Leaders are Readers

Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; he directs it to whatever ends he chooses. (Proverbs 21:1 TM)

Welcome back to Mom Works at Home. It has been an exciting couple of months and it is my prayer that you are growing in your walk with Him as you grow as a mom who works at home. This month we're talking specifically about "Leadership" and the principles you can apply to your life as you work from home.

At first glance you might jokingly say, "Why do I need to know about leadership, I am a work at home mom, who am I leading?" My answer may surprise you, but you are leading the very most important you can lead, yourself. It is so easy when you work at home to become complacent and almost stagnant in so many things. Which is why we spent January talking about "getting it together" in your schedule and your priorities then February we talked about "take care of you" by working on your quiet time and exercise regimen.

Leadership is something we all do each and every day and if we aren't careful we may end up spinning our wheels. Instead of actually going in the direction that we intend, or better yet, God intends for us, we don't know where we are going So, let's take some time today to sit down and chat about a very important "leadership" topic; reading.

Are you with me?

I heard an incredible statistic the other day. It said that over 80% of the population will never pick up a book after they graduate (college or high school). That just blows my mind. There is so much amazing information at our fingertips and 80% of the population is just going to sit back and let it slip through their fingers. A sure sign of a leader is someone who is reading. I always used to tell my ministry teams that "Leaders are readers, and readers always end up as a leader". I've seen it put into practice so many times.

Think about it.

If you are a mom who works at home you are far beyond "average" or "normal", wouldn't you agree? You know the value of being home with your kids, but you also know that God gifted you with skills and abilities that fit your niche and unique purpose in life. Whether you own your own home based business, are a writer, work for your company from home, or what, you have taken a giant step ahead of the pack because you see the value in both.

So, take a minute and pat yourself on the back. You really deserve it!

Let's take it a step further. If you and I are called to be a "light in the world" (Matthew 5:14 NLT), we need to make sure that we are packing ourselves full of the Word of God and by reading other books that will help us grow to be all that God created us to be.  With so many amazing options to read it can be overwhelming. However, here's what I do to help me narrow my focus so that my reading is more productive and fulfilling to me and the call on my life.

I like to read multiple books at a time.I know that this will not work for everyone, but it serves me well and I'll explain why. I could read one book for hours, but then if I want to apply the principles that I learned, chances are that there are just too many of them to choose from because I read from that one book for so long. Also, there are several areas in my life that I want to improve and if I read one book at a time, then I will only be able to work on one area of my life at a time.

Here's what I do. I have a "book topic framework" that I use to guide me in picking out the specific books I need (or want) to read. I then, spend time each day reading from these books. (Stay with me because this makes a lot of sense) I only read for 5-8 minutes from each book. Yes, you heard right. I may have a stack of books to read, but I only spend about 5-8 minutes in each book and here's why. I want to be able to read a nugget (a portion) of that book so that I can chew on it, learn from it, and figure out how to apply it to my life. If it is in bite-sized chunks, I am able to actually soak up what I just read. I read about 8-10 books in a setting (depending on the time available that day) which puts me close to an hour reading.

The great thing about this method is, by using the "book topic framework" I mentioned earlier (which I will also share with you) I am being strategic in what I am learning so that it can help me as a work at home mom, as a woman, as a believer, and as a person.

By now you are probably scratching your head and you are either going 1) WOW, that is incredible, what a great idea, or 2) WOW, this chick has lost her mind. Either way, I hope it has at least piqued your interest in the "book topic framework". Why?... because leaders are readers and readers always end up as leaders.

Here's what my "book topic framework" looks like. (Yours will probably be a little different.) Out of fairness, I must confess, that I did not come up with this idea, it was actually a giant "light bulb" moment (you know, that A-ha! moment) of my husband's. So, great job Matt!

I have various "topics" that I add to the framework. However, since these topics are important to me I always make sure one of the books I am reading covers each topic in this framework. 

Here's a sample of mine;
1) Bible
2) Parenting
3) Marriage
4) Ministry to Women
5) Personal Discipleship
6) Networking
7) Church Philosophy
8) Communicating (Speaking/Writing)
9) Leadership

There's really no right or wrong answer as to what types of books you want to add to your "book topic framework" but being strategic as to what is important to you and what you do as a mom who works at home could dramatically impact your ministry, your family, your life, and your work. Step up and be one of the 20% that actually pick up a book to expand their horizons, to grow, and to be the best that God created you to be.

Your kids, your husband's, your employers, your employees, and everyone around you is watching. Never forget that God created you and that people are watching to see how you are different than anyone else they know.  I love this next verse, and I know you will too.

"Our work as God's servants gets validated—or not—in the details. People are watching us..." (2 Corinthians 6:1 TM)

So, take some time to make your "book topic framework" and set out to find books that will fit into your life. As you bloom and grow the people you are leading will see that there is a new work being done in your life. It may be just the thing you need to take you to the next level in your family, in your ministry, in your business, or in your spiritual life.

Remember...Leaders are Readers and you my friend are a LEADER!

Check back in two weeks as we talk a little more about "Leadership" and specifically about "finding your strengths" on the 24th of this month. 

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." -- John C. Maxwell

Comments

[Sherri]

I so enjoyed this article, thank you!

[andrea perdue]

It takes a "leader" to be a stay at home mom!!
Andrea

http://arise2write.blogspot.com
http://andrealuvsallgodscreatures.blogspot.com

[Tami]

LOVEthis! I'm a read several books at the same time kinda girl. I don't have a system as well planned out as this one... but I'm gonna take this and use it! Love the idea of reading books that cover different types of things so that I am learning in so many areas at once. Usually I tend to fall into so many books that are on the same kind of topic line... but it does make it hard to REALLY put what I read into practice. This system you've come up with seems like such a great way to give yourself time to really dig in and try out what you read! JUST LOVE IT!