“The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow.”
—Seth Godin
So many of us seem to react to life more than we prepare for it. We do what we’re told. We wait for permission. We color in the lines. And we put off the dreams, goals, or lifestyle changes we know will rock the boat. Even when they’re the things we think about or long for the most.
Why do we do this? Deep down we all know—it’s because it’s scary. It’s risky to put ourselves out there for a dream, or to suddenly stop going along with the crowd that is our people. It’s hard to be, become, or do something different.
Then, there is the fact that there is always so much going on. Perhaps you’re working and going to school. You’re raising kids with a “hustle” on the side. Your family really needs you this season. Or you’re deeply involved in your community, church, job, etc. So, you say, “Someday.”
“Someday, I will do this thing.”
“Someday, I will take better care of my health.”
“Someday, I will have time.”
When the truth is, we are the ones in charge of our time. We are the ones who get to say how it is spent. We are the rulers of our calendars.
Yes, I know, it doesn’t feel that way. There are people in our lives who need us to show up. There are commitments on our schedules that are pretty close to impossible to move. And people who just won’t understand if we say no, cancel, or back out.
But here is the thing that leaders know about chasing dreams and creating change: unless you make time for it, it isn’t going to happen. Unless you create space in your life for the things you long for, you will never have any room for them.
In Monday’s post, I shared part of my journey of making room to build a social life outside of my job, and to create space in case I met someone I wanted to marry. You know what is funny? When I started that journey, I had already met Tony.
Tony and I both went to the same young adult group at church. We had similar friends. And, I thought he was great. But, here is something that is hard to admit—when he met me, his first impression was that I was too serious and closed off. Though he didn’t exactly have the words for it, he could tell there wasn’t room in my life for him.
If I was ever going to have all the things in my life I wanted, I needed to make space for them.
Not knowing this was his impression, I just assumed Tony wasn’t interested. Then, other things in my life clued me in to the fact that I had to change. If I was ever going to have all the things in my life I wanted (job, friends, spouse, etc.), I needed to make space for them.
Through prayer, discussions with mentors, making changes in my schedule, and even some counseling, I changed my life. I made space for the things that really mattered to me. And then when it was time, Tony and I started dating.
The changes we most want in life require that we both make space for them, and also that we are patient with the process.
Only I have to tell you, it took a good two years. The changes we most want in life require that we both make space for them, and also that we are patient with the process. None of our dreams or goals will ever be reached overnight. Nor will they ever be realized if we don’t make the time now in our lives to start taking steps toward them.
What dream or goals do you keep putting off for someday?
What is one or two things you could do this season to bring them closer?
Could you use some help making space in your life for your goals and dreams? Join Tony and I, and plan your year with the help of our Start Here: Dream Planner. Sign up today, for your free copy!
