This is the time of year I begin to see webinars and self-help book offers about "How to Make 2016 Your Best Year Ever." The week after Christmas will be the time for a tidal wave of offers to have a "new me, in the new year." The invitation to become a better me is ripe with self-help, which is focused on self.

I can remember reading Norman Vincent Peale's book The Power of Positive Thinking when I was in my early days of high school. I didn't know at the time that Dr. Peale was a minister.

I read Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and How to Stop Worrying and Start Living.

Other books I read were by Napoleon Hill—Think and Grow Rich (20 million copies were sold) and Law of Success. 

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A wise observer of my reading habits might conclude that I was searching. I was crying out for help and settled for self-help. Settling seems to lead to, at least, a loss of time. 

At age 19, I came to the place where I realized that I couldn't help myself. 

Leaders are frequently asked for reading lists. I continue to provide lists and love to buy books for others. But I won't do that. I won't recommend self-help books. 

Self-help books send a wrong message. I developed a keen sense of belief in myself. I believed I could do all things through a positive mental attitude and intense belief in me as the way forward.

When I met the Lord, I struggled with the "die to self" message. 

I didn't understand Paul, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will boast in my weakness, that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).

Jesus changed my life. I had nothing to do with it. He chose me.

I depend upon the Holy Spirit for my help. I have learned more about leadership in the book of Proverbs than I learned in grad school. The Holy Spirit quickens Scripture that reveals God's will and my way forward.

It was a long journey to joyfully discover I cannot help myself.

Seek the Lord for your best 2016 ever.

Today's Scripture

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it'" (Matt. 16:24-25).

NOODLING

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Platform Tip No. 29

We must invite people to visit our platforms. All platforms.

No one wakes up in the morning looking for a platform. We create invitations to address felt needs and encourage visitors. Every platform needs an invitation strategy.

One of the keys to better invitations is to develop better lists. So ask the question, "who needs my help?" What do you offer to address felt needs?

Design all of your platform invitations to gather email addresses. Invite people to join your email platform. Don't spam. Just invite.

If you want to learn more about how to do this easily and effectively, please consider attending my platform seminar. Join me for two days of intense, no nonsense platform training.

Do you want to learn more about developing your personal platform?

Send for my free series of lessons titled, "The Fundamentals of Creating, Curating and Developing Content for Multiple Platforms." Send your request to: platform@ministrytodaymag.com.

We will not share your email address with anyone.

Dr. Steve Greene is the publisher and executive vice president of the media group at Charisma Media and executive producer of the Charisma Podcast Network. His book, Love Leads: The Spiritual Connection Between Your Relationships and Productivity, is now available.

Leaders, Dr. Greene wants to help you understand the spiritual connection between relationships and productivity. Read his new blog, here.

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Dr. Steve Greene is now sharing stories, teachings, and conversations with guests who lead with love on Love Leads, a new podcast. Listen now.

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