STGM # 102 Being Emotionally Healthy #4
“Don’t waste time and energy on things you can’t control.” That is point #4 in our series about being emotionally healthy. We all need to acknowledge that which is in our power to control and that which is not. Your time is precious, you are precious so live your life accordingly and with purpose.
Control is the power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events. People show us by their actions what is important to them and what influences and controls their time. Likewise, we also communicate what is important to us by what we spend our time and energy on. Examine where your time and energy is focused, regretting wasted time and energy is simply more wasted time and energy.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Have and amazing and productive week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 101 Being Emotionally Healthy #3
We can’t control much of what happens around us, but we can control how we see those events. Recognizing that fact can help us keep things in perspective. So let’s get back to the topic of being emotionally healthy and pick up where we left off. Point #3 is emotionally healthy people don’t think everyone is out to get them.
According to experts, 96% of what we worry about doesn’t come true! Next time we worry about something, we should remember there is a 96% chance that it won’t happen. Besides that, worrying about things like that takes up too much of our precious energy and peace of mind. We all have the same 1,448 minutes a day, so please let’s not waste any of those minutes needlessly concerned about people being out to get us. Let’s shift our thinking and instead of thinking people are out to get us, be convinced that the Lord is pursuing us (after us) for His good plan!
For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 100 Can you believe it
So let me take this opportunity to thank each of you for joining me on this journey of shifts, changes, challenges and growth. It has been meaningful to me and I hope for you as well. Here's a quote to propel us into the next 100.
"Of course, we're obligated to improve ourselves only if we want to make this world a better place. If we don't care about that, then we can spend our lives being entertained passively, learning nothing new at all. But then we're not fulfilling our responsibility of contributing to the world." Tom Walsh
For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10
Let's do it!
Have an amazing October on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 99 Get Positioned
(I’ll come back to point #3, “They don’t think everyone is out to get them” about being emotionally healthy on the next STGM.)
Over the last week we have been inundated with warnings and coverage about Hurricane Irma and rightly so. Many Federal, state and charitable organizations immediately got into position, not to mention all of the media outlets. Every entity had a vital role to play to support the effort. Many organizations like the Red Cross and Operation Blessing sent people ahead of the storm and intentionally positioned supplies and personnel at various locations across the state. They did what they needed to do to be prepared for whatever was coming, they got in position to help.
The takeaway is that in the same way they got in position we must get in position too, not just for storms but also for opportunities. What opportunities are you getting in position for? Opportunities are coming…ready or not.
“Opportunities are like sunrises. If you wait too long, you miss them.” William Arthur Ward
“I can do all things]through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #98 Emotionally Health Point Two
It’s time to make contact with point two in the list of things emotionally healthy people do, even as difficult as it may be. Point number two is, “They don’t hang on every word other people say about them”. We only have so much emotional energy each day so we need to be judicious about our time (and mental health), so let’s not spend energy on things that don’t matter.
Along those same lines, let’s evaluate how we respond when people are saying flattering things about us. The advice remains the same, don’t hang on every word other people say about us. It’s not our job to keep people from talking about us, it is however our job to not let it affect us. Let’s make being emotionally healthy a priority.
“If people are talking behind your back, be happy that you’re the one in front.”
“With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.” Proverbs 11:9 (GW)
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #97 Emotionally Healthy Point One
Let’s continue with the topic of being emotionally healthy with point #1 from last week. It said that emotionally healthy people don’t let negativity and drama get the best of them. With this strange political climate we’re in, drama seems to be the flavor of the day! But be encouraged, it is possible to stay away from it when it tries to infect your day, a positive attitude will help to keep you immune. Negativity and drama seem to have their own draw…so don’t be drawn in, on purpose. If we treat negativity and drama like deal breakers, our lives will make a dramatic and positive shift!
I read a poster which captured the essence of this point perfectly, “Maturity begins when drama ends.”
“Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason” – Jerry Seinfeld
“…But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Matthew 7:14 NIV
Have an amazing, drama-free week…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 96 Be Emotionally Healthy
A poll of successful people revealed several marks of emotionally healthy people. So before we get to the list, what is emotional health and why should we even care? Emotional health is an important part of overall health. People who are emotionally healthy are in control of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. When we are emotionally healthy we are able to cope with life’s challenges. We can keep problems in perspective and bounce back from setbacks. Let’s take a personal survey of the survey results and see how emotionally healthy we are.
1. They don’t let negativity and drama get the best of them.
2. They don’t hang on every word other people say about them.
3. They don’t think everyone is out to get them.
4. They don’t waste time and energy on things they can’t control.
5. They don’t think they need more to be happy.
6. They don’t worry about pleasing everyone.
7. They don’t resist change.
“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” Jack Welch
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4
Have an amazing week on purpose,
Cynthia
STGM # 95 Paying Attention
I recently worked with a health coach who put me on a 30 day regiment of natural herbs and supplements…and oh, no gluten! So I purposely kept her instructions and followed them intentionally until I was sideswiped by a glazed donut halfway through the program. Not to worry though, I jumped right back on the bandwagon, finished the program and can honestly say that I felt better after it was all said and done.
When 30 days were done, so was I. I noted the date on my calendar and no longer paid the same focused attention to the regiment as I did in the beginning. The result, after a few days I began feeling sluggish and tired again so I went back to following the program. The take away for me was this, I was hoping for the same results by coasting off of my previous efforts and successes but that didn’t happen.
“If you don’t pay appropriate attention to what has your attention, it will take more of your attention than it deserves.” David Allen
“If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment.” Job 36:11
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 94 Simply to Encourage
Character is not made in a crisis, it is only revealed. We are given opportunities to develop our character every single day, what a privilege! A privilege? Yes, a privilege because it is in the struggle itself that we are defined, it is the process that develops us. The balance of this STGM is from Inc. Magazine and it says what I want to convey with amazing clarity.
“To remind you that who you already are is pretty incredible–and inspire you to become even more awesome–here are a few quotes.
"Don’t wait until everything is just right. It will never be perfect. There will always be challenges, obstacles, and less than perfect conditions. So what? Get started now. With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful.” Mark Victor Hansen
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” Golda Meir
We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (NCV)
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 93 - Our Future
A few days ago, I took a moment to purposefully reflect on my time as a foster parent and a quote popped in my mind. The quote is by Benjamin Disraeli who said, “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own.” I have invested over half of my life working with youth. Looking back I can see the impact they made on me and my prayer is that I deeply impacted them as well. I hope I was instrumental in flipping their world upside down (that’s a good thing).
According to the government website Child Stats, the percentage of kids in America today ages 0 to 17 is only 22.6% of the population. And kids may only be 22.6% of the population, but they are 100% of our country’s future. Our positive influence on the children and youth in our lives and those we come in contact with is vital. What will it look like 10 to 20 years from now as they become the adult population? Only time will tell.
Remember this, “It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men”. Frederick Douglass
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 92 It Is Well With My Soul
“Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.” ~Helen Keller
Jennifer Rothschild was 15 and beginning her sophomore year of high school when she noticed her eyesight starting to deteriorate rapidly. Her mother immediately took Jennifer to the ophthalmologist.
The ophthalmologist tried to remedy the problem with a stronger eye glasses prescription, but it didn’t help. He then referred her to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute and they said there is no cure and no way to correct damage already done. A doctor said Jennifer had lost so much sight that her retinas would continue to deteriorate until she was totally blind. At that point, she was legally blind.
Over the next year, Jennifer completely lost her vision, but still had light perception (and still has limited light perception). Her dreams of becoming a commercial artist and cartoonist faded.
Soon after her diagnosis, when she was back at home, Jennifer started to play the piano. Though she had been taking piano lessons for years and practiced diligently every night, she noticed this time it was different. Looking back, she believes God guided her hands to play “It is Well with My Soul” by ear. To Jennifer, the miraculous event wasn’t that she could play the song, but that it was actually well with her soul. This is the greatest lesson that God has taught Jennifer in the school of suffering: it doesn’t have to be well with your circumstances for it to be well with your soul. (CBN.com - It Is Well With My Soul)
Have an amazing week on purpose and let it be well with your soul!
Cynthia
STGM # 91 A Shift in Perspective
Consequence is defined as a result or effect of an action or condition, it didn’t say that they were good or bad, only that they were the result or effect of something. We normally see consequences as bad. So let’s shift the way we see consequences going forward and purposefully aim for great consequences in our lives. Read the following quotes from that perspective and see where it takes you.
Everybody, sooner or later, sits down to a banquet of consequences. – Robert Louis Stevenson
A Japanese proverb says, “The reputation of a thousand years may be determined by the conduct of one hour. - Japanese proverb
He that does good to another does good also to himself. - Seneca
Live for amazing consequences…on purpose!
Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him. The man who approaches God must have faith in two things, first that God exists and secondly that it is worth a man’s while to try to find God.” Phillips Translation
Cynthia
STGM # 90 Lessons Are Everywhere
Several years ago there was a stray dog in the street in front of my house that was in danger of getting hit by a car. It took some effort but with a little help from a neighbor I was able to get the dog to a place of safety in my back yard. I put him in the shed with some warm blankets, food and water and left to a meeting. When I returned I needed to get him in the house because it would have been too cold to leave him in the shed overnight.
I gathered most of the blankets and brought them into the house. When I was bringing the last blanket from the shed into the house, he grabbed it in his teeth and tried to pull it away from me…he almost snatched me out of my shoes! I guess he only saw that I was taking away the blankets and had no idea that I was trying to get him to a better place. How many times are we afraid to leave the things that are familiar to us because we don’t realize that there is something so much better and we just can’t see it yet? Just a little something to thing about.
“Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us…” Ephesians 3:20 CEB
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 89 The Power of One
Let’s talk about the power of one and about how powerful you are. Take the time to make note of the things that define who you are like the knowledge that you were created in the image of God. Or what about how unique you are just by your finger prints and DNA. Each of us are created for a purpose and gifted to work together on a team or as powerful individuals on a mission, we need both of those experience.
E.M. Forster said, “One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.” It’s great to be a part of a team, but there are times in life where it is strictly solo. It is in those times that we discover the most about ourselves, the good, the bad and the ugly. That’s when we discover the power of one and the power of the One who is in us!
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
Have an auspicious week…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 88 - Breathe
Hello Shift To Grow Readers, it's been a while!
I appreciate all of your well wishes, supportive emails and phone calls. I remain deeply touched by your thoughtfulness, thank you so much.
A few weeks ago I had a text conversation with a colleague...my how conversations have changed. Our conversation surrounded the lack of communication with someone who was training her in a new role and how it made her feel being cut off 95% of the time when asking a relevant job-related question. Obviously communication was not happening and she felt like he was just stealing oxygen. I simply replied that you cannot communicate with people who won't listen and to quit trying. She felt her success was dependent on her ability to get answers from this oxygen thief and that if her lungs collapsed from a lack of oxygen, it would be the trainers fault! 😁
Here is the lesson behind that story. It is Interesting to note that the Hebrew word for Holy Spirit is 'Ruach Hakodesh' which translated means "breath or wind". Never worry about oxygen thieves, the Greater One is in you. Remember who the Giver of Life is...breathe and breathe deeply.
"The Spirit of God has made me, And the breath of the Almighty gives me life." Job 33:4
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 87 - Food for Thought
Hi there! Yes, it’s been a while. I had to readjust some things in my life due to some family health issues. Thank you for the well wishes while I was attending to my family.
I saw something that I wanted to share, it was one of those annoying pop ups, but this one merited a second look. It said, “Social Media Is Ruining Your Self-Esteem - May your life someday be as awesome as you pretend it is on Facebook.”
Food for thought - don’t get out of balance with social media. Just like the song by India Arie, “I Am Not My Hair” …..we are far more than social media! Keep it all in balance and protect your time and sanity. 😇
The world defines self-esteem as “a feeling of having respect for yourself and your abilities”. While others struggle towards this healthy sense of self-worth, the Bible places all of those “feelings” in the person of God. It says our self-esteem is all about Jesus, and it’s not a feeling; it’s a fact.
Let’s see ourselves through the eyes of the One who created us and from the pages of His book.
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 86 - Balance 2
Balance is a beautiful thing! Balance is defined as an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady. I read an interesting analogy and I thought I would share it with you. It said that one way to think about our life is by using the analogy of an automobile. Cars have four wheels and it is important that they be properly balanced for a smooth ride. If the tires are unbalanced and we increase our speed, the ride will be very rough!
What do these four wheels represent? 1) Psychological, 2) Physical, 3) Social and 4) Spiritual dimensions of living. One way to increase our balance is to find our most deflated tire and expand or grow it. (Let’s not take better care of our cars than we do ourselves.)
“Dear friend, I pray that you may prosper in every way and be in good health physically just as you are spiritually."3 John 2
Here’s to balance!
Have the most amazing week on purpose!!
Cynthia
STGM #85 Balance
Welcome to wonderful 2017! I wanted to start the new year by talking about “balance”. However, I quickly realized that after the last 3 months I have absolutely no clue what that is! I read a quote that said,“Balance is not something you find, it’s something you create.” So in my quest to continue to develop, I am going to make some personal shifts to grow. I am going to create a more balanced life for myself. I am going to create space to make more time for Jesus, my family and myself. I don’t have to create space for work…it just simply tries to invade every nanosecond of time.
John Maxwell wrote, “Here’s what I know, growth is the only guarantee that tomorrow is going to get better. And you have to do what it takes to get there.” Let’s get moving and create the shift that gets us to the growth that God has for us.
“There is a special time for everything. There is a time for everything that happens under heaven. There is a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pick what is planted. There is a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up. There is a time to cry, and a time to laugh; a time to have sorrow, and a time to dance…. Ecclesiastes 3
Have an amazing 2017…on purpose and in balance!
Cynthia
STGM # 84 - Stick With The Process
Helen Keller is quoted saying, “Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.“ In order for that to happen you have to stick with the process. I know, I know, that’s not the easiest thing in the world to do. I get it, but the reality is that process is our tool for growth and most of the time it is a tool that is out of our hands. Staying connected to the wisdom of the Lord is the safest place to be when you are in the midst of a difficult process. Another quote to drive this point home is from an unknown author which says, "As I look back on my life, I realized that every time I thought I was being rejected from something good, I was actually being re-directed to something better.
Martin Luther King said, "If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” Stay with the process and it will propel you forward.
Philippians 1:6 “God is the one who began this good work in you, and I am certain that he won’t stop before it is complete on the day that Christ Jesus returns.”
Have the most amazing week, on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 83 - A Servant's Prayer
This is one of my favorite passages from a book titled, “No Greater Power - Perspectives for Days of Pressure” by Richard C. Halverson, Former Chaplain, United States Senate.
This was his prayer in the Senate in May 1983
“Father in heaven, strong men and women are rarely free to reveal their weakness or vulnerability. It is not acceptable in our sophisticated culture, certainly not in a powerful body such as the Senate of the United States.
Nevertheless, Lord, we are weak. we are inadequate. We are vulnerable. Forgive us for concealing our need behind an armor of invincibility. Help us see that such armor not only covers up the need inside, but also prevents love and care from the outside from getting in.
Deliver us, dear Lord, from hypocrisy and pride that would leave us alone in our weakness. Give us the humility that is free to acknowledge need and receive the support which friends want to give, and which Thou art so ready and willing to supply…”
The power of God through this particular prayer brought stability to my life in a very unstable time. May it soothe your soul as it does mine.
Have an auspicious day on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 82 - Take Action Part 2
Don’t stay stuck, not in thought or in deed. Peter Marshall, one of my all-time favorites …not the game show host but the minister, said “Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned”. Find what inspires you to take action and keep the inspiration to continue doing it before your eyes. That means you have to identify the things that keep you inspired and do them on purpose. Believe me, it’s worth any effort it takes to walk in your destiny.
I believe that there is a “pull” in every person to discover their God-ordained purpose. Part of that discovery process comes by responding to the voice of the Spirit of God who draws us to a place of “divine discomfort” and out of our comfort zone.
Robert H. Schuller is quoted saying, “I’d rather attempt to do something great and fail than to attempt to do nothing and succeed.”
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar
“And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Phil. 1:6
Have an action-packed week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 81 - Take Action
“Do you want to know who you are? Don’t ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you.” ~Thomas Jefferson
Action truly does speak louder than words. It is written that faith without works is dead…when we stop talking and just start doing…great things begin to happen. Each of us should take a step back and see where we are failing to take action…then take action and keep moving. Be that person that gets it done, not to impress others but to be true to who you are. Let’s begin to act on those God-given thoughts.
Proverbs 12:24 - The Message Bible says, “The diligent find freedom in their work; the lazy are oppressed by work.” I love that! We were meant to find freedom in our work. So let’s discover our passions, find our places and take action, our destinies demand it.
Action always beats intention!
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 80 Sharing Your Quotes
There is power in sharing the quotes that impacts your life. Chances are that if it impacted you it will impact others. Here are some quotes shared by fellow readers…enjoy!
“There is no such thing as a child who hates to read; there are only children who have not found the right book.”
“A person that doesn’t have the joy of the LORD all the time, is a person that doesn’t spend all of the time with the LORD.”
“Change does not occur without risk.”
“Reputation is when people like you, happiness is when you like yourself.”
“The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself.”
“Dissatisfaction and discouragement are not caused by the absence of things but the absence of vision.”
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
Share wisdom and get wisdom…on purpose.
Thank you, keep those quotes coming!
Cynthia
STGM # 79 - Quotes to Ponder
“Popularity is when other people like you. Happiness is when you like yourself.”
“The worst loneliness is not to be comfortable with yourself.”
“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.”
“Short cuts make long delays.”
“Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.”
Please send me a quote or two that speaks to you, I would love to share them.
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 78 Thoughts From A Guest Writer
I challenged one of my young mentees to guest write this weeks’ Shift to Grow Moment…she rose to the occasion. Enjoy!
Material things…they come and they go.
Opportunities.. they come and they go.
Our mistakes ..they come and they go.
People…they come and they go.
In this life you will realize that things and people will come and go in your life, and it’s hard to adapt to the sudden changes. To the people who gave up on you or betrayed you, release them. To the opportunities you watched as they passed you by and to the things or people you had to let go of in order to move ahead, just keep moving and don’t look back. It won’t be easy (but it can be worthwhile).
Rather it be a lesson, a memory, a strength or a new beginning, it all shapes us for the better and helps us appreciate the beauty of our journey. In the end when it seems that those very things are missing, they really aren’t. You have simply grown through the experience and greater things have taken their place and now reside in you.
Sade Houston, Guest Writer
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” Philippians 3:13-14
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 77 Time for an Adventure
Studies show that imagining your best possible future self is a worthy exercise on many different levels. There is a certain joy in making a journey that brings about the change that moves us to the next level of success. It’s rewarding to become the kind of person who can navigate obstacles, break through fears and know that we know that with God all things are possible.
I read something a few weeks ago that has stayed with me ever since. it was simply to embrace the possibilities presented by change.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
Perhaps it’s time for us to have a deeper surrender that flips our world upside down and takes us on our own personal adventure with God!
