Activity Isn’t Accomplishment

Leaders prioritize. It is a given. Whether a person runs a Fortune 500 company or a small nonprofit, the leader must know what is most important...and what to do next. But a lot of leaders don’t prioritize on a regular basis.

In my experience, a leader must continually look at the big picture, determine what is the most critical next step, then order the other actions and activities to fall into line to accomplish the goals and objectives of the organization. But many don’t do this, or they do it once a year and then relax.

John Maxwell points out in his classic book, The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, several reasons why some leaders don’t make the effort to prioritize. In bullet form, here are Maxwell’s observations.

• When we are busy, we naturally believe we are achieving. But busyness doesn’t equal productivity.
• Prioritizing requires leader to continually think ahead, to know how everything relates to the overall vision. That’s hard work.
• Prioritizing causes us to do things that are at the least uncomfortable and sometimes painful.

Among some of the methods Maxwell uses to help leaders is teaching the three R’s. He identifies them as requirement, return, and reward. In brief, here’s what these are.

1. What is required? We are all accountable to someone for the work we do. Often as a leader it is the Board of Directors. One of the great questions to ask is, “What must I do that nobody can or should do for me?” It may mean you need to eliminate or delegate tasks that aren’t required specifically of you.

2. What gives you the greatest return? You should spend most of your time working in your area of greatest strength. Just because you CAN do something doesn’t mean you SHOULD do it.

3. What brings the greatest reward? This relates to personal satisfaction. Does something catch your eye...or catch your heart? Make a list of the four or five things you really love to do...including things in your personal life...and make them the priority for you personally.

John Maxwell says it is a good idea to make a list of the things you are doing that don’t fit solidly into one of the three R’s. Maxwell’s advice is to delegate or eliminate those things.

By the way...you should make this prioritization...a priority!

by Ron Harris

Chapters of Your Life

Have you ever tried to pick up a novel and start reading in the middle? It doesn’t make sense. You don’t know the characters. You don’t know what has happened before. And you can’t figure out much of the plot. Those earlier chapters were important to know the full story.

That is true of our lives and our ministries. My friend Dr. Jim Denison (denisonforum.org) talked about this in a recent blog. He referenced philosopher Elton Trueblood who said the present chapter is made possible by the previous one and leads to the next.

His point for us today? Be present where you are, remembering that all of God there is, is in this moment. But also look for ways God is redeeming the present for the eternal.

In our Old Testament Bible readings, Judy and I often comment about those Israelites who obvious suffered from short-term memory loss. God had miraculously saved them from the Egyptian oppression, delivered them safely through the Red Sea, and met their every need. But that wasn’t enough. They forgot the previous chapters of their lives. It is as if they hadn't even read them. They whined about the food. They complained about water. They lost faith in Moses’ ability to lead them through the wilderness. It seems the Israelites wasted the present moments with God by forgetting His power, His provision, and His protection in the past.

[blockquote author="Hebrews 13:8 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]The writer of Hebrews penned one of the most powerful and encouraging verses in the New Testament. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.[/blockquote]

What we know of Christ’s love in the past is also present with us today. What we have seen of His faithful guidance is as true today as then. What has been written in the past chapters of your life, where Christ showed up and delivered you, can happen in the present chapter, also.

And... all of these things build toward what the Lord wants to do in the days to come. Think of the price that was paid by the Israelites for forgetting God and how He had cared for them in the past. They wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. Those who left Egypt didn’t make it to the land the Lord had promised. They missed the big blessings the Lord had for His people.

You are in the middle of the “book” that is being written. Your life. Don’t forget the early chapters of God’s faithfulness, sometimes through great hardships or storms. And don’t miss the wonder of His presence now in these present days. For then, the future chapters of your life will be filled with amazing things that point people to Jesus.

And we will find our faithful Lord at every turn of the page, right up to the final chapter... the final page of the story of our life.

by Ron Harris

Powerful media!

My role as a part-time professor at Dallas Baptist University allows me to stay fresh with our media tools...radio, television, the internet...as I share with young adults. I get to draw on my 50 plus years of broadcasting experience, and on the good insight of some of today’s best communicators.

Valerie Geller is one of the foremost coaches for those in talk radio and news. She travels all over the world teaching how to use these tools in a way that makes a difference in the lives of the audience. And the principles go beyond radio to many of our other types of communication. Some of her ideas are quite simple, yet profound. From her list...

• Tell the truth.
• Make it matter.
• Never be boring.
• Start with your best material.
• Address the individual, use “You.” Talk to ONE person at a time.
• Execute engaging transitions.
• Be who you are.
• Take risks.
• Dare to be great.

In fact, the first three items above can make a radical difference in your presentation day after day. It may take extra effort, but it will be worth it. Tell the truth. Make it matter. Never be boring.

When it comes to talk formats, Valerie has some points that can take your discussion from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Always ask:

• What’s in it for me...your listener (or viewer)?
• Is it relevant?
• Does it matter?
• Do you care?
• Can you make the audience care?

Those last two points are critical. If you don’t care about what you are discussing, the audience won’t care. If you are passionate, they will pick up on that and listen more intently.

