Eternal Perspective

If you have read any of my posts before today, you likely know that one of my recurring themes is that of having an eternal perspective. In my mind, decision making that is done from anything but an eternal perspective is not God-honoring and misses the mark.

Sure, some of the decisions we are asked to make from day to day are not ones that appear like they will have a major impact on eternity. I get that. At the same time, sometimes appearances are not what they seem.

Significant Consequences

Sometimes seemingly small decisions can carry significant consequences. It is for this reason that we need to take our decision making process seriously. We need to attempt to include God in every decision we make. How far you take this advice is up to you, but I think you can understand what I mean.

Not only do we need to include Him in our decision making process, but we also need to make sure that we have some sort of structure for our bigger decisions.

Decision Making Structure

I am not recommending anything too formal, but a good set of questions that we can go through when facing these larger decisions can be a huge help. A recent C12 segment included a great set of questions that can serve this very purpose. I am pulling the main questions, and supporting questions, directly from this segment.

My suggestion is that you take these five questions and put them somewhere you can access easily and quickly when you need them. Then, when faced with a tough decision making situation, pull them out and go through them one at a time.

Improve Your Odds!

While this decision making process will not guarantee you to make the right decisions every time, it will significantly increase the odds in your favor. Depending on how honest you can be with yourself, you should see improved results by asking these questions.

Rather than try to cram all five of these questions into one long post, I am going to break them into several posts. I will cover the first question in this post.

Here is the first question:

Decision Making Question #1

How will your most important priorities as God’s child and servant be enhanced by this decision?

In other words, will such a decision enhance your fruitfulness? Or, might these very priorities (i.e., your calling) be hindered if you make such a decision? (Remember, God doesn’t work against Himself!)

You may want to read that a couple of times to make sure you understand exactly what it is asking.

Most Important Priorities?

First, what are your most important priorities as God’s child and servant? While this may be debatable to some, I think Scripture answers this quite clearly. In Matthew 22:35-40, Jesus tells us that our top priorities are these:

Love God with all your heart, mind, and soul.
Love your neighbor as yourself.

Priorities Affected?

Second, you need to ask yourself how these priorities would be affected by this decision. Would one of the options before you enhance the fruit you are bearing in living out these priorities? Would that option limit your fruit?

In some cases, the decision may have no affect at all on these priorities. That is certainly possible, but we need to make sure by praying through our answer. Sometimes we can hide critical factors from ourselves if we are not careful. We must ask God to reveal these to us.

Stay Tuned!

I hope you can see how this question can help to guide us through the decision making process. In my next posts, I will cover the remainder of the questions.

Stay tuned!

Think about a recent decision that you have made.

Would this question have changed how you approached that decision?

Would it have changed your decision altogether?

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Year End Review

As I have mentioned in previous posts, I schedule time out of the office at the end of each year to review that year and to plan for the new one. For years, I have followed this process, tweaking it each year. If you are not currently doing this, I cannot recommend it strongly enough! I honestly see it as non-negotiable for a leader that is committed to success by any measurement.

While a critical part of my year end session includes goal setting for the new year, likely the most important component is my review of the prior year. Without knowing where I am and where I have come from, it is difficult to know which direction to head going forward. For this reason, I take the necessary time to dig into the prior year and ask tough questions.

C12’s Yearly Audit

As I continue to seek out new ideas and tools for productivity, effectiveness, and learning, I have come across many methods of reviewing prior performance. You probably have some of your own that work for you. While I have seen (and used) many such tools, I have found none more effective at getting to the root of my godly leadership performance than C12’s Yearly Audit.

I have shared this segment in whole in the past, but this year I have pulled out what I believe are the most critical questions relating to your business. The following questions may not be meaningful to all business leaders, but for those who understand their God-given leadership roles, these questions are priceless!

Year End Review Questions

I encourage you to go ahead and read through these questions now, but I strongly recommend you also save these questions for deeper review at a time when you can dig into them without interruption. Don’t miss the growth that can come from the focused review of your year with this tool.

