In my early years of ministry before dad life, even before marriage one of my mentors taught me something that I have not forgotten: Balance! Fast forward to when I first started my family I now had an opportunity to implement this wisdom. I made a commitment to be at home for dinner at least four nights each week. This meant that even if the church had four evening meetings where I was suppose to be present my calendar was already booked! I therefore had to prioritize and determine which meetings I had to be at and which one I could miss. It’s things like these that have helped me lead well at home and work.

I could share a lot of thoughts on leading well like the importance of vision, constant communication, being positive, staying humble, leading by example and many others. However I’d like to focus on these four specific ones today:

1. Think before you _____.

We tell our children to think before they speak and we as leaders need to take heed to this valuable lesson. Not only before we speak but before we act as well! Strategic thinking is probably one of the most lacking things in both our homes and our work! We so easily get lost in the day to day requirements that long term strategic thinking rarely gets done. And it’s easy to see why, we’re so busy wearing countless hats we get lost in the whirlwind of our daily tasks. Don’t make this grave mistake!

Take away – Think strategically on where you’re going and how you’re going to get there!

2. Time outs are essential!

Time outs often help kids to pause, focus, reflect on their actions and adjust their attitude. As leaders I believe we should all take time outs! I’m a better dad when I get a little time to myself, I’m a better pastor and leader when I remove myself for a short time to pause, to focus, to reflect on my actions, my attitude and all that’s happening around me. The best way for me to make time outs a regular practice is by scheduling them in advance. It’s actually part of My Morning Routine!

Take away – Take a moment right now to schedule some time out this week to focus, reflect and adjust accordingly.

3. If it stinks, change it.

This doesn’t just refer to diapers, it refers to everything that’s not working. If something is not working whether it’s our parenting style or one of our processes at work, we need to be willing to make some changes. In a culture that is ever changing some of the ways we do things need to change as well. For example people’s eyes are fixed to small screens whether it’s a laptop or a smartphone. We are literally a screen culture in a digital age and we need to learn to leverage it rather than resist it. Some of our old ways of doing things aren’t working and we need to change!

Take away – Think about what’s currently not working whether it’s at home or work and be willing to make whatever necessary changes may be needed.

4. You need to share!

We’ve all heard this one growing up but how well are we practicing it today? Some of the best leadership principles out there came from Jesus (just like this one)! Think about it, Jesus lived a life of ministry but he also invited his disciples to do the same! He invited the disciples to do what he was doing and we ought to be inviting the people around us to do the same! As much as possible work as a team with the people around you, it will pay dividends in the long run! Work as a team, share responsibility, and delegate where needed. It works both at home and work and as leaders we need to share responsibility and delegate well in order to accomplish all that God has called us to!

Take away – Ask yourself, “Where do I need to share? What things do I need to delegate?”

Lastly, remember to first lead well at home, for this will position you to lead well everywhere else!

The post 4 Keys To Leading Well at Home and Work first appeared on John Silkauskas.

If you’re like me there’s been times where you’ve truly felt overwhelmed with so much to do on your plate and not sure how you’re going to get it all done. Between family, friends, work, school and church, life can easily become overwhelming. Things that should be on the forefronts end up on the back burner, areas get neglected and you’re no longer thriving you’re surviving! So how do you balance all these areas of your life well enough to actually see growth rather then decline and neglect? I’m glad you asked! I’ve discovered 3 Keys to Holistic Growth and here they are – 

1. Develop a Growth Mindset – 

If you want to see consistent growth in multiple areas of your life you have to develop a growth mindset! A growth mindset is like that of a student eager to learn, to grow, to improve! A sad reality is that many in this day and age have become critics! It’s easy to find dirt in a gold mine! Just like it’s easy to complain and be a critic in life but the moment you become a critic you’re no longer a student! You stop learning, growing and improving!

Another way to put it is this – develop a learning lifestyle, where you read regularly, listen to podcasts, sermons, etc. You invite mentors to speak into your life. You set goals and go after them. You not only seek your growth but you also seek to help others grow. A mindset and lifestyle like this will surely set you up for great success in every area of life!

(A growth mindset is plainly seen in the Gospels, the book of Acts and each one of Paul’s epistles. Proverbs 1:5 specifically stands out, “A wise man will hear and increase in learning.”)

     2.  Think Strategically – 

With a growth mindset you’re off to a great start but it doesn’t stop there! You have to think strategically – how are you going to grow, improve, get better in all these areas of life? How is your marriage going to get better? How are your finances going to get better? How are things at your job going to get better?

Personally I’ve created “accounts” so to speak, I determine what needs to be done in my work account, family account, finances account, etc. Once I’ve established my goals for each account I create a plan to make steps toward my goals. If I see an “account” that needs my immediate attention I make whatever necessary changes I need to. However this happens less and less once a plan is in place and followed.

