Notes From the Heart

Notes From the Heart By Christi Wilson

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Be the Leader God Intended You to Be What does it truly mean to be a “Leader”? Recently, I've begun asking myself this very question, and so my search began. I'm currently reading a book entitled “ Leadership: Tidbits and Treasures ” by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward. This book has really begun to open my eyes on what it means to be a true Leader within our homes; churches; ministries; and community. I'd like to share some tidbits with you that I have learned about Leadership. Leaders are Learners. You must surround yourself with good books and read on a regular basis. We don't have nearly the time that we need to learn everything that we want, so choose your reading material wisely! Without mentors, we are like a ship lost at sea! Mentors provide perspective, wisdom, correction, encouragement, and motivation. Your Leadership journey will take you further if you hook up with the right mentors to follow! Where are you in your spiritual life? A leader is guided by his or her belief in a higher calling and purpose. In Tony Dungy's book entitled “ Quiet Strength ”, he says, “God's Word … presents a different definition of success … one centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for God that allows us to love and serve others. God gives each one of us unique gifts, abilities, and passions. How well we use those qualities to have an impact on the world around us determines how ‘successful' we really are.” Are you holding yourself accountable for personal growth? If not, you should be! What are you trying to improve about yourself? What new skills are you trying to learn? Sustained, quality leadership requires us to make this kind of commitment to personal growth! Your ATTITUDE MEANS EVERYTHING!! Charles Swindoll said, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company….a church ….. a home! The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we all embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes.” Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Leaders must guard and nurture the proper attitudes, ever single day! As John Maxwell said, “Attitude is the difference maker,” Ask yourself: Are you the thermometer or a thermostat when it comes to attitude? When people need encouragement, do they come to you? Leaders never lose site of the blessings they receive along the way. We should never be so focused that we lose site of the many blessings life delivers, on the Leadership journey! Remember, in five years, you will be the person you are from the books you read and the people you associate with. Choose Wisely!

	Home Page
Previous Page	Table of Contents	Next Page

What does it truly mean to be a “Leader”? Recently, I've begun asking myself this very question, and so my search began.

I'm currently reading a book entitled “ Leadership: Tidbits and Treasures ” by Chris Brady and Orrin Woodward. This book has really begun to open my eyes on what it means to be a true Leader within our homes; churches; ministries; and community.

Leaders are Learners. You must surround yourself with good books and read on a regular basis. We don't have nearly the time that we need to learn everything that we want, so choose your reading material wisely!

Without mentors, we are like a ship lost at sea! Mentors provide perspective, wisdom, correction, encouragement, and motivation. Your Leadership journey will take you further if you hook up with the right mentors to follow!

Where are you in your spiritual life? A leader is guided by his or her belief in a higher calling and purpose. In Tony Dungy's book entitled “ Quiet Strength ”, he says, “God's Word … presents a different definition of success … one centered on a relationship with Jesus Christ and a love for God that allows us to love and serve others. God gives each one of us unique gifts, abilities, and passions. How well we use those qualities to have an impact on the world around us determines how ‘successful' we really are.”

Are you holding yourself accountable for personal growth? If not, you should be! What are you trying to improve about yourself? What new skills are you trying to learn? Sustained, quality leadership requires us to make this kind of commitment to personal growth!

Your ATTITUDE MEANS EVERYTHING!! Charles Swindoll said, “The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company….a church ….. a home! The remarkable thing is that we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we all embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you … we are in charge of our Attitudes.”

Do you have an attitude of gratitude? Leaders must guard and nurture the proper attitudes, ever single day!

As John Maxwell said, “Attitude is the difference maker,”

Ask yourself: Are you the thermometer or a thermostat when it comes to attitude? When people need encouragement, do they come to you?

Leaders never lose site of the blessings they receive along the way. We should never be so focused that we lose site of the many blessings life delivers, on the Leadership journey!

Remember, in five years, you will be the person you are from the books you read and the people you associate with. Choose Wisely!