• Are you pleased with the quantity and quality of time you spent alone with the Lord this past year, growing in your relationship with Him?
• Did you increasingly listen and relate to key team members with ears tuned to God and His purposes and eyes searching for ways to minister to your team’s needs?
• Did you improve in the way see suppliers, customers, employees, and others more as opportunities for personal ministry and less as objects to exploit for personal gain?
• Were you able to extricate yourself more (even slightly) from the grasp of materialism, stewarding your gifts with more of an open hand before the Lord?
• Imagine God were to tell you that your current situation will not improve, that this is the best your life will ever be. To what degree can you honestly say, “Thank you, Father, I already enjoy more than I deserve or need?”
• If you believe that (1) your business is a gift from God, (2) as His steward, you are to run it with excellence and honor Him, then how well have you mustered the time and will to learn and apply better ways to steward as you serve?
• If eternal fruit* is defined as “lives turned toward God,” then did you see more eternal fruit produced as a result of your business this past year?
*examples might include: people more favorably aware that you work as an Ambassador for Christ in and around your business, needy people helped through or as a result of your business because God entrusted it to your care, people that were helped know it was because you love God and minister in His name, more Christians influenced to grow in their faith as you conduct business in a way that reflects Christ, your own growth in humble but firm servant leadership according to Scriptural principles, etc.

Take The Time!

As I mentioned above, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of taking time out of your normal schedule to review your year with these questions. Of course, the next step after that is to determine the steps you need to take in order to improve in the coming year! Use the awareness you gain from these questions to inspire your planning and goal setting for this year.

Progress, Not Perfection!

One final note: please do NOT get frustrated by what may currently seem like impossible standards represented by the questions above. If this is new to you, there will likely be so many opportunities for improvement that you feel overwhelmed or even depressed. Don’t accept it! I have been using this tool for 10 years now and I still see significant gaps in my own performance!

Instead, I urge you to focus on measuring your progress toward the goal, not the current distance between you and your goal. It is too easy to get derailed and stuck when you focus on the apparent chasm between you and the standards you see represented here. If you will focus on one step at a time, you will begin to see the progress you desire.

Do you already have a habit of year end review and planning?

What questions do you ask in review of the prior year?

Which of these questions gives you the most trouble?

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Is “How?” A Stumbling Block?

So, if we are completely willing to put our faith in and depend upon cell phones without understanding the technology that makes them work, why do we treat God differently? Why do so many people doubt God simply because they cannot see exactly HOW He works? Why do they allow the “How” question to be such a stumbling block?

In my last post, I talked about the difference between the reactions of Mary and Zechariah to Gabriel’s news. If you have not read that post yet, please do so now! This post will make more sense if you do.

Zechariah’s Doubt

As we look at Zechariah’s reaction to Gabriel’s news of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, we see the same mentality I described above relating to cell phones. Zechariah was looking at the facts (he and Elizabeth were old and she was unable to bear children) and doubted God.

Zechariah questioned the “How” because he could not understand “How” it could happen. He allowed it to be a stumbling block to his faith and was punished as a result.

Mary’s Faith

On the other hand, Mary did not express doubt. She also asked “How” it would be, but evidently Gabriel saw faith in her heart. It is for that reason that he did not punish her.

What was it about Mary that gave her such strong faith?

How can we mimic that same faith in our lives and businesses?

Willing Suspension Of Disbelief

The first key to doing this is similar to what is called a willing suspension of disbelief. We learned about this in high school literature class. In that context, it means is that we voluntarily ignore the apparent impossibility of something we are about to experience for the purpose of being entertained.

While our purpose is different than that, the action is similar. Mary did this and so can we. She knew she was a virgin and therefore could not be pregnant. She ignored that fact and trusted God. We can do the same thing in our lives and in our businesses.

Application

Let’s say you are faced with a huge decision and you have been praying that God would lead you to the best outcome. As you come to a decision point, the path it appears that God wants you to take seems impossible. Maybe the numbers don’t work. Maybe it would require too many components to come together at just the right time.

