How to Improve Yourself

Every once in a while, I get a question from those trying to improve themselves, like:

What steps should I take to increase my functioning in life and ministry? And what should I read?

And while I’m not prone to “giving advice,” I’ve come to regard the question as sincere and an opportunity to provide some playful challenge. 

Here’s my response:

This is more a matter of intentionality than magic. 90% of the time, folks don’t actually DO what is necessary. But here we go.

• Develop a growth plan. Write it down. Put dates on it. Start where you are on your life and vocational trajectory and determine where you want to be in three and in five years: emotionally, relationally, physically, spiritually, and vocationally.

• Cultivate a support system of relationships worth having. Stop investing in relationships that do not challenge or enrich your life (including the church you attend).

• Work on understanding your family of origin. They shaped you and continue to influence you. Get clear about your core values and guiding principles for life and work. 
• Understand your values and principles (e.g., not an opinion or a predilection). Make those your guide for living and work. Don’t compromise.
• Once you do the above, write an ethical will. Include your epitaph. Keep a journal on your desk. Strive to have at least one deep thought a day, then write it down.
• Work at getting financially secure.
• Cultivate gratitude.
• Use sunscreen (I’m not kidding).
• If you’re over 40 start uncluttering your life and your house. Be ruthless about throwing stuff out, you don’t need most of it now and you won’t need it for the next stage in life.
• If you’ve become comfortable and highly competent at your job, you need a new one that will challenge and stretch you. It should be challenging enough to require a higher level of self-definition and differentiation of self than you practice now.
• To take the above to the next level, determine to achieve EXPERT status on something you are passionate about. Make a plan (it takes five years).

Create your own list for increasing your functioning in your life and ministry. You know yourself better than I.

As to readings, there’s plenty out there; all are better than some and worse than others. But first, read Mortimer Adler’s How To Read A Book. Reading for the outcome you seek is a different kind of reading.”

What would you add to the list if a friend were to ask you the question?

---

Israel Galindo is Associate Dean for Lifelong Learning at the Columbia Theological Seminary. He directs the Pastoral Excellence Program at Columbia seminary. He is the author of the bestseller, The Hidden Lives of Congregations (Alban), Perspectives on Congregational Leadership (Educational Consultants), and A Family Genogram Workbook (Educational Consultants), with Elaine Boomer & Don Reagan, and Leadership in Ministry: Bowen Theory in the Congregational Context.

His books on education include Academic Leadership: Practical Wisdom for Deans and Administartors, Mastering the Art of Instruction,The Craft of Christian Teaching (Judson), How to be the Best Christian Study Group Leader (Judson), and Planning for Christian Education Formation (Chalice Press).