(Strategic thinking is clearly seen all throughout Scripture, from Moses to Joshua, Jesus to Paul! God’s given us all great minds and we’re called to use them.)

      3.  Schedule Time – 

In order for both a growth mindset and strategic thinking to really work well it’s absolutely necessary to schedule time in your day, week, month and year for each account. First you must schedule time to determine your goals and create a plan for each “account” in your life. These times are almost like drawing the blueprints, you have to first establish an end goal or a final destination – where are you wanting to go? You then create a map – how are you going to get there?

Once your goals are established and your plan is created then you have to schedule actual time with each account. So if my goal is to have a closer friendship with my wife by the end of the year I’m not only going to take the time in planning special dates and intentional conversation I’m going to then also go on those special dates and set time aside for that intentional conversation. You must schedule time for both! Planning and implementing those plans!

(We’re called to make the most use of our time for this life is but a vapor (Ephesians 5:15-17, Psalm 39:4-5, 90:12), may we number our days and redeem the time.)

        Summary –

I’ve used these key principles to establish ministries, write books, plan family vacations and take my work to the next level! If you commit to having a growth mindset, where you think strategically and schedule time for both planning and implementing those plans you will see consistent growth in all areas of your life!

And if you’re looking for more helpful strategies on holistic growth visit my Resource Page where you can download free ebooks or become a JSM Partner and join my monthly mentoring calls! And if you haven’t already received my FREE audio training Create A Life You Love, sign up for my weekly emails and it will be my gift to you!

The post How to Maintain Consistent Growth in Multiple Areas at Once first appeared on John Silkauskas.

If you’ve ever squandered away a morning or afternoon at work and wondered how time flew by without you accomplishing anything worthwhile you’re not alone! Countless people waste time each day for various reasons. Maybe they don’t know how to manage time well or allow too distractions to keep them from what they actually should be doing. Maybe they’re not focused or clear on their purpose. Over the years I’ve had plenty of days come to an end leaving me unfulfilled and at a loss as to whether my day was productive at all! That was until I learned a few very important things that I’d like to share with you. In this blog I share 3 keys to making sure your day is both productive and fulfilling! Here is my Morning Routine:

Key # 1

Start the Night Before

“It’s incredible to realize that what we do each day has meaning in the big picture of God’s plan.” -Bill Hybels

If you want to assure you’re going to have a meaningful and successful day you have to start the night before. Every night before bed I spend some time in thought and I identify all that I want / need to accomplish the next day! I then write those things down and prioritize them! I ask myself if I were to only get one, two or three of these things done which should I do first? Lastly I make sure to get to sleep at a decent hour so that I’m ready to go early in the morning!

Key # 2

Establish a Morning Routine

“This is the beginning of a new day. God has given me this day to use as I will. I can waste it or use it for good. What I do today is very important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, leaving something in its place I have traded for it. I want it to be gain, not loss — good, not evil. Success, not failure in order that I shall not forget the price I paid for it.” -Unknown

Mornings are sacred! How you start your day will greatly impact how the rest of your day goes. Most people allow this time to be haphazard at best never realizing the potential it has. But those who accomplish great things in life have discovered the great importance of establishing a morning routine! Here is my morning routine:

Pray – In His presence He makes known the path of life and fills us with great joy (Psalm 16:11) It’s in this time of prayer that I receive direction, I am filled with life and greatly inspired! I also take time to pray for those dear to me, those I’ll encounter throughout the day and those hurting around the world.

Read – First and foremost I read Scripture however I also read devotionals, articles or blogs on faith, family, leadership, success and other subjects that pertain to things that are important to me.

Speak Life – Similar to the quote above, “This is the beginning of a new day…” I’ve created a list of declarations that I make daily. I speak God’s Word over my life, my family, my ministry, etc. This is a greatly affirming and faith building time each morning and it also clarifies my assignment and all that I’m believing God for!

This list isn’t exhaustive but these are some of the most important things. Of course I eat breakfast, get cleaned up for the day, love on my family and work out a few times a week as well! The bottom line is you need to create a morning routine that works for you and then stick to it (at all costs)!

Key # 3

Know You Why

“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain

When you don’t know why you’re doing what you’re doing you’ll often lose motivation, get easily sidetracked, be less productive and often feel unfulfilled. However, on the other hand something powerful happens when you discover your “why.” Purpose becomes clear, focus and productivity go through the roof and great fulfillment is derived all from knowing your “why.”

John C. Maxwell shares a story of a man who came across three bricklayers hard at work. The man asked the first bricklayer what he was doing. “I’m laying bricks,” he replied. He then asked the second bricklayer the same question. “I’m putting up a wall,” he said. The passerby then asked the question one more time, this time to the third bricklayer. His response was, “I’m building a cathedral.”

