When Leaders Need to be “Selfish” to be Strong

Our world is desperate for strong leaders. This is especially true in the turbulent times of our day. It seems we often ride the razor’s edge between order and chaos. In light of this, we need courageous leaders that will provide and protect in their homes, workplaces, and communities. The need for strong leaders will only continue to grow. But where are the strong leaders, and how can we develop more?

Men are Called to Be Strong Leaders

As men, we are called to be strong leaders. Strong husbands for our wives. Strong fathers for our children and strong men for our communities. Others should be able to lean on men like us. This is a responsibility we cannot avoid. It is who we are meant to be.

So, we are to be the solid rock and anchor for those around us. Amid the chaos, we bring order. Our presence should calm the storms and provide stability. Those we lead should gain strength through the strength they see in us. We provide, and we protect.

This is who we are. We are the leaders this world needs. It is a high calling. To do this well, we must be strong.

Leading Well Requires Strength of Body, Mind and Soul

Leading requires strength of body, mind, and soul. We cannot just be strong in one area and lead well. For us to maximize our influence, we need to be the example in all three. We need to be what we want others to become. So our challenge is to continually improve physically, mentally, and spiritually. These three areas are intertwined within us. They feed off each other and support each other.

I have noticed that since I became more physically fit and began eating better I have more energy. Having more energy has enabled me to think more clearly. Thinking more clearly has made me more in tune spiritually. All these things combined enable me to make better decisions. I have the strength, energy, and will to do what I know must be done to lead well.

It makes sense when you think about it. When we do not take care of ourselves, we are tired and moody. Throw in hungry, and a lack of sex, and you better get out of the way! But bad decisions and complacency happen when we do not have the energy to push through hardship. When this happens, it is challenging to act in ways that align with the leader we are called to be.

So if we want to maximize our leadership, it is essential to be strong in body, mind, and soul. From this position of strength, we can be what we need to be as a husband, father, and leader in our community.

Knowing this should challenge us to improve. It should drive us to be the strongest men we can be. In doing so, we will be best equipped to handle what this world sends our way. We will thrive as leaders.

How are you doing physically, mentally, and spiritually? What are you doing daily to improve in these areas?

Strength Requires a Disciplined Routine

To be strong, we must be disciplined. We must be continuously building up our strength every day. I ask myself these questions daily.

What have I done to grow stronger physically?

What have I done to grow stronger mentally?

What have I done to grow stronger spiritually?

I need to be moving the needle in these three areas every day.

So this requires we build the daily discipline to exercise our body, mind, and soul. We cannot leave this for chance. We need to be purposeful. In our planning, we must take into account how life throws us curveballs and disruptions. With this in mind, we must build a routine that has a high probability of success.

This is what that looks like for me. My routine involves waking up every day at 4:30 am. I make sure I do something to answer my three questions.

I do some kind of workout each morning. Four days a week, I lift weights in the evenings with my son. I eat in a way that supports physical strength.

I review my vision, which includes who I am, where I am going, what I am going to accomplish, and how I am going to conduct myself. In addition to this, I listen to podcasts and learn on the way to work and back. These things strengthen me mentally.

I read Scripture and pray. This ensures I am engaged with God and allowing him to strengthen my spirit.

I make sure I put in the big three every day before most people roll out of bed. I am ready to seize the day. Throughout the day, I attempt to keep adding to these three areas as I am able. But no matter what happens in my day, I know I am a little stronger than I was the day before. My morning routine ensures this is true.

I have written about several things that have helped me in this area of discipline in past posts. Here are a few that get into more detail.

Tremendous Advantages of Connecting with High-Value Brothers

A Simple Vision, Focus and Target for Improving Your Life

The Fuel Behind a Passionate Fire for Fitness

As men, we need to develop a routine that we know we will be consistent in. Then it is about discipline. It is not about feeling. Many days I do not feel like doing what I do. But every day I do it anyway. I am focused on the long term goal of growing stronger and being a more effective man. I am doing the things that help me achieve my vision.

Here is something to consider. Look around you in your world. If you are a man that is consistently improving yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually you will be in the top 10% of men in a relatively short time. You will be the stronger man. You will be the better man that leads better than most around you. Be encouraged, brother, and become that top 10% man! If you have not already started, do it today!

Disciplined Routine Must Be a Priority

Routinely exercising the body, mind, and soul must be the priority. In this way, we need to be “selfish.” Our routine is the lifeblood of our leadership. We must grow stronger. Otherwise, we are becoming weaker. No one leads well from a position of weakness.

Success in our role only comes when we are strong. So we have to start focusing on ourselves. We are the foundation. If we are not caring for ourselves, there is no way we will adequately care for those around us. We will not be strong enough to withstand the weight of our calling as men. It is our responsibility to maximize our role as a leader.

So we need to make a solid plan and fiercely protect it. It is critical to building this foundation. It is also necessary to communicate with those around us and make it clear that this is the priority.

Some may misunderstand. But we must be determined and stay the course. Over time people will see the difference in us. Those that care for us will support our routine. They will encourage our discipline because they will benefit from the stronger man we become.

In the past, I allowed “good” things to divert me off the path to becoming a stronger man. I paid the price. My health suffered, and my passion waned away. It happened subtly and slowly over time. One day I looked in the mirror and realized that somewhere I lost my way. I was not the man I wanted to be.

Lookimg back I realize I did not have a good vision of who I was called to be, where I was going, how I was going to get there, and how I was going to conduct myself. I did not establish a solid routine. I was not disciplined enough to make it happen. I was not committed enough to be “selfish” about ensuring nothing got in my way.

But today I am on that path and encouraging other men to get on that path also. What I have found is that stronger men are happier and more fulfilled men. They are aligned perfectly with who they were created to be. It is my desire to help fuel that fire in you.

So, define your path and do not be sidelined. Do not allow anything or anyone to divert you from maximizing yourself. In this way, be “selfish.” Cut out the things that try to draw you away from becoming stronger. Your battle is to get on this path and stay on this path. Fight the good fight!

Brother, we all need you to be the man you were designed to be. Be the leader you were meant to be. This world desperately needs the strongest version of men like you. Today is your day. Do the work!

As always I appreciate your visit to Men of Grit!

In your corner,

“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.”