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #76 Your Greatest Potential
What’s keeping you from being all that you desire to be or all that you wish to accomplish? I love the quote on my signature line below (that’s why I have it there), “If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.” We were each created with the potential for amazing things beyond our wildest dreams, yet we seem to fall short…why? Because we are human and prone to see our frailties instead of the unmatched power and ability of our unfailing God. We are created in His image to accomplish His purposes and it is in that knowledge that our greatest potential lies…that in His plan we cannot fail because He is faithful. Some times our dreams have to make way for His greater plan and purpose in our lives, so don’t let fear rob you of taking that step with Him even when you don’t understand…just know that He is worth the risk.
“Your pathway to your greatest potential is straight through your greatest fear.” 2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Do great things…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #75 Risk
Risk is an unavoidable part of life. Like I always do, I looked up the definition. Risk is defined as “a situation involving exposure to danger”. Honestly, it shocked me a little because I consider myself a risk-taker but somehow I never really considered the “danger” part. In this day and age risk is all around and yet people want to indulge themselves in more and more risky activities. The headline article in a newspaper recently asked, “Why Are Deadly Extreme Sports More Popular Than Ever?” I’d like to know that myself but the article didn’t provide an answer. But I do know this, progress always involves risks. You can’t steal second base and keep your foot on first.
There are plenty of risks out there and it’s important to take them. So here’s the teachable moment, take the risks that are worth it and avoid the risks that are not.
Here’s an example of a great risk (which really isn’t a risk because the Lord is completely trustworthy) He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. Matthew 14:29 (That’s a risk worth taking, the benefits of obedience are amazing!)
Make it a great week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 74 And Then Some
“And then some,” these three words have had a sustaining presence in my life for many, many years. They have propelled me to be better than I was and oftentimes better than I wanted to be.
Do good, and then take it to the next level of excellence, that is where the “and then some” comes in. Look at the example the Lord left us, in Romans 5:6-8 it says, “When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.” Now that is “and then some” to the extreme.
Kid’s don’t care how many sermons you preach to them. The only sermon they’ll hear is how you live your life in front of them. That’s true for our relationships with the kids in our lives and true for us as Children of God. Our Heavenly Father is the ultimate example of the “and then some” lifestyle.
Matthew 5:41 “If someone forces you to go with him one mile, go with him two miles.”
How about it?
Have an amazing week and then some!
Cynthia
STGM # 73 Quotes for the Journey
“Leadership is not about titles, positions or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another.” John C. Maxwell
“The only thing that stands between a person and what they want in life is the will to try it and the faith to believe it possible.”
Perseverance is not a long race: It is many short races, one after another.“ Walter Elliot
Esther 4:14 posed the question about perhaps being in the right place at the right time for God’s purpose. ”….And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?“
"The right person in the right position can change the world.”
Have an amazing, world-changing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 72 The Power of “Better”
There is a lot of pressure we put on ourselves because of the word “best”. Everyone wants to be the best and there is nothing wrong with it…aim high and yes, be the best you can be. But when the pursuit to be the “best” doesn’t bring out the best in you, then what?
I am personally driven by the concept of small incremental changes. The easiest way to get to best is to go through better. Just keep making progress and intentionally do “better”. Can you imagine a world where everyone was committed to simply doing better and being better? I can only imagine it and it brings a smile to my face.
We don’t have to be the best according to the world’s standard but we are to do our best according to the Lord’s. The goal then is to be about doing our best.
In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people. Colossians 3:23
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #71 Magnify Pt 2
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.”
One of the responses I received after last weeks email is what I would like to share today. He said it reminded him of II Cor. 4: 17- 18; This light, temporary nature of our suffering is producing for us an everlasting weight of glory, far beyond any comparison, So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
If we would look at our circumstances as God sees them (through HIS eyes), then ant hills will remain ant hills and not become Franklin mountains. Our circumstances will remain small, and our God the GREAT GOD that He is.
That’s a great response. It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see. I trust we will all see things differently and shift our perspectives on purpose!
“What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” Look to magnify Him and see how much your perspective changes!
Cynthia
STGM #70 Magnify
I have been thinking about the word magnify. It means, “to make (something) appear larger than it is, especially with a lens or microscope.” Interestingly enough, we really don’t need a lens or an magnifying glass…we do a good job making things bigger than they appear on our own. For example, we worry about things that never materialize, we’re fearful over a matter we can’t control or a rumor has unsettled us for some reason or another…we magnify the problem… we made it larger than it really is. Let’s stop that right now, it’s completely unproductive. Magnifying something doesn’t make the object or issue bigger, it only makes it bigger in our eyes!
Instead, do this, Psalm 34:3 says, “Oh magnify the Lord with me.” Magnifying the Lord does not make Him bigger (He is already everywhere and covers everything, He’s all that!), magnifying Him simply makes Him bigger in your eyes!
Just food for thought!
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #69 The Power Of A Good Mentor
The following quote is often attributed to Zig Zigler, well whoever said it, I appreciate their wisdom! “A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because someone else believed in them.”
Look back through your life for a moment and let me ask you some questions. When you look back, who was it that believed in you? Who challenged you to raise the bar in life? Regardless of how long ago it was, you still remember that person that impacted your life. Good mentors matter! Believe it or not, but the people around you determine your success. Remember, each relationship nurtures a strength or a weakness in you, so find a good mentor and grow strong…on purpose!
Here’s THE Best Mentor - “But when the Spirit of truth comes He will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words. He will speak only what he hears and will tell you what is to come.” John 16:13
Have an amazing week!
Cynthia
STGM #69 The Power Of A Good Mentor
The following quote is often attributed to Zig Zigler, well whoever said it, I appreciate their wisdom! “A lot of people have gone farther than they thought they could because someone else believed in them.”
Look back through your life for a moment and let me ask you some questions. When you look back, who was it that believed in you? Who challenged you to raise the bar in life? Regardless of how long ago it was, you still remember that person that impacted your life. Good mentors matter! Believe it or not, but the people around you determine your success. Remember, each relationship nurtures a strength or a weakness in you, so find a good mentor and grow strong…on purpose!
Here’s THE Best Mentor - “But when the Spirit of truth comes He will lead you into all truth. He will not speak his own words. He will speak only what he hears and will tell you what is to come.” John 16:13
Have an amazing week!
Cynthia
STGM #68 Listening Lessens Mistakes
“Mistakes are painful when they happen, but years later a collection of mistakes is what is called experience.” I don’t know about you, but in the realm of mistakes, I am highly experienced….PhD level!
When I was much younger, I used to spend a large amount of my time wondering about the tremendous amount of mistakes I had made and continued to make. I used to think I was just prone to mistakes in the same way people were prone to accidents. It wasn’t until I decided to listen more that I discovered the problem….I didn’t know how to really listen. I heard people talking to me but I wasn’t even remotely listening. I realized that listening wasn’t only a gift we honor others with, it is also a gift we give ourselves. I make less mistakes now because I listen more.
“Hearing tells you the music is playing, but listening tells you what the song is saying.”
“Listen to counsel and receive instruction
so that you may be wise later in life."Proverbs 19:20
Next week I’ll delve into the power of a good mentor.
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 67 Keep Growing
Leadership expert John Maxwell, said that the picture of success isn’t the same for any two people because surprise, we are all very different. So after his more than 25 years of knowing successful people and studying the subject, he developed the following definition of success: Success is…knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others. (Sounds like a mini synopsis of our life in Christ)
Simply achieving goals doesn’t guarantee success or happiness. You must have the right picture of success (it has to be anchored in God). Know your purpose (you were created for Him) and continue growing towards your potential.
Keep growing when things get tough, keep growing even when you don’t feel like it, and keep growing…even through failure. Never forget that you cannot take the success journey without experiencing failure so appreciate the value of failure and tough times and GROW!
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM #66 Attitude is Everything
This was a reminder for me so I’m sharing it as a reminder for us all. I couldn’t have said it better.
“The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude to me is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company… a church… a home. The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past… We cannot change the fact that people will act a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is plan on the one thing we have, and that is our attitude… I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you… We are in charge of our attitudes.” ~ Charles R. Swindoll
Have a great week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 65 Failure to Success 3
Be encouraged to have an amazing week as you read these stories about more people who pressed through failure to success.
Thomas Edison’s teachers told him he was “too stupid to learn anything.”
After that, things stayed bleak for a while, as Edison went onto be fired from his first two jobs, for not being suitably productive.
Edison went on to hold more than 1,000 patents and invented some world-changing devices, like the phonograph, practical electrical lamp, and a movie camera.
After Harrison Ford’s first small movie role, an executive took him into his office and told him he’d never succeed in the movie business.
Ford’s career went on to span six decades, and has included timeless starring roles in blockbuster films like the “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” series.
Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss, had his first book rejected by 27 different publishers.
Dr. Seuss became a legendary children’s author known around the world for classics like “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham.” His books have sold over 600 million copies.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Cynthia
STGM # 64 Through Failure to Success 2
The definition of failure is “lack of success”. Last week I mentioned a quote about doubling our failure rate if we want more success. We don’t have to go out and try to fail…all we have to do is move towards success. We move through failure to get to success so never fear failure. Failure gives us a way to begin again more intelligently. Consider these examples:
Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because his editor felt he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
Oprah Winfrey was publicly fired from her first television job as an anchor in Baltimore for getting “too emotionally invested in her stories.”
Sir Isaac Newton’s mother pulled him out of school as a boy so that he could run the family farm. He failed miserably. Realizing her son was not meant to till the land, she let Newton finish his basic education and was eventually persuaded to allow him to enroll in Cambridge University. Newton went on to become one of the greatest scientists of all time, revolutionizing physics and mathematics.
“So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NET Bible)
What’s your story?
Have a great week on purpose.
Cynthia
STGM # 63 Through Failure to Success
Here’s an interesting quote by Thomas Watson, Sr., who said, “If you want to increase your success rate, double your failure rate.” What! Let me allow that sink in for a moment. Why in the world would anybody want to double their failure rate to be more successful? Wouldn’t that make us more vulnerable and more exposed to ridicule? Probably, but if the goal is success - the accomplishment of an aim or purpose, then somewhere along the way failure is inevitable.
