Wherever you go, there you are.
By
Travel is a big part of my work now. And this week’s schedule is especially heavy. In seven days I’m teaching in Louisiana, California, Ohio, Georgia, then Ohio again. Of course, it’s not a hardship because I get to connect with and pour into so many wonderful people. One connection that I especially enjoy is one-on-one, when I set aside time to chat and answer questions before or after my teaching sessions.
And there’s one topic that is often brought up: writing. Specifically, people come up and confide in me a desire to write. They want to know how I became a writer, and more importantly, how THEY can become a writer.
The first question I always ask is, “How much writing do you do right now?”
Some answer with a list of articles and other pieces that they’re writing or have already written. But I bet you can guess what most people answer: “Well, I haven’t really written anything yet.”
“Then you need to start writing,” I explain. “You’ve got to start small and work up to it.”
It’s the same with any endeavor. Take leadership: You’ve got to start small and work up to that. A person who has never led before should start by attempting to influence just one other person. Already have some influence? Then try to build a team. The key is to take the next step, not focus on the step a mile ahead.
Your dream may look unreachable. Of course, you could give up in the face of that. Or you could be like a friend of mine who went back to school in her late 40s.
“At first I was discouraged,” she said. “I’ll be a 52-year-old when I get this degree and start a new career.
“But then I thought about it. No matter what I do, I’ll be 52 in four years anyway. At least with this plan, I’ll be a 52-year-old college graduate.”
St. Francis of Assisi said, “Start doing what is necessary; then do what is possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” No matter how far away your dream is, you’ll only reach it by moving toward it. Everyone starts in the same place:
Where They Are.
The small responsibilities before you now comprise your first great conquest. Want to conquer the world? Start by conquering your backyard.
Thank you so much. This is great encouragement for today! And, God has truly blessed you with the ability to write and motivate people in so many powerful ways! Have an awesome and blessed day.
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I am a 49 year old who is in her second year of having gone back to school. I will graduate at 51 and will graduate from grad school at 52. This section today really hit home as sometimes it is so easy to give up on my dream. Thank you so much for putting this information out here today.
My wife and I loved your talk at IMPACT 2010 in Kansas City. I’m grateful for the insight that God has given you, the connections he’s given you (like your connection with Larry Winters and LTD), and your willingness to use those connections to pour into the lives of others. This article will definitely help carry us through our goals for 2010!! God bless!!
Thank you very much Dr Maxwell, my problem was that i always wanted to start big i had no patience. Thank you man of God this article has affected me in a very good way. Excellent!
tks. Is49:6
i really needed this today. i’m a little discouraged. i began filling out a college application a few days ago. with the economy like it is, i either need to get a job or go back to school and work on a career. i’ve been a stay-at-home mom to 4 children for years, and now i’m taking a huge step to finally start working on my own career. i’m scared, feel like i’m a little old to start, don’t know if i can measure up, but i’ll never know if i don’t try.
Once again, brilliance!
God bless you, Dr. Maxwell! Thanks for your words of encouragement.
Thanks for this post. Last week a young man asked me the same question. Truly there are many people who think about doing but never actually do.
Regards,
Leadership Freak
Dan Rockwell
My blog: http://ht.ly/1DLBQ
I’m really encouraged from this post. Thanks so much!
I’m so blessed that i know you through your web.
Regards,
David Ouk
“Wherever you go, there you are”…
But before you are here, you were there. God has given each person gifts, vision and faith and to move forward we have to step out in faith, like Abraham leave all that is comfortable, because without faith it is impossible to please God.
Today, is what we have and we first have to cultivate the vision to move out into all that we we are created for.
He has prepared beforehand good works that we should walk in. May this day, God open the eyes of your heart to walk in new places with Him.
Blessings
I believe Gypsy Smith was asked how to start a revival. He answered, “Go home, draw a circle around yourself. Ask God to revive everything inside the circle. When he has answered that prayer then you have started a revival.”
I love the quote from St Francis of Assisi. Thanks for drawing my attention to it.
Thanking you always for your words of wisdom that propel us all. I believe part of our writing experience can come from our journals when we take the time to pencil our thoughts, moments, and ideas. Blessings to everyone.
Miki Collier
“Helping Transform Lives”
after attending the GET MOTIVATED seminar yesterday, this was perfectly timed! After hearing great leaders and speakers inspire you, the next question is; where do I start!? Thank you for this!
Great post today, I really needed it! I’m learning in life that many times it is all about small consistent steps than one large leap that will eventually accomplish our goals.
Thanks again.
Thank you for this, John. I always look forward to your words of encouragement, because they truly make a difference in my day- in my life. We are members of 12Stone and are thrilled to see you this Sunday! PK is amazing and your guidance in him as always apparent. Thanks again!! And thank you to everyone else for your comments because they are motivating too!
What a great way to start the day!
There is mo time like the present to start any worthwhile venture. Understanding where we are “in the now” will allow us the proper mind set to develop goals that are achievable.
Thank you for your encouragement , this is my weakness to write to somebody , Im so blessed through your web
Thank you for your encouraging words…it is a blessing to be able to read them.
