“With great power comes great responsibility” - Spiderman

Are you responsible with the power you have?  How are influencing, inspiring and growing those around you?  Influence is power, and I encourage you to take an assessment of how you are using yours.

“Stress makes you believe that everything has to happen right now… faith reassures you that everything will happen in accordance with God’s timing and plans.”

Is there something that you are stressing over now that you aren’t fully giving to God?  What’s holding you back from trusting in his timing and plans?  What can you do today in order to let it go and allow God to work? 

“Be yourself, everyone else is taken.”

Don’t waste your time trying to be something you’re not.  Authentic leaders are the best leaders. God made us all unique in our own ways and we should embrace the gift that we have been blessed with… even if it does embarrass your kids.

“Of all the people on the planet, you talk to yourself more than anyone… make sure you are saying the right things.”

If you recorded every word you thought and said to yourself in a day, what would that look like? Are you giving yourself the same grace that you give others?  My encouragement for you today is to spend a few minutes bragging about yourself… to yourself.

“For the Lord doesn’t see as a man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

As a leader, personally and professionally, it's important to look at the heart of those in your care, not just the outward appearance.  It’s also important to lead with a heart of compassion - as folks will follow your actions, not your words.

What do you do to motivate yourself?  What daily disciplines do you have that keep you fired up and excited for the opportunities ahead?  If staying motivated is a challenge for you, what is one thing you could start doing today, one little thing, to bring the jovialness back into your world?

“You will never reach your destination if you stop to throw stones at every dog that barks.” - Winston Churchill

There will always be distractions along your leadership journey - things that will try to take your eyes off the destination.  Don’t allow the barking dogs to prevent you from reaching your goals or to throw you off track. Recognize the danger, have a plan to handle it, but keep pressing forward.  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” - Colossians 4

I encourage you to pray for or with someone today.  People are struggling all around us and many times we have no idea.  Don’t focus so much on how to pray, it isn’t a 16th century poem… this is simply a conversation between you and God.

“For the Lord doesn’t see as a man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” - 1 Samuel 16:7

As a leader, personally and professionally, it's important to look at the heart of those in your care, not just the outward appearance.  It’s also important to lead with a heart of compassion - as folks will follow your actions, not your words.

“A closed road should never stop you from reaching your destination.”

What type of roadblocks are you or those you lead facing today?  Don’t allow this to keep you from reaching your destination, search for alternative routes and press on.  Sometimes the most beautiful scenery is found on the detour.