Taking Ownership

Has this summer flown by or what? I blinked and now families are shopping for school supplies already. What happened? I’ve been thinking a lot about this concept of intentionality.  Being intentional in life, taking ownership of what I want my life to look like. Not letting a summer go by without being better for the time passing. How can we be better equipped for that? John Maxwell says it well: “most people don’t lead their lives; they accept it. We have the opportunity – actually, the responsibility – to take ownership.”  And then, last week, as we were talking about our latest YouTube interests, a friend challenged me: “what are you doing to grow, learn, develop yourself? And others?” Hmm… ok… good question.
 
So I’ve asked myself - how is it that I invest in my intentional growth? I have my own thoughts, and I’ll share others I find powerful:

• Identify your strengths and build on them. Sure, we work on our weaknesses. But an extraordinary future is built on natural strengths. So I want to invest in them specifically.
• In whatever ways you lead, know that others pay attention. People do what they see. Be that role model.
• Discipline is everything. I tell my kids that the work comes first, the play comes second. These days I have to tell myself that! And, when I’m tired, I remind myself that everything worthwhile is uphill. And you can’t have uphill hopes and downhill habits.
• Invest in the political process. Know who’s representing you!
• Volunteer and serve; perspective changes when we focus on something or someone other than ourselves.

 
Yes, time is passing. Yes, growing older is natural; growing better is intentional. Ultimately, it’s on us to make our lives what we want them to be.
 
See you in the trenches,
B​