“In the end, people appreciate honest criticism, far more than flattery.” -Proverbs 28:23

I love meeting people for coffee or a meal. I try to meet with successful people as often as I can. As part of this practice, I collect questions to ask people when I meet with them. I came along a request followed by a few questions that I am starting to ask when I meet with people.

I must preface, this request isn’t for someone who you are meeting for the first or second time. This is a request for someone who knows you pretty well and you feel comfortable with.

The request: Speak into my soul.

The questions:

• What do I need to hear that I don’t want to hear?
• Is there any thing you have always wanted to tell me? 
• What are my blind spots?
• What is one area I need to grow in?

This request takes some security! If you make yourself vulnerable with another secure person, they may tell you some things you don’t want to hear. Be secure enough to listen.

Andy Stanley said, “Leaders who refuse to listen will eventually be surrounded by people who have nothing significant to say.”

The temptation will be to ask the people that we know will flatter us instead of giving it to us straight. Don’t give into that temptation. It won’t get you anywhere in life. Surround yourself with people who will value the friend over the friendship. 

Be willing to listen. Don’t defend what someone says to you. Take it home with you, take it to God, and ask Him to help you recognize what is true about what they said and what you need to change.

Bottom line: Surround yourself with people who will speak into your soul, and give them permission to do just that!

Who are 3 people you could meet with in the next month and ask them to speak into your soul?

Thoughts?

Watch this video of Lecrae’s song: Chase That (Ambition). The video has all the lyrics in it. Pay attention to them.

Lecrae’s songs have been preaching to me, especially this one! What a reality check. Have you been there? So consumed in our own journey of becoming big that we forget that our main purpose is to make God big?

We should always be checking out motives for why we are doing what we do. Why do I have this job? What I am pursuing with my life? Why do I do ____?

My prayer is that God will always pluck out my impure motives for doing things. God, help me forget about me, my journey, what I want, my dreams, my goals . . . and let me replace all of them with Your journey, what you want, Your dreams, Your goals for my life.

He must increase . . . I must decrease (John 3:30)

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? -Matthew 16:24-26

Thoughts?

What if you pursued God with all of your heart?

What if you refused to live a normal life?

What if you determined to dream big and go for it?

What if you went in a totally different direction with your life than the direction you’re headed right now?

What if you started a business? What if you wrote a book?

What if you moved to another city, state, or country?

What if you knew in 10 years, you would be doing something completely different than you’re doing now and the people that are in your life right now aren’t in your life any more?

What if you earned and saved enough money in life that you could do anything you want to do?

What if I only had a few years left with the ones I love most? How would the time I spend with them change?

What if you started a business, non-profit, or ministry that helped hundreds and thousands of people?

What if you stopped caring about what people think about you?

What if you started serving in your church or at a local non-profit?

What if you took that vacation?

What if you worked a little harder? What if you put a little more time in?

What if you did more than you get paid for?

What if you traveled the world?

What if you left your job for a new one?

What if you spent more time with your family?

What if you pursued a job that your passionate about rather than a job that just pays the bills?

What if you asked the most successful people you know to mentor you?

What if you got in the best shape of your life right now (regardless of what age you are)?

What would you do if you knew you only had 5 years to live? What would you do differently?

 Never stop dreaming. Never stop asking questions. Never stop asking, “What if . . . ?”