Leading our families through the holiday season is both a joy-filled blessing as well as one full of incredible challenges. For many of us our end-of-year work schedules get a bit hectic; project deadlines, extended hours, seasonal jobs, serving opportunities, the midnight shopping rendezvous and the extended family parties with the weird cousin we would prefer to see less than once a year.
For many this season is defined by hope and promise. Yet the very same environments that hold promise for a peaceful and enjoyable season tend to stir up struggle and stress as well.
If you’ve invested in your vocation and/or leadership abilities you’ve probably learned some key points such as the discovery of your Passions, Talents and your Strengths and Weakness’. You’ve been encouraged to invest in those things with which you desire to partake in and are capable and confident in doing so for the benefit of those you serve. These are typically your strengths.
As well you have probably discovered some of your weaknesses and have been challenged to learn how to function in and through them and yet when possible partner with others whose strengths are your weaknesses and vice versa. With the sheer speed of business development, interaction, communication and our multifaceted work environments it is virtually impossible to be the best, the specialist, in everything your role demands and so the discovery of your desires, abilities, strengths and weakness’ is necessary to both function in and enjoy your career.
Now about leading our families through the holidays. We’ve spent time developing these key areas of leadership in our vocational lives, let’s spend some time this season adapting these realities to our home-lives. Again, with the benefit of those we serve in mind, in this case our family and friends, let’s ask ourselves the following, plan and act. Be encouraged, the season has only begun.
1. What do I get exited about when I envision my family, my home? What do my spouse and kids get energized by?
2. With the same quality of intention and attention I give to my work how might I shape our time together, organize events, and create memories with my family to see our vision come to life?
3. How might I use my unique strengths and abilities to serve and love my family? How might I partner with my spouse, my family and my friends to lead well and experience the peace and joy of the season?
Article submitted by Rich Dyson
Rich and his family are recent returnee’s to the Akron area and he is more than excited to show off his old stomping grounds to his young children. Aside from street-side exploration he’s spent much of time connecting the local church to the community at large. And this writing thing is a fun addition to the day as well.
