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Everyone needs a goal. Whether it’s trying to lose weight, attempting to break a record, reaching a certain number of followers, or achieving a specific dollar amount, goals represent a measurable standard of success or failure. 

But goals don’t satisfy forever. At some point, a narrow focus on numbers and performance will wear you down. That’s why a leader knows that if you want to get bigger on the outside, you have to get bigger on the inside.

At the end of his life and ministry, the apostle Paul wrote a similar sentiment to his protégé Timothy. As a wise mentor, Paul knew that a young pastor like Timothy had plenty of concerns: false teachers, how to pray, qualifications for church leaders, and how to care for the elderly, widows, and slaves.

But as important as those external concerns were, Paul knew what was most important were the internal concerns—the growth and development of Timothy himself.

That is why at the end of his letter, Paul concludes with personal instructions for Timothy to “pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness” (1 Timothy 6:11 NIV) and “Guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge” (v. 20 NIV).

If Timothy didn’t attend to his own personal walk with Christ, how could he grow his ministries? Halting his personal growth, would halt the growth of the churches he led. But focusing on his inward growth would produce outward growth for his church and God’s kingdom.

There are limitations on every outward goal a person or organization can set. But personal growth has no limitations—at least, not here on earth. For, as Paul also wrote, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6 NIV).

You can focus on growth outside of you, or you can focus on growth out of you. Which seems best to focus on?

Questions to ask yourself:

What goals have you set and achieved for yourself or your organization? Did achieving those goals make you a better leader, or did becoming a better leader help you achieve those goals?

What areas in your personal life would you like to focus on? How could doing so help you become a better leader?