A Vision Worthy to Embrace

This is part of a talk I gave recently on
encouraging educators to "hang in there" in their
ongoing endeavor to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Vital to society are women and men who are committed to the vision of providing quality education for today’s students.

Now I do not use the term vision lightly. I believe that in any endeavor – whether it be in business, sports, parenting, teaching – without a vision of some greater good to be accomplished, without a vision of a better or preferable future, then the sustainability of that endeavor diminishes with time.

Novelty, freshman enthusiasm, excitement at the beginning of the journey will eventually wane. Although mountain top experiences, renewal conferences, and rewards for jobs well done are all very important, it is the vision of what you want to accomplish with your life or your career that keeps you in the game until the job is done.

The challenge for many people is that they do not have a vision big enough to sustain them long-term. Most people are living too shallow a dream, so no wonder they’re frustrated when the initial enthusiasm wears off. A big vision will answer that challenge.

You’ve heard this quote. The saying has been attributed to Victor Hugo, "Dream no small dreams. They have not the power to stir men’s souls." The bible puts it like this: "Without a vision, the people perish."

I want to make the case that assisting in the maturation process of young adults into healthy, well-rounded, individuals who can better society because of the skills you as a teacher handed down to them is a worthy vision to embrace.

Let me repeat that. Assisting in the maturation process of young adults into healthy, well-rounded, individuals who can better society because of the skills you handed down to them is a worthy vision to embrace.

For three reasons...

God is My CEO

A surprisingly helpful little handbook is God is My CEO by Larry Julian (published by Adams Media 2001, 2002). It's actually a compilation of short chapters on a wide range of business topics by various corporate leaders, sports authorities, and even a former governor.

Normally I would shy away from books like this that tie God with politics, business, or sports, but the subtitle - Following God's Principles in a Bottom-Line World - sounded better than the title. It struck a chord with me as this is my desire.

I was pleased with the resource. Just flipping through the headings and authors piqued my interest: Tony Dungy (Super Bowl Champ Head Coach) on Patience; Horst Schulze (CEO Ritz Carlton) on Servant Leadership; Truett Cathy (Founder Chick-fil-A) on Priorities; Bob Buford (author of Half Time) on Success. Etc.

Okay. Not an instant classic. But a nice gift if you are looking to impact others in a positive way.

Your Road Map For Success

Defining success is like herding cats - you can go off in a hundred different directions. But when it comes to the application of leadership principles as it relates to this theme, there's no one better than John Maxwell to show the way. In this book, previously published as The Success Journey, Maxwell reminds us that success is a journey, not a destination. Here's his definition:

Success is . . .
knowing your purpose in life,
growing to reach your maximum potential, and
sowing seeds that benefit others. (p. 11)

We're not on a journey to success. This journey is ongoing. We will never exhaust our capacity to grow our potential or run out of opportunities to help other people. This is good news. It takes the pressure off of "performing" and puts the emphasis on maturing. The process is the goal.

Maybe that's a platitude, but the truth is well worth learning. So often we think we'll "arrive" after earning some trophy, diploma, degree, promotion, or position. Yet before the applause dies down, we're dissatisfied and start looking for our next success.

The truth is that the secret to any success is in the daily habits that move us toward our purpose and mature us in Christ, all the while benefiting others. The awards that may or may not come are simply expressions of successful living. And if you see yourself as successful by this definition, the kudos are just icing on the cake.

All You Can Do is All You Can Do

. . . But all you can do is enough!

That is, if you give it all you've got. That's the message from Art Williams, a former high school football coach who rose through difficulty to become one of the wealthiest men in America. His no-holds-barred advice includes: Become a Dreamer Again (And Dream Big), Have a Crusade (Stand for Something), Treat People "Good", and his famous "Do It" Principle.

All the other principles in this book won't do you a bit of good if you never act on them. There's got to be action for you to win. Talk is cheap. Everybody talks a good game. But a winner goes out and does something. (p. 230)

Whether you want to build a championship business or just live life like a winner, this former coach can coach you to greatness. To change your life, change your thinking. Advice from someone who's been there can make the difference.

Leadership and Self-Deception

We are self-deceived. The claim that we are not is proof that we are. For each of us is "in a box" of selfishness. And self-betrayal is how we enter the box. What is Self-Betrayal?

1. An act contrary to what I feel I should do for another is called an act of "self-betrayal."
2. When I betray myself, I begin to see the world in a way that justifies my self-betrayal.
3. When I see a self-justifying world, my view of reality becomes distorted.
4. So - when I betray myself, I enter the box. (p. 76)

How do we get "out of the box" and so view others, not as objects, but as people with similar needs, dreams, and desires like us? That is what you'll find out in the book, Leadership and Self-Deception.