My son transferred to a new college this fall and is starting a new chapter in his life. He’s experiencing that season when the possibilities are endless and the future seems so exciting. Ah, youth.<\/p>\n
I recall those feelings when I first entered full-time ministry. Every challenge was a God-given mission to achieve; every Sunday was a new curtain call to present the gospel. Then the years unfold and life\u2019s challenges became more serious. We take on greater responsibilities and learn to be realistic and practical. Or, as my wife calls me—predictable.<\/p>\n
But have you noticed certain leaders are able to successfully perform their ministry roles while maintaining a youth-like energy.\u00a0 They laugh a lot, have an optimistic outlook, and have a sense of wonder and curiosity about our ever-changing culture. I\u2019m thinking it must be genetic, but I\u2019m also wondering if it has more to do with attitude. Isaiah tells us \u201cthose who trust in the Lord will find new strength, soar high on wings like eagles, and run and not grow weary.\u201d\u00a0 I need some of that in my life right now!<\/p>\n
Stan Lankowitz, a life coach and licensed professional counselor, offers these suggestions to put excitement back in leadership:<\/p>\n
Spend time with energized people \u2013 <\/b>You know who they are. Those energizer bunnies that just keep going, and going, and going. Surround yourself with the people who have the habits you\u2019d like to develop. With practice they can become habits you\u2019ll soon incorporate into your daily routine.<\/p>\n
Schedule \u201cplay time\u201d <\/b>– All work, and no play\u2026\u00a0 Be intentional about adding things to your calendar that help you relax, refresh, and refuel. Last weekend my wife and I attended an Open House even though we have no intentions of moving. We just wanted to see this dream house to, well, dream. It was a fun adventure and we got some decorating tips from the process.<\/p>\n
Indulge yourself <\/b>\u2013 Every Thursday afternoon our team has \u201cSoda on the Sofa\u201d. It\u2019s a half hour of soda and snacks, just to indulge ourselves in food, fellowship, and fun. You may prefer chocolate, a pedicure, or a long massage.\u00a0 Just remember, no guilt allowed.<\/p>\n
Break from routine<\/b>\u2013 For many of us life and leadership become so routine we can do it on autopilot. An article in our town paper featured a woman who tried something \u201cnew\u201d each week last year. It may have been a new food, book, or just driving a different route to work. New things add the spice of spontaneity, which conditions us for adventurous leadership.<\/p>\n
Laugh more <\/b>\u2013 Go to a comedy movie, watch \u201cI Love Lucy\u201d reruns, or just take time to read some of those funny emails your friend keeps forwarding.<\/p>\n
Go exploring <\/b>\u2013 Satisfy your curiosity by exploring something new. \u00a0For me, this means trying to better understand, and use, social media. I’ve come a long way since I first heard the term \u201ctweet\u201d, but I’ve discovered it offers uncharted waters for me to discover.<\/p>\n
Reconnect <\/b>\u00a0– Google or Facebook your old friends from high school and reconnect. \u00a0It\u2019s amazing how quickly we can pick up and build relationships we thought were lost over the years. Connect with other leaders in your area but don\u2019t serve as a lone ranger. There\u2019s no joy riding into the sunset, or doing ministry, by yourself.<\/p>\n
Sound too simple? Lankowitz says, \u201cDon\u2019t let the simplicity fool you.\u00a0 Set a goal to enliven your life and then monitor your progress.\u201d As you grow older and wiser, you can also renew yourself to grow stronger in your leadership style.\u00a0 Enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
My son transferred to a new college this fall and is starting a new chapter in his life. He’s experiencing that season when the possibilities are endless and the future seems so exciting. Ah, youth. I recall those feelings when I first entered full-time ministry. Every challenge was a God-given mission to achieve; every Sunday was a new curtain call […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":82,"featured_media":30550,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[117],"tags":[110,118,471],"class_list":["post-27362","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lead","tag-church-leadership-tag","tag-leading-volunteers","tag-renewal-energy-level"],"yoast_head":"\n