‘Leadership is not a noun it’s a verb, it’s action, it’s moving’. – John Maxwell

I was listening to a John Maxwell speech where he was discussing the 5 types of leadership. Level 1 leadership stood out to me. It’s called Position Level Leadership. Basically, it means that people are considered leaders based upon their position, and not necessarily because of their ability. He described the culture of a level one leadership work environment. People back their cars in, they watch the clock all day, and come to work ready to leave. They respect their employers because he or she holds the checks, but other than that they secretly loathe their existence. 

I work in a level one culture. I find it hard to get out of bed some mornings. I find it difficult to practice my morning rituals, because I feel pressed for time, and I’m just tired of being spiritual.

Truth is I know that I’m meant to do something else, but this is where I am.

When it gets down to the nitty gritty of it all, I have dedicated way too much of my time and focus to being a critic instead of a high performer. Don’t get it twisted, I do my job, and I do it well, but when it comes to my blog, my social media, and other activities that will move the needle in my personal business, I procrastinate.

For instance while I’m writing this blog I’m being attacked by the devil. I’m hungry, my hip hurts because I drive way too much, and I have these devilish thoughts going on in the back of my mind. 

Thoughts like

  • Nobody will read your work
  • Nobody will listen to you
  • You have less than 3000 followers and less than 100 email subscribers on your email list
  • What’s the point of doing this anyway

These thoughts are in many ways factual, but they are not the truth. Remember the litmus test for truth is Freedom. I don’t feel free when I look at myself this way.

Everytime I attempt to produce content in a consistent manner I find all sorts of excuses.

  • I work too much and don’t have time, I’ll get to it later
  • I’ll do it tomorrow
  • I need to give myself a break and watch some tv or something, I’ll get to it later
  • It’s to late and I need my rest, I’ll do it later
  • I can’t think straight today, I’ll do it later when I feel better.

All of this tomorrow’s stuff is what’s attracting my today. It’s literally eating my potential for success.

Could it be that I work at a level one company, because I’m a level one leader to myself?

If I ask for what I need at work, they drag their feet. If I say that I need to have a blog finished, ex amount of posts prepared, food prepped, or even a book read by a certain time, I drag my feet.

I’m attracting all of this because of who I have allowed myself to become. I’ve allowed myself to become somewhat ungrateful and not see the beauty of my present condition. I have deluded myself into believing that I need an audience to perform. What’s funny is that when I had my first speaking engagement, I didn’t practice for it like I should have, and it showed. 

When Tyler Perry is holding auditions for his stage plays. He holds a stoic look on his face during their audition. He’s expressionless, not giving any indication of approval or disapproval. It doesn’t even matter if they are the bomb dot com, he’s emotionless.

Why

He does that to discover how well the aspiring actor can maintain focus, even if the crowd is not responsive.

It’s all about rehearsal for what’s coming baby. Where you are is what you attracted yes, but also where you are going is what you are attracting by the energy that you’re putting out. If those actors got the gig and got on stage and didn’t get the response that they wanted or even worse they made a mistake, they would still need to be good enough to finish the show like a professional. 

 We are rehearsing for the most important roles of our lives. We’re rehearsing to play ourselves. What’s cool about this role, is that we don’t need permission from anyone to play this role.

We don’t have ask our current lifestyle for permission

We don’t have to ask our current results ie. ( audience, social media followers, bank account, income, or network) for permission.

We just need to do it! Do it when there’s no one watching. Do it when people don’t show up like they said that they would. Do it when you’re sick. Do it tired. Do it when you want to do something else.

‘Whatever you give yourself to, gives itself back to you’.- T.D. Jakes

Like attracts like… If you are an excuse making, procrastinating, always needing more type of producer, you will produce/ attract jobs, relationships, and dreams that are the same.

Could that be the reason that your dreams are delayed, because you haven’t Made Believe them to be.

I know that’s my testimony.