Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Intention

Stepping into Challenges for Progress

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My challenge over the last few years has been around making progress toward my vision. After leaving teaching I became a serial entrepreneur. I began with teaching Spanish classes & camps, then went into direct sales & leading a networking group, and now I have transitioned into an author, speaker & Clarity coach.

I look at this line of adventures and ask myself- Have I made any progress?

Progress

For me, progress means taking one step at a time. There is the adage, ‘the journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step’. Looking back at all those years I feel like I have walked those miles. How about you?

Another thing I have come to realize is that progress only happens when you take on the next challenge. That means trusting God to provide help. Now, I am a risk-taker. That doesn’t always mean the risk pays off the way I thought but it does mean I trust God so I can take the next step into what He is calling me to do.

Making progress also means having patience. I have my timelines, and I work hard to achieve my goals, but sometimes I am anxious. That’s when I turn to Philippians 4:8 and use it as a check list and filter. What is true? What is right? What is lovely? What is praiseworthy? It really works to take those thoughts captive and turn them into Truth.

And, never forget to celebrate progress! Celebrate when you accomplish a step in your plan. The most beneficial times for me have been when I have taken time to look back and see all the small steps I have taken to get to where I am right now. God wants you and me to be satisfied in our work, not just satisfied when we finish the work. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10).

Steps

What step are you wanting to take in your business? Are you trying to get started? Are you wanting to grow? God has you, He gave you the desire and He will give you direction. Trust Him and take the step.

What challenge are you facing right now in your business? It could be He is asking you to do something that is out of your comfort zone. Leadership? I know this is one area that God has challenged me. We can only make progress if we believe we are working as a leader. The Clarity Leadership Conference & Retreat can help you Clarify your leadership style and how to best use it for your business or ministry.

I guess I can say YES, I have made progress over the years. Each step I have taken has taught me a skill for the next. Each time I have waited on God the results have gotten better. And, it has been worth every step because I am doing it with God.

Look at your past week- What progress have you made for your business and other projects? Give gratitude to the Father for His help. 😊

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

 

 

Promoting God through your Work

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You may know the story of the sisters Mary and Martha from the Bible (Luke 10 & John 11). If you know the story then you also immediately identify with one or the other. Each woman loved Jesus in her own way. Each woman was transformed by the experience.

Here is a quiz for you to ‘just check’ to see if you are more of a Mary or a Martha. I hope it shows you that there is a little of both inside. Read the pairs across and check the one you most identify with in that line, Mary or Martha.

Mary writes poetry Martha writes to-do lists
Mary paints canvases Martha paints the walls
Mary sings in the rain Martha sings in the choir
Mary likes chocolate Martha likes cheesecake
Mary wears jeans Martha wears heels
Mary goes to amusement parks Martha goes to museums
Mary drives a convertible Martha drives a mini-van
Mary throws a fiesta Martha throws a tea party
Mary dyes her hair fun colors Martha dyes hers to cover the gray
Mary loves tiger lilies Martha loves daisies

 

Did you see that you really do possess qualities of each woman? What I love about the story of Mary and Martha is that Jesus did not ask them to change their personalities so they could serve Him. However, He did change them.

Joanna Weaver in her book Having a Mary Heart in a Martha World says, “Two completely different women undergo a transformation right before our eyes: a holy makeover. The bold one becomes meek, the mild one courageous. For it is impossible to be in the presence of Jesus and not be changed.” That is the real heart of the matter.

In my own book, CLARIFY, I chose to profile Martha. She is the woman I most identify with because her transformation included bringing Jesus into every part of her life. She learns when she needs to take time to be with Him and when she needs to get up and start moving.

Martha is a great example of how God wants us to approach our work. Everything she did was to please Jesus (even in her fussing). As she grew in relationship with Jesus she learned to please Him by pulling her attention away from ‘work first’ to ‘Him first’. That’s the lesson.

Are you meeting daily with the Boss to check in and get the plan? Are you taking longer meeting days to have strategic meetings with Him? Are you learning what it means to connect Faith & Business so you glorify God in your work?

I want to invite you to the Clarity Leadership Conference. It is for women ministry and business leaders. Sign up today (early bird special going on) and get CLARITY by Re-focusing on Who you are serving; Re-energizing your Own body, and Re-connecting to the ONE whose passion is in your soul to do the work you are doing. Take time to learn to be like Mary and Martha.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

Your PERSPECTIVE is everything

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Let’s begin with this PERSPECTIVE.

God has got your back and He is leading you into your next grand adventure. Where you are now in your business may not be where you are forever. God has given you a vision and you may just be starting to understand how far He wants to take you.

The things you are doing right now are building blocks for you to do something bigger in the future. He says that if you are faithful with a small amount He will give you MORE and MORE. God keeps it real for us so we grow at the pace He sets for us.

