting yourself on fire to keep someone else warm." Penny Reid
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
I'd like to ask you to think about this quote and then to tell me what it's saying to you in the comments.
I've shared a couple of quotes about pouring into other people, then I saw this one and it forced me to stop and think.
I think there are 2 options...
ONE: You are so giving and sacrificial that you constantly put others before yourself and think of others needs. This is noble, this is valuable, this is important, this is what Jesus would do.... Put others first.
or
TWO: You are a mess because you think about other people and you don't take care of yourself... in fact, your life is "on fire" and out of control and you've got to STOP. This is important, this is valuable, this is noble, this is what Jesus would do... Take care of yourself so you can then care for others.
Which one is it?
Are there other interpretations?
Share your thoughts by clicking HERE and commenting on the blog post.
DEEPER STILL:
In LifePlanning, there's a tool called The Replenishment Cycle. I had the privilege of walking a close friend through a LifePlan this past week, and the question around replenishment is this: What Refuels You? or What Restores Your Soul?
The exercise is for a person to identify a couple of things that they do or that they want to do that will refill them.
Here's an example from my replenishment cycle: I need adventure in my life. I love life, and I like the work that I do, but I also need new experiences, I need to push myself and I love to embrace some risk. I know that when I do this, I'm more full of life, I'm happier and it fills me up. My wife knows this about me, so whether it's a motorcycle trip, a crazy trip to Central Asia or time exploring a new city, when I come home I might be physically tired, but I'm ALIVE. I need some kind of adventure in my life at least once a month, and then once a year something a little larger. It can be something as simple as paddle boarding in the open water or going on a vacation with our kids. It doesn't have to be exotic or expensive, but it has to be adventurous.
This is one of mine... I have 4 others that have been proven to restore my soul on a regular basis.
What about you? How are you taking care of your soul? How do you build restorative activities & practices into your life or do you prefer to live your life "on fire"?
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
Here's a shoutout to our friend and ministry partner Gerhard and his vision for leadership development in Africa. Great vision, team, passion and plan! Check out Jabulani Africa Ministries.
If you're looking for a retreat venue in Georgia, check out Cohutta Springs. We just held our second leadership event there and the staff and the property facilitate a great location for any event.
I've been listening to this album all week by Chris Stapleton: Starting Over. Really good music.
Peter Greer has had an impact on my life since hearing him speak at The Barnabas Group, and then through his books. Last week I taught a session from his book, Succession. Everyone in leadership should read this book, whether you're thinking about succession or not. Really good and practical insight.
I've been using the Full Focus Planner from the Michael Hyatt Company for the past quarter, and I'm learning to not only use it well, but it's helping me capture my plan, my process and my thinking. Check out the products, the training and the vision to help leaders be more productive.