There is change all around us. This post is not about external changes, like you may see on the new website ... thanks Themescook! ... I am talking about another kind of:
This change is about internal change. Not your internal change. Not my wife's internal change. Not my kids' internal change (...although some of them really, really need it...).
This change is about my internal change. I was reading Michael Hyatt's
post last week about Leadership Lessons from General Tommy Franks. This is what caught my attention:
General Franks told the story of a young lieutenant who declared his intention to one day become a General himself. He asked, “Could you share with me the one thing I can do to advance my career and achieve this goal?”
General Franks told him, “Son, go out and buy two alarm clocks.”
The young officer, clearly confused by the General’s answer, asked, “Two alarm clocks?”
“That’s right,” General Franks explained. “If you can’t take responsibility for your own life and show up on time, you have no right leading anyone else. Don’t ever be late.”
Ouch! Here's how I translated that one: If you cannot lead your own life, how can you be a leader? A leader of your family. A leader in you church. A leader in your community. A leader in your career.
While this may be a no-brainer for many of you, it really hit me like ... like ... like ... like a log in my own eye. Right now, more than ever, my wife and kids need me to help lead our little clan through life's challenges. Right now, more than ever, my clients and colleagues need a leader to help them weather these hard economic times. Right now, more than ever, I need to hear the wake up call and get started leading. Looks like it is time for me to go buy another alarm clock!
(Note: If you are not following Michael Hyatt, now is a good time to start doing so. He is the CEO of Nelson Publishing and has some great words of wisdom.)
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