In my profession, I speak with people all the time that have an earnest desire to be successful.  I try to help them to determine what success means to them.  There are at least 7 to 8 areas in life that you must look at to determine ones success.

Success is more than money.  If money is all that you have to show for your life’s work, you are ultimately a failure.  If you have a rolling bank account but a terrible marriage, no friends, you’re children don’t know you because you work all the time, and you don’t darken a church door to become encouraged and invest in your relationship with Christ, very few people will look to you for advice for them to model their life after.

There are, I believe, three areas to success that must take place in all of our lives if we expect to be an overcomer and live an abundant life.

We see these three areas prominent in Scripture in the passages speaking of Moses and the Children of Israel.  We read in Genesis that God promised Abraham a land for his people.  Genesis 17:8 says “I will give to you and your descendants after you, the land of your sojourning, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting posession;  and I will be their God.”

We have read all the Children of Israel went through to finally obtain that promise;  famine, slavery, survival through the plagues, the exodus, and the wilderness journey. 

Through this we see that the first step for them to obtain their promise for success is:

1.  Time of preparation

Without the time of preparation, they would not have been able or ready to obtain their promise.  The exodus for them was a sense of freedom that they had never experienced before.  They had endured 400 years of slavery to become prepared for their next level of success.

They endured the plagues as a preparation for their exodus.  They endured the pursuit of the Egyptians as a prepartion for their wilderness journey.  Then what would have taken them 40 days to succeed, instead, gave them 40 years of preparation.

The next thing you need is:

2. To take action

God had led them out of Egypt, led them across the Red Sea, led them through the wilderness and across the Jordan River.  Now they faced the biggest battle of their lives, the City of Jericho.  Jericho was the only thing standing in their way of obtaining what God had promised them.

It wasn’t enough to think on where they had been.  It wasn’t enough for them to just remember their heritage and the promise God gave to Abraham.  They had to take action.  God gave them the steps and they had to pursue them.  The walls of the city would have never fell if they did not take action with the plan laid before them.

3. Follow Through

It wasn’t enough for the walls to fall.  They had to crush the enemy.  Joshua 6: 21,24.  Their follow through brought them complete victory.  It closed all the doors.  They utterly destroyed the enemy.  It left no room for doubt, and they obtained the promise of their land.

Any golfer will tell you that one of the most important pieces of the process of hitting the ball straight and in the fairway is follow through.

Many times we have small victories in our lives but never follow through and crush it for complete success.

Preparation, Taking Action, and Follow Through.

Practice these keys and you will be well on your way to the top.

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

www.thefreedomcoachstore.org

 

When we hear the word stewardship, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a fundraising campaign for a church.  Our minds typically go to a pastor standing before his people, begging for  money.  Or, we hear people talk aboutt stewardship of time or talents.

That may be true in some circles, but I want us to think about a different style of stewardship.  This stewardship is something that each of us, I believe, are called to be a part of.  It’s stewardship of ideas.

We serve a God of creativity.  We can look all around us and see the hand of God at work in his creation.  With that said, I believe that God has planted within us a seed of creativity that we are called to use for the betterment of mankind.  God does work through His people to bring ideas for solutions in this world.

For every problem or need you may have, I believe you’re not alone.  Others have the same need. 

When God gives you an idea for the solution to your problem, my challenge to you today is to share that solution with others.  I believe that part of the Christian mandate is to help our fellow man.  It’s an obligation we all have.

Again, God has planted within you a seed of creativity.  You should find that seed and use it to God’s glory.  If God has built you to be great, and He has by the way, and you settle for mediocrity, it’s not right.  You will never live in the center of God’s will and fulfill the purpose he has called you to, if you continue to fail to use the creative seed he has given.

Are you being a good steward of the ideas and solutions that God has given you?  If not, you can begin to change your focus today.  It doesn’t matter your age, your status in society or your education.  

When you begin to use the seed of creativity that God planted within you, the sky is the limit in your pursuit of happiness.

Stewardship is more than time, money and talent.  It is also a call each of us have to impact this dark world with the light of Jesus Christ. 

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

By: Dan Miller:  www.48days.com

Everyone knows older workers are not wanted – Right? Of course not. That’s just one of those myths that gets a lot of lip service. With the beginning of Baby Boomer retirements, companies recognize they will need to aggressively recruit and retain older workers.In a reversal of the late 1990s, young workers are being jettisoned right and left as companies make more room for older people many previously thought of as corporate has-beens. As opportunities for younger workers become more scarce, their elders are staying on or returning to work, often desperate to rebuild diminished retirement savings.

