Big Change Requires Big Change

As obvious as that sounds, the lazy side of each of us which wants instant gratification constantly tries to tell us otherwise.

Look at the promises in every weight loss ad.

• 8 minute abs
• Perfect body in 6 weeks without pills, dieting, or extreme workouts
• Wear these shoes and your legs will be "toned"
• Take this pill and lose 30 pounds in a month

We all know that these promises are absurd, but people still buy these products every single day. I recently read that supplements are a $22 billion dollar industry. We love the idea of small change leading to big change, but it's simply not reality.

Where am I going with this?

We do the same thing thing with leadership. We want big positive changes for our organizations, but we're only willing to make small changes to what we're doing.

How many times has this happened...

• I read a book or hearing a talk on leadership
• I like the author/speakers ideas and want to implement them

Therefore,

• I find the easiest applications they suggest
• And pat myself on the back for what I'm already doing which line up with the author/speakers philosophy

Then I wonder why "applying" their principles hasn't made a significant difference. Small change only led to a small change.

I suspect I'm not alone in this. If you compare the number of books and conferences on church leadership to the number of dysfunctional, ineffective, and inward focused churches, it would seem many others are trying to get big change with a small change. Most people think they're the exception.

Big change requires big change.