Reinvent. What does the word really mean? Online dictionaries define it this way: “To make major changes or improvements to (something); to present (something) in a different or new way.”
We don’t often take fully advantage of reinventing ourselves, even though it’s a simple concept. It’s not about making first impressions or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about being all that God has called you to be and continually striving to live a life pleasing to him.
What keeps us from making significant changes in our lives? These might be a few reasons:
- We tell ourselves we can’t.
- We blame our outward circumstances.
- We never really thought about it before.
- We’re afraid of what others would think.
All of these are excuses. We can make changes no matter what is going on around us. We’re thinking of it now and it’s good to do it.
One of my favorite promises from Jesus is found in Revelation 21:5:
And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.”
You can get started on reinventing your leadership using the simple list below. Pick one to start and stick with it until it becomes part of your lifestyle.
1. Become More Joyful
This is important. Joyful people have a different outlook. Joy doesn’t mean constant giddy laughter; but contentment, hope, and a love for life that can only come from the heart. Practice being joyful today. Pray for deep joy, even amid trying circumstances you may be facing.
2. Care for Your People Beyond Work
Everyone is a leader in some capacity. The people around you need to know that you appreciate and value their work. They also need to know you care about them personally and individually. Author John Maxwell says, “People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
3. Respond to People Who Reach Out to You
Don’t drop the ball on communication. Become known as the person who texts back, responds to questions, and lives up to their end of the bargain. This is especially true for those closest to you – your family and close friends. You can also build systems to expedite responding to others reaching out to you. For example, you may want to develop a list of common questions and requests you get regularly, then create well-crafted responses to use repeatedly.
4. Develop a Personal Mission Statement
It’s freeing to know what your main goals are. The process of developing a personal mission statement is worth the process itself. You come away with a 50-words-or-less statement that can be easily memorized and used to motivate you each morning. Watch this video and create yours here.
5. Determine Your Priorities
Priorities shape who we become. If you’re always working on second things first, you never get to the first things. Your priorities need to be clear and known (especially to you). If you feel overwhelmed, block a day in the future to take off regular work and go somewhere to think about what is important to you. Begin to arrange your life around these priorities. Recently, I wanted to play music with my kids at least twice a week, so I added it to my “to-do” list, and it’s been happening continually. They don’t know it’s on a to-do list. To them, it’s natural, the way I want it to be.
6. Say “No” More Than You Say “Yes”
Anyone can say “yes.” Over-commitment is everywhere in our culture, and it seems to be contagious. While saying “yes” may seems like the right thing to do, you must say “no” more often than “yes” to truly reinvent yourself. As you grow more effective in the time-freeing, priority-making habit of saying “no,” your “yes” will become more meaningful and powerful. It helps me to think of it this way: When you say “yes,” you are saying “no” to something else.
7. Balance Each Day: Prayer, Reading, Work, Relationships, Adventure, and Thinking
It sounds more challenging than it is. This is a small, simple way to reinvent yourself. Every day take time to:
- Pray.
- Read a bit of a book.
- Work hard while you are at work.
- Invest in the relationships that matter to you the most.
- Look for adventure – even if it’s a short walk during your five-minute break.
- Intentionally think during your commute, at home, on a walk, or whenever. Rules for thinking times include: a starting time, pen and paper (unless you are driving), and no devices.
Simple things are fine as long as you do something in each area every day.
8. Develop Specific Measurable Outcomes for Each Day
How will you know when you’ve succeeded? Reinventing your measurable outcomes and daily finish lines will help you become more productive. Examples may include: How many contacts did you make? Did you accomplish everything on your to-do list? How many people did you make smile? How often did you tell your spouse and/or kids you loved them? Developing measurable goals for your work, home, or relationships can be a simple way to make significant changes. Encouraging your team to establish specific, measurable daily goals is another way to increase effectiveness and productivity.
9. Wake Up Earlier
This keystone reinvention in your life may help spur other positive changes. Waking up even thirty minutes earlier to pray, read, think, exercise, or prioritize your day can positively influence your life. Waking up earlier is a bit of a sacrifice, but as you adjust, you will join the ranks of the most common connecting discipline of nearly all successful people – they are early risers. Read this interesting list of people who get up early.
10. Lead More Diligently at Home
Everything in life is better when your home life is good and organized. Give your best energy at home. Keep clutter at a minimum. Keep your cars filled up with gas. Turn off the TV. Visit with family, friends, and neighbors. Keep your finances in good order. Serve your spouse. Help with chores. Take personal responsibility for your home.
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