Love Learn Lead April 26, 2018

Whenever I am in a hard season, and I am facing a daunting obstacle, I feel like I go into gamer mode. Now, I don’t play video games, so I don’t know that this metaphor is fully accurate, but in these times, I zone in. I focus all my energies around a certain problem and try to come up with the best plan of attack. I find myself looking for the right button to pulverize the issue stressing me out. Only, there’s no remote in life that does that.

Friends, we have just about made it through the gloomier month of spring. Warm, sunny days are ahead, and summer is just around the corner. But for some of us, our current hard life seasons are showing no signs of ending anytime soon. We are still in a place of confusion and character building. We’re searching for a button to solve our problems, but there isn’t one. The only way for us, is through.

With this in mind, for those of you in these cumbersome life seasons, today I am sharing three different things that help me in these times—all that fall under our Love, Learn, and Lead values. May they help and encourage you on your journey.

Love

It could be my Irish roots, but there is nothing as comforting to me in hard times, as having a cup of tea (or coffee!), with a trusted friend. There is something about a hot beverage in your hand that slows you down and helps you sit a while. Could be that it’s too hot to drink all at once, but important conversations happen over steaming cups. When I am going through something hard, setting up a tea or coffee date with a friend, helps me get through the week.

What comforts you through a hard time?

Learn

As I shared above, whenever I hit an obstacle in life, I have a hard time focusing on anything else. My first response is almost always to worry, obsess, and problem solve. For me, these things are as natural as breathing. Thankfully though, over the years, in my relationship with God, He has shown me what it looks like to commit my problems to Him (Philippians 4:6-7). To pray through every obstacle, entrust it to Him, and then move forward the best I can.

Sometimes, this looks like taking a break from “gamer mode” and my situation. It may mean going for a run or taking a hike—both activities in which I feel closer to God. Or, even reading a good book. Giving my heart and brain a break from the things I can’t control or change. Then, going back to my situation with a rested mind and heart ready to keep going.

“Gamer mode” isn’t sustainable for days on end, and many of our situations last longer than we plan. Taking a break is so important to help us through these times.

How and where do you need to take a break?

What do you need to commit to prayer?

Lead

Leadership Tip #16: Find a Mentor

There are times in life when no matter where we turn, we feel like we’re hitting a road block. When this happens, our first response is to push through. To do everything we normally do, and then some. To work longer hours, try harder, and drink more caffeine. To keep going, until there is nothing left. Only sometimes, it still doesn’t work. We end up depleted, discouraged, and still on the wrong side of the road block.

This is when we need a mentor. Someone who is further along on the journey, to talk us through our process. Someone who will problem solve with us. Someone who can help us become more aware of what is and isn’t working. And finally, someone who will make us feel less alone on this challenging journey called life.

Whether we are feeling stuck in our job, in relationships, or in pursuing our dreams, as leaders we have no choice but to keep moving forward. Only sometimes, the old ways of doing so, aren’t an option. Finding someone who can help take you further on your journey, through the inevitable hard seasons and obstacles, is crucial to getting to the place you want to go.

If you are feeling stuck and would like to find mentor, check out my Six Easy steps to Finding a Mentor.