7 rules for great achievers

Aniel BarbeStewardship Ministries and Trust Services

SIDCategory: Empowering the Partners

Seven Rules of Great

Achievers

Our Vision

All in Full Partnership with Him, Accomplishing the Final Mission.

“Seven Rules of Great Achievers”

What would you consider as a great achievement?


Peter the Water-Walker!

The Story in Brief

- It was late.- Jesus asked the disciples to cross the lake of

Galilee while he remained behind.- After some time a terrible storm broke on the

lake.- The disciples could hardly maintain the boat

afloat.- Jesus came to them walking on the water.- Peter requested to join him.- Jesus agreed to Peter’s request- He walked on the sea- He sunk.- He was rescued by Jesus.- The storm subsided.-


1. Clarity of purpose

2. Go through the wind and waves

3. Appreciate the presence of the Invisible

4. Willingness to follow instructions

5. Move out of the boat.

6. Focused as the laser beam

7. Choose the right partner

Rule I: Clarity of Purpose

“Go on ahead … to the other side.”

Matthew 14:22


The Poet on the Train


The Adventure of Tintin: Thomson and Thompson


The advantages of clarity of purpose:

- It helps to evaluate progress.

- It creates the necessary conviction that it is worthy to push forward even when going through troubles.

- It helps to distinguish between activity and productivity.


« Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint …»

Proverbs 29 :18


Four exercises to sharpen your vision:

Consult God. Define your values.

(What are important to you)

Establish your definition of success.

Visualize yourself as if you have already succeeded.


A Word of Caution

Proverbs 14 :12

There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.

Rule II: Go through the Wind and Waves

“ The boat wasbuffeted by the wavesbecause the wind wasagainst it.”

Matthew 22:24


A Testimony


• Be ready for the unexpected.

• Do not seek for the wind and waves

• Success belongs to the courageous.


A Different Perspective

James 1:2-4

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.


A Different Perspective

Romans 8 :28

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


The Assurance of a Successful Journey

Philippians 4 :13

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.


A Word of Caution

1 Peter 4: 15

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.

Rule III: Appreciate the Presence of the Invisible

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them,”

Matthew 14:25


The Issue of Solitude


Surprising reaction to the presence of Jesus:

“They were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.”

Matthew 14: 26


“Mild Paranoia.”

- Irrational thoughts.

- Individuals are highly suspicious.

- They have the regular feeling that others want to harm them.

- You do your best to help them but they easily misinterpret your motives.


Reassuring Words from Jesus:

“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Matthew 14: 27


Reassuring Words of Jesus for Today

“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

Rule IV: Willingness to Follow Instructions

“Tell me to come to you on the water.”

Matthew 14: 28


“Tell me”

- “ Order” and I will obey

- “ Give a command,” and I will follow


Four commonly respected laws among great achievers:

- Respect for the body.

- The law of Solitude. The greatest leaders in the Bible have spent large amounts of time alone. Moses, King David, John the Baptist, Jesus.

- The Law of Servanthood. “Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” Mark 10:43

- The law of success. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly, reaps sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” 2 Corinthians 9:6


The Sources of Instructions

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom theFather will send in my name, will teach you allthings and will remind you of everything I havesaid to you.

John 14:26


How to Receive Instructions?

- Through Consultations- Already Revealed


The Sources of Instructions

- The Holy Spirit as Teacher

- An Existing Revelation

Rule IV: Wlillingness to Follow Instructions

An Existing Revelation

Psalms 119: 2

Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart

Psalms 119 :24

Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors.



Psalms 119:99I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes.

Psalms 119:105Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.



Psalms 119:130

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.


An Attitude of Humility

For one to follow instructions, it is essential to possess an attitude of humility; the humility to receive and apply good ideas even when they do not generate from oneself.

Rule V: Move out of the Boat

“Peter got down out of the boat , walked on the water.”

Matthew 14: 29

Rule V: Move out of Your Boat

Why the 11 other disciples have not chosen to live the same adventure?

- It has to do with their attachment to their Comfort Zone.

Definition of a Comfort Zone?

It can be a situation (location) that either pleases us the most or disturbs us the less.


Some Common Examples of Comfort Zone?

- Our relationships.- Our activities: Recreational and Professional.- Our Beliefs- Our Culture- What we consume- etc


Rule V: Move Out of the Boat

To move out of one’s boat has the following implications:

• Be ready to disturb your actual equilibrium.• Be ready for something new and different• Be ready to accomplish scary things.• Be ready for criticism.• Be ready to stand as an original.• Be ready for a high level of execution.

Rule V: Move Out of the Boat

Encouragement from Robin Sharma:

“To get the results very few people have, be strong enough to do what very few people are willing to do.”

Rule VI: Focused as a Laser Beam

“ He (Peter) saw the wind.” “ he was afraid and started to sink.”

Matthew 14: 30


Beware of the Distractors

Various things are competing for our attention. Various sources of distractions are moving our eyes away from Jesus or from our goals. When we are caught in these distractions, we lose our effectiveness to move forward. It is important to identify the distractors and nullify their effects.


Distractors

“Distractors are not necessarily bad things but anything that prevents us from giving our best in what need to be accomplished.”

Règle VI. Etre Pointu comme un Laser

Distractions

“Les Distractions ne sont pas nécessairement des mauvaises choses en soi mais toute chose qui nous empêche de faire de notre mieux dans ce que nous avons a accomplir. “


Qualities of a Focused Person:

-

• Know exactly his/her objectives and goals.

• Know what has to be accomplished to achieve the objectives.

• Busy removing obstacles that prevent the realisation of obstacles.

Règle VI. Etre Pointu comme un Laser

Distractions

“Les Distractions ne sont pas nécessairement des mauvaises choses en soi mais toute chose qui nous empêche de faire de notre mieux dans ce que nous avons a accomplir. “


Rewards of being a Focused Person:

-

• Higher productivity.

• Solve problems in a lesser time.

• Sharper memory.

• More apt to take better wiser decision.

• Perceive as an intelligent person.


Focused in Spiritual Matters

Luke 9:62

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”


Another meaning of moving off his eyes from Jesus:

- Now I can do it by myself.

- He is taking the credit of this unique achievement.


“Remember that the moment you think you’re a Master, you lose your Mastery. And the minute you think you know everything you know nothing.” Robin Sharma

“You can accomplish anything in life, provided that you do not mind who gets the credit.”

Harry S. Truman, 33rd President of USA


Beware of Pride and Arrogance

Proverbs 29:3

Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.

Proverbs 16:18

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.

Rule VII: Choose the Right Partner

“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”

Matthew 14:31


Characteristic of Great Companies

One decisive factor that moves a company from good to great is when the company concentrates first to have the right people on board before establishing plans and starting to act.

Jim Collins


And I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last 16 years the rock of our family, the love of my life, the nation's next first lady Michelle Obama.

Extraact of Speech of newly elected President, Chicago, 2008


Choosing the Right Partner(s):

a. (He) cried out, “Lord, save me!”

b. Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him

c. They climbed into the boat


Who are your partner?

Who is your partners?

Partners can either push you forward or cause you to sink.


1 Clarity of Purpose.

2 Go through the wind and waves

3 Appreciate the presence of the Invisible

4 Willingness to follow instructions

5 Move out of the boat

6 Focused as the laser beam

7 Choose the right Partner

Our Vision

All of us in Full Partnership with Him, Accomplishing the Final Mission.