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man be perfected without trials. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
We are most certainly going to go through difficulties, challenges and failures on the way to success, but oh what a journey it will be!
We are not failing when failure comes…we’re simply on our way to success…
Keep moving forward, on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 62 Prioritize
A while back I wrote about scheduling ourselves into our own calendars, well, I want to revisit that topic and share a quote I just read. The quote is a Scottish Proverb and goes like this, “What may be done at any time will be done at no time”. Thought-provoking huh?
How many times have we planned an activity of self-care and didn’t carry it out? If you are like me…and I hope you’re not…it rarely seems to happen.
I was thinking about some of the best times that I’ve had were those intentional moments that I planned and carried out, despite the challenges or time constraints. They weren’t days, they were moments…powerful, orchestrated moments…quite a few of them surrounding my time with the Lord. All of those times were amazing!
“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities”. Stephen Covey
“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” Eccl. 3:1
Have an awe-inspiring week with orchestrated moments of self-care…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 61 See Things Differently
“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.” So what do you see? I hope it’s endless possibilities infused with limitless wisdom, direction and guidance. Sounds like a recipe for success, well it is.
Does your vision in life reveal what motivates you? Does it make you proud of what you do and the good it creates? How about this, does it help you measure the true meaning of your work? And when you look again at your personal mission statement, does it bring out the best in you?
Now is the time to shift the filter in how we see things. Let’s see things from the heavenly perspective of an all things are possible God!
When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.
Have an amazing week on purpose.
Cynthia
STGM # 60 Oxygen
“Honoring yourself is not selfish, it’s vital.” What a profound statement, however, I want to add an additional focus to it. I want to re-frame that quote in your mind to bring attention to the word “vital”, which is defined as “absolutely necessary”.
Every living person on earth needs oxygen to live, so oxygen is absolutely necessary…it’s vital. My question to you (I asked myself the same question) is “What’s your oxygen? What’s vital and absolutely necessary for you?” Whatever it is, treat it like oxygen and don’t live without it.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.Philippians 4:8 (NET Bible)
Make "these things” your oxygen!
Have a great week on purpose!
Cynthia
My Apologies
My apologies everyone. I just remembered I have a STGM to do….however, that’s not going to happen. I am involved in a major move with one of my clients. I just realized that in about 15 minutes I will not have access to email except via my phone . And as much as I enjoy sending these messages, I realized it probably isn’t enough to want to compose it on my phone. Please bear with me for one more week.
Have an amazing, awe-inspiring week - on purpose!
…and a special shout out to my wonderful sister Cheryl on her __th Birthday!!! 😎Love you my sister! 📣🎂
Cynthia
STGM # 59 A Worthy Mission
Our personal mission statements should motivate us. In fact, it should also motivate those we hope to influence. It is a way to focus our energy, decisions, behaviors and actions towards the things that are most important to us. Likewise, our mission statement should also empower us to succeed at home first - success at work matters little if we don’t have a place to come home to.
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], but forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26
Take some time this week to have a laser focus on what is truly important and what is genuinely a worthy investment of your time.
Today is your new canvas, make it mission driven and purpose filled!
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 58 Personal Mission Statement Cont’d
Personal mission statements are for everyday interactions, not just for yearly reflections. They should also be more important for us in every day life than they are for large companies who have them stretched out across their walls.
Life throws us hard decisions we must face and pathways we would rather not walk down, but they happen anyway. One small way we can stay prepared is to constantly have a personal, God-given mission to drive us. We don’t have to share our mission publicly, having one and living it out loud is enough.
Make sure your personal mission statement is meaningful for you and not a great piece of literature written for someone else.
“But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Exodus 9:16
Live your mission out loud, totally empowered and on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 57 Personal Mission Statements
I believe mission statements are powerful and provide focus for business success. But even more powerful is a personal mission statement. A good personal mission statement should guide, define and pinpoint who we are and what we do. Here are three personal mission statements from three well known and extremely successful people. I hope they inspire you to come up with your own if you don’t have one.
“To serve as a leader, live a balanced life, and apply ethical principles to make a significant difference.” Denise Morrison, CEO, Campbell Soup Company
“To be a teacher. And to be known for inspiring my students to be more than they thought they could be.” Oprah Winfrey (I was surprised by that one too!)
“To have fun in my journey through life and learn from my mistakes.” Sir Richard Branson
Put yourself on a mission to discover your mission and become everything you were put on this earth for.
Have an amazing, mission focused life…on purpose!
God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:27
Cynthia
STGM # 56 Resilience
Resilience is the ability to adapt and excel in the face of challenges, change and adversity. Simply put, if you are resilient you are stronger and more capable than you realize.
I believe the hardest part of this journey called life is hitting the reset button and to get moving again after any pain or devastation. Resilience needs to be our focus after a set back. Sometimes it’s hard to see how we will ever get back to a place of peace or gain any joy about the future because we can’t get past our current pain.
Just remember, we are created in God’s image, so it is possible to emerge from challenges better, stronger and wiser. Resilience is the key to longevity and success – both personally and professionally…and our Heavenly Father is the key to resilience.
I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Phil. 4:13
Be resilient on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 55 Enjoy The Journey
I was reading something by John Maxwell and as usual it got me thinking. He said, “Those who achieve their dreams don’t have an easier path than those who do not. They just have a different internal attitude about the journey”. It’s all about perception, how you perceive something is really going to direct how you move forward or even “if” you move forward.
Let’s not allow a bad attitude to poison our lives, hold us hostage or crush the dreams of those around us. We must shift our perspective - and when we do, our pain can shift to purpose.
The one who achieves the dream sees the journey differently.
We live by what we believe, not by what we see. 2 Corinthians 5:7
Shift your perspective and enjoy the journey this week!
Cynthia
STGM # 54 Rise and Shine
There are two types of pain in the world, pain that hurts you and pain that challenges you. Have you ever noticed that the exact same situation can happen to two people at the same exact time, yet their response to the same situation is vastly different? Adversity is a fact of life, we can’t escape it and It can’t be controlled. What we can control is how we react to it. The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them. Use them to climb…don’t let them crush you.
“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” Psalms 34:19
Remember, stars can’t shine without darkness…
It’s a new day, rise and shine!
Cynthia
STGM #53 Use Your Gift Well
It is said that peace comes from a balanced life and a clear mission statement. So, with our peaceful, balanced lives and our mission clear…now what? We keep doing what we’re doing and stay aware that we’re here for a purpose and gifted for a reason. How awesome is that?
On the flip side, if we fail to give each part the proper attention and care it deserves, we’ll experience problems. One way to avoid these problems is to keep in balance why we are gifted in the first place and use our gift for its proper purpose…to serve others.
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
1 Peter 4:10, it says, “Each of you has been blessed with one of God’s many wonderful gifts to be used in the service of others. So use your gift well.”
Someone is waiting on the difference you’re going to make in their lives!
Have an amazing week on purpose and look for that opportunity.
Cynthia
STGM # 52 Pulling Power
“If you are working on something exciting that you really care about, you don’t have to be pushed. The vision pulls you.” - Steve Jobs
I hope that as you move through 2016 that you are involved in something that is pulling you into your greatest work yet. Your “work” does not have to be something you’re paid to do, but it should by all means stir your passion! If you love what you do you never have to work a day in your life. So I hope your vision is bigger than you and that it pulls on the best of everything in you.
Don’t fall into the same trap as many people. They settle for what is easy rather than engage their energy and creativity to create something different and meaningful. Then they wonder why their work has no significance. On purpose connect with your passion and let your passion drive your work and vision will pull you forward.
“Now glory be to God, who by his mighty power at work within us is able to do far more than we would ever dare to ask or even dream of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes.” Ephesians 3:20
Connect your work to His plans and you’ll have vision that produces remarkable pulling power!
Have an amazing week…period.
Cynthia
STGM #51 The Power of Yesterday
WARNING! This is not a politically correct email!
What can I possibly write that could ever top the power of yesterday? (Easter Sunday for those reading this later). Nothing. But here are a few quotes to remind you of the power of yesterday. The power of what yesterday represented is worthy of a deeper second look and it is the power for you today.
“No matter how devastating our struggles, disappointments, and troubles are, they are only temporary. No matter what happens to you, no matter the depth of tragedy or pain you face, no matter how death stalks you and your loved ones, the Resurrection promises you a future of immeasurable good.” Josh McDowell
“We live and die; Christ died and lived!” John Stott
Remember, this is not a life that ends in death, this is a death that ends in life….Thank you Jesus!
“He is not here. He has been raised, just as he said. Come and see the place where he was lying.” Matthew 28:6
What an amazing day indeed!
Cynthia
STGM # 50 The Power of Feedback
I always love the feedback I receive from you, not because I am vain or need pats on the back – I don’t. I simply love feedback because I am committed to being a life-long learner. I learn from others when they share out of their treasure of wisdom and knowledge…I listen and learn, although that was not always the case.
After the last STGM about being able to sleep when the wind blows, I received the following email. “Interesting that one of my favorite scriptures is Mark 4: 35-39. This the only account in scripture of Jesus sleeping. He was able to s sleep soundly because He knew God’s promise in Proverbs 3:24. I am learning to trust God’s word with all my heart. And my nightly sleeps are always sweet.” Joseph B.
I am reminded of the words of Margaret Fuller who said, “If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.”
So, from my candle to Joseph’s and now to yours…someone is waiting for your candle to light theirs.
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
“Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:24-27
Being able to sleep when the wind blows is a beautiful thing!
www.ShiftToGrow.com
STGM # 49 Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows
Here’s another valuable lesson in story form, enjoy.
“Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows?”
