ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

ESTABLISHING PRIORITIES

We are pressed on every hand with too much to do and far too little time to do it. We all feel overwhelmed. Today’s topic is designed to bring order and purpose to your business and to your life.

The Bible tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. What does it mean to be double minded? It means to be easily shifted; easily changed. It is the person who has a difficult time deciding whether to do this or that. It is the one who starts many things but never finishes.

The opposite of the double minded man is the one who is committed to the process and following it to completion. To begin the process, you must first determine your highest priorities and concentrate on them single-mindedly. You must also identify those things you must do first, last and not do at all. Our ability to say “no” is just as important as our ability to say “yes”.

Develop the habit of setting priorities; if you do, you can accomplish anything you want. How do I begin? Make a short list of the things that matter most. No one else can do this for you. This requires that you get alone with your brain; something that most are unwilling to do. Once you have identified your priorities, ask yourself, “How do I go about that?” If the number one priority of your life is God, how do you bring value to that relationship? How do you make sure that this relationship remains preeminent? What activities do I need to incorporate into my life to insure He remains number one? Ask these questions in relationship to your spouse and to your business…

Consider this question; what exactly are you paid to do? Why does your employer give you a check? Is it because you are lucky or because you know someone important in the organization? Is it because you have so much knowledge? No! You do not get rewarded for any of those things. Your reward is not based on what you know; rather, what you DO with what you know. It is based on the activities you do that add value to the company. In our business, there are two things that will get you that reward.

Spreading the word to new prospects and recruits.
Selling product.

Activities alone are not profitable. You can keep yourself busy by alphabetizing your address book, organizing your office, getting the best equipment or dreaming about how to spend the money, but these activities will not bring you success. Jim Rowan has said that every activity should be quantifiable. Chart your progress by creating a small box in your daily calendar with your measurable goals. For instance, “I will tell 10 people about my business opportunity.” At the end of the day - mark your results in the box. The law of the harvest tells us that we must sew in order to reap. By marking your goal and recording the results, you will have a measurable, visual picture of how this comes to pass. You will see that your success is based on your sowing. If there is no seed - there can be no harvest.

Most people are trapped into letting someone else set their priorities. Do you want to be independently wealthy; successful? You must take responsibility for setting the priorities that will lead you to success and wealth.

Once you have identified and are concentrating, single mindedly, on your priorities, ask yourself, “What can I alone do, if done well, that will make a real difference and get me the results that I desire. There are many tasks in life that you might enjoy doing but that could keep you from reaching your goals. You may like to work in the garden or manicure your lawn, but the time that you take to do those things could be used to reach more important priorities in life. If someone else can do it, as good or nearly as good as you can, let them do it.

How do you want to be remembered? Do you want to be remembered as the man with the nicest yard or as the man who loved his wife and was the best dad and grandpa in town? Determine your priorities then you will be able to make deliberate, calculated choices & plans that will take you to your goal.

What can I do to add value to my priorities? Could I read; study; learn something new; follow-up on leads? Ask yourself, “Is this the most valuable use of my time right now?” if not, stop! Go back to those activities based on your priorities for yourself and your family.

Choose one task at a time. Discipline yourself to do that, and do that alone, until it is 100 percent complete. Your ability to stick to a job until it is complete can change your whole life. Great success is not easy but it’s not complicated.

The information Mitchell shared today was inspired by a chapter in a book that he encouraged us to read. He said this book is full of powerful principles and can be used as a reference guide. That book: 21 Secrets of Self Made Millionaires By Brian Tracey

Permission to Persist

It's been a week since I posted. I had another opportunity to listen in to a presentation by Mitchelle Tolle. I was struck, once again, with the simplicity and truth of what he had to say. I hope you too will benefit from his words.

As Mitchell introduced his talk today with the title, Permission to Persist, my first thought was, ‘why would we need permission to persist? Isn’t persistence a virtue, something we should go after, a mark of true character?’ Although it surely is a virtue, everything in our fast paced society goes against it. If option A doesn’t work right away; let’s jump to option B. As a person commits to one endeavor there’s a multitude of other opportunities whizzing past him. It is good to hear – you have permission to commit, to settle in, and then to persist in order to achieve success.

Mitchell explained that persistence is a quality that separates those that succeed from those who do not.

Calvin Coolidge said that nothing can take the place of persistence – not talent, not genius, nor education. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent (not above God but in the things that direct the activities of men.)

The most common barrier to persistence is fear. The single greatest obstacle to success, in the adult life, is the fear of failure. There is a fear that is legitimate. A child is equipped with some legitimate basic fears; the fear of fire and of falling. Most other fears are taught to them by adults. Fear carried to extreme is an incredible obstacle which can paralyze us.