It’s clear one was working for a paycheck, one maybe a sense of accomplishment but there was one who knew not just what he was doing but why he was doing it! He had caught the grand vision of people one day gathering from all over to worship, he knew the importance of his work and it was certainly for more than a paycheck!

It’s through my nightly and morning routines that I not only become more clear on my “why” but I also keep it always before me! It’s the power of vision and it’s what has compelled all the greats throughout history!

So, remember if you want to have a productive and fulfilling day start the night before, become clear on your goals, establish your morning routine, pray, read, get inspired and know your “why.”

What’s your morning routine? What are the practices that help you have a fulfilled and productive day? I’d love to hear! Please comment below! And if this has been helpful consider sharing it with friends, colleagues and on social media.

The post My Morning Routine first appeared on John Silkauskas.

3 things Jesus always did & why you should too (Not what you might think).

As you read through the gospels you notice many things that Jesus did regularly. He loved people, healed the sick, taught in the synagogs and preached to huge crowds. He traveled often and performed miracles everywhere he went. However, if you look a little deeper you will notice that he almost always did three things. So…what are those three things? I’m glad you asked!

The first might be one that you’ve noticed before but I’d like to bring it to our attention because of how often it’s mentioned and how seldom we do it.

Mark 1:35 “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”

1. Get alone and pray to the Father

Jesus ALWAYS did this. He knew His identity, direction and fulfillment all came from the Father. He knew the crowd was fickle, one day they loved him the next they wanted him dead and so He always came back to the Father.

In a day and age where we are surrounded by media and looking for ‘likes’ more than ever we need to get back to this. If Jesus had to always get alone to be with the Father, so do we! Without this fundamental key we will live our lives not knowing who we really are, misled in direction and always looking to people and things to satisfy but remain empty no matter where or how hard we look.

Take time to get alone with the Father and pray, He will richly reward you, He will bring a refreshing and a joy that you have been without for far too long. He will not only give you peace but you will come away from this time filled with a sense of greater purpose as well. Get alone and pray to the Father.

The second isn’t as easy to find because there are no direct verses that tell us ‘Jesus did this.’ However there are many accounts where Jesus actually does do this, in fact the gospels are filled with stories of him doing this.

2. Enjoy a good meal with friends

Jesus took time to enjoy relationships. He was always eating with friends. He was always meeting people and sharing a meal with them, whether he was inviting himself over for a meal or miraculously providing a meal for many. He celebrated life by making memories, throwing parties and always sharing a meal with friends.

Today, fast food drive throughs are busier than ever, people are eating on the go and missing this tremendously important aspect of life. Skipping breakfast altogether, having a quick lunch by themselves and maybe even a TV dinner. Even families are missing this! Too many parents and children alike have their devices in front of them and are missing the best parts of life – sharing a meal with their loved ones.

Take time today, this weekend, next week to enjoy a meal with family and friends. Take time out of your busy schedule, forget about Facebook and Twitter for one hour and relax and enjoy the company. Your heart will be full and you will wonder why you have been missing one of the best parts of life. Enjoy a good meal with friends.

The third is the hardest to identify, simply because it doesn’t actually say it anywhere in the gospels. In reality the gospels only references Jesus doing the opposite of this very thing.

3. Get a good night’s sleep

The case for this being a regular practice of Jesus comes from the one scripture that tells us Jesus stayed up all night to pray (Luke 6:12). If this was his usual practice it would either be mentioned a lot more or not mentioned at all. But the fact that it was only mentioned once tells us that it was a special occasion, it was on the eve of Him choosing his twelve disciples (a big decision). And it doesn’t tell us he worried all night, it tells us he prayed all night (big difference).

So, if Jesus regularly got away from people to be alone to pray with the Father and if he often took time to enjoy a good meal with friends, it would make complete sense that he had the very healthy habit of getting a good night’s sleep. Shoot, Jesus even napped!

Many of us might get a good night’s sleep once a week if we are lucky. If we are busy and have to get a lot done, sleep is usually the first thing that many of us sacrifice. God addresses this in Psalm 127:2 “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest…for he gives sleep to his beloved.” In fact God often ministers to us in our sleep from giving us dreams to rest and refreshing. Sleep is also a component of one of the 3 Keys to Growth.

Don’t burn the candle at both ends. Find the time to rest (7, 8, or even 9 hours a night), take naps if you have to, the bottom line…Sleep! The better sleep that you get the better you will be each day. You name it – it will be better – emotionally, relationally, spiritually, even your productivity. Get a good night’s sleep.

So, remember the three things that Jesus did regularly and put them into practice! Get alone and pray to the Father, enjoy a good meal with friends and get a good night’s sleep.

The post 3 Things Jesus Always Did and Why You Should Too (Not What You Might Think) first appeared on John Silkauskas.