Pull-Ups

I have a love/hate relationship with pull-ups.  When I can do them, I love them.  When I can't do them, I hate them. 

Two years ago I did the fitness test for P90x and did a staggering 2 pull-ups.  "Staggering", because that is what I felt like after I did them.  I'm not even sure they were a full 2 pull-ups.  Probably more like 2 pulls and 2 neck extensions that equaled about 3 inches total.  I hated pull-ups!

Tonight, I just got done doing 90+ pull-ups.  Not at one time, of course.  Many sets of 7-12 reps with about 1-2 minutes in between each set.  I didn't just try harder or want it more.  It took time and effort and discipline.  It was a process.  Not a perfect process, but a process none the less.  I didn't really commit to the pull-ups while doing P90x.  I always did the "cheating" pull-ups with a chair.  It was a process of doing P90x imperfectly, Insanity imperfectly, running imperfectly, dieting imperfectly and basic weight lifting imperfectly.  The process of fitness training overcame those imperfections.  I'm still far from perfect but I can now do as many as 14 pull-ups at one time.  7 times what I could do 2 years ago!  What if I hadn't started that process back then?  What if I had let the "hate" prevent me from trying and keeping at it? 

What could I do 7 times better in 2 years if I start the process now?  What could you do 7 times better in 2 years if you start the process now? 

In two years, what will I wish I had started 2 years ago?  Leading?  Scripture memorization?  Parenting?  Being a better husband/wife?  Some form of exercise?  How many books could I have read?

I'm pretty sure if I don't start the process now, I won't be any better off tomorrow, next week, next month or next year.  I'm not going to magically get smarter or more fit or become a better spouse (even though I know Kaylyn is praying for that miracle every day).  I may have some obstacles along the way, maybe even some setbacks but the process will ensure success over time.  It may take longer than I intend or hope but that success won't happen at all if I don't start now.     

Oh, and "I love pull-ups!"
 

               
      

Confidence

I love this picture.  Riley was about 3 or 4 years old and wanted to go out into the waves with me. She was uncertain about going out in the waves on her own so she asked me to take her out.  She knows that she is safe with me holding her but look at her hand on my back with a fist full of my shirt.  I am sure she had a smile on her face and if you asked her, she knew I would hold on to her.  But, just to be sure, she was holding on.  She was acting brave and eager but she still needed to hold onto something.

Sometimes, as a leader, you need to appear confident even when you aren't.  You need to have that smile on your face and confidence in your voice.  Maybe it is pushing forward to a level of performance you have never attained.  Maybe it is a major change in direction.  Maybe it is responding to a big problem that could potentially derail the progress you have made.  

If a leader waits till they are completely confident to act, most things worth doing will never happen.  But, if a team doesn't sense confidence from the leader, they will be very hesitant to accept change, or to push forward when things get rough.        

So, as a leader, what will you be holding onto to create that confidence?  Or, WHO will you be holding onto?  Philippians 4:13 says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me".