Scripture

“I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.” (Romans 7:15)

Thought

Let’s be honest with ourselves for a moment!

We’re much better at talking about doing the things we ought to do than actually doing said things. Generally speaking, today’s leaders are well principled, but poorly practiced.

Inspirational quotes and memorable one-liners are more accessible than ever before. Bookshelves are overflowing with books outlining a better way to do something or think about something. In fact, I'd venture to say you’ve likely read most of the relevant ones. Yet, we still struggle miserably to do what we ought to do.

Weeks, months, years roll by and despite admirable intentions we find ourselves still struggling with taking action on the things we say we want. At both the individual and organizational level we find ourselves perpetually resolving the same issues and managing the same tensions.

It’s frustrating!

As individuals we rationalize and find excuses for why we haven’t done the things we say we want to or why we’re still doing the same things we said we wouldn’t.

As leaders of our teams or organizations we start looking for more control by way of accountability, we over prescribe in hopes of forcing change.

In both instances we look externally to drive the change we seek. Which is why we’re seeing no meaningful progress. The only thing we’ll find “out there” is a bunch of really compelling ways to drift. Things that will subtly seduce you away from where you wanted to be, doing things you didn’t want to do.

We need to deploy some tactics that will help us fight this tendency. We need to be constantly reminding ourselves; who we are! The purpose we’re serving! The people we’re serving!

These reminders allow us to look inward to find the discipline we need to win the day.