Every leader who invests in himself will ensure that he remains the leader. To invest in yourself involves spending time to empower yourself. A fundamental requirement in investing in yourself is discipline. To be disciplined means “to be controlled, restrained, well-organized, regular, orderly, and regimented”.
Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered. Matthew 4:1,2
Jesus subjected Himself to the strict discipline of fasting for forty days and nights. That is no mean achievement! Anyone who has fasted without eating for even three days and nights will discover the terrible strain it puts on your self-control.
To be a great leader you must discipline yourself in prayer, fasting and reading the Bible. There are times I stay in one room for eight hours, praying to the Lord. I can stay alone for hours in the presence of the Holy Spirit. You cannot do this without self-discipline.
Reasons Why Every Leader Must Invest in Himself
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of deterioration.
This law says that everything is decaying naturally. Nothing on earth stays in a healthy original condition for long. This is why the Bible warns that the crown (your leadership position) is not guaranteed forever.
Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. For riches are not for ever: and doth the crown endure to every generation?
Proverbs 27:23,24
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of staying one step ahead.
There is no leadership unless you are a step ahead. One of the definitions of leading is “to go before to show the way.” If you are not ahead, you cannot be leading. I am constantly investing in myself in order to stay at least one step ahead of my followers. Without doing this, I would actually fall out of my position.
- A leader must invest in himself because of the law of taking care of yourself before you can take care of someone else.
Whenever there is any problem on a plane, adults are instructed to take care of themselves before taking care of their children. Paul said the same thing. There is no way you can save others unless you save yourself. A doctor cannot attend to others if he is sick. The blind cannot lead the blind.
Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. 1Timothy 4:16
Seven Ways Every Leader Can Invest in Himself
- Read the Bible everyday.
The Bible is a storehouse of wisdom beyond our years! In 1986, I travelled to London as a student. I bought one thing for myself – a special reference Bible. I used up all my meagre student’s allowance to invest in myself. I have never regretted that investment.
…but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap…
Galatians 6:8
- Read Christian books everyday.
Read books about things you do not know. The authors have spent time researching and have written their findings in books. You are blessed gleaning from these blessed books, instead of trying to re-invent the wheel.
- Listen to messages.
When added up, the hours spent listening to tapes are equivalent to several semesters of lectures at the university. Today, we are blessed to have podcasts as well as CDs, etc. Listen to podcasts and be blessed with knowledge you need. Remember, knowledge is power!
- Attend seminars, conferences and church services. These will make you a better person.
- Spend more money on your books than you do on your clothes and your hair. You will be blessed in your doing as you invest in books – and read them!
- Watch video tapes of anointed men of God teaching wisdom. Today, it is easy to even watch videos on your phone. You can also benefit from the video podcast.
- Build up a personal library of books and tapes.
In our world today, you can have a large library of books on your tablet or other device. On this same device you can subscribe to my podcast and be blessed with every message preached – free of charge.
Do you want to be a great leader? It is time to discipline yourself in every way. To write a book involves great self-discipline. For hours and hours, I transmit onto the paper the words that you are reading. It is not an easy task, but I know that there will be no great achievement without great discipline! May you be a great leader as you invest in yourself!
theaol@ymail.com
By Dag Heward-Mills