Whatever the case, you know on one hand that God is in the decision. You have seen evidence of that as you have prayed for guidance. On the other hand, the facts appear to contradict the wisdom of the decision He is presenting to you.

Rather than allowing the facts to become a stumbling block to you, I am recommending you act like Mary and ignore them. Rather than following Zechariah’s example, trust God to be Who He says He is. Trust Him to do what He says He will do.

Submission

Now that you have ignored the facts opposing your decision, your next move is to submit. Maybe this seems obvious, but it is not always the case. The following illustrates my point:

There are four frogs on a lily pad and one decides to jump off. How many are left? Four! The decision to jump off is not the same as the act of jumping off!

After we have decided to act, we must then act. This action should come in the form of submitting to God’s will. This is key because God looks at our heart. He is not interested in what we do as much as the intent behind what we do.

Mary’s Example

Look back at Mary’s reaction to Gabriel. Right after Gabriel explained what would happen to bring about the conception and pregnancy, Mary spoke words of faith.

“I am the Lord’s slave,” said Mary. “May it be done to me according to your word.”
Luke 1:38

These words not only confirmed that she had decided to move forward with the plan Gabriel had announced, but they also conveyed the condition of her heart. She was completely and totally submitted to God and whatever He had in mind for her.

Application

Just like Mary, we need to pray these words on a daily basis! I don’t mean we do it to the point of it becoming a habit without sincerity. I simply mean that we do it to condition our heart to a point of submission. Without this submission that Mary exampled for us, we cannot experience the fullness of God’s plan for our lives!

When we are unfairly targeted or slandered by a competitor and we want to react in kind, it is only a submissive heart that will hear God’s still, small voice talking us down. When our instinct tells us that we need to take action despite the clear godly counsel recommending we wait patiently, a submissive heart will keep us in place.

Give Him Praise!

The final step in this process is to give God the praise for whatever happens. Mary did this in Luke 1:46-55. She credited God with His great mercy and mighty deeds. She was quick to acknowledge that He was her source.

We must learn to do the same. Our first thought after a victory should be one of thanks and acknowledgement to God. He alone is our source. Without Him, we can do nothing! The sooner we recognize this and acknowledge it to Him, the sooner He can use us for incredible victories!

Has this been a stumbling block for you?

If not, how have you kept it from being a stumbling block?

What part of this do you need to work on?

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Clarity Tool From Andy Stanley

In my last post, I began to describe how Andy Stanley maintained clarity during these times. As he told us in a previous Chick-Fil-A Leadercast session, Andy faced these same issues as they experienced growth with North Point Community Church and its associated ministries.

Because of the complexity he knew he would face, Andy wrote three simple questions on a 3×5 index card during the early years of his ministry. This index card went with him every time he moved offices or took on more responsibility. It was from these three questions that he and his staff have been able to manage the increasing complexity and maintain clarity.

3 Questions For Clarity

While I covered the first question in more detail in my last post, I thought it wise to give a quick summary of it here. Below is that summary, as well as the remaining two questions from Andy’s card.

Question #1

What are we doing?

Andy’s point in asking this question was to keep the main purpose of the organization in the forefront of everyone’s minds. It is too easy for members of the organization at all levels to forget their original purpose. When this happens, energy is diluted among many good-intentioned activities rather than focused on the main purpose of the organization.

When the leader is consistent in asking this question, clarity is maintained. People can focus their energy on contributing toward the main purpose. Progress is greater and morale soars.

Question #2

Why are we doing it?

I have posted before on how important this question is to the overall purpose of the organization. While all three of these questions are critical, I personally believe this may be the most important of all.

If you do not have a good WHY, then you will falter when the going gets tough. Without knowing and being reminded of your WHY, it is easy to let obstacles stop you in your tracks. It is often the WHY that gives us the extra energy or desire to keep going even when we don’t FEEL like it.

It is also the WHY that influences HOW you do the WHAT!

Wait a minute…what was that? Read it again.

WHY Is Critical

For an example, consider an individual or business you know of that crossed the line and behaved in a way that was either illegal, unethical, or immoral. Their WHAT may have been perfectly good. Maybe their WHAT was to win a race or achieve a goal. Maybe it was even to grow a church.