Although Valerie Geller doesn’t approach her ideas from a spiritual standpoint, she still sees the power of the media to make a difference in people’s lives. That sounds a lot like our goal in Christian media. We desire to see the Word of God impact the lives of those in our audience in a way that brings change. We hope to see the Christ-follower go deeper in their understanding of the Truth. And we definitely want non-believers to be impacted by the hope that only Jesus can bring in our increasingly troubled world.

by Ron Harris

In the world? Or of it?

Our morning breakfast table devotions this year are from a book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss Wolgemuth, called The Quiet Place. And the other day she hit a chord with some of my thinking about our Christian witness. Nancy Leigh's thoughts are based on the verse, Romans 9:33, where Jesus talks of laying a stone in Zion...a stumbling block, a stone of offense. Nancy says:

“In many of our churches, it seems we’re knocking ourselves out trying to be ‘relevant’ so we can attract more attention and bigger crowds. We don’t want to appear too different or extreme, for fear of turning off unbelievers or being perceived as out of step with the culture.”

Then comes the zinger.

[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]We’ve accommodated to the world rather than calling the world to accommodate to Christ.[/blockquote]

I often wonder about our role in Christian media. Are we to blend in to the culture or stand out? Are we to be similar to the secular or be willing to be distinctive for the Lord? Where do we draw the line in our music, our programming, our presentation?

Recently on local television I saw a story about a church for millennials. They ran a clip of the pastor speaking in the pulpit...and the TV station had to “bleep” out many of his word in his sermon. Is that what it takes to present Christ and the hope of the Gospel to our culture today?

In Wolgemuth’s devotional, after talking of all the many ways we have of reaching people with our message...all the way from Christian concerts, conferences, media events, radio, TV, blogs and podcasts...Nancy Leigh asks a penetrating question.

“Could it be that the absence of true revival and of deep, lasting impact on outsiders is not from a shortage of creativity or cutting-edge methodologies, but from the lack of irrefutable evidence of His presence among us?”

I think of those who may click “like” on Facebook on a scripture, or forward a picture of Jesus, but don’t show a real change in their lifestyle to reflect the nature of Christ in our world. Are they fooling themselves about the Christian life? Nancy Leigh concludes by reminding us:

[blockquote author="Nancy Leigh" link="" target="_blank"]Our distinctiveness is our message. Our changed lives are our testimony. What makes Christ irresistible to others is His uniqueness, not how compatible we can make Him to the culture.[/blockquote]

Can we examine our lives...our ministries? Are we trying to make Christ compatible? How close to this corrupt culture do we want to live to be “relevant?”

I’m think about this today, and I’m praying for God’s guidance. Will you join me?

by Ron Harris

Excellence...for God's glory!

In our international media training conferences, we often talk about leadership and excellence. For today, the topic deals with excellence and with life, taken from a little book by Derric Johnson. My hope is that something here will help you as you lead others and strive for excellence.

The late Dr. D. James Kennedy used to say, “Excellence in all things, and all things to God’s glory.” It is a great philosophy.

No matter what accomplishments you make…somebody helps you. –Althea Gibson

Man’s mind once stretched by a new idea…never regains its original dimension. –Oliver Wendell Holmes

To see things in a seed…that is vision.

High expectations are the key to everything. –Sam Walton

The man on top of the mountain didn’t fall there.

One of the greatest enemies that we can ever face in life...is the illusion that there will be more time tomorrow than there is today.

To understand the mind of a person, look at what he has already achieved. To understand the heart of a person, look at what he aspires yet to do.

I don’t know what your destiny will be…but one thing I know...the only ones among you who will be really happy…are those who will have sought and found how to serve. –Dr. Albert Schweitzer

Success can be another form of failure…if we forget what our priorities are.

Excellence can be attained if you…risk more than others think is safe, care more than others think is wise, dream more than others think is practical, expect more than others think is possible.

People often ask me if I know the secret of success and if I could tell others how to make their dreams come true. My answer is…you do it by working. –Walt Disney

Don’t be afraid to take a big step if one is indicated…you can’t cross a chasm in two small jumps.

Never confuse motion with action…and never confuse action with accomplishment.

There is a big difference between nearly right and exactly right.

Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing right things. Excellence is doing right things right.

And from God’s Word:

[blockquote author="Philippians 4:8" link="" target="_blank"]And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. 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. [/blockquote]

by Ron Harris

Pathway to a Vision

My Bible app from bible.com gets a workout daily. For many years I have used it to track my progress as I read through the Bible using one of their many plans. And I love the ability to switch between translations for better clarity of God’s Word. My current favorites are the New Living Translation (NLT) and the New English Translation (NET).

From time to time I will also use one of the various short-term reading plans. They are usually topical and provide focused insight on different facets of our spiritual lives. The current one I am using is on Leadership and Personal Development.

Today, as I read both the scripture passage and the devotional insight, I was reminded there are many good books available for anyone who is in a leadership role. But for the Christian leader, our best practices...our best directions...come from God’s powerful Word.

The devotion writer highlighted Jesus’ teaching to His disciples. After talking again and again about the kingdom to come, Jesus shared the reality of His path toward the vision.

