I had the opportunity a couple of months back to spend three and a half days in a special coaching experience with Dave Ramsey. One reason why I am so pumped about my upcoming Senior Pastor Tele-Coaching Network is because I have experienced the power of coaching from both sides.

This leadership training with Dave was an awesome opportunity for me and I felt like I was drinking from a fire hose for 3 1/2 days. I guarantee you that what I learned during this time will pay dividends for years to come. Personal growth opportunities like this one may be a high investment, but they are never an expense.

Dave Ramsey is fellow Christ follower, a highly successful businessman, a nationally recognized talk show host, a best-selling author, and a dynamic leader. In the spirit of “learn and return,” I’m going to take this week to share a few of the many lessons I’ve learned from Dave Ramsey.

Here’s Lesson #1:

THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR HARD WORK!

Dave Ramsey works hard. He is living proof that there is a direct correlation between inputs (the work you put into something) and outputs (the results of that work). You can’t spend any time around the man without realizing that he works hard.

Dave’s daily schedule alone would be enough to make many of us want to pull the covers up over our heads. I was amazed to hear him describe how he fits everything in on a day to day basis.

After an early morning wake-up, he sets aside alone time with God and exercise. His day “officially” begins between 7:00 and 8:00am when he meets with the leaders of his company. Despite all that he has going on, Dave maintains a very healthy level of hands-on leadership.

After a couple of hours in the office, he prepares for his Fox Business TV Show. The show is then recorded daily in his studio between 11:30am and 12:45pm. He has a few minutes for lunch before going live with his radio show from 1:00-4:00pm (also from his own studio). Four hours of solid talk everyday and he manages to make sense through it all.

As the day winds down (around 6:00pm), Dave takes a walk through the office sending everyone home, then heads home himself.

That, my friends, is a full day’s work. His organization employs over 280 people, he speaks to hundreds of thousands of people daily, and this schedule doesn’t even include all of his live events.

There is no laziness in Dave Ramsey OR his organization – that’s one of the reasons God has blessed and continues to bless them!

Can the same be said of me?  My staff?  How about you and your team?

Wise words bring many benefits, and hard work brings rewards.
Proverbs 12:14

P.S. Having a hard time getting things done? Check out Time Management for Busy Pastors.