Learn MORE about how He created and equipped YOU to lead in your business. God’s timing for your vision to come into right PERSPECTIVE will be amazing. Think about it this way. . . How far will you go in your business and who will it impact for eternity?

 

Is this your PERSPECTIVE?

God calls us to not be ‘worldly’ in our ambitions but this does not mean we cannot have ambitions. He has put in your heart what success means for you. Your ambitions are exactly right for you. It is not up to you or me to judge or criticize others’ accomplishments. If anything, we should be celebrating one another.

God designed you so uniquely so you could bring into the world your part in His Story. You have been given your skills, experiences, talents, gifts and more so your business can stand out in the marketplace and attract the clients you were meant to serve.

And, in His perfect wisdom He also brings resources into your life so you can grow and develop into the Leader He knows you can be. When you use these resources to complement your natural abilities you take your business to the next level. It is about following God’s lead to discern what is right for you and not be distracted by how others are doing it.

 

God’s PERSPECTIVE

Believe what God says about you. In His Word He calls you Royalty & a Living Stone (1 Peter 2:5) that He will use to show His goodness in the marketplace as He builds your business. You were created the exact way He desired and He will help you create the business that is your gift to the world through Him.

Don’t allow the lies of the enemy to tell you that you cannot do it because . . .  You have something powerful to share with the world. God has allowed all those experiences, both amazing & difficult, to be the foundation for those you will serve. He makes you trustworthy to your clients by having empathy.

God wants you to believe in yourself, in your abilities, in your message, because He created you for this. He wants you to align with Him for your success and become the Leader He knows is inside of you. The leader that will tell others about Him through your business.

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Your PERSPECTIVE is everything. Make it one that that begins with God, has God working in it, and ends with God. Connect your Faith & Business and become the leader of your tribe, team, community, and industry. Make an impact for His Kingdom here on earth.

Are you all in? Do you believe you can be all God wants you to be? Join me at the Clarity Leadership Conference and connect to God, communicate as a Leader, clarify your abilities, and commit to God’s calling for you. Will you be there to learn how God wants you to show up as the Leader He sees in you?

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

We have given away our POWER

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As a believer in Jesus I am sad that we have given away our power. We have God’s own Spirit living inside of each of us and yet we throw up our hands and say, “The world is getting worse. What can we do?”

We can CHANGE the Culture, that’s what we can do. How? By standing up and being counted as Christians in the marketplace. By not segmenting our lives so that we don’t take Jesus with us from the Sunday pew to the Monday workplace. By acting like we are in survival mode instead of on the front line in the fight for the very souls of those around us.

Christ says, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33 Silence is also Denial. Are you silent about WHOSE you are? Are you silent about your FAITH?

The problem with many of us is that we believe in God when it is convenient. We are not really standing on His Truth, instead we are allowing the truth of society to corrupt and persuade us. If we truly believed that God has control of every part of our lives we would not give up so easily when confronted with the issues of the world. We would be Brave and stand up for what we are taught through God’s Word.

There will always be haters no matter what you do. Why not stand on the Truth of Christ in your life and give them a reason to TRY and hate you as you show God’s goodness each day? To live fully as a believer in Jesus you must embrace Him in every part of your life, ESPECIALLY in your Work.

The power of God is displayed when Christians unite and realize they CAN do something to influence the Culture. Where are you working in the Culture? Government, Business, Education, Arts & Entertainment, Economics, Media? YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. We can all Make a Difference if we work together.

Live in freedom! Stop following rules and just allow God’s LOVE to come through in all your interactions. Stop trying so hard to do good things, just show God’s GOOD in your life and in the world. Galatians 5:1 “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.”

We must Connect our Faith to what we do each moment. We must be not only be physically and intellectually connected when we are in our every day activities, but we have to be spiritually connected as well. Do you see God moments in your moments? Do you see opportunities to step into your Truth as you work, play, and interact with the world?

God is CALLING you into His Vision for your life. A Vision of inclusiveness of all your parts. No more segments, no more compartments, no more Silence. Take the Power inside you, God’s Power, and use it to be ALL that He is Calling you to be.

Find out more about Connecting Faith & Business by scheduling a Clarity Session with me. Go to www.Calendly.com/deneen for your 30-minute FREE Session.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

Take Time with God for Your Vision

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Each day I take the time to sit with God as my CEO and ask Him about how my business should run. With an open journal and my colored pencils, I allow God to direct my day, my path, my vision. God’s asks me to not look at anyone else and do what He is asking me to do. How do I stay on His path? What does it look like to follow His Calling? God’s vision for me is bigger than mine will ever be. Am I really trusting God with the vision He wants to give me?

