It's a new month, a new year, and (possibly) a new decade.
Now is the best time to start a Shield Lock. Set a goal of starting one this month.
All you need to do is find 2-3 other guys who will commit to meeting with you consistently this year. And then make the same commitment to them.
Where do you want to go? What are you doing to move in that direction? Do your thoughts, decisions, and actions align with your answers above? Who is helping hold you accountable for these answers?
The Shield Lock is a great place to explore answers to questions like these and have a few other men alongside you as you think through and then live out the answers. It is a place to encourage other men and find encouragement. A place to seek out the truth with other men who likely have a lot of the same questions and doubts you do.
Here are some tips for a successful group:
- Seek out men you trust and respect– Men who are where you want to be or are moving in the same direction you want to move in. Look for men who are consistent, men you can rely on to listen and be truthful- and ask them to lock shields with you this year.
- Seek out truth and encourage each other toward it- I suggest studying something together.* This provides a natural agenda or framework for your discussions.
- Prioritize your Shield Lock meetings appropriately- there are certain commitments we have as men, especially as husbands and fathers, that take priority in our lives. At the same time, to be the type of husbands and fathers we want to be requires work, sacrifice, and commitment. Establish a rhythm that works well for your group. Make the Shield Lock a high priority, but not to the detriment of your health or important relationships.
Having that first meeting is the hardest part. Once you get some momentum it gets easier. Let me know if you have a group together but aren't sure what to do during that first meeting, I'm happy to join you and facilitate it to get you started.
*I highly recommend the book, The Reason for God. It uses logic to explore whether God exists, and in the process asks a lot of tough questions that cause you to think deeply about what you choose to believe and why you believe it. I have extra copies of this book, if you are interested in going through it let me know and I'll pass them on.
This podcast by CSPAN is also an excellent exercise to do together at your first meeting:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/f3-nation/id1218921251?i=1000427426941