One third of the world is on some form of lockdown right now. The city where I live has just issued an ordinance for all citizens to stay indoors and only go out for essential tasks. As I am part of the higher-risk group, I have been staying at home for the last two weeks. After a while, quarantine gets really old. It takes a toll on one’s emotions and enthusiasm, but it does not kill one’s vision. So, imagine visionary leaders under these circumstances. We inevitably start thinking of alternative things to do with our time.
IT’S HARDER FOR VISIONARY LEADERS
Leaders who are running after a vision find it hard to stand still. While it is positive and even therapeutic to retreat for a few days of introspection, silence, and solitude before God, none of us are prepared for the weeks of isolation that are being imposed on us by the COVID-19 pandemic.
ACTUALLY AN OPPORTUNITY
On the other hand, self-isolation provides us the unique opportunity to do what our busy lives did not allow us to experience when things were “normal.” Here are seven purposeful things you can do during this time of lockdown.
Pray More. This is probably the first thing you considered. This pandemic is a unique time for us to invest in our intimacy with God. Even if you are working remotely, full-time like many of us, spending the time you are saving from your commute to work in the prayer closet can take you much deeper with the Lord.
Pivot. This is a new leadership word I learned recently. It is about making a shift in the way you “do business” in order to turn a crisis into an opportunity. At ILI, we are working around the clock to develop online alternatives to our training conferences (more below).
Learn Something. What new skill have you always wanted to acquire, but did not have time? You could use the extra time learn to play an instrument or improve your video-gaming skills, but this “pause time” can also be a great opportunity to improve the quality of your leadership. If you never attended an ILI training, check out #7 below.
Increase Your Digital Footprint. Confined to our homes, most of us have taken to the Internet. Churches, artists, businesses, and individuals are sharing ideas on Facebook, recording videos and even “webcasting” their lives, thoughts, and prayers over YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms.
Serve. It is at moments of great crises that the Church of Jesus Christ shows its best. Young people helping provide for the needs of people who are shut in or people with material resources helping those whose economies have been affected are just two examples.
DYI Home Projects. Besides supermarkets, home improvement stores and websites have experienced higher traffic these days. A few weeks of lockdown can be the ideal time to do that home improvement project your spouse has been asking you to do for years.
Equip Leaders. As I explained above, we are developing models to multiply leaders online during these times. We will soon offer ILI training to allow those who attended a face-to-face ILI training in the past to lead video-conferencing training with a small group of people.
So, what are you going to do until we can get back together again? If you are interested in attending an ILI conference, click on the link below and begin investing in your life the Eight Core Values of the most effective Christian leaders.
The results are in, and we have so many amazing ways to share with you how God has used the entire ILI Global family including all the leaders and alumni to make an impact on the spread of the Gospel in 2022.