Leadership and Differentiation: Part 3

Having too much to do in too little time is normal. Leighton Ford, my wise mentor for over 30 years, once told me: “Pete, the problem is that if you are faithful to Christ over the long-haul, the demands on your time and energy will only increase as you get older. This problem of having too much to do in too little time is never going away.” The great challenge is to lead yourself first. Consider the following reflections (written to myself) from my journal: Be calm and clear about yourself.  You can only be clear about where you are and your own “true self in Christ.” Your inner tensions today are a call from God for additional time for prayer and reflection to wrestle with your “inner demons”  so that you can to listen to His will and priorities (See Matthew 4:1-11). Hold onto what God has given you to do and do what needs to be done. Resist impulsiveness. Don’t go so fast that you don’t feel your own anxiety. That anxiety is a signal to slow down and get additional time with God. The Holy Spirit will teach you the new skills you need to function in this new place. Stay focused on what God has uniquely placed inside you.  Stay with the uncomfortable process of planning and setting clear goals. Structure your time based on your goals, not your feelings. Listen to Him.