TIME + CHOICES = LEADERSHIP

“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” -1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)

Let’s be real - too many people age but never grow up. They get older, not wiser. They get experience, not depth. They’ve got decades under their belt but still throw temper tantrums like toddlers in leadership diapers.

You know the type.They lead from ego, not maturity.They chase applause, not purpose. They crave control, not growth.

That verse hits hard because it’s not about your birthday - it’s about your becoming. When I was a child - that’s time. When I grew up - that’s choice.

The only difference between a child and an adult is time, but what separates them is choice.

TIME: The Uncontrollable Gift

Time happens whether you do or not.You can’t stop it, slow it, or stretch it.But you can steward it. As a child, time is something that just happens to you.As a leader, time is something you weaponize.

Time reveals what you value.If you say you want to grow but binge mediocrity every night, don’t blame God for your stagnation.Leaders don’t find time - they fight for it.

You don’t drift into greatness; you drive there. Every minute is a seed - what you plant determines what you harvest.

So stop wasting your time waiting for a “better season.”

This is the season.

Grow now.

Lead now.

Choose now.

CHOICE: The Power That Builds or Breaks You

“But when I grew up…” That’s not a statement of time. It’s a declaration of decision.

Paul didn’t say, “When time passed, I changed.”He said, “I put away childish things.” That’s choice. That’s grit. That’s leadership.

You can’t keep throwing tantrums and call it “vision.” You can’t ghost accountability and call it “peace.” You can’t stay offended and expect to lead free.

At some point, you’ve got to man up or woman up and grow up. Maturity doesn’t come with age; it comes with ownership.

Your leadership will only rise to the level of your choices. You can’t lead well if you live sloppy. You can’t multiply if you can’t manage. You can’t inspire if you can’t decide.

Leadership is not about making perfect choices - it’s about making consistent ones. Do the hard thing when the easy thing screams louder. Do what’s right when no one’s clapping. Do it again tomorrow.

GOOD LEADERS ARE BUILT, NOT BORN

Time builds the frame.Choices pour the concrete.

Every yes you make builds a future version of you.Every no you make protects it. Leaders who grow slow are leaders who choose slow.Leaders who grow deep are leaders who choose discipline.You can’t microwave maturity - it’s a crockpot process.

Leadership is learned in the heat, not the highlight reel.It’s built in Monday decisions, not Sunday moments. It’s proven when no one’s watching, not when everyone’s cheering.

Time gives you the opportunity.

Choices determine the outcome.

LEADERSHIP CHECKLIST

• You can’t lead if you keep acting like a kid.

• You can’t influence if you can’t control your mouth.

• You can’t grow if you keep choosing comfort.

• You can’t win big if you can’t think long.

Stop praying for promotion while you’re still playing with pacifiers.

Stop asking for influence when you won’t take instruction.

Stop demanding loyalty while giving attitude.

Time is your currency. Choice is your investment. Maturity is your return.

Don’t waste time waiting for something to change—be the change.Use your time to build something eternal.Use your choices to lead like it matters. Because here’s the truth:Time will pass no matter what.But only choice will make you grow.