The Art of Life Leadership
Why YOU are a Life Leader
If you were asked, “Are you a leader?” What would you say?
When I was younger, I never thought of myself as a leader. I wasn’t a manager at my workplace and did not even formally lead any type of small group. Plus, I did not feel I had natural leadership talent.
The reality is, we are ALL LIFE LEADERS. We all lead at least one person. Ourselves!
We may not formally lead others in a corporate setting, some organization, or group, but we all lead those closest to us in some way.
Let’s define Life Leadership. First, life Leadership is leading yourself well in all areas of life: spiritually, emotionally, mentally, financially, physically, and relationally. When we lead ourselves well, we are able to influence those closest to us toward Jesus.
Leadership is simply influencing others. You are influencing those around you to be the person they were created to be. The best way to influence your children, your spouse, those in your home, your neighborhood, your church, amongst your friends is simply to be a role model.
Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust him, and he will help you. Psalms 37:5
When we lead ourselves well in all areas of life, others take notice and start to emulate what we are doing. It is so important to consider each area of life and choose to lead yourself well. If we aren’t doing well in one area of life, others notice, and our level of influence diminishes.
This isn’t about perfection or unrealistic expectations.
This is simply choosing to be the best we can be so that we can influence others.
Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Colossians 3:23
Here is the question, though: Why do we want to influence others? Ultimately, I believe we are to influence others toward Jesus. And we are able to do that in so many ways.
Here are a few quick tips for leading yourself well in each area of life to increase your influence and be the Life Leader you were created to be.
Spiritually: Start and end every single day with Jesus. Pray. Worship. Read scripture. Listen for His voice.
Physically: Take a few more walks and eat a few less bowls of ice cream.
Emotionally: Focus on what you can control, your thoughts, words and actions. Let go of what you can’t control and place them into the hands of God. You can entrust those things you can’t control to God.
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
Financially: Tithe. Trust me, your entire life will change.
Mentally: Spend more time in nature and less time looking at a screen.
Relationally: Look at those you love and have intentional conversations about what really matters to you. Jesus.
Ask yourself: What is one or two habits I can incorporate into my life to increase my ability to influence those around me? How can I be an even better Life Leader?
Remember, our ultimate goal is to live a life of excellence and to please God alone. I believe God is pleased with you as you continue to create a life of influence to be the person God called you to be. You have the opportunity to impact those you care about most and ultimately bring them into a relationship with Jesus.
