"To Stop Doing"

I had the privilege of attending the Global Leadership Summit (put on by the Willow Creek Association) today. Let me tell you, it was pretty amazing. I was there all day, so I can't begin to tell you everything I learned, so I thought I would throw on you one little nugget of greatness.

This idea comes from Jim Collins. In case you're unfamiliar with him, here is a little introduction.

Jim Collins, nationally acclaimed business thinker, serves as a teacher to leaders throughout the corporate and social sectors. Author of the best-selling books Good to Great and Built to Last.

Now that you know a little about Jim, let me tell you what he said.

"Raise your hand if you have a "to-do" list... Now raise your hand if you have a "TO STOP DOING" list."

What a profound idea! I literally had to pull my chin back up off the floor when I heard those words. Think about the implication here. How many days in your life have you laid out plans to get things done, only for your own bad habits to get in your way? How many of us have things in our life we'd like to stop doing, but we don't really take it seriously enough to make it a written goal to stop? How often do we let our shortcomings impact the way we feel about ourselves, or the way others see us?

WE ALL NEED A STOP DOING LIST! The bible gives us plenty of "stops". One of those is found in Isaiah 1:16...

Isaiah 1:16
wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong...

I think we'd all agree with Isaiah that we should stop "doing wrong". But Jesus took things one step further. He began to get more specific for us.

John 6:43 "Stop grumbling among yourselves" Jesus answered.


John 7:24 "Stop judging by mere appearances, and make a right judgment."


John 20:27b "Stop doubting and believe!"

The apostle Paul even got into the act in Romans 14 when he tells us to "stop passing judgement on each other", and then again in 1 Corinthians 14 when he says to "stop thinking like children!"


The bottom line is that we all have things in our lives that we'd like to STOP DOING. So, let's stop! Take a moment right now and make a "To Stop Doing List". You'll be free from those bad habits in no time!