SCRIPTURE: “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Eph. 3:13-14 KJV)
QUOTE: “It’s only by saying “No” that you can concentrate on the things that are really important.” –Steve Jobs
NOTE:
An effective leader is a focused leader. A distracted leader greatly limits his or her effectiveness. Instead of leveraging influence, intellect, and inspiration towards a greater purpose, a distracted leader divides resources across a plethora of priorities. A distracted leader commonly diffuses attention, focuses and chases too many goals. Distractions can come masked as “good opportunities,” but if they pull you off mission and target, they are distractions nonetheless. As a leader, it is important that you’re not distracted from where you make the biggest contribution.
What truly matters to you as a leader? What are your core duties and responsibilities? What is the one thing that is needful for you to do? What is your most important task as a Leader? Once you’re able to clarify your answers to these questions, you must then stick to what you ought to do and delegate all other activities. As a leader, things will try to get your attention and distract you from your core duties and responsibilities, but you must refuse to be distracted. Great Leaders achieve much because, they refuse to be distracted from their targeted ‘game.’ Great Leaders focus on their Focus.
ILLUSTRATION:
“We were on shipboard,” relates a captain’s wife, “lying in a Southern harbor. We were obliged, first to make our way ashore. The waves were rolling heavily. I became frightened at the thought of attempting it, when one man came to me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid: I will take care of you.’ “He bore a peculiarly shaped dark-lantern, only single ray of light being emitted from a small circular opening. ‘Now,’ said he, ‘take my hand; hold fast, do not fear. Do not look about you, or on either side of you, only on the little spot lighted by my lantern, and place your footsteps firmly right there.’ “I heard the rushing of the waters, and was still conscious of fear; but by looking steadily only where the light fell, and planting my footsteps just there, not turning either to the right or the left, clasping firmly the strong hand, the danger was overcome, and the shore reached in safety.”
REFLECTION:
How focused are you really on your main assignment?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING: Numbers 13 – 14, Psalm 83