Do It Now

No wonder Peter Drucker is considered one of the great teachers on leadership in our times. Listen to what he says. "A degenerative disease will not be cured by procrastination. It requires decisive action." He uses that to illustrate how we put off decisions that we know must be made. There are points of obsolescence in our lives and we just let them linger. They could be things that once worked very well for us, but their effectiveness has expired. We observe these items, relationships, or techniques that are now useless for long periods of time and do nothing. The fact that we continue to depend on people and methods that no longer get the job done is doing damage to our lives. Damage because we are wasting time that could be spent doing things that actually work. Damage because our growth is diverted while we stagnate using techniques that no longer fit where we are going. Damage because we are clinging to people that refuse to press into the future. Why is it so hard for us to act on situations that we know are not beneficial to us? Procrastination is a big part of the problem. We are going to do something about it tomorrow, and tomorrow never comes. Whatever the degenerative thing is that you are looking at, deal with it right now. If it needs to be eliminated then do it. If it needs to be adjusted then do it. There are things that hinder us and we cannot afford to let these hinderances continue. Do what must be done. If we do not take action, that unattended thing will continue to impact us in a negative way.

Work it out!

Discipline

Occasionally, I see the need to hit this topic. It could be because of the reminders I must have in my own life. We live in a society that seeks instant rewards. I know that I have the stains of that kind of thinking in my own heart and mind at times. I wouldn't say it out loud, as many of you wouldn't, but it is difficult to pursue a correct course when the prize to be enjoyed seems to be in a holding pattern. Our experience is like the proverb indicates: "Hope deferred makes the heart sick." When we do not see the reward coming for doing the right things, all that is left to keep us on track is discipline. We must train ourselves to do what is right just because it is right and not worry about what we get out of it. That sounds like an obvious and easy thing. The truth is we want to enjoy benefits from our actions. The longer we go without seeing some kind of positive reinforcement for our correct behavior, the harder it is to continue doing what is right. Do not give up! Whether it is from a spiritual, moral, ethical or practical perspective keep grinding. I happen to believe the Bible verse that says, "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Galatians 6:9 NIV)"

Making A Real Change

You and I both know that we talk about change a whole lot more than actually making change. When we decide that we really want to do something to improve our lives it usually requires change. To make a significant change there are a few things that are necessary. First we need to see honestly, where we are and what we are working with. That sounds like an easy thing, but we are better at living in denial than we would care to admit. Without an honest assessment of our true condition we cannot move forward effectively. Then we must make a serious commitment to do something to change our condition for the better. The commitment phase is so important that we need to make it our immediate mission. We will do whatever we seriously commit to do. The mission we make will drive us; so why not make a personal mission for positive change? Finally, we need to put our talent into action to back up the commitment. We are more competent than we think. What you do best can be done in ways to move you to a better place. I'm not talking about doing what you have always done. I'm not talking about doing what people expect you to do. You and I were born to do something. Do that thing you were born to do and it will move you forward. We can change our condition for the better. Honesty, commitment and utilizing the skills we have been blessed with is a very simple formula. One of the great teachers on leadership, Peter Drucker, said it like this: "Assumptions about environment, mission and core competencies must fit reality." That is the same sentiment in a sentence. A dream will only be a dream until we take some focused, positive action.

Work It Out!