Chapter 4: Acceleration
You cannot steer a parked car, and you can’t just think and talk about going forward. You have to actually step on the accelerator. Obviously, acceleration requires forward focus. If we’re not looking forward, then acceleration can be deadly. Just like a driver, leaders must take in the whole scene, and then drive into and through it. They must be entirely focused on getting to their destination and accelerate “the ship” in order to get to that point.
So, what are we accelerating? Primarily, I have to accelerate…ME! I have to make a conscious decision to do certain things in order to become a leader. I must drive (accelerate) my vehicle forward. That personal acceleration makes me accountable to others, makes me manage my time, and makes me evaluate my speed. Sometimes, you have to decelerate (primarily for safety reasons).
Yes, as a leader, I know that brakes are sometimes important. But, the brake pedal is my least favorite part of the vehicle; I like to go forward! I don’t like to stop. Success is a straight-ahead endeavor. You have to accelerate to get there. Acceleration takes you through time and space. You’re not a victim of the clock; you manage time.
You never hear true leaders say things like, “I just don’t know where the time goes.” Trust me: they KNOW! Learn to keep your life, your team, your dream, and your work accelerated forward. As Vince Lombardi said, “Never, never, never quit.”