| May 14, 2008 |
Vol 9, Issue 17
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 Get Ready to Lead!
"It's simple. We're just changing the world."
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"I can't influence the next generation because I just don't have the time."
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Greetings!...  A young person asking, "Will you mentor me?" may grab your heart, but if you're overwhelmed with activity right now, what should you do? It makes you feel guilty to say "No," but it makes you feel irresponsible to say "Yes."
We've got nine solutions to "Not enough time" dilemma in this week's "Get Ready to Lead" newsletter! | | |
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Exciting: God is using Handoff
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 Here's what folks are saying:
"You delivered what you have promised and I'm so encouraged to make a strong pass for the baton to be received with a full grip." Emily
"Due to time constraints, at present I have been listening to the mp3s on my cell phone and plan to give the books away. Thank you for all your work towards getting this message out!" Tim
"I have already read the book and it is great--a must read for our times!" Beth
"I just finished reading Handoff and I'm going to read it again because I got so much out of it about what to say to encourage young people." Kelly
"Jeff, I have finished reading your new book and found it so spellbinding that I couldn't stop. I finished it in a two-hour sitting, and will read again and again." Peter
The time is now to rise up and pass the baton of godly faithfulness to the next generation. Please, if you liked the book, e-mail your friends about it, send folks to our website, www.handoffbook.com, and even consider picking up some extra copies to share.
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| Nine simple ways to find time to mentor future leaders |  You want to have an impact on the next generation, but you're busy. Because you're a GRTL subscriber it's a safe bet that you're not a time waster. So...you don't need a load of guilt from me. What you need are practical, helpful tips. Here they are:
1. Redefine "mentoring." Stop thinking of mentoring as weekly meetings that last forever. Instead, ask your mentee questions like "In what area would you like to grow?" Often one meeting with the person is sufficient. Maybe several meetings is in order, but few relationships can be expected to go on forever unless you really hit it off.
2. Give an assignment. If someone asks you to be a mentor, find out what direction he'd like to go and give him a book to read or a CD to listen to. Say, "Contact me when you're done and we'll go from there." Giving an assignment winnows out those who want "mothering" rather than "mentoring."
3. Use meal times. We all have to eat anyway. I've found that having lunch at a favorite deli is a great way to meet someone for mentoring. It's a nice break, not too expensive, and a "treat" for both of us to look forward to.
4. Take people with you. Proverbs 13:10 says that we grow wise by walking with the wise. A thoughtful mentee will understand the value of watching you in action rather than asking you to forfeit your existing activities. If you're taking your kids to sports practice, for example, ask your mentee to meet you at the sports field.
5. Let the relationship "flex." Very few mentoring relationships are intense for a long period of time. Depending on the goal of the relationship, you might meet regularly for a while and then move to an occasional "check in."
6. Establish a "sunset" for a mentoring relationship. Say, "Let's meet each week for a month and then re-evaluate to see if we are both growing in the way we thought we would. We may decide to continue, or we may decide that the goal is accomplished and it is time for you to begin receiving mentoring in a different area of your life."
7. Take advantage of "mentoring moments." Sometimes a brief word of encouragement gives you the opportunity to bless someone: "Here's what I see in your life that makes a great deal of difference to me" or "May I share the incredible impact I believe you could have with your God-given design?"
8. Consider your priorities. We always find time for what is truly important, so ask God to reveal to you any place in your life where you could drop an existing activity or reconfigure your schedule for the greater goal of training future sons and daughters of the Kingdom.
9. Listen to your heavenly Father. Jesus didn't try to serve everyone during his earthly ministry. His focus was on doing what his heavenly Father wanted him to do, and nothing else. It's important that we learn from his example to maintain balance in life. If mentoring takes away from scarce family time, or time you need to rest, that's a sign that it's time to back off a little.
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 From Jeff Myers: Make it a great week!
It's wonderful to have a week at home, and we've been prayerfully preparing for trips to several foreign countries this summer: Mexico, Israel, South Africa, Poland, Belgium and California (just kidding!).
I'll be in touch about some of these exciting opportunities. As always, you can track our activities from the front page of our website. Thank you for your prayer and support as we call this generation of adults to rise up and pass the baton of godly faithfulness to the next generation!
Jeff Myers, Ph.D., President
Passing the Baton International, Inc. |
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