To Lead, Begin.

Photo by Vova Krasilnikov from Pexels

In the last few years, I have noticed a powerful truth repeated over and over again.

It is the power of the Beginning.

No matter what the situation is in life, the power of the Beginning applies.

At any intersection in our days and lives where we must make a decision, you will find the power of Beginning at work.

At any point where you find something with which you are dissatisfied, you will discover the power of Beginning hiding just within the shadows waiting.

The power of Beginning is an elementary truth and an easy one to understand, and often it is the hardest thing in our lives to tap into and activate.

The Beginning is just that, the Beginning.

Momentum is an easy enough thing to maintain once it has begun; it is the first initial exertion of energy that is often the hardest.

No matter what decision you are facing, the hardest thing you are wrestling with is how and when to begin. To enact the power of Beginning, you must begin.

I watched this play out recently in my life in the area of fitness and health. I had been working out on my own for a while with little effect and consistency.

I knew I wanted something more.

I knew I needed something more if I was to continue.

Instead of just switching my workout routine, I found myself not working out at all.

Then one day, a friend mentioned that they had started working out a gym doing Crossfit with some friends. I was intrigued and terrified at the same time. I had not had a great experience with Crossfit a few years back and was a little hesitant. I was at an intersection; a decision was needed. I found myself paralyzed with indecision.

I wanted to change, but how, when, what was the next step?

My friend called and asked for some help moving some equipment into his new gym; I was quick to say yes. When I arrived, I helped carry the stuff in and was turning to leave when my friend asked: "Hey, you wanna stick around for a little bit and do a quick workout with us?"

That was all it took to begin.

Beginning was happening.

A simple, quick Beginning step that has lead me on a two-year journey I could not have written or mapped out had I tried.

The power of Beginning lies not in the size of the step taken but in the movement itself. When it comes to working out, the biggest battle you face is to show up.

I harness the power of Beginning nightly before it is time to head to the gym. I set out my clothes on the counter; I fill up my water bottle, I set out a few dates to eat on the way, I begin my routine of choosing to be healthy by taking small steps.

Those small steps all piled up are the momentum I often need to get up out of bed at 4:45 AM when my alarm goes off. The power of Beginning at work in the wee hours of the morning.

If you are going to change the world, there are a lot of things you will probably need to do; however, the most important one is to begin.

If you are going to build a healthy marriage, you will need to do some things, but the most crucial thing will be to begin.

If you are going to lead in your work environment, your industry, your sector, there will be many lists of things you will need to do; however, the biggest priority must be on Beginning.

Just start.

Just take a step.

Just send the email.

Just sign up.

Just make the call.

Just send the text.

Just tell someone you're are starting today and continuing tomorrow.

Just lead.

Just Begin.

Of Course They Are....

"Are leaders born? Of course they are." - John Maxwell

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I love this story that John Maxwell shares in many of his books on leadership. John shares the story of someone approaching him and asking the question "Are leaders born?" Without missing a beat he replies "Of course they are! I've never met a leader that was unborn!"

He goes on to explain the heart behind the guys question which really is a question in a lot of our hearts, is the only way to become a leader to be born with the right genes?

There are many examples throughout history and even in our lives today of men and women who seem as though they were born to lead and that if they lead a horse to water, they could indeed also make it drink.

I would argue that leadership and the ability to lead others and organizations and people groups is something that can be learned, that it can be taught.

One of our core values at Lead. Love. Unite. is to create and equip a generation to lead. So we believe wholeheartedly that anyone can increase in their ability to lead. But it will look different than what you may expect.

“25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that in this world kings are tyrants, and officials lord it over the people beneath them. 26 But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first must become your slave. ”

— Matthew 20:25-27 New Living Translation

Jesus was talking with his disciples, his boys, the group of people he wholeheartedly believed in, and he is telling them about what it means to lead in the Kingdom of Heaven. He tells his disciples that they shouldn't lead from a place of title or position and use their authority to abuse those beneath them. Instead he points out to them and tells them that leadership is about serving others.

There may be natural talents and abilities that lend themselves to helping people lead that some people have or refine more easily than others, but leading is about serving and serving is a matter of the heart. And last time I checked we all have hearts and therefore have the ability to serve in some capacity at some level.

If you have humility and can serve others, be patient, because over time you may find yourself being followed by those whom you have served, those whose hearts you have attended too, those who you have lifted up in a moment of need. Those you have influenced with the Kingdom.

And after all as John Maxwell says "Leadership is influence, nothing more nothing less."