Do you want to know to make a difference? Of course you do. Here’s what Dr. John C. Maxwell, Ghandi, and ants say about making a difference in your life and in the lives of others.

My lovely Leah got me the Maxwell Leadership Bible for Christmas this past year. It has some really great insights into leadership and is worth checking our for anyone who finds (or hopes to find) themselves in a leadership position. With years of hands on experience and research, Dr. Maxwell applies biblical knowledge and concepts to his expert philosophies of leadership. Good stuff. If you want to find out more about this amazing leadership resource, check out the link on my sidebar.

Ok, enough free advertising. Leah and I read our bibles together (over the phone unfortunately) every night. For the past couple of weeks, we have been reading out of Proverbs. So much great wisdom in that book ranging from work to marriage to money to just about anything else.

In quite a few verses, Solomon uses the analogy of ants. He talks about how hard they work and all that good stuff, and for good reason, too.

FACTOID: Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight

Dr. Maxwell picks up on this analogy and puts his own spin on teaching how ants can make a difference. I’m going to do the same.

There are four I’s needed to make a difference:

• Initiative – Be a self starter. Don’t wait for someone else to say “GO.” Start your own inner momentum.
• Integrity – Don’t RELY on outside accountability. While it is a good idea to have it, don’t let exterior accountability be what keeps you doing right. Build it up on the inside.
• Industry – Work hard. Don’t be lazy. If you want to make a difference in the world, you’re going to have to work at it. Let me rephrase that. You’re going to have to WORK HARD at it. Change is tough. You should be, too.
• Insight – Plan ahead and see the big picture. This is vital. If you are unable to see the big picture, you will be unable to get through the tough spots. Like Jesus said, if you turn your head, you won’t make it to where you want to go. Keeping your eyes set on the big picture will keep you in the right direction.

These concepts are how ants are able to make a difference in their communities. If ants can do it, don’t you think you can too?

What are some other things that can help you make a difference in your life or in the lives of others?