I was running a workshop recently where I asked everyone to write down 3 things in their lives that were energizing them and 3 things that were draining them. This proved to be an easy task. I then asked them to think back 6 months, and recall things in their lives that were energizing them and others that were draining them at that stage. They could similarly do the same for a year back.
What we discovered is that in every stage of life there are things that are going well, and there are things that we struggle with. Sometimes we remember the good, sometimes we remember the bad. One lady said to me that 6 months ago she was " gripped by fear" and could not remember any good thing, even though in hindsight there were good things there. In essence, she was oblivious to the good that was present in her life due to being gripped by fear - her focus was on the bad and thus ignoring the good. What we give our attention to will have the greatest effect on our life, and so often our attention in gripped by fear. Fear is defined as: "unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat." Fear can be extremely powerful.
There is a story that speaks of the same thing. Jesus was walking on water towards his disciples. The story goes as follows:
"But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him." (Matt 14:27-31).
The turning point for Peter is when he takes his eyes away from Jesus. When he focusses on Jesus, he does the extraordinary, when he focusses on the storm he is gripped by fear and sinks.
Where are you sinking in your life? As a leader we are in many ways faced with many storms and many opportunities to do the extraordinary. but what are you empowering? Are you focussing on the storm, the struggles, the impossibilities, or are you focussing on your strengths and the opportunities before you?
What we focus on, we empower... What are you giving power to?