Now consider their WHY. If their WHY was to honor God, would they have crossed the line like they did? If their WHY was more personal – more self serving – it is more likely they would be willing to cross a legal, ethical, or moral line to achieve the WHAT.

On the other hand, for those times when the WHY is focused on honoring God and doing His will, the methods we use to achieve our specific purpose (our WHAT) will be more likely to honor Him as well, right?

WHY Must Be Communicated

Andy made a final point on this question. He said that the answer to this question of WHY must be cascaded down throughout the organization. Team members at every level must know the WHY and be bought into it if we are to maintain clarity throughout the organization.

As leaders, it is our responsibility to communicate (and over-communicate) this answer to everyone on a consistent basis. If we do not, clarity is diminished.

Question #3

Where do I fit in?

Not only does every team member need to know the WHY discussed above, they also need to know exactly how they fit into the effort as an individual. If each individual is not clear on how they fit in, then they will not fit in! They must know – and be reminded of – their part in the machine or it will break down.

In Andy’s organization, this is achieved in an unusual way. Every position within his organization has a one-sentence job description. Obviously, these sentences cannot completely address everything that the individual team member is to do in their job. At the same time, that is the purpose.

One-Sentence Job Descriptions

Instead of covering everything, these one-sentence job descriptions cover the most important aspects of the job that individual is to complete. For the sake of clarity, here are some examples:

Sr. Pastor – To inspire our staff and congregation to remain fully engaged in our mission and strategy.

CFO – To create, implement, and monitor systems that ensure our organization remains fiscally secure.

Asst. to Sr. Pastor – Keep Andy’s path clear of nonessential tasks and decisions so that Andy can do what only Andy can do.

One final example comes from a book mentioned by another speaker at Chick-Fil-A’s Leadercast. His name was LCDR Rorke Denver, a Navy SEAL and star of the movie Act Of Valor. He referenced a book (Gates of Fire) about the Spartan’s battle with the Persians at Thermopylae. In this book is the following quote from a helot, an attendant to a Spartan warrior and similar to an armor-bearer:

“I supervised the care and transport of his armor, maintained his kit, prepared his food and sleeping site, bound his wounds and in general performed every task necessary to leave him free to train and fight.”

When members of your team know WHAT the team is doing, WHY they are doing it, and have that kind of understanding of WHERE they fit into the overall plan, there is clarity. This clarity allows every part of the “machine” to work as it should and great progress is made toward the WHAT.

Do you see how these 3 questions can help you maintain clarity?

How do you envision using these questions with your team?

Can you recall a time when you needed these questions?

What Is Your Business Doing?

If you are interested in following my process to create your own mission, vision, and core values, then check out my new ebook – Why Does Your Business Exist?

Click Here For Ebook!

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Continuous Learning

One topic that I talk about a lot in my posts is the idea of continuous learning. I am a strong believer in the need for leaders to always be learning in whatever ways are available. What I want to review today came from a session at the Chick-Fil-A Leadercast several years ago.

Clarity Card

It was during this event that I heard Andy describe the 3×5 index card that he has kept with him all of these years. He talked about how he had written three simple questions on this card back at the beginning of his efforts in starting North Point Community Church. Since then, he has referred back to this card many times over the years. Every time he moves or changes offices, this card goes with him.

He talked about how this card has continuously given him clarity when he needed it as he has faced increased complexity due to the growth of his ministry. As he talked about this card and the three questions, I knew I had to share them here.

Work To Be Done

I will go ahead and tell you that I can already see holes in my leadership and in our organization as a result of these three questions. If I am successful in implementing these questions for the purpose of clarity in my leadership, it will take me years. At the same time, they are so simple that I can start immediately!

Enough introduction…let’s get started! I hope you find these questions to be as useful as I have.

Question #1

What are we doing?

As simple as this question is, when applied to your organization, it can be powerful in bringing clarity amid complexity. So often, we get so busy dealing with the alligators, we forget that we came to drain the swamp.

