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Monday Morning Inspiration
1st and 3rd Monday Mornings Every Month @8:30am
What’s the #1 thing we can do as Christian Women in Business to make our lives and businesses better?
Spend time with God.
As Christian Business Woman we have access to an infinite power to help us achieve whatever challenge or goal set before us. But, we often find ourselves at the mercy of busyness and unable or unwilling to set aside the time necessary to let God infuse his power into our lives.
Well, we know that busyness does not equal business.
So, we kicked off the Monday Morning Inspiration series by exploring the major challenges you face as Christian Business Women.
Luke 10:38-42
Amplified Bible (AMP)
38 Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house.
39 And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord’s feet and was listening to His teaching.
40 But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]!
41 But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;
42 There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
God is expecting us to spend time with him. Sometimes it can be difficult and challenging, but like Mary, doing so gives us a great advantage.
So what get’s in our way of spending quality time with God?
- Busyness
- Not sure how to spend time with God. What do I read? How do I get in his presence? Where should I spend time with God? I’ve been there.
Cindy Woods, author of the Frazzled Female recommends we create a rendezvous place for you and God. It should be a comfortable and relaxing place. But as Cindy points out, don’t make it too relaxing or you’ll fall asleep. J Bring your bible a highlighter and a pen for journaling or taking notes.
We have our part to do but it’s important to trust God in the doing.
Here are four practical ways I breakthrough my busyness to tap into my power source
- Pick up your bible and start reading
- Work through a bible study – Online bible studies like this one are a good place to start http://www.biblestudytools.com/
- Create a S.O.A.P Journal: Create your own personal daily devotion. (Scriptures and Journal, Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer) Download a journal template to get you started.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you: It’s okay to ask God for help.
Until our next Monday Morning meeting, be inspired and take great care of YOU!
Anita
I know “self-care” isn’t as sexy as say “revealing the secrets to getting a windfall of clients and cash”. However, success is not always about just the money. There are a whole lot of well to do people who are sick and miserable in mind, body and spirit because they neglect the most important element of their success…themselves!
How are you minding the business of you?
There are 3 main areas where your personal health affect your ability to create wealth and legacy in your life…
Mind:
As entrepreneurs, our mind is our biggest asset. The solutions that help we use to improve the lives of others, actually start between our own ears. So, we must protect our mind at all costs. That means being careful of what we watch, what we read, and what we listen to.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What things can I do to nurture and nourish my mind?
- Is what I’m watching, reading, or listening to positive and nuturing or negative and dis-empowering?
Body:
Taking care of our bodies seems to fall way to the bottom of our priority list. Even when it’s at the top of the list (like at the beginning of the New Year or various other dieting occassions), we tend to be too flexible allowing other stuff to get in our way. You know stuff like, “I don’t have enough time” , ”I’ll do it later”, “I don’t feel like it”, “I like red velvet cake and I WANT SOME NOW!!”.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What will happen to my business if my health failed?
- What things can I do to make sure I honor my body?
Spirit:
What happens when you are depressed, worried, angry, fearful…etc? We experience a storm of emotions everyday and I will stretch to say that the bulk of them are negative. That is why it is important for us to make an extra effort to feed our spirit with positive words, thoughts and motivators that uplift us in our journey. Find the source of positive energy that fuels you and put it into your daily or (at the very least) your weekly routine. When your spirits are high, it drives you to be your best self, productive and ultimately profitable.
Questions to ask yourself:
- What things can I do to increase the health of my spirit?
- How will I feed my spirit today?
It almost seems elementary to discuss the importance to taking care of ourselves.But, it is perhaps one of the most common barriers to success. As children we worked hard to please our parents, teachers, family members and friends. As adults, we simply add on our spouse, children, bosses, co-workers, clients, etc. You can quickly see how our own needs can drown in this environment.
When we sacrifice our values to become a “people pleaser” it effects the clarity of our mind, health of our body and peace of our spirit adversely. Be mindful of how you allow others to dictate everything you do. You have the right to set boundaries without guilt. Making yourself a priority will make you a better mom, wife, businesswoman, employee, boss or whatever role you perform.
Until next time remember to…
Take Great Care of You!
~Coach Anita K
5 Untrue Things Businesswomen Tell Themselves and How to Flip the Script
As a women, we’re wired to nurture and uplift others to achieve their greatness, but often leave ourselves out of the equation. We forget that the person who looks back at us when we look in the mirror needs uplifting and nurturing too. As a matter of fact not only do we NOT uplift ourselves, but worse…we tell ourselves things are absolutely not true. Let’s just call them what they really are, shall we? LIES!!!
Let’s explore some of these lies that women (and some men) have bought into that have kept them stuck and their dreams of success out of reach. If you have ever thought and believed any of these lies, it’s past time to change those beliefs don’t you think?
Well here’s a start (taken from my own life’s playbook). Watch your mouth, mind your thoughts. The more you say something, the more you think something, the more you believe that something.
For each lie, I will arm you with an empowering thought that flips the script and begins to transform your life into one of power and purpose.
Lie #1: “I’m not smart enough”
Life is a never-ending learning experience. The only people I know that aren’t learning anything are six-Feet under!! You may not know everything, but are you coachable? Are you WILLING to learn?