The fear of failure is not unique to you. Everyone fears failure. We all are afraid of setbacks, making mistakes, loosing it all and falling into poverty. Fear can keep us from success, even when it is deserved and within the range of possibility. Failure is NOT the obstacle; it is the ‘fear of failure’ that stops you. If you allow failure to be your teacher it will make you resilient.

It is interesting to note that those that have nothing, those who are most desperate are often those that find success. Why?, because they have nothing to loose. If you have little to loose it is easier to push past fear and go about the process of finding success.

Thomas Watson, founder of IBM said “Double your rate of failure. That’s where you’ll find success.” Success lies just on the other side of failure.

To overcome your fears you need to identify the things that are shaking their fists at your success. Face your fear of failure. Once you’ve identified the fear, attack it head on, walk straight into it absolutely determined not to give up.

Walt Emerson said to make a habit of doing the things you fear most. If you do the things you fear; the death of fear will occur.

Strive to be acknowledged or identified as an individual of persistence. Nothing can take the place of your commitment to keep on keeping on.

Know in advance that you will experience trouble and adversity. Jesus said, in this world you will have trouble. Someone has said “One inevitability in life is reoccurring crisis.” You will have a hard time in this economy. The folks that ultimately become successful are those that know trouble is coming and they bear down and push on through. Persistence is one quality, more than any other thing, that will guarantee your success.

What you need in order to persist and find success is:
An unwavering belief (the evidence that you believe is that you are pesistent)
Desire – desire success more than ease and comfort
Vision – believe it is reality; picture it as though it has already happened.

If you don’t believe in your endeavor you can be sure it is being manifested in your day to day behavior. You cannot hide it. If you feel you are beginning to waver; you need support, put yourself in touch with fellow believers.

Trouble is common. Anyone that is going to succeed has to overcome obstacles. We are responsible for ourselves; failure is not an option. No matter what the world does we must push through fear and persist. God is not surprised when trouble comes. He knows what we are able to handle, he knows we are but dust. Before trouble came knocking at your door, it first crossed the desk of a sovereign God. Now, stay put until the trouble is over and learn what you need to learn; get every lesson this experience affords. Do not run away when things get tough. When the vision is clear and undeniable – you have an opportunity to overcome.

Become known as a person that persists; one who doesn’t give up. Every day is a challenge, look for new exciting ways to persist. Surround yourself with people that believe you will achieve; people who can persist and hang with you. In order to attract people of belief you have to be a person that believes. Like attracts like.

Storms are a part of life
You may be in the midst of your own personal storm - may we find you rowing.

Fasting

Gary and I have experienced an awakening in our spirits as a result of a sermon by Pastor Duane last Sunday morning. Pastor Duane presented a new term (to us) at Church on Sunday morning (orthopractix - spelling?) meaning that it is not enough to believe - your belief must lead you to do the right thing. Christianity is a kingdom being lived out through your life.

He used orthopractice to lead us to consider the practice of fasting in the scripture pointing out that it is a practice in the Old and New Testaments.

Gary and I had to admit that fasting was a practice we read about and knew about; but had never made a regular practice in our lives.

As you study the scriptures you will see that fasting is usually connected to and preceeding some type of break through. Pastor Duane used Mark 9 and the story of the demoniac that came to be healed. The disciples asked why they couldn't heal him - Jesus answered 'this type can only come out by prayer and fasting.'

Fasting is a discipline - a denying of the flesh to connect with your creator. In I Cor. 9:27a Paul explains it this way, 'I (the real you that lives inside the body) discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. ' NLT Your body will try to dominate your life and when you give in you are living by the flesh not the spirit. Duane explained that the body wants to be satisfied and pampered and that the soul wants to be entertained and amused. When you fast you must bring your body and your soul into subjection. They must not have control. The real you chooses to discipline itself. Fasting allows your spirit to become strong. Duane stated that the only way strong addictions or perversions can be overcome is by fasting. As you say NO to your body - the body with SCREAM - 'I'm gonna die - feed me,' as you say NO the spirit rises up.

Isa. 58:7 states that when you fast you are to take pity on the poor. We are not to hide ourselves from anyone or announce that we are on a fast - it is between God and you. It is a time to search your soul and get rid of bitterness and to forgive.

4 reasons for fasting:
1) God puts it on your heart
2) You want to draw near to God and see breakthroughs in your life
3) When it is called for by political leaders
4) When it is called for by spiritual leaders

Seed for thought - words for discussion - feel free to chime in.