During my early years of working in the church many of my leaders wanted to see me succeed. I would fail and then fear they would give up on me. But their desire to see me do well was so strong that they would each continue to pour into and challenge me to grow and improve. Knowing I had a safe environment to experience failure gave me freedom to take big risks. I loved having someone there at the end of the day to make me feel awesome regardless of the outcome. I call those people awesome-makers.
The older you get and the higher you climb on the leadership ladder awesome-makers become hard and harder to find. I don’t know what disease you contract when you reach adulthood but one of the symptoms is definitely a lack of people who’s expressed purpose in your life is to encourage you.
Getting Old Doesn’t Have to Suck
Adults tend to carry lots of baggage and it’s that baggage that gets in the way becoming an awesome-maker to someone else. It’s no one’s fault, this is just how life is. When you’re young others see your potential and they grant large amounts of grace. With age comes responsibility and with responsibility comes expectations. You no longer have ‘potential,’ but rather the potential is replaced by expected output. Adults become concerned with themselves and have less time to consider how they’re actions make you feel. “I don’t have time to encourage you through your stuff because I’m dealing with my own stuff.” It sucks, but admit it, it’s the truth.
However, getting old doesn’t have to suck. Wanna know how to keep it from sucking? SUCK IT UP AND BECOME AN AWESOME-MAKER TO SOMEONE ELSE. As previously stated, the problem with getting old is becoming more focused on your circumstances and less understanding about someone else’s. Break the cycle. Commit to taking other’s interests above your own.
Become An Awesome-Maker
The day I wrote the bulk of this post was a hard day. I didn’t enjoy it. There was one bright and shinning moment that made getting through the day easier. I got to be an awesome-maker to a friend. I had an opportunity remind her that she is talented and has the necessary skills to thrive in her profession. I got to tell her that she needs to write more and not allow “not enough time” to keep her from doing what she loves. I got to dream with her.
Who can you become an awesome-maker to? Don’t be the person who makes life suck. Be the one who reminds others that life is to be lived to it’s fullest!
Let me teach you how to be awesome at Twitter – people who know it all need not apply!
