If you’re like many leaders, you’re busy making resolutions this week. I think that’s a great idea.
Michael Hyatt outlines a number of compelling reasons you should actually write down your resolutions. The most persuasive for me is that you are 42 percent more likely to reach your goals if you write them down.
I was reminded of that this past week. When cleaning out my office recently, I came across a list of written goals from four years ago. There were over a dozen. I was both surprised and grateful to see I achieved 80 percent of them, and am on track to complete them all within the next two years (some were BIG goals).
You will have some resolutions that are specific and personal to you—which is great.
But there are some goals that every leader could benefit from accomplishing.
Here are six that continue to inspire and challenge me.
1. Work on your character as seriously as you work on your competency.
It’s rare that competency fells top leaders; but character does.
As I’ve said before in this space, your competency will take you only as far as your character can sustain you.
A young leader I know recently took a weekend away to work on his character: He chose a time away to pray, reflect, journal and grow. Personally, I think that’s amazing.
Here are a few ways to develop your character:
Pray about it. Seriously, nothing will grow your character as much as direct time with God asking him to show you what you need to work on.
Ask others how you’re doing. I love the question Jeff Henderson asks: What’s it like to be on the other side of me? If you’re prepared to hear the truth, you’ll grow.
Spend some time away working on it, like the young leader I mentioned did.
I realize this kind of effort might sound strange, but the truth is you’d spend three days at a conference sharpening your skills without thinking about it. Why not spend that much time developing your soul?
Think about the benefits of a goal like this.
If you only work on your competency, you become better at work. But if you work on your character, you become a better spouse, parent, friend and person.
The benefits are life-changing.