A young man applied for a job as a farmhand. When the farmer asked for his qualifications, he said, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” This puzzled the farmer. But he liked the young man, and hired him. A few days later, the farmer and his wife were awakened in the night by a violent storm. They quickly began to check things out to see if all was secure. They found that the shutters of the farmhouse had been securely fastened. A good supply of logs had been set next to the fireplace. The young man slept soundly. The farmer and his wife then inspected their property. They found that the farm tools had been placed in the storage shed, safe from the elements. The tractor had been moved into the garage. The barn was properly locked. Even the animals were calm. All was well. The farmer then understood the meaning of the young man’s words, “I can sleep when the wind blows.” Because the farmhand did his work loyally and faithfully when the skies were clear, he was prepared for the storm when it broke. So when the wind blew, he was not afraid. He could sleep in peace.
Can you sleep when the wind blows?
Something to think about.
“Always be ready! You don’t know when the Son of Man will come.” Matthew 24:44
Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia#STG
STGM # 48 Think Great Thoughts
If we want to change anything about our lives, we have to change the way we see it first. Albert Einstein said, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” Many times the rut we find ourselves in is a result of our own negative thoughts. When we think we can’t do something, we’re not qualified, we don’t deserve some thing or whatever those self-defeating thoughts are… just make a decision to think a different way. Yes, that’s right, do it on purpose. Get the process started. The more we develop this as a practice in our lives, the more our lives will begin to shift in meaningful and powerful ways.
“If you think you are beaten, you are,
if you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you would like to win but think you can’t,
it is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
for out in the world we find,
success begins with a fellows will -
it’s all in the state of mind.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are,
you’ve got to think high to rise,
you’ve got to be sure of yourself before
you can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles don’t always go
to the stronger or faster man,
but sooner or later the man who wins
is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN.” Napoleon Hill
“…….what people say with their mouths comes from what fills their hearts.” Luke 6:45
Think great thoughts…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 47 Today
Dan Miller, the author of 48 Days said that when you can think of yesterday without regret, and of tomorrow without fear, you are well on the road to success. Don’t get distracted by the past or burdened with the weight of its regrets, there is nothing you can do about it. Put your focus on today and on God’s purpose for you in it.
You only have one shot at each day…live it to its greatest potential. What’s the best for this day? If you have the opportunity to do something special for family or friend, seize that opportunity. Maybe you need to forgive someone, do it. Forgiving doesn’t free the other person, it frees you. Perhaps you are overwhelmed, you have been overwhelmed before, from experience you know that this too shall pass.
“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34
Have a great day…today.
Cynthia
STGM # 46 Game-changer
How is your coachability? What about your eagerness to learn? These traits are necessary for a great mentoring experience. Implementing what you learn and repetition play important roles in developing your skill, but having someone oversee and encourage you as you Shift To Grow is the real key to growth and excellence.
Regardless of whether you are being mentored or you are mentoring someone (I think it’s powerful when both happen at the same time) keep making steady progress. Another key is finding someone who engages you about your goals, your progress towards meeting those goals and the path to get you there.
Mentoring is a game-changing relationship!
“In learning you will teach, in teaching you will learn”
The Apostle Paul said, “And you should follow my example just as I follow Christ’s” 1 Corinthians 11:1
Make it a game-changing day…on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 45 Mentors Inspire
I have phenomenal mentors. It’s awesome to have some and a privilege to be one. That was one of my thoughts as I read the recent El Paso Times Editorial, “Braham leaves lasting legacy in El Paso”. My other thought was how blessed I am to have her as a mentor. Our mentoring relationship has been an enriching journey of sharing life’s experiences and God’s faithfulness…and my how I’ve grown.
Isaac Newton said, “If I have seen further, it’s because I’ve stood on the shoulders of giants”, Dr. Sandra Braham is one of those giants. Taking some editorial privilege on a quote by William Arthur Ward, (I substituted the word mentor for his word teacher). “The mediocre mentor tells. The good mentor explains. The superior mentor demonstrates. The great mentor inspires.” I am inspired by amazing mentors!
To read the editorial click on the link below. To be inspired…find a great mentor! (You’ll be inspired by the editorial as well.)
Congratulations Sandra and thank you!
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/02/02/editorial-sandra-braham-leaves-legacy-el-paso/79667756/
Cynthia
STGM # 44 Leap!
You are in for a treat this week! After I received this I knew I had to share it with you. I'm pleased to introduce Tonnette Easter, a True Colors colleague and a gifted leader. Enjoy and leap!
Leap and the net will appear! What are you leaping into this year?
http://walkrunsoar.com/blog/54-leap
Please enjoy and leap into your next chapter!
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Tonnette Easter, CEO
Walk Run Soar Enterprises, LLC
People| Passion| Purpose
STGM # 43 Time Matters
Another month in 2016 has come and gone....yes, time flies!
Time goes by so fast that we need to actually use some of it just to make sure we are honoring the time we have, guarding it and using it wisely.
We live in a society that is overloaded with activities, too fast paced, and always seeking new "time saving devices" that don't really save us any time at all! We need to realize how valuable our lives are and that we are not designed to fill every moment with an activity of some kind.
What would slowing down and honoring the life that God gave you look like?
As you plan and set your goals for the months ahead, spend that time defining WHO you want to be, not WHAT you want to be doing.
I pray that He not only blesses you this week...but that He amazes you!
Have a week filled with an amazement about your divine purpose and priceless value!
Enjoy your TIME!
Cynthia
www.ShiftToGrow.com
STGM #42 Productivity Questions
Every successful business looks for an edge, something to give them a leg up on the competition. What if your business simply shifted the way it sees productivity? What if we threw the net out farther than ever before but in a way that captured the creativity, power and productivity of the people in our organizations…without overwhelming them? Sounds empowering doesn’t it?
Try this during your next meeting, stand up or reporting session. Ask your employees or your team to tell you these three things, it will give them a major mind shift.
1. What they did to change the world yesterday
2. How are they going to crush it today? and
3. How are they going to blast through any obstacles unfortunate enough to be standing in their way?
When we ask better questions we get better answers! When we get better answers we’ll have better results!
The purpose is not to meet…but to improve.
“Ask and it shall be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7
Ask yourself those same 3 questions and have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 41 An Intentional 2016 #2
In the book Re-engineering The Corporation, it talks about organizations becoming bewildered rather than energized when it’s asked to do too much at once. I look for layers of truth when I read because truth happens on so many different levels. There is so much to learn from that perspective. Not only have I discovered the truth from that book just as it is written, it is true with regards to our personal lives as well. When we are asked to take on too much, it doesn’t energize us - it bewilders, pressures and overwhelms us.
“The price of anything is the amount of life that is exchanged for it.” Henry David Thoreau
Don’t trade what is truly important for that which is not.
For what will it profit if we gain the whole world yet lose our soul? Or what shall we give in exchange for our soul? Matthew 16:26
Be intentional about your life…it’s precious.
Cynthia
STGM # 40 An Intentional 2016
Ask 10 people what it takes to have a successful 2016 and you will probably get 10 different answers. So don't spend any more time hashing out what you could have done to have a successful year in 2015...just have a more amazing 2016 (on purpose).
The secret to a great year is to intentionally have great days. Likewise, the secret to great days is to intentionally have great hours and minutes. Even when life deals you a blow, a heartache, trauma or injustice, remember all that you have survived already and that this too shall pass.
Another one of my favorite quotes is, "It doesn't have to be well with my circumstances for it to be well with my soul." J. Rothschild
A leader isn't leading unless he or she keep moving forward.
YOU are strong, wonderfully made and equipped for an "over the top" 2016!
Make it so...intentionally.
...forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. Philippians 3:13
Cynthia
STGM # 39 Don't Get Overwhelmed
Don’t get overwhelmed. Easier said than done, right? This time of the year can affect us with a wide range of emotions if we allow it, from over-the-top ecstatic to the deepest pits of despair. Something to do intentionally is to not get overwhelmed! One definition of overwhelmed is to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with. (Which means you can be overwhelmed by things that are good too.) In this busy, hectic and over-scheduled world we live in, let’s throw it a curve ball and simplify our lives.
What does simplifying your life look like? Get a picture of it and make steps towards it.
Here is a thought provoking quote to consider, “No man can deliver the goods if his heart is heavier than the load.” Frank Irving Fletcher
“Come to me, all you who are struggling hard and carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Put on my yoke, and learn from me. I’m gentle and humble. And you will find rest for yourselves. Matthew 11:28-29
Lighten the load and simplify your life.
Cynthia
STGM # 38 Vision or Sight
I recently saw a story that inspired me a great deal. It was a very compelling story about an architect that lost his sight due to a growth on his optic nerve, later diagnosed as a tumor. He said his father had a similar surgery at the age of 37 when he was only 7 years old. His father passed away during that risky surgery. The architect was now faced with a similar surgery of his own, now 40 and with a 10 year old son of his own. With a great deal of fear he had the surgery and thankfully survived. It was after this surgery to remove the tumor that he lost his eyesight. An architect losing his eyesight sounds like a career-ender doesn't it? Not so in his case, not only did he survive, he thrived. He has become a world renowned architect and wants everyone to know that he is an architect without sight, not an architect without vision.
"Even though I go through the darkest valley (the valley of the shadow of death), I fear no danger, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff - they comfort me." Psalm 23:4
Remember this, a shadow is simply proof that there is light on the other side.
Do great things on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 37 Always Be Thankful
Although Thanksgiving as a holiday is over, giving thanks and gratitude should never be. The act of being thankful needs to be another intentional part of our every day lives because there is always something to be thankful for. Truly successful people are thankful people.