You are a blessing to us John Maxwell. I enjoyed reading your book ‘Attitude’, will buy more books. I see myself becoming more intelligent and wise and you being contributing tremendously to my success. God bless you! Honestly you are my role model, i admire you a great deal.
I am praying for you today John, with all of your travels and speaking engagements. Praying for strength and safety. It was special meeting you in Spokane this last weekend, and you challenged me as always. Because of your influence in my life I began writing over a year ago, and am now just finishing my second book. Beginning is the hard part, but as I share my message, God continues to give me more. In fact while listening to one of the other speakers on the week end, I got another title for a new book! Thank you very much for the difference you have made in my life.
Your words remind me of a saying I recently found. I do not recall the person that stated it, but it went something like this: “A vision without work is nothing, but a dream.”
Thank you for this timely message. I seem to continually struggle with enjoying the process versus trying always to want more. By His Grace, I am arriving!
I enjoy reading all of the comments. One that really made me stop and think is “May this day, God open the eyes of your heart to walk in new places with Him.
This article was really helpful. I also want to write for a living and I just started writing small articles that i will soon begin to publish. I always tell people that John Maxwell is my leadership pastor. I greatly apreciate how you have poured your life into your vision.
I’ve started a Life Enhancement Consulting Service and everyday I seem to push myself to keep going. Giving up is sooooo easy – but if I just keep moving, regardless of how I feel, I’m sure eventually I’ll reach my destination. To have something different; means I need to do something different. Thanks Mr. Maxwell for the encouraging words.
God has given each person gifts, vision and faith and to move forward we have to step out in faith, like Abraham leave all that is comfortable, because without faith it is impossible to please God.
What is in your hand, Elijah asked the widow women. So often, we what we are looking for is already in our possession, and release it by faith and obedience. What is God asking you to release today? He delights in proving Himself to you.
1 Kings 17:8-16
a widow was there gathering sticks ; and he called to her and said, “Please get me a little water in a jar, that I may drink.” 11 As she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a piece of bread in your hand.”
Jn 15:8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples
So, I have God on my side, the object in my hand, and mix this with faith and I have potential to do great things! If God is for us, who can be against us. this is pretty cool, huh! The only thing in stopping me, is me. I can handle this.
Dr. Maxwell,
You are so right.!At 46 I went back to school and completed my Master’s degree in Education after earning a law degree over 20 years earlier. After I earned my master degree, I continued on with my doctorate. At 58, I am a currently a doctoral candidate. Soon I will be retired. But with one difference: I will have Dr. before my name and so much service to give. Age is never a barrier. With God all things truely are possible!
i like this post i was a reminder to the book i red by Dr. Maxwell n i has helped me to work out my writings also and keep doing the good work n hhelping people develop their gifts n talents. God bless you
Did you know each of are going to be held accountable for all that He has entrusted to us?
matt 25:20 “The one who had received the five 17talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, ‘Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.’ 21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and 18faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will 19put you in charge of many things ; enter into the joy of your master.’
I wanted to tell you how much you blessed my life by your inside out message you spoke at HPC/ARC Leadership on Tuesday…..It is life changing!!! Is there somewhere I can get a copy of your prayer that you wrote the year you turned 60? I turned 50 this year and God has me in a completely new place! I would be honored to pray that over my life!
A.W. Tozer “With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack? Surely we are the most favored of all creatures.”
This is the first time I’ve been to your site. I am going to try to heck it everyday. My wife and I were with you last weekend at Spokane Spring Leadership as you taught on connecting. Thank you for your time in signing our book and taking a photo with us on Sunday morning. You are such a giver and server John and we and our organization were impacted through your connection.
You are a blessing in my life. What people don’t undertand is that the Lord has given them a gift to use to be a blessing to others.
Jr,
I totally agree. and every person has a gift endowed by God, when we use those gifts we produce fruit that bless and nourishes others. Often, we take in and take in and never give. That is what I love about mentor and discipleship. Jesus said go into the world and make disciples teaching them to obey.
matt 28
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
I am always challenged by your insights and thoughts. May God reveals more thoughts and insights to you as bring out a new dimension of leadership in these last days.
Blessings
Khongsngi Steve
I am always challenged by your insights and thoughts. May God reveals more thoughts and insights to you as you bring out new dimensions of leadership in these last days.
Blessings
Khongsngi, Steve
Your messages have inspired me and my church has been transformed by your leadership tips. Praise God.
Mr. Maxwell,
I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for answering God’s call in your life. Your books have been my constant companion on my journey to self-discovery. Whenever I find myself in a difficult situation and whenever I need to make decisions, I always go back to your words to help me put things into perspective.
This particular entry is God-sent. I believe that I have not visited this site by accident. I am now facing a dilemma and what you have shared about your friend’s words struck me! You are right, the only way for me to achieve something is to take the first step. Even if I don’t know what the outcome will be and what will happen in the future, I just have to walk by faith.
Thank you very much, Sir Maxwell. You really are a blessing. One day, I would also like to be a light and help others the way you have done for me, through my gift in writing. You are one of my inspirations and you are one of the reasons why I want to pursue and develop this God-given talent. And right now, I have to have the courage to face my fears and uncertainties.
God bless and more power! =)