Apple Computers

Andy gave a great example of this question being applied in a business setting. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, the company was not doing well. Supposedly, there were 30+ different versions of the Macintosh computer at the time! There certainly was no clarity in what they were doing.

Steve responded by stating, “We are going to build easy-to-use computers.” Anything they were currently working on that did not match that purpose was to be scrapped! As a result, clarity returned to the company and you know the rest of the story.

Clarity Is Critical

When there is clarity around what you are doing as an organization (of any size), there is power and speed. Without clarity, confusion exists and can cripple a team. No one knows exactly what they should be doing OR they have extreme focus and are doing exactly the WRONG things, but doing them very well!

Obviously, a company mission statement is a great start here, but there is more we can do to allow this question to bring clarity. Communicating the answer to this question across the organization brings clarity to everyone, not just the leadership.

We Need The Reminder

Unfortunately, none of this happens if you forget to ask the question. And as we all know too well, it is easy to forget. Distractions add up. This is exactly why Andy took this card with him every time he moved. He knew he needed the reminder to ask the questions on a regular basis. Otherwise, confusion would prevent him from seeing the impact he desired.

In my next post, we will look at the next two questions on Andy’s index card. I think you will find these two questions to be just as effective in bringing clarity to your ministry and business.

Can you answer this first question with confidence?

Would others in your organization give the same answer?

What does your next step need to be?

What Is Your Business Doing?

If you are interested in following my process to create your own mission, vision, and core values, then check out my new ebook – Why Does Your Business Exist?

Click Here For Ebook!

Photo by Talha_shahzad_photography/iStock

Langley’s Story

In the early 1900’s, Langley was the favorite among newswriters and others in the race to figure out controlled, powered, manned flight. Pierpont was funded with a $50,000 grant from the U.S. War Department. He had hired the best minds money could buy and he had any needed resources at his disposal. The only problem with his situation was that his “Why?” – his motivation – was simply wealth and fame.

Reporters followed him around wherever he went and everyone knew he would be the first to figure out the flying machine. He was almost a shoo-in!

Wright Brothers

“Almost” is the key word. That is because Orville and Wilbur Wright were in a much different situation. The Wright brothers owned and operated a bicycle shop in Dayton, OH. They had very little money to speak of. Their team did not have a single college graduate on it. They were not followed around by ANY reporters.

A Different Why?

In fact, no one even really knew they were in the race at all. That is no one except them. See, they had a very different “Why?” that motivated them. They wanted to change the world. They had a much deeper, gut-level motivation that gave them a significant advantage over Langley.

It was this motivation that drove them to take five sets of crash parts every time they went out to test their machine. This was because they would generally crash this many times before they would come in for dinner. They ran into many obstacles and challenges. They did not give up because they were operating out of a deeper “Why?” than Langley.

Changed The World

As a result, on December 17, 1903 on a beach in North Carolina, they made history. They did what they set out to do – they changed the world. I cannot imagine the emotion and elation they felt when they finally made it work. I would love to have been a part of that team!

Langley’s Response?

So, what did Samuel Pierpont Langley do when the announcement was made that he had lost the race? Did he take what the Wright brothers had done and look to improve on it? Did he look for opportunities to build on their success?

No, he did not.

Instead, he quit. He simply walked away because his “Why?” had evaporated. When he saw the fame bestowed on someone else, he gave up.

Application to Christian Business?

So…what in the world does this have to do with Christian business? Well, I think there are clear parallels.

Christian business is difficult.

It comes with additional pitfalls that other businesses do not face. There is a significant anti-audience opposing you when you step out onto the field and choose this side of the battle. The rewards are often delayed and tough to measure while we are here. Quite simply, it is much like the picture the Wright brothers faced.

The Wrong Why?

As a result, if you do not have a strong, internal will to run the race based on these terms, then you are much more likely to fade with the heat. If you like the idea of running a Christian business because you want to be honored at the city gates or celebrated for your strong principles, then I suggest you go back to the drawing board.