[blockquote author="Mark 8:31 NLT" link="" target="_blank"]And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.[/blockquote]

The devotional writer points out that a good leader shares more than just the glorious vision.

“Any leader who paints the goal without painting the path to that goal is in danger of failing to realize the vision.”

John Ryan is the head of the Center for Creative Leadership. He says, “Leadership success always starts with vision.” But Ryan follows that with this insight.

“Compelling visions can change the world. But staying invested in them can be extremely difficult when hard times arrive.”

Jesus was letting His disciples get a glimpse of the hard times that would come on their pathway to His vision. Later, the Apostle Paul would be shown the highs and lows of what God had for him in ministry. At his dramatic conversion, the Lord said that Paul would “...take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Speak before kings...AND suffer hardship. God laid out the pathway to the vision. And later in his ministry...having suffered great perils, hardships, and abuse...Paul could say to one of the kings the Lord spoke about,

[blockquote author="Acts 26:19 (NASB)" link="" target="_blank"]So, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision....[/blockquote]

The lesson? If we are to effectively share our vision as Christian leaders, we must also tell of the challenges to be encountered on the pathway. Those who follow will be better able to stay on task, on the pathway toward the vision. Great examples from God’s textbook for Christian leaders.

by Ron Harris

Leadership isn't for wimps!

As a leader, you have a lot pulling on you and pressing you into certain molds. Others look to you expectantly to make the right decision every time. And the pressure can build. No, leadership is not for wimps. It sometimes requires a “thick skin” to not be impacted by things others say about your decisions or your style. It often requires a tender heart that empathies with those whom the Lord has placed in your care. And it always takes godly wisdom to give good, visionary leadership.

I have quoted the late Fred Smith in past writings. His daughter Brenda keeps his legacy alive at the website www.breakfastwithfred.com. Here are a couple of Fred Smith’s answers to some common questions posed to this wise mentor.

How do I view bad experiences? I am known for my one-liners. For example, “wait to worry” has been quoted by speakers and writers throughout the country. Another one is “never lose the good of a bad experience.” The story of Joseph in Scripture is a clear example of this principle. As his brothers recognized him, they expected retribution for their despicable treatment of him as a young man. However, he responded, “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”

We can never deny the reality of bad situations, but we must endure them and look for the good. And, often we need time to see the outcome and the good.

Do I motivate or manipulate others? Of course, the definition of each forms the answer. I have a basic rule that motivation is recognizing mutual interest and manipulation is focused only on what is to my advantage.

Many times, leaders will assert they are motivating, but in truth, they are manipulating for selfish purposes instead of serving the other person. I know of a writer who said he was writing a book on motivation titled, “How to get others to do what you want.” That was not motivation; that was manipulation.

Fred Smith got his wisdom from God’s Word. As his daughter puts it, “He knew how to take Scripture and put it in everyday language which could be readily applied.” Isn’t it amazing that the guidelines for leadership today can be found in the Ancient Text...God’s Holy Word? It should drive us to invest more time in Scripture and less time in worldly “wisdom.”

by Ron Harris

Better than a Goal

Is there something better than setting goals and achieving them? Maybe so. It may be that developing systems versus setting goals can help us accomplish important things. And systems can also bring a sense of satisfaction through the journey.

James Clear is an author, using behavioral psychology to shape how we do things. His stated goal is to explore how we can live better. While I don’t know much about the man, his ideas on becoming more effective in our daily life and work are thought-provoking.

What is the difference between goals and systems. James Clear explains:

• If you're a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.

• If you're a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.

• If you're a runner, your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule for the month.

• If you're an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million-dollar business. Your system is your sales and marketing process.

Clear feels that setting goals, which have some value, can actually make us less productive and bring less satisfaction to our daily lives. Clear says,

“...when it comes to actually getting things done and making progress in the areas that are important to you, there is a much better way to do things. It all comes down to the difference between goals and systems.”

Clear feels that you can achieve more by setting up systems than by setting and shooting for a goal. Some of his points are:

1. Goals reduce your current happiness. We constantly measure where we are to the goal we have set, and we come up short. Clear says, “When you're working toward a goal, you are essentially saying, ‘I’m not good enough yet, but I will be when I reach my goal.’” Clear suggests we commit to a process, not just a goal.

2. Goals are at odds with long-term progress. When a goal is achieved, there is a tendency to slack off, to “rest,” to slow down. If you are in a system or process that leads to achieving, you are developing a lifestyle that will carry you beyond interim goals.

3. Goals suggest you can control things around you. Each time we set a goal, we are trying to predict the future, including all that will transpire along the way. Clear suggests setting feed-back loops, times of assessment, that allow you to gauge how you are doing.

My first thought is that goals have value. I think that’s why the Apostle Paul said, “...I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” (Philippians 3:14 NLT) Certainly, a goal.

And James Clear allows that goals have their place.

[blockquote author="" link="" target="_blank"]...goals are good for planning your progress and systems are good for actually making progress.[/blockquote]

Goals...or systems? Some food for thought.

by Ron Harris