Short Term vs Long Term
I’ve been listening to a lot of podcasts by pastor, Craig Groschel. Groschel is the lead pastor of LifeChurch.tv, an Oklahoma City based church which has over 100,000 members in campuses across the country (including Kansas City). In his leadership based podcast, he repeatedly used this phrase,
We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short term, and underestimate what we can accomplish in the long term.
It’s a one line version of Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule – to be a master at anything, you need a minimum of 10,000 hours of practice. A simple example of this is my son and soccer.
He’s well short of 10,000 hours, but probably around 2,000 hours of practice over his lifetime (organized practice and games and playing for fun). However, I’ve seen a big jump in his ability and understanding this season. It’s not the short term mentality of good practices this season, but the combination of practices over the years coming together with growth – mentally and physically.
If you want to be great at something, it takes time. Never underestimate the power of a long term goal or dream.
Purpose Hotel
Another example is my friend Jeremy Cowart. I met Jeremy 7-8 years ago while he was stopped over in Kansas City. Jeremy was the tour photographer for Brittany Spears. I met Jeremy to talk him into speaking at our little photography convention a few months later.
Jeremy was hesitant – what did he have to share. Kia and I talked Jeremy into it, but he still didn’t fully buy in. In fact, the night of the event, I went on stage with him to help him give his presentation (in a Q&A format). It could be easy to underestimate that.
Fast forward 4 years, and I connected with Jeremy at a conference in Dallas. During our discussion, Jeremy tells me he wants to start a hotel – but not just any hotel. His dream is to found the Tom’s Shoes of hotels. It would be a hotel that supports causes (anti-slavery, adoption, micro businesses, etc) around the world.
That seemed kinda big. A hotel!?
Fast forward 2 years (now), and Jeremy’s dream is becoming reality. Earlier this month, Jeremy launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise $347,000 to begin this BOLD idea – the Purpose Hotel. With 7 days left in the campaign, Jeremy has exceeded his goal by almost $150,000!
It’s not about the short term. Never underestimate the long term.
Even if this hotel never sees the light of day, I don’t doubt another one will. I don’t underestimate the long term.
What’s your Purpose?
What BIG dream do you have? What BOLD idea is floating around in your head?
Don’t get caught up in the short term (this week, this month, this year). Don’t underestimate the power of the long term (this decade, this life time and beyond).
Your dream is worth the energy. Keep working.
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