A Flashlight for a Dark Secret

I’ve discovered there is a dark and secret part of any effort to make a positive difference in this world. It’s one that most people won’t talk about, or be transparent about.

Here it is... 

You are going to want to give up and call it quits.

Leaders are burden-bearers, and as such, we don’t want to admit that we have these moments. There will be days, maybe even weeks where you just don’t want to do it anymore. Maybe a solution to a particular problem is elusive. Maybe you are dealing with a difficult person in your life. Maybe you don’t have the resources you need or maybe you are feeling inadequate for the task at hand. If you trying to lead others and accomplish something meaningful, you will have your moments you want to quit.

It is true leaders don’t give up. The best leaders keep a constant focus and diligence and live out the words best said by Winston Churchill, “Never, never, never, never give up.” But, just because Sir Winston never gave up doesn’t mean he never wanted to. This is the same man who said he had days in his life that he couldn’t stand too close to a railway platform as a train approached for fear that he might hurl himself into the moving path of several tons of locomotion. Deep and dark were his internal struggles.

As I’ve identified this tendency in myself, this desire quit, I’ve been learning from others who kindly share their own struggles with me. I’ve tried to identify several key principles to guide me during these times. These, along with the faith I place in Jesus Christ and the truth of God’s word, serve as a sort of “leadership flashlight” through those dark times.

• Ask yourself, “Where would I go?” This is not a trick question. You’ve made intentional choices that have brought you to this point. You engaged in a big work, you chose to move toward something better in your life or work. God has brought you to this point and there were many steps and successes along the way. Now, because of your emotions and weariness you want to quit. But, where would you go? You are here. God has you here. And there is a reason you are here. Study the biographies of other leaders throughout history and you’ll find a common theme, a personal belief that their life had a purpose and that they were leading in a time of opportunity. They saw their individuality was bound to the unique needs of their contemporary society. They saw a need that only they could meet. This realization kept them grounded in their purpose over long periods of challenges. I also find John 6:66-68 a perfect picture of this question, “Where would I go?”
• Recognize that you don’t always feel like quitting and these are simply emotions. Emotions will change and they are always fleeting, never here to stay. Even the best emotions fly away after their time is past, and dark feelings are the same way. Perhaps rest, solitude, prayer, study, or a different activity will help you along the way. Learn to be self-aware about your own habits and patterns. What are the times where you feel most vulnerable and weak? Be wise and cautious during those times.
• Reflect upon the long-term significance and potential impact of your life and leadership. These times you want to quit are sometimes best viewed as a sort of attack upon the future of positive outcomes that could come through your leadership. Quitting now doesn’t affect the successes of the past because they are in the past. So, quitting only has the power to affect the future, the results of the effort, passion, and heart that you have yet to apply. Weigh your temptation to quit against the future of potential impact you will have and you will recognize that a decision to give up becomes a devastating blow against what you hope to see accomplished. 

The next time you are tempted to quit, take these steps with me, apply them as you would a flashlight, shining ahead for you to navigate the darkness of weariness and cynicism.

What would you add to this list for your own leadership flashlight? You can share your comments below.