By the world's metrics, I was a success. In reality, I was failing.
I was failing in my marriage. I was failing in parenting my daughter. And I was failing in living out God's plan for my life and preparing for eternity.
I had allowed the world to shape my definition of success. In doing so, I forfeited the opportunity to store up treasure in heaven. Those very things I worked so fiercely to obtain had no eternal value and were easily taken and destroyed.
As a leader, you have an opportunity to demonstrate what it means to achieve the success that will outlast any fancy car or big house. Walt Disney said it this way: "When the values are clear, decisions are easy."
Your values are reflected in your goals, and your goals shape the culture of your organization. They set the pace and priorities of your team.
There is nothing wrong with traditional business goals of growth and profitability. There is, however, something wrong if that's all you focus on.
When you're setting your 2023 goals, I challenge you to try this approach:
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Seek God as you define success. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” (Isaiah 30:21)
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As you prepare to set your 2023 goals, ask for God to increase while you decrease. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:9)
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Set goals that align with a Biblical worldview. The Bible is the greatest book ever written on business; know the Word of God. "Thy word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalm 119:105)
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Include at least one goal that indicates balance and priorities in your life. One thing you cannot get back is time, so use it wisely. "What do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed? (Luke 9:25)
Looking back, I can see that if I'd had a clear perspective of what success looked like through an eternal lens rather than a worldly one, I would have done things differently with different results. Not only would I have been more successful in my business, I would have also made a greater Kingdom impact on the things that matter most.
I can't change the past, but I can choose a different path for the future.
The great thing about our God is that His mercies are made new each day. Today is a new day, a new dawn, a chance to make a difference in the world.
Let's go shine the light of Christ in everything we do, especially through our work!