We live in a very fast-paced society and if we are not careful it will overwhelm us and leave us feeling drained and unappreciated. What happens when we begin to feel that way? Simple, we lose sight of the positive and have a 20/20 focus on the negative. It seems we forget about the times we had successes, were honored, happy, helped, protected, cared for and loved. Remember your thankful moments and write them down. If you must, practice being thankful (on purpose) until it is as natural as breathing.
“Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
“In every circumstance of life be thankful; for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Breathe deep!
I’m thankful for you,
Cynthia
STGM # 36 Simple Process, Excellent Results
Living a life we are proud of doesn't take a miracle, it simply requires effort, time and focus on the right things. I like to keep things simple and that's always worked best for me. For instance, I look at basic mathematical equations (basic is all I can handle) and see strategies for successfully navigating relationships. We have addition, subtraction, multiplication and division right? Likewise, there are people who add to our lives, some subtract or take away, some multiply and some divide. Relationships don't seem so complex when we see it from that perspective.
Here is a very simplified thought process for success when we are committed to the right things. Ready? Here they are, "Attract what you expect, reflect what you desire, become what you respect and mirror what you admire." Your commitment to excellence makes a real difference, keep moving forward.
"Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 CEV
Have an amazing week on purpose
Cynthia
STGM # 35 The Power of Your Story
I am continually amazed by the tenacity of the human spirit and the no quit attitude that people possess. Some of the world’s most encouraging stories come from people who were crushed by circumstances beyond their control and how they came through it. Some of the most encouraging stories I’ve heard that impacted my life were your stories…yes, your stories! We all have stories and tucked inside of them are messages of hope for others. Think about the stories that inspired and encouraged you personally. Someone had to come through some type of difficulty, trauma, circumstance or loss for that story to be told. People who share their stories of lessons learned are witnesses of hope….so what’s your story and who needs to hear it?
“What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies within you.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“I know how to live in poverty or prosperity. No matter what the situation, I’ve learned the secret of how to live when I’m full or when I’m hungry, when I have too much or when I have too little. I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:12-13
GOD’S WORD Translation Here’s to an amazing week for you and for those you’ll honor with your story!
Cynthia
STGM # 34 Learn, Live, Lead
Harry S. Firestone, the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company said, “The growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership.” That’s true, and as leaders we also need to continually develop and grow. Leaders learn, live and then teach what we know. As we develop as leaders we must be intentional about how we handle the challenges in our lives. Why? Because someone needs us to show them how to navigate the chaos successfully. Look how far you have progressed and all that you have learned through your challenges up to this point. You didn’t take the easy way but the worthwhile way! Thank you for being a role model of learning and growth, you are making a profound difference to those who watch your life for clues to their own success.
“You have to be brave with your life so others can be brave with theirs.”
Bad Experience + Poor Response = Shaky Foundation
Bad Experience + Good Response = Learning and Growth
The life you live is the lesson you teach…keep teaching well! Have an amazing week on purpose!
Cynthia
STGM # 33 Leaders Bring Hope
There's no doubt about it, these are difficult times and difficult times require seasoned leaders...like YOU! Difficult times require us to be prepared and stay prepared. Here are a few actions to add to your toolkit to help you when a crisis hits out of the blue. First, adjust your attitude and get a firm hold on your emotions (for me, that's not the easiest of my self-directed activities ).
I tell people all the time that our emotions are like our children, we need to reign them in. You have probably already discovered that your emotions have a mind of their own. Second, help the people around you. As a leader you have answers, skills and experiences, so put your gifting and wisdom to work helping others make the leap from knowledge to understanding. And third, be a purveyor of hope. Those who want hope just can't be consumers of it, they must be purveyors of it as well. As a leader you can transform people's lives by providing hope, do it on purpose.
So let me ask you, what shifts in your attitude do you need to make? Are you willing to help others make the leap from knowledge to understanding? And most importantly, where do you get your hope from?
"I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
STGM # 32 Leaders
The late Myles Munroe said, "Great leaders are ordinary people who did extraordinary things because circumstances made demands on their potential." When demands are being placed on our potential, we need to keep in mind that it's all about developing the gift and potential God has placed in us. He also sends people across our path to aid in drawing that potential out.
Perhaps it's time we all shifted our perspective of the challenges we face and instead of seeing them as problematic, we view them as a proving ground for greater opportunities. Remember this, when a major crisis hits, people aren't necessarily looking for a badge that says "leader" on it. They are searching for answers and characteristics that only appear in those who have overcome pressures and passed the character tests associated with it.
Regardless of what you do in your everyday life, remember that when a crisis hits, you are a leader to someone. A leader is not always the person with the title, it's the person with the answer.
You are a leader...lead well, on purpose!
STGM # 31 STGM # 1 Mentors Bring Meaning
Do you have someone who pushes you to improve? I hope so, we all need that for our growth and development, both personally and professionally. It is vitally important that we create an atmosphere and culture of growth with the people around us. "Growth isn't for everybody. Some people want to stay the same forever." The fact that you are reading this tells me you want to grow. I pray those around you are energizing your dreams, celebrating your successes and challenging the status quo in your life. If that's so, you are well on your way to a prosperous life.
It is likely that you've heard the phrase "diamond in the rough" at some point in time. It is sometimes used to describe someone whose beauty and brilliance is not yet evident. We are blessed that God has placed mentors on our path to assist in bringing that beauty out of us...they are looking for us. In the same way, we will be there for someone on their journey to help bring out their best...look for them!
"We rise by lifting others." Robert Ingersoll
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
Make it an amazing week on purpose and make the Shift To Grow!
STGM # 30 According to Plan or Pressure?
Fall officially began on September 23rd, however the signs of the season of cooler weather didn't show up until many weeks later. Think about that, even though the calendar said it should be Fall, the actual weather did not support the calendar. Here's the lesson, even though something is delayed or doesn't happen when we think it should...don't get frustrated and certainly don't quit! If something is destined...it will show up, maybe not on our schedule, but it will show up!
There are definitely going to be times when others will set deadlines for us, that's a part of life, but that shouldn't be our entire life. Just like farmers need to know the appropriate seasons and times for planting, we need to know the appropriate times and seasons for our lives. More importantly, we need to discern when we are moving according to God's plan or according to fear and pressure.
I love this quote, it kept me from impatience for many years, "Patience is the weapon that forces deception to reveal itself." Mike Murdock
9 And let us not lose heart and grow weary and faint in acting nobly and doing right, for in due time and at the appointed season we shall reap, if we do not loosen and relax our courage and faint. Galatians 6:9Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
Never give up, you are closer to victory than you realize!
STGM # 29 Take the Stairs
I recently read a question in a book just released by a friend, his question was, "When adversity shows up, will it be your crutch or stair?" It really made me think.
I am amazed at people who encounter tragedy and respond in ways that are unfathomable. We can look to their courageous examples for encouragement when situations slam into our own lives.
For instance, I was watching a Toyota commercial that had a young woman who was a double amputee. As she completed her marathon on her two prosthetic legs, she said, "I ran a race that most people wouldn't have even considered starting." At some point in time she had to transition herself from tragedy to possibility, we can do the same. We have a world filled with examples of those who overcame impossible odds because they recognized the "nothing is impossible God!”
I also listened to a powerful story of a Navy Seal who lost both legs, both arms and a portion of his face and skull to an improvised explosive device. His final words to the audience were, "It’s possible for someone to lose half of one's physical self and still be whole". I love that!
Let me encourage you today, regardless of what you are facing today or will ever face...you are never without hope and you are stronger than you know.
“That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10
Now that's a real SHIFT in thinking!
(Don't forget to take the stairs!)
STGM # 28 The Butterfly Story
This week I'd like to share a story with a very profound message on transition. (This is another one of my favorites). Enjoy.
"A little boy found a fascinating caterpillar. He got a large jar and in the jar he put plants to eat, and a stick for the caterpillar to climb on, and every day he watched it.
One day the caterpillar climbed up the stick and started acting strangely. The mother explained how the caterpillar was going to go through a metamorphosis and become a butterfly.
He watched every day, waiting for the butterfly to emerge. One day it happened, a small hole appeared in the cocoon and the butterfly started to struggle to come out.
The butterfly was struggling so hard to get out! It looked like it couldn’t break free! It looked like it was making no progress!
The boy was so concerned he decided to help. He went to get scissors, and then he snipped the cocoon to make the hole bigger and the butterfly quickly emerged!
As the butterfly came out the boy was surprised. It had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.
The butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings.
It never was able to fly…
As the boy tried to figure out what had gone wrong his mother took him to talk to a scientist from a local college. He learned that the butterfly was SUPPOSED to struggle. In fact, the butterfly’s struggle to push its way through the tiny opening of the cocoon pushes the fluid out of its body and into its wings. Without the struggle, the butterfly would never, ever fly. The boy’s good intentions hurt the butterfly."
As you go through life, keep in mind that struggling is an important part of any growth experience. In fact, it is the struggle that causes you to develop your ability to fly.
The Lord’s gift to you is stronger wings…
"...when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, 3 because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. James 1:2-3
STGM # 27 Transformation #2
Seasons change. Regardless of whether we are ready or not, change is coming. Can you imagine how silly we would look if we didn't adapt our clothing for the season we were in simply because we didn't want to change? Well, just as strange as that would be, it is no different than how we look to the Lord when He desires change in our lives and we refuse.
I believe one thing that needs to be constant in our lives is transition and our willingness to allow it to happen. The definition of transition is, the process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. When a new season of change is on the horizon, it is coming to bring about transition...don't ignore it....run to it and yield to the process, you'll be better for it.
In the weeks to come let's look at how seasons test different areas of our lives. Some seasons test our affections to see what holds the highest priority in our lives. Another season may test our motivations to reveal to us why we're doing the things we do? Come what may, align with God through the process and you will not only come out just fine...you'll come out better...transition is a beautiful thing!
