Episode #53: The Top Ten Lessons I Learned in 2014 [Podcast]

Every year, I spend a few days at the end of the year to do a year-end review. I did an entire podcast on my year-end review, you can get the link for that in the show notes. However, one section I record is lessons learned! In this episode, I took the top 10 lessons I learned in 2014 and share them with you! I hope they add value to your life!

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The Top Ten Lessons I Learned in 2014

Links Mentioned in Episode: 

Notes:

The Top 10 Lessons I learned in 2014

1.) Faithfulness is the Key to Long-Term Success

“If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. Luke 16:10

Everyone wants to make it to the big leagues, but nobody wants to be faithful in the small leagues. -Larry Bettencourt

“You want to do what I do, but do you want to do what I did so you can do what I do?” -John Maxwell

“When you think of John Maxwell, don’t think brilliance, think this, day in, day out, day in, day out, day in, day out.”  -John Maxwell

Often the fruit we see in others lives is really just the result of years of faithfulness!

“Day to day intensity, week to week consistency, builds champions.” -Jim Rankin

2.) There are things In My Control and there are things Out of My Control 

We’re powerless over what we can’t control, we are not powerless over what we can control! -Henry Cloud

3.) Be Confident in Who God called You to Be and What He Wants You to Do

Some will, some won’t, so what?

God doesn’t give you dreams and ideas to screw with you! -Ted Talk

” A bird sings because it was created to sing… Go sing! It’s God’s assignment, go of it!” -John Stanko

“I’m not a leader” – Let God decide that will you?” –Pastor John Nuzzo

Acts 5:38,39

4.) To Really Make a Difference You Have to be Extremely Intentional 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. -John 15:13

Leadership is loosing the right to think about yourself –Gerald Brooks

The question isn’t, do my neighbors know me? If I’m a leader, the question should be, do I know my neighbors? Matthew Geppert

People need you when they need you, not when it is convenient for you. -Pastor John

Do for one what you wish you could do for everyone!

5.) I don’t Have to Impress Anyone 

“If we’re going to meet for a year, you’re going to have to stop trying to impress me.” –Donald Miller’s Dr.

If you’re leadership isn’t all about you, it will live beyond you, if you make it all about you, you’ll be remembered as a bad example!

6.) The Importance of Self-Awareness 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. -Psalm 139:23-24

During Billy Graham’s rise to international leadership and fame, his self-awreness grew in equal measure! -The Dark Side of Leadership

God is the architect of our growth!

Prayer: God, Develop me as quickly and as solidly as possible!

7.) How to Accomplish Goals that I haven’t Been Able to Accomplish Before

If you have a plan and you’re not doing it, you’re not going to do it. You need people to help you! Accountability, deadlines, and coaches! -Henry Cloud

8.) Be a 360 degree leader by Becoming an All-Star at Work 

If you’re not the boss, your leverage is excellent performance – Become an all star where you are at!

You’re either a rising or falling star

Be the change you want to see in your organization!

9.) Learning how to Deal with Conflict and Confront Issues is Extremely Important 

Matthew 18

When you don’t confront, you’re either brown nosing or an activist, neither are good!

10.) The Best Life is a Life Lived for God 

It doesn’t get any better than having magnificent friends, pursuing a magnificent vision, for a magnificent God! There is No better juice than that! – Reid Carpenter

Those are the top lessons I learned in 2014! It was an incredible year! I’d love to hear your top lessons learned! E-mail me at DougSmithLive@gmail.com!

How You Can Help this Podcast:

Learning to Lead Announcements:

1.) Learning to Lead Breakfast Series Our next leadership event will be a lunch on Saturday, February 21st from 12:30 p.m. t0 2 p.m. at the Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Our speaker will be John Stanko, President of Purpose Quest. Register for this event here. 

2.) Learning to Lead Small Groups – We have a small group of young leaders that get together twice a month to discuss leadership, hold each other accountable to our goals, and to build a community of leaders passionate about making a difference in our city. If you’re interested in attending, e-mail me at dougsmithlive@gmail.com.

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