OUTSOURCED OUT. Why are young and mid-career workers bearing the brunt of the cutbacks? One reason is that many got bigger raises than old-timers during the boom, so they’re no longer much cheaper to employ. At the same time, they often lack the deep institutional knowledge and personal ties with clients and customers that are especially valuable in tough times. Says Michael Recca, president of Sky Capital LLC, a startup brokerage firm: “Everybody in this market prefers a veteran.”

“ATTRACTIVE AGAIN.” Only workers nearing retirement age are faring well: A greater percentage of those over 55 are working today than a year ago. In part, that’s because older workers are prized for their experience and stability: “It’s not at all surprising that we’re seeing people who have come from an Old Economy set of values becoming more attractive again now,” says Barry Honig, president of New Jersey-based executive-search firm Honig International.

Companies such as AMR Corp., parent of American Airlines, are trying to retain older workers as they cut jobs because of the brain drain they suffered in the past from offering early-retirement incentives. They also want to avoid the high upfront costs of employee buyouts.

Source: Business Week.

By: Dan Miller www.48days.com

“MILLIONAIRE MIND” — notes from

I recently did a synopsis of Thomas Stanley’s  book, “The Millionaire Mind.” Stanley studied the common themes in those who end up very, very wealthy. There are not the connections to academic degrees and credentials that we have traditionally thought. The only real common theme in these deca-millionaires is that they were doing something they truly loved doing. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics tells us there will be 50 Million new jobs in the next 5 years – they can’t tell us what 50% of those jobs will be. The Futurist magazine recently predicted that 70% of all new jobs in the next 10 years will not require a college degree. Here are just a couple of the conclusions that Stanley, a college professor, relates about these deca-millionaires:
– Their undergraduate grade point average (GPA) was 2.92 on a 4.00-point scale. Sometimes a 4.0 simply means a person can regurgitate information. A lower GPA may force someone to be more creative in his or her choices. (Know any frustrated dentists, doctors, or attorneys who went on to graduate school just because they had the ABILITY to do so?)
– Most have been told by some authority figure or by the results of standardized test scores that they were NOT:
• Intellectually gifted
• Of law-school caliber
• Medical-school material
• Qualified to pursue an MBA degree
• Smart enough to succeed

– Dr. Sternberg, a leading authority on human intelligence, has found that successful intelligence has three components, and analytical intelligence is just one. The others are creative intelligence and practical intelligence, or common sense. Could it be that most millionaires are economically successful because they are creative and have a lot of common sense?

Need to develop your passion?  Email me and we will get you on a plan to live your dream.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

 

Life and Death?

Copyright 2001-2004 Life Coaching Resource.com 

Have you ever laid in bed trying to fall asleep, but your mind keeps spinning with all the things you need to do? Your thoughts just keep ticking?

We wind ourselves up like a motor when we pile on more things than can possibly get done in the time frame have. When we rush to appointments, speed in the car, load up on coffee, smoke on our breaks and make it to places “just in time”, it’s no wonder some of us can have a hard settling in for the night. Or settling in for the day!

So how can we keep our mind from spinning?

Most of what is keeping our minds whirling isn’t as serious as we make it out to be. Besides keeping yourself physically safe, nothing has to happen. Getting something for the kids or trying to make it to the hairdresser appointment is not life or death. Most of the time if things don’t get done when we think they should get done, life stills goes on. When you are out sick, the world doesn’t stop revolving. We forget this because we like to stay busy and experience the adrenaline rush.

Take Time Out For Yourself

I know I say this often, but it is so important to have a time when nothing is planned and you aren’t bothered by the kids. Maybe you can get some pampering done, like a massage. Yoga is wonderful because it allows you to be physical, and can act like a busy person’s meditation.

Drop Some “To Do’s”

It’s likely you have a LOT going on. Is there anything you can drop from your to do list? Do you have a committee you are on that you don’t like and is just taking up time? Do you dislike housecleaning or gardening? Find a housekeeper or gardener! Get rid of to do’s that take up time, but don’t add to the quality of your life.

Have a Quiet Evening

Usually the times I have trouble sleeping are when I have worked too late or have been watching an action packed movie right before bed. The computer screen and the quick-paced movie are too stimulating late at night. Try turning off the computer or TV at least an hour before bed. Relax with some soft music or a book instead.

Leave Work at Work

I heard a story of a man who felt extremely guilty when he was at work because he wasn’t spending time with his family. Then, when he went home he felt guilty that he wasn’t working. He was miserable most of the time….until one day he had a flash of insight. He decided he would enjoy work when he was at work and enjoy his family when he was at home. Living in the moment helped him be happier.

Can you experiment with focusing on where you are?

* * *

As you can see, just a few simple changes can bring you closer to a calmer and more peaceful mind.

