Whenever I lead a session at our Summer Institute training shifts, I give the students who participate a chance to ask me questions about anything they want.
Last summer, one young leader raised his hand and said, “Do you ever want to quit?”
I laughed and responded, “Every Tuesday!”
Another student leader replied, “Wow, what happens on Mondays?”
There wasn’t anything actually bad about Mondays. It just seemed like about once a week, I would question things. Am I doing any good? Is it worth it? Is it worthwhile?
Does that feel familiar to you?
In this series we’ve explored the power of encouragement and the power of true and beautiful stories. In addition, we all need help to keep going and keep growing.
When I founded the Institute for Cultural Communicators, I didn’t have the vision we have today. I wasn’t thinking about enlarging a global community at all. I simply thought I was putting something together for my children and my friends’ children.
I had to ask myself two questions that are key for growth:
What happens if I stay in my comfort zone?
What would be the cost of doing nothing?
It’s easier to stay put. It’s more comfortable to keep doing what I’m doing. But growth requires discomfort.
Without vision and inspiration, we wouldn’t be bringing resources to get students ready to speak in over 20 countries today. From the earliest days, I had passionate people committed to this mission who pushed me to keep going. My late husband was one of the biggest cheerleaders in those days. (Hear about David here.) And ever since, God has brought other leaders and friends alongside me to help me keep growing, too.
Keep growing is a crucial component of how we design our live events. We know that lasting transformation requires practice. That’s why attendees of our Communicators for Christ conferences get empowered with really tangible, practical tools to inspire, mentor, and continue the journey with their students. (P.S. You can join us here!)
As an organization that focuses on empowering the next generation, growing is innate to what we do. We aim to help people grow in so many ways. We get Christians ready to speak. We empower parents and educators and youth workers to mentor well. We grow leaders of all ages.
If you have been asking the same questions I have often asked myself – is it worthwhile, doing any good, worth the struggle – I’d love to empower you, too. Explore some of these top resources for leaders, parents, and educators:
Coaching with Success (Online class – just updated!)
Vital Signs: Five Essential Skills Every Student Needs for Success in Education and in Life (E-book)
Everyday Conversations that Get You Ready for Influence (E-course)
It takes a life-giving community to keep growing through the challenges that all organizational leaders face. Grab an accountability partner and consider setting aside time for intentional growth – and guarding that time fiercely.
In what area or areas do you want to keep growing this year?
Blog post originally from teresamoon.org
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