"When you come out of the storm, you won't be the same person who walked in. That's what this storm is all about."
Blessings for an AMAZING week!
STGM # 26 Transformation
Transformation, I like that word, but sometimes not the process it takes to get there. Transformation for me personally means being more like Christ and it's a lifelong commitment to His process.
I was organizing my desk and ran across a quote, "Information brings transformation". I have referred to that quote many times throughout the years, but this particular day it hit me, hey that's not true! Information does not bring transformation. I thought about all the things I learned when I was growing up...I had a lot of information on a lot of different things but it brought zero transformation in my life. Why? Because at that time I didn't want to be transformed, I had no desire to change the crazy things I was doing.
Consider this simple riddle (it's one of my favorites). Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left? Answer: five. Why? Because there's a difference between deciding and doing.
...yeah....we're going to take a few weeks to drill down deeper into the topic of transformation. "The pursuit of excellence begins with careful attention to the little things."
"Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants—what is good, pleasing, and perfect." Romans 12:2
Have an amazing week on purpose!
STGM # 25 Around or In #2
In one form or another we all have what are called, "tools of the trade". These are things that help us do our jobs more effectively and to sharpen our craft. If you are a chef, you have culinary tools that you use. Perhaps you are a musician, then a musical instrument would be yours.
Now, let's connect STGM #24 to this one. The tools I just mentioned are all tangible things, good items, but they are the things that are AROUND us. We spend tremendous amounts of time honing our crafts, getting more tools of the trade and striving for success we know it can bring. That's all fine and good, but let's commit a little more time to developing what's IN us...let's go for what matters most! We need to build a bigger character tool box (on purpose) for the new tools we're going to acquire that will truly enlarge our lives.
"Character isn't something you were born with and can't change, like your fingerprints. It's something you weren't born with and must take responsibility for forming." Jim Rohn
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness." Galatians 5:22
STGM # 24 Around or In # 1
What's more important, building things AROUND you or IN you? It should be a simple answer. The answer is indeed simple, but the application of it isn't. In today's world of instant everything, do we really need to develop patience anymore? Do we really need to invest that kind of time? Of course we do. As a matter of fact, patience is a time-tested virtue and a valuable character trait that is developed within.
Too much time is spent on the admiration and acquisition of external things (stuff) when the real treasure is developed within. So as you plan and set your future goals, spend that time defining who you want to be, not what you want to have or what you want to be doing.
Go for the real gold, the true value in life...."for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". Luke 12:34
STGM # 23 Season’s Change
When we go through difficult times, it's good to know that problems have seasons and seasons do change! Sometimes it's difficult to see how our problems can be anything other than disruptive and painful. But the fact is they can be a springboard to much better things, especially if we learn something through the process.
Instead of letting problems crush us, let's allow the difficulties to transform us in to the people we truly desire to be. Just as fire purifies gold and pressure transforms coal to diamonds, patience matures and completes us. "We go through life with a series of God ordained opportunities, brilliantly disguised as challenges". Charles Udall
I absolutely love the way this reads, James 1:2-4 says, "My brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be."
Do amazing things this week...fear nothing!
STGM # 22 Not Later, Now!
We’re all equally guilty at one time or another of not having patience, even when we know that being patient would be best. We want things immediately…sooner rather than later…and right now, if not quicker. We don’t want to wait for tomorrow. We talk ourselves into believing that we can’t afford to wait or that it will take way too long. Waiting means we won’t have what we want today, that we may miss out on something we can experience right now.
Patience actually goes counter to our instincts. Let’s quickly think back on our moments of impatience, it always seems to cost us something dearly. Patience is something which must be learned and practiced. It isn’t something which comes naturally. It is said that those who master patience become more successful than those who can’t.
“You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what He promises.” Hebrews 10:36
It's worth it for His peace, His wisdom, His answers, His ways, His promises...
That right there will keep me busy for a while….how about you?
Have a great day of practicing patience...on purpose!
STGM # 21 In The Waiting #2
"Waiting (patience) is the ability to count down before you blast off."
What a great quote. I wish I would have known that quote years and years ago, maybe I wouldn't have just "blasted off" as many times as I did.
I'm going to use the words waiting and patience interchangeably to talk about our willingness to wait. Waiting is so essential to build a strong character and especially to develop our faith in God. Before you can "wait" there must be trust. Remember this from last week, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart....? You will not wait on someone you don't trust. Waiting IS an exercise in trust.
It is said, "Waiting is a sign of true love and patience. Anyone can say I love you, but not everyone can wait and prove it's true".
Sometimes waiting is letting something take its natural course. Sometimes it's purposeful waiting as we allow our kids room to develop and grow or it can be dealing with the rough edges of someones personality. Sometimes we may simply need to wait on the healing effects of time. Exercising patience is no fun, but it is worthwhile.
"Patience with others is LOVE. Patience with yourself is HOPE. Patience with God is FAITH.
Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD. Psalm 27:14
STGM # 20 In the Waiting #1
"Wait!"
People don't like that little four-letter word, I know I don't. Truth be told, although it is NO fun whatsoever, waiting is such a vital part of life. I have discovered that waiting is necessary to live life at the next level. (You must know by now that you're going to get a definition). Wait: "to stay where one is or delay action until a particular time or until something else happens"
These times of waiting are probably some of the most powerful "shifts" you will experience in your life....it truly is about what you learn "in the waiting" that eventually shifts your life far beyond your wildest expectations! Waiting helps us to master our own impatience, to slow down, to listen more intently, and to learn the lessons we need to learn BEFORE the next opportunity or season arrives.
We all want God's blessing, the truth is we don't want His timing! Waiting means trusting that God knows what He's doing even when He doesn't share it with us!
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and don't rely on your own understanding..." Prov. 3:5
........on purpose!
STGM # 19 Recovery is in Your DNA
"If there is no change and challenge, there can be no growth and development." Every one of us have been through situations that at the time, we never thought we would make it through or even recover from....but look at us now, we did make it and we did recover.
So when you find yourself in a season of change or feeling beat up by challenges pressing on you, remember, seasons do change. Go back in your mind to those past milestones and be encouraged that you can again make it through. Every experience has taught you something and made you who you are today. Your stories of success, failure, change, and how you dealt with your challenges are embedded in the fabric of your life. Your future has not yet been woven, so go with God and weave something spectacular!
You may not be responsible for being knocked down but you are responsible for getting back up!
No matter how often honest people fall, they always get up again... Proverbs 24:16
Do it on purpose!
STGM # 18 Don’t Forget About Yourself
Add YOUR NAME to your "To Do List" and schedule time for YOU on your calendar...so pencil yourself in! Your life is bigger than your job - business success is great, but NOT at the expense of who God created YOU to be.
It's probably a good time to recapture some things that are important to you, God-given things that you let slip for "other" things. Dust off your dreams and make time for things that build and nourish YOU. The Bible is THE BOOK for wisdom. It says, "And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?" The answer is NO, nothing at all.
One of the BEST pieces of advice I ever received was this; "the Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself...not better than yourself."
For me, it was a game changer! I pray it's a game changer for you too!
Make room for YOU...on purpose!
STGM # 17 Every Minute
Question - How do you have great days? Answer - You make the most of every minute! Minutes make hours, hours make days, days make weeks and so on. It matters how we spend our time. A quote attributed to Ben Franklin says, "Watch your pennies and your dollars will take care of themselves." It works the same way with time, if we look after our minutes, our days will take care of themselves. Time is precious, spend it wisely and purposefully.
After last week’s STGM, I have been focusing more on my TODAYS...and doing it intentionally. It has not been easy, but it is worthwhile.
Every day we all have the same 1,440 minutes. I am blessed that my first 1,440 minutes have grown to 18,966 days! (I know, that's a lot of days) I have had A LOT of great days. "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day."
This is what's so amazing about TODAY, you and I are in it! Let's make the most of it!
This is THE DAY the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it! Psalm 118:24
STGM # 16 Today
"The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work TODAY." What a great quote. Let's take something extremely familiar and look at it with fresh eyes, let's focus on the word "TODAY". One definition for today is: on, during, or for this day. What would happen if we gave our attention fully to TODAY and being fully present for this day? What if we didn't look back at the regrets of the past or at the uncertainty of the future but thanked God for the blessings of TODAY and simply enjoyed the blessings and Him? What would happen if we just lived today and did things intentionally and in excellence, "on and during this day"? I don't know, but I'm going to try it, how about you? Let me know how it works for you.
"Don't let yesterday take up too much of TODAY."
"Spending TODAY complaining about yesterday won't make tomorrow any better."
...and one of my all-time favorites, "all the flowers of all of the tomorrows are in the seeds of TODAY."
Have a great day TODAY...on purpose!
STGM # 15 S-T-R-E-T-C-H
Do you feel like you're being stretched? Challenged? Pushed out of your comfort zone? That's OUTSTANDING!!! You're in the PERFECT position for growth. J. W. Marriott said, "Good timber does not grow with ease, the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees". We develop and grow the same way. Think about it, if we were never challenged to stretch and grow, if we never had to get out of our comfort zone...we'd still be in the womb! (Mercy!!!)
Adversity can strengthen us like nothing else can, that includes situations as well as adversarial people. "We find comfort among those who agree with us - growth among those who don't."
Remember this, you have a purpose and adversity and challenges are always right around the corner. Every good thing I have ever had or have undertaken has come through some degree of adversity, challenge or struggle. We must be willing to face adversity in order to grow. So don't be intimidated by the obstacles, but be encouraged by the potential for great growth!
Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Challenges come...overcome them and grow on purpose!
STGM # 14 Growth
All change is not growth, in the same way that all movement is not forward. Here are some other similar thoughts to ponder this week. Activity does not guarantee progress, it just means you're moving (and it doesn't even tell you which direction). Joel Parker of the company Future Edge is quoted saying, "speed is useful only if you're running in the right direction."
