Working on a Dream


Leadership

Theology

Life


Thursday, September 30, 2010

Why Should Anyone Be Led By You?

"Unless you are clear about your purpose and your values and are doing something that you really care about, it is difficult to act as a leader."

Sure you are working for the house payment, the car payment, the vet bills, and the braces for your kids.  But at the end of the day, does your job offer you a sense of significance?  I have heard it said that when you find a job that you love, you will never work another day the rest of your life.  This usually happens when your intrinsic values are being employed at your workplace.  Studs Terkel says that, "work is about daily meaning as well as daily bread."

Reflecting back on my life, I can say with full honesty that I have never made a decision based on money.  I went to college and majored in Youth Ministry hoping to be a person that would make a difference in the lives of others and have followed this path ever since.  I can even remember talking with Christen when we were dating about this reality, and I am thankful that she decided to marry me anyway! 

The point is, my motives were to follow a calling...not a dollar sign.   And this calling has, does, and continues to fill my life with purpose.  Finding a calling is a lot different than finding a career.  A calling gets you out of bed in the middle of the night because you just got inspired to make a difference.  A calling keeps you up at night because you just can't shake this idea that burns within you. 

Have you found your calling? 
Does your job make you come alive?
Is there something inside of you that yearns for more?
Maybe it is time that your dreams and your job spend some time together and give you a life that you wouldn't trade...not even for a raise.


-Acts 20:22-24-
22 "And now I am on my way to Jerusalem, bound in my spirit, not knowing what I will encounter there, 23 except that in town after town the Holy Spirit testifies to me that chains and afflictions are waiting for me. 24 But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course  and the ministry I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God's grace.

3 comments:

Scott said...

Hey dude,

What do you think about the saying or maybe even mindset that some people have when they say,
"I do what I have to do, in order to do what I want to do."
If I understand the saying correctly...
It seems to me that people are willing to work the mundane or maybe just a less fulfilling job in order to secure the resources necessary to do something more fulfilling on the side.

What you think?

Anthony Kladitis said...

I think that people should pay attention to their Intrinsic Motivations more that Extrinsic. Start with your passion and love and then the extrinsic will come (hopefully!).

Think about how many people hate their jobs and dred their everyday lives. But these same people all have hobbies that they engange in for hours everyday outside of work. Nobody pays them for the things they love to do...they just do them.

Intrinsic first then Extrinsic. If you can get paid for something you love...then you win on both ends!

Anonymous said...

i like this alot!!!!!! :) -benoit