This race is not for the faint of heart. It will most likely not bring you fame and it will certainly not end up as you planned. You may think you have it all planned out, but if you are truly seeking God’s wisdom and guidance, then you can shred your plan. I guarantee He will change it. You can bet on that!

The Right Why?

On the other hand, if your “Why?” is solidly grounded in Scripture and resides in your core, then you have a fighting chance at success. Of course, this success is also going to look different than you think.

If you simply seek to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant…,” then you should be fine. Let this “Why?” really sink into your soul. Meditate on it and pray for wisdom about it. God will show you how to go, based on the unique way that He designed you.

Then, take that “Why?” and go change the world.

What About Your Business Why?

If you are interested in following my process to create your own mission, vision, and core values, then check out my new ebook – Why Does Your Business Exist?

Click Here For Ebook!

Have you ever given serious thought to the “Why?” that drives you?

If so, tell me about it. What keeps you going?

If not, are you ready to start?

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Who I Am Not Talking To!

Before we get to my main points, let me clarify who I am not talking to – the ones who have never had a relationship with God. The purpose of their claim to be Christians is simply to gain unwarranted credibility and attract more customers or better employees. These business people are painting whatever picture they need to paint in order to build their business. I am not speaking to this group…they aren’t reading my material anyway!

Why Are Our Standards Not Aligned?

For the rest, I don’t need to tell you that business is difficult. There seem to be new challenges every day and sometimes it is simply overwhelming. So when it comes to the idea of raising the standards of our business practices to align with God’s word and His desires for us, some Christian business leaders simply say, “Enough!” and stick with the status quo. They continue in their efforts to live in relationship with God, but they don’t believe they have the energy to raise their bar any higher.

Others have a desire to live out their faith, but have always been taught that business and their Christian faith are separate ideas, never to be mixed. I fell into this category for much of my life. Even when these Christ-followers begin to realize that God desires our entire commitment to Him (EVERY part of our lives!), most have no idea how to start!

We Are To Honor God

Regardless of the reasons, it is clear from Scripture that we are to honor God with our hearts and actions, not just pay Him lip service. Look at the verses below from a passage where Jesus was addressing the religious leaders.

He answered them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: These people honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
Matthew 7:6

Something Must Change!

This same idea can be applied to us as we claim the name of Jesus in our lives, but then go into the marketplace and act as if our relationship with Him has no effect on our actions or business practices. Folks, this simply cannot continue! Either we are following Jesus AND carrying out His teaching in every part of our lives OR we are not following Him – paying Him lip service instead. We cannot continue to carry only PART of our cross daily.

If you are one who knows your business practices do not align with Scripture and you are committed to change that, then I have some advice for you. First, know that I am excited for you! You are going to embark on a great adventure and will have incredible stories to tell about God’s provision. Get ready, because the ride can be a wild one!

3 Steps To Eliminating Lip Service

Now that you are ready to get started, there are three simple steps to follow to bring change to your business practices. Before I explain the steps, please know that while these are simple, they are still difficult. Please do not blow off these steps because they are not complex. Do not take them lightly because they are so simple. Just follow them and watch to see what God does!

Step #1 – Acknowledge The Gap

If there is to be change, you must first acknowledge that there is a need for it. You cannot tiptoe into these next two steps until you have fully committed your heart to this first step. It may be that you have been thinking about this for a while. Good, you are probably ready to jump! If this is a new idea to you, I promise you it is worth your time to pray that God would prepare you for commitment to the rest of this process.

Step # 2 – Read & Pray

The next step is to go the Bible and read Psalm 119, several times. Read the whole chapter – it is not too long. Read it and stop to think about the heart from which it is written. Read it again. If you are in the right mindset, this chapter will resonate with your heart and you will understand why it is part of the first step.

Once you have read it several times, get on your knees and pray in your own words what the author of this Psalm asked of God. Pray for specific help with your business practices. Beg Him to show you where you need to act first and to give you the strength you will need to do so. Also ask God to help you align other areas of your life with Scripture, if that is needed. You are fully aligning your heart with His.

Do this first step repeatedly for several days. Come back to it as often as you need to. God will respond. He is certainly faithful to requests like this. As you begin to feel your heart shifting into alignment with His, add Proverbs to your daily reading.

