A few times this past week I sat with friends and colleagues who are faced with what seemed to be an insurmountable volume of tasks on their plate. That sense of overwhelm was upon them. Although committed to seeing their leadership grow at work and at home, these Mavericks were feeling maxed out!! The irony is I was finding myself in the same place.
Over the past few weeks I had been keeping a pace that was not sustainable – in retrospect I was relatively unaware. My wife Cathy, and Chip, my business partner, had raised this issue more than once. Somehow, I had slipped into the “stinkin thinkin” of just needing to put my head down and plough through – “gitter done” was my motto.
Some of my kids and their spouses were commenting on my not “being fully present” while with them. Mmmm – finally it began to sink in.
As I have said before on other topics – “Houston we have a problem!”
This time the problem was me!
I needed to STOP!! As I did so, Jesus reminded me of these 3 things….
- Jesus has NOT called me to do everything, be everything, and solve every problem. He has called me to love Him, and love people as I love myself. (Matthew 22:34-40)
- I need to focus only on the work He has given me to do – and no more! That can be tough to figure out sometimes. Regardless of the challenge, learning what God has for me and staying focused in that place is crucial to my wellbeing. (John 17:4)
- He has equipped me with the capacity to grow. He has provided ALL that I need for life and godliness. Ephesians 2:1-10, Luke 2:52
A number of years ago I read an impactful book called “Raving Fans” by Ken Blanchard & Sheldon Bowles.
One of the key lessons for me was the “Rule of 1%!”. If you and I choose to make just small improvements in our lives at work and at home at a rate of 1% per week, we have, over the course of a year, made…
a staggering 50% improvement!
Think about that! Imagine looking back over last year and enjoying knowing that you, your relationships and your business metrics have had substantial improvement. How would you feel?
This is one of the ways through the press! The “Rule of 1%” creates momentum for you and for me as we navigate wisely through life’s incessant demands.
You and I are not called to fix everything today – nor can we!
Although there is much mystery around this for me, what I do know is that, over the course of 30 years, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52)
I am glad for the stark reminder this morning that I DO NOT need to fix everything. I need to focus on loving and being loved. I need to focus on what God has in front of me and do that well. I need to press in and grow at a pace that God has asked of me – not what I am or others are asking of me.
I need to embrace the “Rule of 1%!”
How about you?
A Maverick Application:
- How has your pace been over the last few weeks? Has it been sustainable?
- What are those around you saying about your pace? Are you willing to ask them?
- Read Psalm 46:10. What is God asking of you as you slow the pace to hear His voice?
- Read Luke 2:52. Where is God asking you to grow in wisdom and stature? Where, at work or at home, can you apply the “Rule of 1%!”?
