My friend, Chip Lutz just came out with a new approach to leadership in the only leadership book I know of, that was created to be left in the bathroom, “Lavatory Leader.” His chapters include great, unique ideas that can easily be applied to our daily lives AND the chapters are short and quite manageable for just a few minutes a day! (…hence to be used in the lavatory.)
One chapter in this book really jumped out at me that particularly pertains to Moms!
“At home, work or play – if you want to leave a legacy that is of true value and that continues to be shared, then the answer is to tithe with others. I am not talking about giving 10% more that what you are giving right now. I am referring to sharing the 10% of yourself that makes you special. When we share our inner 10% with others, we pass that piece of ourselves on and can help others grow, develop or move past a difficult time in their life.”
Moms, we are constantly giving to others all day and all night. We give to our kids, our spouses, our friends, family, our bosses, our team at work, our kids’ schools, volunteer groups….what more could we possibly give?
But wait, take a closer look at what Chip said, “…I am referring to sharing the 10% of yourself that makes you special.”
Chip goes on to say, “All the success I have ever enjoyed has been the result of another’s tithe in me – all ordinary people who became extraordinary because they took the time to invest the 10% that was personal, insightful and sometimes painful (to share and to hear).”
So I am not suggesting that we think about 10% more than we already do, but I am suggesting that we explore an area of our life, where we can share the inner 10% that is true to us, gives us energy and does not seem like ‘work’ with those who need us and decide to tithe as Chip suggests. By doing this, Moms get in touch with their innermost self, aside from kids, spouse, house, career…and give 10% of what really makes us special.
As Chip explains, “…the only requirement for you to tithe is having a willing spirit and a reflective mind….ask yourself, ‘How can I help? What part of “me” can be of benefit to this person? … (it) could be a personal story, an experience, a triumph or even a tribulation”
Not only might you awaken something deep inside you that you truly enjoy, you never know how that extra 10% of you, can really make a huge difference in the lives of those around you!
So what part of you, can you tithe during this week? Can you really focus on a phone conversation with a friend instead of calling while the kids are screaming in the background? Can you take a minute to write that letter you have been meaning to get to? Can you share your talent with a friend who may need your help?
