We all have to start somewhere when it comes to leading ourselves well. Here's where it started for me.

Following last week's post and the verses from Proverbs, here are 5 things we can draw from them, which can help us lead well in our day-to-day lives.

Do Not Consent

No can be seen as a weakness. In a time where the idea of truth is relative, in that truth is based on the personal circumstances of the individual, set by their own frame of reference, saying 'No' can. be difficult.

Leading well means learning what to say 'No' to. We have to stay strong. We will have to stay true to our convictions. There are some things which we should just not agree to. As Christian leaders, our frame of reference is not our own personal one, but instead comes through the Word of God and our relationship with Jesus.

'No' stops us from heading in a direction which will not be good for us.

Be Alert to Ambush

Keep an eye out for what's going on around you. Improve your awareness of what's happening in the world and in your world. To be alert is to be vigilant; it is to be quick to notice any unusual or potentially dangerous, or difficult circumstances.

Call them boundaries, guardrails, whatever you want. Put some in place, as they will keep you from getting caught out. Plus, they will back you up and help you know what to say 'No' to in the future, too.

Stay Away From the Place of Danger

You know you better than I know you. Too often, though, we don't know ourselves as well as we should.

We all have a past. We all have habits. We all have temptations, too.

Take away the danger by taking yourself away from the place of danger. Don't get involved or go to those places where you know the temptation may be too strong. It's easy to justify our behaviour sometimes, but it may not only hurt us. It might hurt others, too. Our behaviours demonstrate to others how good we are at leading ourselves.

Greater self-awareness is the key to protecting ourselves and our future ability to lead.

The Crowd is Not Always Right

The pull of the crowd is very enticing. It's proven to be very persuasive in how we think and how we respond to certain circumstances. When the group says 'Yes', it becomes easier to just go along with it and to say 'yes' too.

Some may consider this to be the message of the world, but we are not meant to just go with the way of the world, or, as the verses say, 'to throw our lot in with them'. It doesn't matter if everyone else is doing it or even that society says it's good. We are the kind of leaders who do what is right because it is the right thing to do, not just because it's easy and popular.

Have a crowd around you, just make sure they are the right crowd of people around you.

Hold Back When Appropriate

It is said that 'fools rush in'. To lead yourself well, before making the move, before deciding, before acting ~ take a moment. Don't allow your emotions in the moment to get the better of you.

Pause. Reflect. Look. Listen. (I mean, really listen).

It can be problematic, but learn to wait for God's lead.

Years ago, someone prompted me with my finances to always ask a couple of questions ~ Do I really need this? If I didn't spend the money on this, what could it be used for? These questions have taught me to pause, to not be in such a hurry, and to wait.

And this behaviour doesn't just relate to my finances. One more minute, hour, or day probably won't harm the decision that much.

Sometimes we are just in too much of a hurry when we need to learn to hold back; it could just save our leadership.

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