Kristie's 3-month goal (Oct-Dec)

My goal for this last quarter is to actually apply the "21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader" to my life. It is easy to read a book and think 'I need to work on this point or that quality' but honestly once the book is read and put away - nothing more gets done. So my goal is to work on these leader qualities that need improving in my life.

My action steps:

1. List the 21 qualities (or at least those we have already read)
2. Grade myself on each quality and possible seek some input from Pastor Annette to be sure I grade myself fairly. It is easy for me to be critical of me.
3. To focus on those that need improvement. and doing this by:

• deciding which will be the most important qualities to work on (in my life). I don't think it would be right to try to improve all that needs improvement because that would be overwhelming.
• to as John Maxwell puts it - "flesh it out"
• to journal my thoughts, efforts, and acheivements.

Sept post Alexis

Chapter 6: This chapter really spoke to me of the importance of courage. I struggled in this area when I was growing up. It took a lot for me to get up and play my guitar for the first time in front of my peers at youth group but as I practiced and grew in confidence and had the support of believers I was able to find courage to continue my heard of fulfilling my goal as a worship leader!

Chapter 7: Discernment has been a challenge for me because I tend to get very busy but I have to slow down and take my time to listen to the Holy Spirit speaking inside of me, whether it be at work or at home. Once I do take the time to pray and spend with God I find myself realizing that inside He was guiding me all along. I just needed to listen!

Chapter 8: As I have concentrated on my goals of organizing, I have really seen that my focus has paid off. I can see the end of the tunnel and my work load has become less stressful. It is amazing what happens when we take the time to focus on what our priorities are, rather than just becoming overwhelmed in our chaotic schedules. I am excited to see how focus plays a part in leadership skills and requires a goal!

Chapter 9: This chapter discusses generosity which is an essential tool for a leader. I have found that although I don’t have money to give, I still can have generosity by giving of my talents as a worship leader, listening to an individual in need, and supporting those kids whether it be at youth group or work with the guidance that they need to stay on the right path!

Chapter 10: Initiative, which this chapter describes in detail is a tool that I need to continue to develop! Like I have said before I tend to get busy with work and life that I need to find time to slow down to see other opportunities where I am needed. However I think it is important that if you see many opportunities to not take them all because that become too overwhelming. I think if one can set priorities and than pray about what opportunities that God would lead one into, decide, and than act on it with one’s whole heart, the beauty of initiative than is conveyed!
Alexis

Eric's Sept. Maxwell Reading

Ch. 6 - Courage: A leadership position doesn't give a person courage, but courage can give him a leadership position. Courage is something that doesn't come easy for me and for those who know me I struggle when I have to speak in front of a group of people so I agree with courage begins with an inward battle.

Ch. 7 - Discernment: Enables a leader to see a partial picture, fill in the missing pieces intuitively, and find the real heart of a matter. For me this is a work in progress because I get those gut instincts but I don't always listen to them.

Ch. 8 - Focus: The keys are priorities and concentration. I would have to say this is another work in progress in my life because I am guy that flys by the seat of my pants, but when I do focus and set priorities I do fill like I have accomplished something.

Ch. 9 - Generosity: The only way to maintain an attitude of generosity is to make it a habit to give your time, attention, money and resources. I like helping people in giving of my time and talents and having that sense of fullfillment when I see the smiles of those I've helped.

Ch. 10 - Intiative: Constantly on the lookout for opportunity, knows what they want, willing to act, take risks, make mistakes and sometimes fail. This is not a strong point in my life. I'm very indecisive and I hate to fail. As you can see I need to work on these areas in my life and I continue to pray that God will strengthen these areas and help me become a stronger leader.

Annette's 3 month goal (Oct-Dec)

Goal:  To plan the EP In Action schedule through the winter.  Since we can't work outside most of the time, I need to plan how we can get out and serve the community indoors.

Action Steps:

1. Contact the assisted living and retirement facilities to see who is willing to have a group of students come in.
2. Contact some of the younger "Grandmas" (50's-60's) in our church to see if we could do a baking day, and then deliver the baked goods to senior saints.
3. Contact the local contact center, banquet, women's shelter, etc. to see if there are any jobs they would need help with.

