Managing My Attitude – Jason Hirsch

The 3rd Monday of every month, the staff, directors, & volunteers of EpicChurchLasVegas come together for 75 minutes of leadership development.  I cannot imagine watching my children never develop.  In the same way, I cannot imagine watching people never develop.  Especially Christ-Followers!!

So for the next few months, I will be dealing with, what I call the big 3 for leaders:  Attitude – Time – Health.  I will share with you my strengths and weaknesses in these 3 areas.  Lets be real!!  We all need to grow – right??

Solomon (One of the wisest humans to ever live.  Gives a quick snip-it of my life in these words)   He said, “They have made me caretaker of the vineyards, but I have not taken care of my own vineyard.”   Song of Solomon 1:6

I can help so many people, but how often I let my own self fall apart.  How about you??

Three of the most difficult areas for me to master is my own attitude, time and health.  How do you manage those possessions?  As a leader in ministry, I often feel it is noble to spend my life for the sake of others.  And, it is noble.  Unfortunately, I often do it at the expense of my own well-being. How about you?  I struggle to lead myself— rule my attitude, calendar and physical health.

Let me talk attitude for right now.

What I have learned: My Attitude Gives Me Possibilities

Is it possible for a leader to be successful without a good attitude?  Yes, it is.  However, my attitude will determine how much I will enjoy the success.  Further, a poor or negative attitude on my part can actually diminish the fruit I bear because it opposes an attitude of faith.

Dr. Paul Y. Cho once studied pastors worldwide and discovered that the greatest leaders were also men & women of great faith.

Monday night I taught that in the bible there were 3 key attitudes that men & women of faith exuded:

A Positive Attitude (Leaders believed God could use them to do anything.)

A Servant Attitude (Leaders generously served God and others.)

A Determined Attitude (Leaders worked persistently and would not quit.)

Want to see a great attitude?  Read about Paul’s Attitude  in (Philippians 1:12-18)

Paul wrote the book of Philippians from a Roman prison while chained to a palace guard, awaiting a trial from Caesar.  Sitting in the prison, fully aware that his ministry might be shortened, Paul’s attitude was on display, loud and clear, before the Philippian church.

This is what Paul’s Attitude did…

It enabled him to see what others could not see (v.12-13).

It enabled him to remain optimistic in the face of negativism (v.14-17).

It enabled him to stay on mission regardless of the circumstances (v.18).

Why Does Your Attitude Matter Right Now?

I have found that your success in leadership isn’t only about your gifts, talents, intelligence, or budget. More than these, it is about the attitude you possess, year in and year out.  Here is why yours and my attitude matters in our leadership:

1. Your attitude at the beginning of a task affects its outcome.

I have had to learn to take responsibility for my attitude.  Philippians 2:5 tells us to share the same attitude that Christ had when He came to earth.  Christ’s attitude as He began His earthly ministry was essential, given all of the challenges He faced.  A healthy attitude will help you and me as we begin and continue leading people and projects.

2. Your attitude toward others often determines their attitude toward you.

I have learned to place a high value on people.  Jesus did this.  We must do this, as well, despite our opinions of people.  Romans 12:10 teaches us to be devoted to each other, and out do one another in showing honor.  The New Testament actually tells us to treat others as more important than ourselves.

3. Your attitude can give you a winner’s perspective.

Decide to change your bad attitude areas.  Proverbs 23:7 reminds us: “As a man thinks in his heart, so he is.” If we don’t change our bad attitudes, we will begin moving in the direction they lead us.  Attitudes lead to action. A doctor friend of mine told me that I have  a “Reticular Activating System” in my brain. Its primary function is to cause me to move in the direction of the dominant thought of the moment. What dominates your thought life?

Did you know that there is actually clinical diagnosis for people that live with chronic bad attitudes?  It is called: “Psychosclerosis: the hardening of the attitude which causes a person to cease dreaming, seeing, thinking, and leading.” What have you been diagnosed with?

4. Your attitude—not your achievements—provides you happiness.

I have learned to develop an appreciation for life.  Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.  I have learned to be grateful for little things in my life.  Read Psalm 139 several times, and rediscover the tremendous way God fashioned you, even the smallest detail.

5. Your attitude is contagious.

I am learning to find something and someone positive in every situation.  In Philippians 4:11, Paul wrote:  “I have learned to be content in any and every situation.” He called this a secret.  Very few people discover it.  Mother Teresa was asked what requirement she had for her workers in Calcutta.  She said they must be hard workers and possess a joyful attitude, regardless of the situation.