Take small chunks and pray about them. Ask God where your business is not in alignment with these verses. The book of Proverbs is chock full of business wisdom and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to execute Step #3 in the process.

Step #3 – Act

Very simply, you now must act. Take what God has shown you and take action on it. He will cause areas of your business to bubble up to the surface of your mind. Dig into these areas and determine what He is asking you to change. Now, change them!

I promise you there are areas that are not in alignment with His word. I also promise you that many of these areas will be very difficult for you to change. Sometimes it is a matter of an easy tweak to what you are doing, but often it will require some foundation-level changes. While these are not easy, they are worth the effort to change.

Get Ready!

God will honor your efforts here. He desires every part of your life to be in alignment with His word. As you move toward this position, He will guide you, give you the strength to proceed, and reward you. Like I said, get ready because the ride is a wild one!

Are you paying God lip service? Ready to change?

What is your first step toward eliminating lip service?

Whose accountability are you going to enlist?

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Escape The Rut

Sometimes the rut you find yourself in is work-related. Other times it is linked to a relationship failure or other disappointment. There are even some ruts that have no clear cause. I recently fell into one of these and had an extensive phone conversation with a mentor of mine, seeking help. The advice I received was simple and effective so I want to share it with you. Whatever the cause of your rut, the following 4 steps will help you regain that fire and passion for life!

Step #1 – Affirm Your Relationship With God

In this first step, you need to take out pen and paper (or your laptop) and begin to list everything you know to be true about God. Whatever promises or truths you can remember (or find now) in Scripture, list them. Build a case for who you know God to be. Don’t leave anything out. Pray as you go through this exercise. He will answer!

Now, I want you to list all that you know to be true about who you are in Christ. Take some time here and list everything that comes to mind. What has He done for you? Why did He do it? What has He promised to do for you, through you? What does He call you? Put it all down.

As you complete this step, you should begin to feel something changing in you. God’s promises are not simply words. They stir something in us and can drive us if we will let them. Make sure you take all the time you need on this step. There is no rush to move to Step #2.

Step #2 – Take Inventory

For this step, start listing everything you can think of that is better today than it was a year ago. Where has your life improved? What are you doing better today than last year? What relationships do you have that grew this past year? Who do you know today that you did not know a year ago? You get the idea.

Again, do not rush through this process. Give your mind time to sort through all parts of your life and identify the improvements. Even the smallest changes for the better need to be listed here. Don’t let the negative changes from last year derail your thoughts; just keep focused on the improvements.

You are likely beginning to see that things are not quite as bad as you thought. Sure, not everything is perfect, but I think you can see that there are many more improvements than you remember. Soak these in and reflect on them.

Step #3 – Focus On Small Wins

In this next step, you need to look for some areas where you can gain some quick, small wins. You need to regain some confidence in yourself. What areas of your work are going well? Where could you gain a few quick wins within these areas?

Don’t go trying to turn the tide in any areas where you or the business have been struggling. Instead, go to areas where there is already some momentum. Add to it! As you get a couple of quick wins under your belt, you will begin to regain some of the confidence you have lost. Push hard here because you are adding to your escape momentum.

Step #4 – Prune Dead Areas

Once you have a few wins behind you, start looking at areas of your business, job, or life that are consuming resources without producing the results you want. Are there any pursuits that seem to be going nowhere but continue to take your time and energy? Get rid of them.

Pruning in this way allows you to take the energy you were spending in these dead-ends and reallocate it to areas where more wins are possible. As you focus more energy in these areas, you will see even more wins than before. The dead areas that were draining your energy will no longer do so, helping to prevent future ruts!

Back On Track!

We have all had time in a rut. It is not fun and can keep you from having the impact you were created to have. Do yourself a favor and follow these 4 steps next time you find yourself in a rut or headed there. I believe you will find them to get you back on track!

Are you in a rut now? When will you start these steps?

What other techniques have helped you to escape from a rut?

Do you have a friend that could use some help out of their rut?

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