The Idea Seed

“So, you want to be a leader?” was my next question to a young woman who sought me out to tell me her ideas and plans for her future. She had passion and energy. I liked her zip. Ideas naturally flowed out of her. Her ideas were workable and wonderful and would benefit society.

“I’m not sure that I am a leader,” was her response to my question.

“But all ideas and plans require leadership or they go nowhere. To act on your plans will require you to lead and take action and will force you into a new world of inner development.”

I suggested that we sit down and talk awhile. I wanted to give her a visual of the synergy between an idea and leadership.

“Ideas are like a blossoming flower. You have articulated well the ‘full picture’ of your idea. But like every flower started as a seed, your idea at this point is a seed.

A seed is planted in the ground and its life-producing capability must break through a protective shell to begin the growing process. The process includes moving through soil – sometimes stubborn soil – to break the surface of the ground. Then comes the visible picture: first the shoot, then the stalk, then a bud and finally the flower.

Your idea is still a seed lodged within you. Even though you see the full blossoming stage, you must now take steps to burst your idea from the seed stage. The protective shell around your idea may be fear, or lack of confidence, or even your inability to see yourself as a leader. Every protective shell must be broken and you do so by taking steps – small steps. Ask yourself questions like: ‘What is the first thing I need to do?’ It may be a small thing like calling a friend and asking for advice. Do it, because it could be a pivotal step in breaking the ground surface of your idea. Then, ask yourself, ‘What is the second and third thing I need to do?’ You must move the process along taking whatever small steps are needed to go forward.

To be continued...

Career Changes: What am I doing here?

I’m writing this blog as I sit in the Hong Kong airport waiting for a connecting flight to take me home from a conference in Bangkok, Thailand. Looking out of the windows at the mountains surrounding this amazing city, I ask myself, “What am I doing here? How did I arrive at this particular time and place in my life?”

You could say it was because of a series of career changes – well – not exactly ‘career changes’ but changes of direction in my career. These changes seemed to unfold progressively and often quickly. I would just begin to feel comfortable and confident in the work I was doing, when a new challenge presented itself – complete with a big risk and always requiring a huge leap of faith.
“Should I take it? Could I do it? Was I equipped to meet the new demands? What about all the new relationships?” There were so many questions. Doubts on the one hand and feelings of excitement and anticipation on the other.

After much prayer and listening to the counsel of trusted friends, I found guidance and courage to say “Yes” to new opportunities. These transitions were times of growth and development in my life, and provided enlargement and expansion of the vision for the work God had called me to do. I found absolute joy as I learned to depend on God for each new challenge.

How about you? Will you share with us how you have handled the career changes in your life? How did they affect you? I’ll be watching for your answer.

Until then, blessings,
Eileen