I realize that I am a very self-motivated person by nature so I may be a bit harsh, but I can't stand it when people are only motivated by applied pressure. I want people around me who I look at and say "Wow, I can't believe you already did this", not "How much longer is this going to take". I want to be that type of person to, I want people to be surprised by my expedience and efficiency not just my efficiency. I guess this frustrates me so much because I have run into so many people in my life who say they are called to ministry or that they want to serve in some capacity in ministry, but there is no reliability or strong effort on their part to be used unless it's exactly what they want to do or it has some monetary benefit. It seems like everyone wants to lead something, but very few people actually want to work hard to build something.
Here are a few things I've heard over the years that attest to my thoughts on this:
I feel called to plant a church, but they can't even attend a Church consistently.
I want to be in a Church that lines up with my philosophy of ministry, but they won't move to one because there is no money available to pay them or no leadership position available.
I want to mentored, but they can only do it if it's convenient with their schedule and they can decide how much or how little is required of them.
I want to be better at xxxxxxx, but they spend no time with people better than them and no money on resources to make them better.
I have tried to fit in, but they have only made a limited personal effort to get to know others. (Most of the time in this case they deceive themselves because they have tried hard to get to know whomever they consider to be the "relational elite" but really have made no effort to get to know anyone else so they get frustrated and say they don't fit in anywhere when really they would if they weren't limiting their search)
I can do xxxxxx, but they never finish it because it was something they wanted the reward for doing but not the sacrifice to do it.
I'd really like to discuss some things on my heart, but they cancel or just never follow up on that conversation until so much time has passed that they don't want to bring it up again. (I actually had one guy miss 3 early morning meetings with me and then tell me he was uncomfortable because I was younger than him. How lame and unmotivated is that!)
I feel God leading me to xxxxx, but they never do it because they have no resources and no backbone.
On a side note I also hate it when someone doesn't promptly return phone calls or emails, ministry leaders are normally the worst at this because they are talking to people all the time, but there are such things as auto response and delegation.
In Thinking
Outside the Lines: Power Thinking for the 21st Century there are 10 common things that self motivated people share. Read through the list and see if you would be considered a self motivated person. 1. Have extraordinary purpose 2. Are willing to take risks 3. Participate fully in life 4. Are energetic 5. Are humble 6. Are committed to life-long learning 7. Possess an attitude of success 8. Are persistent — with options 9. Strive for health in all aspects
of their lives 10. Rise above adversity
They set their goals high and are always reaching for the top.
They have the confidence to step out of their comfort zone to try new
ideas or strategies.
They take part in their organizations, in their families and in their
communities.
They’re willing to jump in and take things on — and have the mental
energy necessary to get it done.
They’re not afraid to admit they don’t know it all. They’re eager to keep growing.
They know their stuff and are always in the process of learning more.
They act as if it were impossible for them to fail, as if their success is a done deal.
They never give up until they succeed, but they’re willing to try a
variety of options to get what they want rather than to keep hitting
their head against the same brick wall.
They work hard to take care of themselves physically, emotionally, spiritually,
intellectually and socially.
They rise above the small stuff to achieve greatness in
their lives.
