Small shifts can lead to revolutionary results.
By Michelle Fleming, Communications Director
A New Year is often an opportunity to develop new habits and make changes to improve quality of life. By the end of January, 64% of people who have made resolutions are successful in maintaining their intended changes. For a variety of reasons, this number continues to decrease throughout the year. (In last month’s Equipper, I shared some common roadblocks when trying something new. If you missed it, you can read it here.)
We know that bumps in the road are inevitable when developing a new habit. But tiny shifts in our practices can lead to revolutionary results. Our current habits will only continue to lead to our current results. This month, we follow up with some strategies to build in support for you and your team as you make innovative changes to your ministry:
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- Research – find resources and connect with others who have experience in the area. Learn from those who have gone before you. Build in an information gathering stage for your new projects and initiatives.
- Internally reflect and externally process – as you move forward with developing your new skill or initiative, build in space to reflect on what you have learned, on what has brought you the most challenge, and on what has surprised you along the way.
Also, get feedback from your team, work with a coach, or discuss next steps with your mentor. Remember the J curve; these spaces for processing will help you reevaluate and adjust your strategy as you learn and develop.
If you’re an introvert or extrovert, one of these will be easier than the other. However, regardless of personality, we are all formed through both solitude and community. Make a commitment to process both individually and with others.
- Celebrate milestones – take time to name what is working, to recognize what you’ve accomplished, and to mark the moments you’ve learned from. This will support your mindset of progress over perfection.
- Rely on the Spirit’s guidance – trying somethings new takes courage and perseverance. We are not the source of ministry, wisdom, or strength. But we are intimately connected to the Source and Giver of all these good gifts. Attune yourself with how the Spirit is moving, ask for inspiration, strength, and all you need to participate in ministry with our triune God.
In his book, Atomic Habits, James Clear shares a framework for how tiny changes can lead to remarkable results. He states that, “True long-term thinking is goal-less thinking. It’s not about any single accomplishment. It is about the cycle of endless refinement and continuous improvement.” Our journey with Christ is one of continuous transformation. Our ways of being and ministry will continue to evolve. Life with God and one another is richer and deeper than we could imagine on our own. Here’s to new ways of ministry and abundant new life in Christ.
Much appreciate the suggested change strategies. The contribution shows that we should not be fearful of change. Quite the contrary, we should welcome changes as part of a healthy life cycle and an indispensable feature of spiritual growth. God has given us intellectual capacities to be actively involved with Jesus in the “planting” and “watering process” that Spirit guiding changes involve. Then, in the right time, the Lord will provide growth.
Thanks, Michelle, for the good practical ideas!