SECTION 2
Staying Focused
That's been one of my mantras - focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains. ~ Steve Jobs
Staying focused is Step #1. Focus is the key to starting anything. It is also important in the process of reaching goals.
Learning to focus and maintaining it is challenging at times. Life offers many distractions and so many times, we allow them to do their job. Moving past them and staying focused is a learned ability. Be intentional in your focus and plans.
A coach asks questions to direct a person to his own thought processes. This allows them to acknowledge an answer they may already know. This process helps them to focus.
Review carefully and prayerfully the questions and comments contained in this section. Pray and think about how you are leading.
Are you a leader of followers or a leader of leaders? Are you recognizing the leadership qualities in your followers? Are you helping them to develop their abilities? If not, then you are a leader of followers.
This kind of leadership causes potential leaders not to develop. They will eventually go where they can receive the support of instruction and training. Leaders of followers do not have to perform the instruction and training. They may need assistance themselves.
The requirement is simple if a leader follows these three steps. First, recognize the potential of your followers. Second, make sure the need of actual instruction, training, and resources are available. Third, intentionally and actively get them engaged in the instruction and training.
We may not be able to help everyone, even those with potential. As a follower, they may have complete satisfaction with no desire to take on more responsibility. However, those who receive become the fruit of our labor.
It is important to identify those soaring outside of comfort zones seeking an opportunity. Especially, recognize those expressing dissatisfaction with their current positions of complacency.
It is always about leaders tapping into their freewill and making proper choices. It is the responsibility of leaders to recognize leader potential and produce more leaders.
God does not predestine leaders. However, He does acknowledge faith and the desire of those to promote the Kingdom of God. The preceding statement is true whether in the Church or the marketplace.
God possesses the ability to see into the future. He knows who the obedient by faith will be as He did with Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:5-10). Study these verses and you will conclude that God knows who will make the right decisions. God speaks to Jeremiah allowing him to make the right decisions and encourages him to obey (7-9).
As recorded in scripture, God called five other men from birth. They were Samson (Judges 13:2-14, 24-25), Samuel (1 Samuel 1:17-20, 27-28), John the Baptist (Luke 1:11-17), Paul (Galatians 1:15-16), and Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:18-25).
Does this mean that these were the only capable leaders in scripture? That is definitely not the case!
God did not call Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, Daniel, Isaiah, and Jehoshaphat from birth. Neither were New Testament leaders such as Peter, James, John, and many others. Even though, they helped lead the Church to a new level.
What is this saying? God knows who will allow their potential to excel them into leadership positions.
What level of leadership were you when you started out? Who assisted you to become who you are today? What will you do to assist others to become all they desire to be?
After praying and giving careful thought to these questions, you will likely notice leaders all around you.
The next section also contains questions and comments. However, these are with a design and purpose to help you realize two things. First, you did not climb the leadership ladder alone. Second, you did not progress without assistance.
With this thought in mind, reflect on the examples divinely placed in your life. In addition, realize that you need to be available for the same purpose.