——————————————————————————–

David Wood is a Professional Life Coach, and author of the powerful Free Download: ‘50 Life Coaching Questions to Take Control of Your Life and Help Your Clients‘. He helps coaches, consultants, speakers and trainers to build their businesses via his popular ebook: “10 Super Coaches Share Their Secrets” and his audio ebook: “Getting Your First 50 Clients“.”David Wood is a personal and business coach, and an original founder of the International Coach Academy – a global coach training school”

Copyright 2001-2004 Life Coaching Resource.com

In choosing the career that you love, one of the most important things you can do to achieve success is to STAND OUT!

Make yourself known.  If there is a style of work that suits you best and it is for working for someone else, you need to look in your area, try to find 30-40 companies that you would agree to work for, that does the style of work you love, and heavily market them.

None of these companies are going to come knock down your door if they don’t know who you are.  You have got to get in their face to speak to them and let them know that you are what they have been looking for.

The most effective job-hunting method is to:

1. Know your skills

2. Research potential companies that use those skills

3. Arrange to see the person who has the power to hire you

4. Request the interview

Statistics show that when these steps are accurately followed, 86% of job hunters are accepted and start work.

That is an amazing statistic for just taking a little time and getting your ducks in a row. 

Develop a plan to discover your passion and to live your dream.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

             

When speaking with individuals about their career and financial picture, the most dominant thing I hear is how people want to make a difference.  People realize that there is more to life than just maintaining. 

In choosing a career path, you should first of all discover what it is you enjoy doing.  Dan Miller in his book 48 Days to the Work you Love says there are three questions you should first determine in order to find your calling and find your place in doing the work that makes a difference.

1. Your Skills and Abilities

What are you good at.  You should sit down and find what it is that comes fairly natural to you.  Determining your skill set will open the door to finding the work you love.  But, you must be careful not to put all your eggs in this basket.  You may be a great with numbers, but if painting is your passion, a life of accounting will only lead to frustration.

2. Personality Traits.

You need to find out what your personality traits are.  There are various tests that you can do for free and find where you fall in the personality profile.  It is commonly referred to as the D-I-S-C profile.  This will be a major help for you in finding how your personality fits in a certain type of work as well as what the personalities are of those who are successful in that type of work.

3. Values, dreams and passions

What are your dreams?  What are you passionate about?  Find this out and you will determine your goal and formulate a plan of action.  Whatever your dreams and passions are should never interfere with your values and your moral convictions as a person.  What do you deem valuable?  Is it money, family or positioin?  Combining these three areas: values, dreams and passion, will pave a way for success.

Contact me if you have any questions.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

America is broke.  We are walking on thin ice when it comes to our economic stability. 

1. According to current statistics, close to 80% of all consumers are living paycheck to paycheck. 
2. In 2005 there were 2,078,415 personal bankruptcies filed in the United States.
3. Christian Financial Concepts says that in 1929 only 2% of the homes in America had a mortgage against them and by 1962 only 2% did not.
4. Over 62% of Americans retire on annual incomes of below $10,000 according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
5. Only 46% have $10,000 or more saved at retirement.
6. A Marist Institute poll published in USA Today stated that 55% of Americans always or sometimes worry about their money.
7. Medical Economics states that since 1975 mortgage debt has increased 300% and foreclosures are up 25% over three years ago.
8. The equity line of credit is the number one cause for foreclosures.
9. According to The Department of Commerce, the personal savings rate fell to a record low -2.2%.  The lowest in 60 years.
10. Psychology Today reports that money fights are still the number one cause of divorce in America today.

It’s time to make a change in this country.  Our overspending and underearning as a nation will cripple our economy.  When that happens, we will no longer be a free society.

This is more than just discussing money in the bank.  This deals with our culture, our families, our society and anything else that we hold dear as a nation.

The only entitlement we are given, is not in position, food, or healthcare.  We are only entitled to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

If you desire to get on a plan for financial well-being, contact me.  I will be happy to look over your situation and get you and your family on a plan for financial freedom.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org

If your work is not your calling.  There are some very important questions that you need to ask yourself on why you continue to do what it is you do.

We have talked about feeling trapped.  I came across a webpage the other day that listed 10 ways to know that it’s time to leave your job.

Go to the site here: http://48days.faithsite.com/content.asp?CID=16618

As you read through these 10 items,  I want you to think of where you’re at,  what you are doing and what are you going to do to change it.  You may be reading this and you’re not affected by any of these 10.  If that’s the case, that is awesome.  You’re definately not in the majority.

But, if you are struggling, know that you have the power to change your situation.  It may not be overnight, but begin the process today.  The time invested, the late nights, the weekends working on your dream will pay off in the end.

Maybe you should tell yourself, it’s time to fish or cut bait.  Either buy into and continue a deadend job or step out and live your dream.

Plan – Build – Live

Rick@FreedomCoach.org