Often we look to place blame on someone else when things do not turn out the way we had hoped, but most times, the accountability actually falls on us. Are you willing to own it?
Professionally
How many times in meetings or general conversations do you hear "So and so never sent me what I needed." Or "I sent the request to so and so two weeks ago." While these may very well be true statements, did you just send an email and expect them to know the urgency behind it without you picking up the telephone to explain the details? We are all guilty of "bus throwing" and sometimes it may seem justifiable, but what it actually speaks volumes to is a divisive approach. In an atmosphere where unity is promoted, there is less bus throwing and more communication to have the team present well overall instead of a few overachievers trying to make themselves look good for that next promotion, accolades, award, or recognition. Are you building unity and team building professionally or are you building I am the best and only I deserve all of the accolades?
- The next time you are in a team meeting or huddle, try uplifting the team as a whole, encouraging a unified approach, and see how much farther the team gets and how much more the relationships are strengthened. Not everyone will always be in agreement, but it's a start in the right direction for the team or business.
Relationally
How many records of what is wrong do you keep though we all know 1 Corinthians 13:5 states "It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs." Interesting how we often try to justify our behavior "because you" or "since you" and want to persecute others, instead of having a conversation that is constructive and conducive to a healthy relationship. This applies to every type of relationship there is and if we take an inventory of our relationships, we could probably see the ones that survived are the ones where both sides are willing to work on their part in the relationship to make it work. Are you building a relationship with a foundation of honesty, respect, and forgiveness or are you building a relationship focused on keeping record, being better than the other person, and brokenness?
- Instead of pointing fingers and stating what's wrong all of the time, constructively present how things can be better and ask how you can help facilitate better rather than broken.
Spiritually
When you pray, are your prayers backed up with words like "I hope God will" or "I wonder if God will." Or, are you praying God's word back to Him stating "Lord, you are my refuge" and I thank you for your shelter and safety from hurt harm and danger. Or Father, you told me to cast all of my cares on you, so I know you are going to pay that bill and put food on the table and I thank you in advance for the blessings to come. Are you building a spiritual foundation that is built on faith, God's word and promises, and speaking things that are not as though they are?
- Instead of asking God "Why?" ask God "What is the lesson He has for you to learn" and embrace the journey for each lesson builds a stronger layer to your spiritual foundation.
What are you building?
Focus on building stability, longevity, prosperity, and abundance in every area of your life.
Start building faith, walking in favor and living in overflow
-- stop building doubt, fear, and worry and .
Choose to build courage, consistency and prosperity
-- refuse to build anxiety, hesitation, and negative self-talk
Live out unity, respect, and community
-- leave selfish, pride, and conceit in the rear view mirror
No one gets very far on this journey on their own.
The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands. ~Proverbs 14:1 (NKJV)