The Men of Iron Minute
by Chad Zueck | Director of Content Creation
Mission Accepted
I love the Mission Impossible movies. Sure, the usual unrealistic fare occurs in every film, but even so, I like them. Tom Cruise plays the part of a superman-ish Army veteran, Ethan Hunt, who can get any job done while being cool-headed and highly skilled. The films have become trope-like, yet men love to watch a rather small man act as if he is the size of an NFL linebacker. The explosions, the tech, and the running scenes are a bit cheesy, but there are my thing too. One of the more common parts of the movie is this phrase, “Your mission should you choose to accept it,” and of course, Cruise accepts the offer and proceeds to smash bad guys in the face.
Ethan Hunt finds and accepts his mission in every film, making them testosterone-filled manliness on the big screen. The impossibility of the mission is the intrigue. For men today, our mission stems from our situation. Recapping the last blog, our situation is the set of background circumstances dictating a need for Action. (Errol Doebler, The Process Art and Science of Leadership) Your situation is the thing or problem that you have identified needing a response or action. So, your mission is the response to the situation. As Doebler noted, “A mission is simply your goal; what you are specifically trying to achieve.” You may be trying to capture a spy in Crimea, play with kid in the yard, or lose twenty pounds. In any case, this is your mission should you choose to accept it.
A mission, in health and fitness may vary drastically. You may need to take walks with your wife. You may pick a date on the calendar to go train for and crush a 5k. You may decide to begin tracking macros and hydration. You may need to invite your mentor into your fitness mission for accountability.
Further, the mission should always take you towards solving the problem of eliminating the situation that got your attention initially. Clarity around the mission will help you stave off missional drift. A man needs to identify the situation and create a missional plan. Pray and ask God to show you what His will would be. Your journey is your journey. Perhaps your mission needs a bump in the right direction. In a recent podcast, Justin Watkins, or J-Dub for us around Men of Iron, gave some poignant health and fitness advice.
- #1 – Small steps
- #2 – Climb with others
- #3 – Celebrate often
- #4 – Keep climbing on
You’ve found your situation.
Now create a mission.
What’s your next move?
We would love to cheer you on, so if you would like to give feedback from this blog, feel free to email me at chad@menofiron.org.
This message will self-destruct in five seconds.
Be a mentor.
Find a mentor.
Be a better man.
SUBSCRIBE | LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
30-Day men’s devotional, small group and bible study video courses, action plans for goal setting & more! Check out our FREE RESOURCES and find the tool you need to help you become the man you want to be!