Flip the Script: “I am smart enough and what I don’t know I will learn”
Lie #2: “I might fail”
Congratulations!! You are human. One of my favorite mentors, Mary Kay Ash, used to always say, “You fail forward to success.” Even the most successful people, have things that just didn’t work out the way they expected. Failur is a part of the journey. Don’t get so caught up in the destination that you firget to enjoy the journey. Your journey develops you into the person you are the person you will become.
Flip the Script: “I will embrace my journey to success. An y set back is just my step up to the next level.”
Lie #3: ”I don’t have the money.”
Okay, THAT may not be a lie!! BUT, it doesn’t have to stop you. If you are broke, be creative. You really don’t have to have a lot of money to start a business. With the internet, today’s technology, and network marketing companies, you can get started for little to no cost. Do your research and get clear on what you can do, don’t focus on what you can’t. Furthermore, if you are a believer, then you know that God is your provider. if He gives you a dream, “He’ll also make the way for you to accomplish it, but you must do your part.
Flip the Script: ”I have everything I need. I trust God. He is my provider. I declare that the way for me to achieve success is granted.”
Lie #4: ” I don’t have the time”
Hmm, I would then have to ask, “Are you really serious about having a business in the first place?” When you want something bad enough, you make the time for it. If you really are serious, then perhaps you are hiding behind fear, and thinking that you don’t have time is a convenient excuse. Think for a moment, what fear could be causing you to procrastinate and not take the first step?
Flip the Script: ”I get to spend my time as I choose and I choose to take action towards getting what I want.”
Lie #5: “I’m too old or too young”
I strongly believe that as long as you are able to learn, you can earn. God has given each of us a purpose and a gift or talent. But, it’s up to us to discover that gift and then use it!! Your gift is not about you, but is about the people whom you were meant to bless with it. If you don’t act, they may never experience the belssing that you were purposed to provide to them. Age is just a number and it doesnt’ have to stop you unless you allow it.
Flip the Script: ”It’s not about me! My gifts were placed in me for a reason and I will step out boldly to use them.”
Know that you are always only one thought away from living the life of your dreams. When some negative thought rises up and gets you stuck, flip the script and affirm the positive. Then take a small realistic step and continue to take action one step at a time, until your dreams become your reality.
Treasure Hunt: A Journey to Self-Discovery Through Those You Admire
There are treasures hidden inside every one of us. But often, it’s easier to find the greatness in others than in ourselves.
A big “a-ha” moment for me (early on) was when my coach at that time shared with me that “When you admire someone, the same qualities that attract you to them are also inside of you”. That was a transformational moment for me and a pearl of wisdom I share with my clients.
The greatness and legacy of the ‘Sheroes’ that have inspired me, serve as a mirror to my own power. This has allowed me to unlock the value inside me and use it to help others find the hidden treasure inside of them.
In the spirit of International Women’s History Month, I wanted to take time to highlight some women I admire. Their lessons in strength, perseverance and hard work downloaded into me through their examples, have guided me throughout my life and business.
1. My mom: I’d have to start my list highlighting my admiration for my mother. She has been through breast Cancer TWICE and has had the best attitude both times. She conquered cancer like a champion. I admire her strength. What I learned from Mom…
Accept what is and don’t worry. My mother is a strong woman and it takes a lot to get her down. I’m guided by her example to stand strong in the face of adversity and don’t sweat the small stuff, so that when the big stuff happens you have a clear mind to fight it and win!
2. Oprah Winfrey: I have always admired her and I wanted to be on her show before she retired. (so glad she has a show on her own network –OWN-, ahh, there’s still hope). 
I admire her for her perseverance, what she has done, where she’s come from and where she is now as the wealthiest and one of the most influential African American women in the world. What I learned from Oprah…
Don’t put limits on yourself! As a poor colored girl who was abused and grew up in the segregated south, she could have bought into the limits placed on her by her environment. I’m guided by knowing that in spite of what obstacles are around you, if you have the determination and faith in God, there is nothing you can’t do.
3. My Grandmother: Whew! That woman didn’t play. She worked hard as a maid and nanny for very little money. She also raised ten children of her own, while my grandfather worked at a steel mill. As you can imagine, a working mother with ten kids would become a master of discipline and an expert delegator. What I remember most about my grandmother was that she was a woman of God. I remember her being on her knees for what seemed like hours praying. In her house church was NOT an option. What I learned from Grandma…
Faith in God and discipline to work are essential parts of life. I’m guided by her example as I am a strong believer in God, setting standards in my life and rising to the challenge. Of course, this was a lesson she helped me practice while I was young by taking me to church (and Sunday school) plus putting me to work. My cousins and I used to call it bootcamp. It is certainly woven into the fabric of who I am and how I work.
When you examine the things in others that make them your heroes, look closely you’ll find the ‘shero’ in you. As one of my favorite singers, Mariah Carey, says in one of her many number one hits, “There’s a hero if you look inside your heart. You don’t have to be afraid of what you are…. When you feel like hope is gone. Look inside you and be strong. Then you’ll finally see the truth that a hero lies in you”. I love that song; I think it says it all.
My request of you:
Use a journal or piece of paper, take some time to look at the women in your life you admire, use this article as a model and write the things you admire in them . Then, examine how those characteristics have guided you in your own life and career. Find the treasure hidden in you. Please share, I’d love to hear about your ‘shero’.
Until Next Time…
Take Great Care of You
