What Speaks To People's Hearts?

What speaks to people's hearts?

In working with all sorts of people, I've observed that everyone likes to be noticed, listened to, and appreciated. There may be certain ethnic groups that seem like they don't want to be in the limelight - but think about it - outwardly they exhibit this tendency, but how do you think they feel inwardly?

It does not matter who you are - whether a mighty athlete, a famous movie star, rocket scientist, business professional, or stay-at-home parent. Inside the core of each person lies the same thing - a heart that loves and wants to be loved.

So what speaks to people's hearts?

If you take the time to simply get to know someone, with no agenda, and simply build a relationship with them - they'll feel that you care about them. Your attitude needs to be that of genuinely caring about them - listening to them, asking them questions, accepting them for who they are.

That speaks volumes to a person - even if you don't say much about who you are.

What Are Your Strengths And Weaknesses?

This is another very important topic I could camp out on. But I will attempt to be brief.

Everyone has strengths. Everyone has weaknesses.

Why do we as a people get hung up on when we've made a mistake, or failed, or have a certain weakness that we can't seem to get over?

Do you know what your strengths are? And weaknesses?

A proper assessment of who we are can really shorten the learning curve for us. For then we can employ the talents of other people - their strengths to cover our weaknesses, our strengths to cover their weaknesses. And we can truly work as teams of people toward a common goal - rather than alone. There's nothing worse about success than doing it alone. What fun is it to celebrate your success all by yourself?

The point is - be careful not to let your strengths puff up your ego or let your weaknesses surprise you that it pulls you into the pit of despair.

Here's an excerpt from a book entitled The Search For Significance by Robert McGee:

"People with a poor self-concept may tell themselves:
*It was just luck.
*I couldn't do it again.
*I'm still a failure.
*I should stop while I'm ahead because it will never happen again.

If you tell yourself things like this, it may be because you expect failure and rejection so much that you simply can't handle success and appreciation."

Making Decisions

Every day we make decisions. Whether it's with our spouse, children, work or business - we make decisions. Either it's a small decision or it's a monumental decision - that act of our will to CHOOSE requires us to go through the process of prioritizing one way or another. We choose one thing over another, one person over another, one place over another, one thought over another, one emotion over another - we have a CHOICE.

This is a huge topic - one of vast importance in terms of personal growth in character and in relationships. Look deep within yourself and ask the tough questions. If you have a hard time making decisions, ask yourself why.

Here are some examples of why:
1. Confusion about direction in life.
2. Lack of commitment.
3. Procrastination.
4. Wanting the best of each choice.
5. Afraid of making the 'wrong' decision.

Challenge yourself by going to the root of the struggle, then reverse it. For example, if you have a hard time making decisions because of a lack of commitment, then decide to commit to something and follow through. Sometimes that simple act of the will propels you forward to make that decision.

Prioritizing

Many of us know what prioritize means. Basically it's to do the most important thing first. But how many of us can say that we regularly prioritize everything successfully? Why is it common knowledge to keep your priorities in order, but when it comes down to actually doing it, very few of us prioritize on a daily basis?

I believe 2 things prevent us. Here they are:
1. Lack of planning. When things and circumstances come at us, we are in reaction mode due to the lack of planning our schedule in advance.
2. Inability to say "no" to ourselves. I've learned that keeping my priorities straight requires me to be able to say no to myself when I want something. It's the ability to delay gratification that actually empowers us to get done what needs to get done.

A Matter Of Balance?

Early on in my mothering career, I sought to balance being a stay at home mom with working at home. What did it look like for me you ask?

You'll need to know how I get things done. I love to learn new things and I had a "million" things going on at once. I tried to "balance" everything much like a juggler kept objects in motion in the air. You guessed it. I could only keep everything I had going on for a certain amount of time. Usually it was 1 week. Sometimes I got it up to 2 weeks. Has that ever happened to you? You want so bad to do everything well, that you give it your best shot - but it didn't last?

Needless to say, I was pretty frustrated. I had my fair share of ups and downs building my business and parenting my children at the same time. Thank God I have an awesome business coach who pointed out to me that what I was doing was like being yoked to slavery. That sounds serious, doesn't it? Surely what I was doing wasn't THAT serious...

Or was it?

So what did I learn to do?

I'm sure many of you have heard it before...can you guess what it is?

PRIORITIZE. More on this to come...

What does it take to be an Entrepreneur?

Being an Entrepreneur is simple, but certainly not easy. There are many obstacles and challenges to building any type of business. So what does it take to be an Entrepreneur? What does it take to not quit when things get tough?

It takes many things. The first thing to BE is someone with Character. Good character with a strong sense of responsibility - now that is building on a solid foundation. Just like building a house - one built on sand will fall when storms and winds hit. But one built on solid ground will stand and be of great value to its inhabitants.

As Entrepreneurs, we invest into developing and growing as human beings - and build that CHARACTER and possess that VALUE to give to people. We are not in business only for the money. Money is a byproduct of who we ARE and what we DO on a daily basis. Money is basically the seed we have to invest into the lives of others - and we want to invest well and invest fully. Quoting Hans Johnson, "When we become a good 'farmer', our seed grows and our crops are very fruitful, yielding 30, 60 and 100 fold returns."

Earth-Shattering Calamity?

Today I came across this post that reinforces what my husband says about America and our church age. The post is from a business mentor of mine, Mr. Hans Johnson. His keen insights and experience are absolutely amazing, as you will see.

Earth-Shattering Calamity About To Happen?