Joshua 1: 10 - 11 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”
If you are leading you better tell people where you are going.
John Maxwell said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.”
So how did Joshua do this?
#1 - He put a time limit on A goal. Not THE goal.
In three days we will cross the Jordan. But he didn't say how long it was going to take to possess the land. It isn't necessary to tell everyone that in 1 year or 5 years we are going to be at a particular goal. Quite honestly, you are setting you self up for failure. But you can say that in the next 90 days or some other frame of time you are going to achieve the next step in the process.
#2 - He told the people what they were going to do.
If the people wanted to posses the land that God wanted to give them, then they were going to have to pick up everything that they owned and go for a walk across a river. Tell people what they have to do to achieve. They are looking for direction. No they are not mindless sheep. They are willing participants in a plan that is bigger than them. Each one willing to do their part to achieve God's will in their life.
#3 - Have leadership pursue the people.
Josh could have called a nationwide meeting. Told them what they were going to do and watch everything come unraveled. Moses tried it, and that didn't work for him either. Instead, Joshua surrounds himself with people who believe what He said. In other words, don't be the only person who leads the way - lead with a team of people that others will follow too.
#4 - Everyone pitches in.
I imagine that what Josh was purposing was quite a feat. Moving millions of people, livestock, personal belongings and more. It all had to be packed and prepared for the journey. Everyone from the children to the oldest did their part to make this happen. The great thing about this is, everyone helps therefore, everyone gets rewarded. Make sure to celebrate and praise those who did their part to get where you want to go.
#5 Define clear ends to the goals.
"After we have done 123 we will have achieved ABC." The whole after - then scenario can be a challenged or a chain. How you present it can help you and your team discover a challenge to overcome and be victorious through - or it can become a chain that keeps you in one place at one time. Make sure that you tell your people that "This can be done!"
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