These statements give us an opportunity to pause and look at our lives and make some shifts and changes where they're necessary. We don't have to continually be in pursuit mode, sometimes we just need to shift our thinking and give ourselves permission for rest and relaxation...time to chill. (Even God rested from His work.)
Live life intentionally...on purpose...and with a mission that flows out of your personal values. After all, American author Edward Abbey said "growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell." ...and who wants to live life like that?
STGM # 13 Don’t Believe Every Label
When I decided to landscape my backyard years ago, I knew exactly what I wanted and what I didn't. I was told to be specific to make sure I received the finished product I wanted. One of my requests was for a "non-fruit bearing" plum tree. I wanted the beauty of the vibrant purple leaves but didn't feel the need to fight the birds for the fruit. Long story short, he brought a tree from the nursery with a label that read, "Non-fruit bearing plum tree, ornamental".
A few years later it started bearing fruit, but the label clearly said "non-fruit bearing", how could that be? "Simple, the tree didn't conform to the label that was put on it. It had to be true to itself...and it was indeed a "fruit bearing" plum tree.
Has someone put a label on you that keeps you from your true potential? People will try to label you with labels like "failure", "stubborn", "mistake", "not good enough" or "not qualified". Don't believe the label, discover the true you! The YOU God created you to be. Be like my plum tree, it didn't care what I asked for, nor did it care what label the nursery put on it...it didn't even care what was stated on the receipt, it could only produce what it was....and it did!
"....for a tree is recognized by its fruit." Matthew 12:33 ....not by the label.....
Be amazing, be YOU!
STGM # 12 It’s Grow Time
We have probably all heard the term, "seasons change", but what is the lesson we can learn from them so we can grow? The all-important question is what happens when seasons change and we don't? It's simple, it means we're stuck and we are not able to move forward.
This is especially dangerous if it's a season with an unhealthy emotional tie or relationship. One of the greatest barriers to getting on our best path forward is by being too comfortable functioning where we are. We hesitate to move to the next level especially if it appears that it's going to be a challenging or uncomfortable journey.
These are times of great transition and if things aren't already shifting around you (and in most cases in you) they will be soon, it's the world we live in. You must know that regardless of what the next season brings, if you have the Lord, you have what it takes to make it through, even if everything seems unfamiliar. Choosing to stay in your comfort zone may mean you'll never get to the next level, and that's not in your DNA, you have the DNA of a winner. You are gifted, prepared, and here for such a time as this!
It's GROW time!
STGM # 11 Mid-Year Check Up
It's hard to believe that it's June 1st already. We are 6 months into 2015, so now might be a perfect time to evaluate and shift some things where necessary. No one can go back and start life over again from the beginning, but anyone can start today and build a new and meaningful ending. Change is not change until you change! It's not easy, but it is worthwhile.
Take advantage of June 1st, hit the reset button if you must, but keep moving your life forward. Amaze yourself at the power small incremental changes can make when you make them! Live your life from the inside out, from the true you. Let the Lord speak to you and watch what will happen...you will live a life of excellence that is worthy of other people telling the story...your story.
Be amazed today, on purpose!
STGM # 10 Actions Speak Louder
I'm a "quotes person". I love a good quote, like this one, "Beliefs don't make us who we are, our actions do." That is such a profound thought in such a short statement. We need to put actions to our beliefs, beliefs are good, but it's just the first step. If we truly believed that small incremental steps will get us to our goals and a better place in life, then we would take small, incremental steps. If we truly believed that what we do comes right back to us (that we reap what we sow), we would do more things differently. Equally, if we truly believed that forgiving others actually frees us, we would quickly forgive.
You are far too valuable to be crippled by your past, to be paralyzed by inaction, or to be poisoned by unforgiveness. Believing is the easy part, it's the "doing" that takes courage...so be courageous!
"Beliefs don't make us who we are, our actions do."
Do something courageous this week...on purpose!
On this Memorial Day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
STGM # 9 Set the Standard
Why is Nick Saban so tough on people?
This was a question asked by 60 Minutes reporter Armen Keteyian, who spent eight months with the Alabama football program for a “Behind-the-Scenes with Nick Saban” piece that aired over two years ago.
Saban’s answer?
“I don’t know if that’s fair that I’m really tough on people,” Saban said. “We create a standard for how we want to do things. And everybody’s got to buy into that standard or you really can’t have any team chemistry". But here is the most profound thing I heard Saban say, “Mediocre people don’t like high achievers and high achievers don’t like mediocre people.”
Now you know why you annoy some people...just keep being a high achiever!
.......on purpose!
STGM # 8 You’re Wired For Progress
I don't believe any of you woke up this morning and said to yourself, "I wonder how I can mess this day up for me, how badly can I fail today?" Of course not, that conversation simply doesn't happen with people convinced of their worth and purpose, that's just not how you're wired. You're wired (created) for progression, you were made for growth.
No one has a perfect past, so don't let that stop you. You may not be where you think you should be at this time in your life, just keep moving forward. It's even possible that some of you may be "living the dream", good for you...you still have room to grow.
Listen for "the sound of the genuine" within yourself and others, this is what waters the seeds of greatness within you.
Everything you have experienced up until this point is for improving your life, the lives of others, and for leaving your community and world better than you found it. Keep moving forward....the world needs your growth!
STGM # 7 A Change in Perspective
We all know what it's like to need an answer to something. Sometimes the need for an answer is so pressing that we lose sleep, get anxious, or if the answer is delayed...we get discouraged. An answer can come by listening to someone else's perspective and that new perspective can shift the way we view the entire situation. A change in perspective can sometimes be a game-changer.
Think about this, not only can some one's perspective give us information that may help us solve our problems and get answers, we could be that person with perspective for someone else's answer. The world needs the value of your experiences, your perspective and your willingness to share. Yours could be the one perspective that gives someone the answer they need.
You are more valuable than you know and in you is more than you'll ever realize.
"When you learn, teach. When you get, give. These are lessons to live by." Maya Angelou
Make it an amazing day for someone...on purpose!
STGM # 6 Feedback is a Beautiful Thing
Thanks for the great feedback from last week's Shift to Grow Moment (STGM) on shifting negative words. Sheila responded, "Awesome words to wake up to! Reminds me of something I heard which said; 'Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can shape my reality!'" How powerful is that statement? When we truly understand the power of words....we would make better choices with how we use them.
Shifting negative words to positive ones is something you have to do on purpose and it yields tremendous results. It has to be intentional because it certainly isn't easy. Try this with negative words, "If you wouldn't write it and sign it, don't say it." Earl Wilson - Now do the reverse with your positive words, write it and sign it, then say it! I have learned that the fastest way to hear positive things about yourself is to say them to yourself!
STGM # 5 Defining Words
I love this saying by author Napoleon Hill, "A great many years ago I purchased a fine dictionary. The first thing I did with it was to turn to the word 'impossible' and neatly cut it out of the book."
Dictionaries define words and words define everything - so make certain the right ones are defining you.
When negative words or phrases surface about you, do something similar to what Napoleon Hill did...neatly cut them out of your life.
Intentionallyshift those negative words to positive ones, regardless of where they come from or who they come through. There is only ONEyou. Really think about the power of that statement. What it should tell you is thatyou are unique, original and priceless…now those are words you can shift to grow by.
"...and I praise you because of the wonderful way you created me. Everything you do is marvelous! Of this I have no doubt." Psalm 139:14 (Contemporary English CEV)
Have an amazing week on purpose!
"I hope everyone reading this is having a really good day. And if you're not, just know that in every new minute that passes you have the opportunity to change that." Gillian Anderson
STGM # 4 Shift is a Verb
The word "shift" is a verb! It means to move or to cause (something or someone) to move to a different place, position, etc. It also means to change or to cause (something) to change to a different opinion, belief, etc.
There are countless opportunities out there for you, so what shift do you need to make in your life to take advantage of them? "Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step." Martin Luther King, Jr.
The world needs who you are AND who you are becoming...it's your time, keep shifting and by all means keep growing.
STGM # 3 Check Up Time
How time flies! It's already April and the first three months of 2015 have come and gone. So, are you making progress towards your goals? If not, you can change the outcome of the next three months and the years ahead. Make an investment in one of the most valuable things you possess - your time!
Let me ask you some questions. Who are you supposed to be impacting? What things should qualify for more of your time and attention as you go forward? Do the goals you set motivate or excite you (are you passionate about them)? Don't make the mistake of setting goals that are truly "To Do Lists". To do lists let you "check the box"...goals inspire you!
"Set a goal SO BIG that you can't achieve it until you grow into the person who can." Unknown
The resurrection of Christ changed the world, through Him, you can do the same!
Enough said!
STGM # 2 If You Want More
I know you desire to see more growth in your life because that's what champions want and you're a champion! However, more growth requires a decision to do something different. Oftentimes it even requires us to stop doing something we know is limiting our growth. So take an inventory of your life and make decisions today that will positively impact your future...and do it on purpose!
"If you really want to do something, you will find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse."
Remember the difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do.
Live to discover your purpose and then intentionally Shift to Grow™ into the ONLY person qualified to fulfill it!
"Achievement is almost automatic when the goal becomes an inner commitment."
Have a great week on purpose!
STGM # 1 Make Today Count
It's a new day and what a day it is...it's unique and precious! Why? Because you only have ONE opportunity at today and when today is over...it's over. There will NEVER be another March 23, 2015 so make today count! Not only that, there will NEVER be another YOU, so live today fully aware of your value and recognize how blessed you are!
Make today count! Learn something new, leave your mark and make your personal shift towards growth!
"Work hard in silence. Let your success make the noise."
"To the wrong person you'll never have any worth, but to the right person you'll mean everything." from the movie God's Not Dead
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