The principle of first things first. The best leaders live by it.
Thomas Carlyle said, “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand.”
Vision is essential to leadership, as is seeing the big picture—no doubt about it. But great leaders also have the ability to see and do what is necessary today.
Solomon said it as simply as it can be said: Develop your business first before building your house. (Proverbs 24:27)
This is what great leaders do. Where many flounder week to week, effective leaders make sure that, before anything else, top business gets done each day.
And they do this every day.
What’s your business? I mean your real business? What matters most to you? Is there anything on your agenda today that reflects this priority?
Long term vision is great, but we also need to make a habit of taking care of today’s business today.
How would you complete these two sentences?
1. My real business is __________.
2. I will develop it today by doing this: _______________.
If your real business is following Jesus, then do something today that makes you more like him. Give. Love. Serve. Forgive. Show mercy.
This is where the first things first way of life begins. Develop your business (your real business) first, before doing anything else.
This memo is taken from Steve’s book, It’s All in the Dailies.