Annette's Sept Reading

Oops - I wrote 95% of this last week and then realized I forgot to post it. 

I LOVE THIS BOOK!  I'm so inspired...

Ch. 6: Courage
I hate how pompous it sounds - but this is one area that I feel pretty good about.  God has brought me through so much that I've learned to trust Him and keep going even when I'm scared out of my wits (not every time, but most of the time).  And that does make people feel secure in following you!  Right on John!  "Fear limits a leader."  Don't let fear hinder you anymore guys!

Ch. 7: Discernment
I think this is the best definition of discernment that I've ever heard.  "Discernment enables a leader to see a partial picture, fill in the missing pieces intuitively, and find the real heart of a matter."  Awesome.  Very balanced advice to not ignore that "gut feeling", but don't rely entirely on it.  "Value nontraditional thinking. Embrace change, ambiguity, and uncertainty.  Broaden your horizons experientially."  I know some leaders that would feel nauseated after reading those sentences.  HAHAHA  I say AMEN!

Ch. 8: Focus
This is definitely an area I'm working on!  Some of you will remember something I know the Lord spoke to me at camp.  He said "cut the fat".  I certainly have priorities lined up, BUT sometimes I've allowed unneccessaries to creep in and then my focus shifts from top priorities to managing a bunch of mid-level priorities.  So I have been learning to cut that fat from my leadership life.  Focus 70% on strengths, 25% on new things (like Signet), and 5% on weaknesses.  This approach makes so much sense!

Ch. 9: Generosity
Great principles here!  I love the practical information...give something away!  Something that IS valuable to you - not rummage sale items!  I'm going to think about that...

Ch. 10 - Initiative
"Leaders are responsible for initiating a connection with their followers."  What are you going to do with that?  Have you taken initiative or are you waiting for them to come to you?  This chapter makes me feel better about being so opinionated.  HAHA  But of course, life is always about balance.  Opinions without teamwork and follow through are useless.  My opinion (couldn't resist) is that where most of the breakdown happens with leaders is in the "pushing themselves to act" portion.  Most people who lead have desire and are willing to take risks and make mistakes.  BUT pushing themselves to take action to get it going in the first place is usually where people lack. 

Kristie's Maxwell Post

Ch. 6 - Courage
I read this chapter the first few days of September but I have to admit this chapter was so 'in my face' that I put the book down and didn't read anymore till this last week. I know it is not a 'healthy' place to be - but I like my comfort zones. Comfort in my finances, comfort in my relationships, and even comfort in my church. So this is definitely an area that needs work in my life.

Ch. 7 - Discernment
This comes from prayer, experience, gut instincts and being able to analyze a situation unbiasedly. Many times we are 'too close to the forest to see the trees' or too close to a situation and we can't see past ourselves. It takes discernment to know when we have to step up or step back, move forward or sit still, speak up or just keep our mouths closed.

Ch. 8 - Focus
I thought this was a really good chapter. So many times it is easy for me to focus on my weaknesses instead of my strenghts. A personal goal for me is: when we are finished with this book is to list each of these 21 qualities and determine which are my strengths and which I struggle with. And then apply Mr. Maxwell's principles of "fleshing it out". And hopefully grow in the areas that need improvement.

Ch. 9 - Generousity
I feel this is one of my strenghts. I have always been generous. I credit much of this to my Grandma. I can still hear her telling me stories about how she would do without so she could give extra to her husband and children. Even though she has been gone for +25 years her generous legacy lives on; because now I hear my dad talk about how his Mom did without and all she gave up; and it is even more than what she had told me. It is easy for me to put others needs before mine, to be generous with my time; and as we (Keevin and myself) are financially blessed, we have desires and goals to bless others financially also. I loved the comment by John Bunyan: "You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you." And that does not apply to just material things; it can be a person's time or maybe even a kind word to the checker at the grocery store.

Ch. 10 - Initiative
Not a strong quality for me. I am a very indecisive person!! I am not one to make the first step, but I will be more than happy to help someone acheive a task. I feel initiative is grounded by courage. Initiators are willing to act, take risks, make mistakes, and sometimes fail; all courageous things.