experiences

Have you ever felt like your life is a puzzle but you have one piece, or a few pieces, missing? There is always someone else who is smarter, prettier, taller, nicer, tanner, kinder . . . should I go on? You know that comparison is a trap. I know it too. But I still get stuck in it, sometimes. What you need, and me too, is a plan to get out of the trap as soon as we know we are in it.

In the social media world of today we get caught in this trap on many levels. It can be a trap about our parenting style, our eating preferences, or our business choices. We are constantly able to see how everyone else is doing because it is all out there. I am exhausted just thinking about the perfect women in cyber world.

God created you perfect for what He planned for you. Your puzzle pieces have been selected exactly for you. AND, you have all your pieces! So, let’s first look at a plan to get your eyes off ‘them’ and placed on you. Better yet, on God.

God tells us in Philippians 4:8 to “. . . Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. . . “ Did you notice that there is an AND between each word? When that happens in writing it means you are adding depth, not more.

One piece of your puzzle is your expertise. Especially for your business activities. The trap is that you may see others with a degree or certificate in what you are offering, yet you have none. This was true for me when I started to call myself a coach. BUT, God.

Let’s run that thought through the verse.  What is true? I had been coaching many people about how to do their business better by helping them through their goals and action steps. What is honorable? I could give them a direction and plan for moving forward in a positive way. What is right? They were succeeding in their business through what I was teaching. What was pure? They were following God’s calling on their lives. What was lovely? I was developing lasting relationships with each person so that they were enriching my life. What was admirable? Together we were pursuing God’s calling on each of our lives and keeping one another accountable.

I became a coach without having the credentials. I had the expertise because I pursued excellence in learning how I could help others. It interested me and I learned on my own. It is something that came natural to me and I loved doing.

That is what you need to call yourself the ‘expert’. God has equipped you to do what He has called you to do. Figure it out. 🙂  You may want to study in a traditional setting, and your calling might include that. But, don’t limit yourself if you feel God tugging at your heart. Explore it fully and give yourself a thorough evaluation of your skills.

Another piece to your puzzle is your experience. This is another area where a degree is not required. The trap here is that you feel you don’t have the ‘right’ experience. BUT, God.

He has you go through things so you learn more about Him and so you can speak truth into others. Those difficult experiences are vital for you to be refined so you reflect Christ in your life. Those good things in your life are just as important to give you a way of approaching your business in a way that is authentic to you.

The worse experience in my life has become the catalyst for everything I am doing now. AND, a load of other experiences (e.g., drama, mission work, homeshooling) are filling in the unique parts of what I offer through my business.

Again, let’s put these experiences through the Philippians 4:8 filter to get out of the trap. What is true? I was diagnosed with MS while homeschooling my then six and ten-year-old daughters, going to Graduate school, and working a small business teaching Spanish. What was honorable? God was teaching me what true dependence on Him really looked like in my life so I could grow into a wise woman of faith. What was right? That I could speak into others’ lives about His goodness, His provision, His desire to want a relationship with them first and then use their businesses to bring Him glory. What was pure? That through suffering I was learning more about who I was and how God had creatively and uniquely designed me to be an equipper of others. What was lovely? That He showed me how the things I excelled at were the perfect fit for what He would have me do next in my business. What was admirable? That I learned to trust Him and was able to step into the next thing He had for me over and over again on this adventure of connecting my faith and business.

I am still surprised at how He uses the little things I have learned or experienced to bring me into a new place in my business. What He wants is obedience. He wants you to take the next step. You may have a big vision, a God-sized dream, but have you handed God each part of you for Him to use? Your experiences and your expertise work into your business in a unique way. God created you perfect for your calling. Get the clarity you need and get out of the trap.

Join my list bit.ly/PutMeOnList for more information about the Calling Clarity Course.

It begins with a day workshop where we will explore your business vision and the parts that make up you. You will be given tools as we advance together.

Then, 8 weeks of virtual meetings to check in with your assignments and to mastermind. (Assignments will be checklists, assessments, and journaling.)

The last part includes a weekend Retreat. We will put together all the things that make up YOU. You will know who you are, Whose you are, and how YOU can make a difference with your business.

You will walk away from this course knowing how you show up in your industry unlike anyone else. You will know God’s plan for you right now and show up whole, holy, and authentic in your business.

Get on ‘The List’ for even more details and information. No obligation. Click bit.ly/PutMeOnList and subscribe.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen