I was out for an evening walk tonight on the greenway in Nashville. I always enjoy these walks because it lets me clear my head from the distractions of the world. Tonight was no exception.
I was strolling along when a couple came jogging past me and a dog was trotting about 10 steps behind them. The dog got distracted and went off to the side of the path to do some sniffing around. I thought that it was weird that the couple never looked back to see if the dog was keeping up or not. Soon, they were around a bend and out of sight. The dog started hanging out with me and staying steadily down the path at my side for the next mile and a half. I realized that it was just looking for someone to follow. It did not know me and that did not bother it at all. We tend to be like that dog. We are just strolling along in life with no real direction. We see what someone is doing and start to follow them without really knowing what they are like. It may be the latest trend or someone that is just popular because of television or sports. They may have some good insight that can help you in your career, but typically, you move on to the next trend that comes your way.
I was like this stray dog when it came to my career. I wandered so much that I moved 14 times in 12 years and 5 states thinking that the next move would get me ahead. I never got any closer to my goals because I was trying to be like someone else. I was in my 40s before I realized what was important in life. My faith in God started growing each year and I focused on being the best in my current role at work and did not worry about getting ahead like those that I had followed for years. It was then, that my style of leadership really developed.
I started following God’s direction through prayer and being aware of what He was guiding me to do. I quit following people blindly and stayed true to my faith. I now reap the rewards of having the best team to work with than I have ever had. I have had good teams before, but none that compare to my current team. I remind myself on a regular basis to treat them the way that God wants me to treat them. It makes a huge difference.
Who are you currently following? Are you a stray dog?
