Ep. 433 Can a Procrastinating, Undisciplined Person Do Your Program?
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Shows Main Idea – One of the most difficult challenges prohibiting a person from actively engaging and completing our Mastermind Program is procrastination. Because this struggle is a “common to man problem,” it is one of our most common questions. In this episode, I will answer this question fully and provide advice for a path forward while offering a few other tips for your consideration if you’re looking for world-class training in all things discipleship—our Mastermind Program.
Show Notes
I’m concerned about what you stated about the need for discipline and not procrastinating. I have always done better with accountability and have had times of consistent discipline in routines and time management, but it’s an area of struggle. I greatly desire to grow in this area and have the heart to encourage others in God’s truth. I need consistent encouragement and correction right now and in my life as well. Have you ever had anyone get through your program and grow in these areas as they went through it? –Potential Student
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What Is Our Program?
- The Mastermind Program is an online, self-paced, interactive study course focusing on three primary areas: theology, psychology (sanctification), and application.
- If the student does the program the way we designed it, they will finish in twenty-four to thirty-six months. If they take longer, they will compromise the integrity of the program by not benefiting from accumulative equipping, learning, and application.
The Best Students
To answer her question directly: she could possibly complete it by procrastinating, but not likely, and it depends on what you mean by completing it. If you compromise the program by taking more time than what we expect, you can finish but lose the program’s intention.
I do not recommend our program as part of the repentance process unless you’re already making strides to change before enrolling. The program is the best fit for four types of people:
- You must be a self-starter.
- You must have discipline.
- You must have excellent time-management practices.
- You must be able to multitask.
Our program will not make you any of these things. However, though you might not have perfected these four areas, all of them must be resident in you. We cannot “create something out of nothing,” but if you have the elements of these things in you, we will help you to mature in them.
It’s for Leaders
Our program is a leadership training course, not a program for folks who don’t have the essential elements that a leader needs to lead others well. By analogy, it’s the difference between a counselee and a counselor.
- A counselee will lack discipline and have a habit of procrastinating.
- A counselor will have victory over these things, though they may have episodic moments of putting things off or not completing tasks promptly.
I can’t overstate that our program is for leaders, though not those who have perfected their leadership gifting but have visually affirmed leadership gifting: Other folks see this gifting in the student and have asked the student to assume leadership opportunities already.
- Of course, you could be a good leader but not have the proper gift mix for being an online student, e.g., self-starter and self-discipline.
- Alternately some folks who would like more training in discipleship but don’t have the resident qualities to be a Mastermind student should consider becoming a supporting member where they can receive coaching to help them mature.
Other Considerations
- Do you have the intellectual capacity to do this program?
- Do you have the time to dedicate daily/weekly to this program?
- Is this the right season to consistently devote two to three years to working the program?
- Do you have the finances to pay for the program?
- Find a fly on the wall: We cannot encourage you each day to do the work, but having someone in your life willing to hold you accountable would be an excellent means of grace.
Call to Action
- Are you over-critical of yourself when—in actuality—you should be a student? Are you holding yourself back because of an inaccurate view of yourself?
- Do you have a high view of yourself, not able to see you’re not as capable as you think you are?
- How does someone else assess you, who can see your true abilities more clearly and competently? Would they recommend you for our program after reviewing what I have shared here?
- To do this program well, it must be the right fit (discipleship gifting) for the right person (a plug-and-play leader) during the right season (you have the time to do it).
If you believe God has called you to take this program based on substantial data gathering and external confirmation, we would love for you to start today. Perhaps watching our webinar on how to make a biblical decision will aid you as you work through the process of the best path forward.
If you’re ready to go, you must become a supporting member first so you can benefit from our private community. Afterward, you may purchase Mastermind Prerequisite One.
Need More Help?
- If you want to learn more from us, you may search this site for thousands of resources—articles, podcasts, videos, graphics, and more. Please spend time studying the ones that interest you. They are free.
- If you want to talk to us, we have private forums for those who support this ministry financially. Please consider supporting us here if you would like to help us keep our resources free.
Rick launched the Life Over Coffee global training network in 2008 to bring hope and help for you and others by creating resources that spark conversations for transformation. His primary responsibilities are resource creation and leadership development, which he does through speaking, writing, podcasting, and educating.
In 1990 he earned a BA in Theology and, in 1991, a BS in Education. In 1993, he received his ordination into Christian ministry, and in 2000 he graduated with an MA in Counseling from The Master’s University. In 2006 he was recognized as a Fellow of the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC).
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