Sucker!
Please forgive me for sending another thought this week, but my calling is to (1) Help you avoid my mistakes; and (2) Teach you the systems I have learned and created to be an effective leader.
I learned something this morning and just can't wait to share it. Please do not tune-out if you are offended by the "G" or "J" word. This incredibly important insight can be applied as a principle of life devoid of any belief in a higher power, or as an act of faith in a kumquat if you so desire.
QUESTION: How many times have you been suckered into something that seemed so good, but it did not work out? And maybe cost you dearly...
Do you want to stop being a sucker? Do you want to have the discipline to overcome temptation when "the stars seemed to be aligned in your favor" or "God seems to be leading you a certain way"?
For instance, I know a conservative, analytical businessman who has been incredibly successful. He was part of a management team that grew a company to over 4,000 employees and hundreds of millions in revenue. Earlier this year he felt led by God to take a leadership role at another company even though he was comfortably retired. Everything seemed to line-up... until he joined the company and found out quickly it was a mistake. He left in less than two weeks.
These things happen to all of us. I have made too many mistakes this way to count, and they have been VERY painful. Consider this insight to help you develop habits that limit how often you get suckered into something that "seems right," but often there is a quiet voice in you saying, "RUN AWAY!".
Steve Carter at Willow Creek provides daily advice via email in their Rivals series. (The weekend message series via podcast is great too!) His commentary today hit me hard as he talked about how David was given an opportunity to kill King Saul, but chose not to do it. DO NOT MISS this...
Steve says, "...The circumstances even suggested that God had delivered Saul into David's hands. But David chose to let Saul go, knowing his own life would continue to be at risk..." David's devotion to and trust in God led him to choose to sacrifice what appeared to be a quick win. Instead he chose to stay true to his principles (faith in God).
Consider just some of the facts that would lead most of us to kill someone who was trying to kill us:
- David was annointed to be king years earlier.
- Saul had been trying to kill David for years, and hunting him right at that moment.
- David now had Saul alone, 1:1, without Saul's army to protect him. Saul did not even know David was there. Not only that, but Saul was going to the bathroom, which is not exactly a strong fighting position...
3strands LEADERs have the difficult task of developing the habits and discipline to choose to live by their principles and/or faith, rather than choose a shortcut. Shortcuts almost always fail, and when they fail, shortcuts cost money, waste time, and often hurt important relationships.
I hope this insight from Steve Carter inspired you as much as it did me. Stop being a sucker. Just because something looks or sounds good does NOT mean it is the best decision. Stay true to what you believe, and your life will be more prosperous long-term than you ever imagined.