God-sized visions are BIG. They take what we feel is impossible and make it possible.  What are your dreams? What do you want to do with your life?  What vision has God put on your heart and in your mind to do? Let’s explore this together.

I read a book about a year ago called, The 12 Week Year by Brian Moran. He claims you can get more done in 12 weeks than most people get done in a year. Impressive. I want to focus on one part, Your Life Vision. It is a tool for you to sit with God and your journal and work it out.

The first thing to approach is the way you think. We are going to look at it on four levels to help you work through your mindset. That is what is most important. We will go from the impossible → possible → probable → given. Are you ready to Dream Big and see the Vision God has for you?

Impossible

What would you do, could you do, if there were no restrictions? Don’t think about the credentials you need; the education you don’t have or the training it would take. What do you want to do? What is the deepest dream that you have not dared to even think about before? Go there, write it down. What is it? Write without thinking about the how for now. Just dream.

Luke 18:27 (NLT) He replied, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.”

Possible

From there, you can look at your list, your dream, and ask this question: What if? What if this dream happened in your life? What difference would it make for your life? What are the benefits to your life if this were true? At this point list all the benefits to you when your dream is realized.

One thing I have come to understand is that even if I can dream big, God always has a view bigger than I can imagine. I am always astounded by His adventure for my life.

1 Corinthians 1:25 (NLT) This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Probable

At this stage it is now time to go into planning for your new life. The question here is, How might I? How might I get from point A to point B? How might I put things in place that move me toward my goal? How might I take steps to see the dream a reality? I have found that it is not hard to create a plan; it is hard to take the first step. Inertia is the reason it always takes much more energy to get started than to continue once you are going. Get going. . .

Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 21:5 (NLT) Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.

Given

This last part is your final mindset shift. Now you take action and start to see results as you work your plan. This is the exciting part! Once you see small successes the momentum will carry you to have bigger and bigger successes. Make sure to write down your wins as they happen. Keeping an account and celebrating when you hit a goal is very important. Why? Because when the going gets frustrating and you think it may not be worth it these victories keep you focused and help you persevere.

Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

This breakdown for me is a process I can think through in order to create the life I want, the vision God is giving me. I hope it is an inspiration for you. Of course, there are more tools to use to actually set the goals, write the plans, and decide on the activities. Breaking it down into those 12-week plans is key (I actually like my 8-week strategy plan). I am here for you. If you want support, accountability, coaching I can help.

As always you can connect with me to get your 30-minute FREE Clarity Session and see how I can motivate you to Live the Vision God is giving you.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

 

How God Uses YOUR Equipping

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Equipping Deborah

Deborah was a judge and prophetess in her time. God had equipped her to do a special job. She was a political leader as well as a spiritual leader in Israel. I imagine there were great stories told about her around the tables of the women at that time and to future generations. Her sphere of influence was great.

She probably didn’t see herself that way. She was focused on what God had placed in front of her to do. So, when she gave the commander of the army the instructions she received from the Lord about how to defeat the oppressive army in their kingdom, she was working in her equipping from God.

However, when Barak, the commander, refused to fight without her leading the troops, she had a decision to make. Would she ignore God’s call to fight or would she become the commander-in-chief of the nation? She may have felt she did not have the skills to lead the army, she may have thought it was not her place. BUT GOD. . .

Though it was something out of her ‘comfort zone’, it was not outside of her skill set. There is a difference. Her trust in God gave her the confidence to move forward and lead the army. Her equipping had prepared her for this leadership role. Her faith in God allowed her to take that step of obedience.

Equipping You

You too are equipped with some amazing qualities. God has given you your personality, talents, values, expertise, spiritual gifts, strengths, and experiences so you can do the work He has for you. Your job is to understand how all this works together to live out the Calling He has for your life. It is exciting to think, you are the ONLY one like you that will EVER exist. And, His work for you is part of HIStory.

By knowing yourself better, you can better utilize the equipping you were given and shine in new ways. God is not the God of Sunday, nursery duty, volunteer outreach activities, or Bible study attendance. He doesn’t Call us to ‘fit Him in’ to our lives, He Calls us to ‘put Him in’ to our lives. To create a seamless life with Him front and center.

When He is first you can then access His power. His power to help you live out your Calling. When you know HOW He has equipped you, you can then focus on what is truly important for your sphere of influence. God wants that for you.

Equipping to SERVE

So, what is the Vision He has given you? How does He want you to move forward? Yes, it may be out of your ‘comfort zone’ BUT GOD. . .

He has brought you to the place you are right now with clients, customers, business partners, vendors and such. Now He is asking you to STAND OUT as the woman of God you were created to be. He wants you to understand HOW He has created you so you can show up whole, holy, and authentic in your marketplace.

Connect to this equipping by signing up for the Calling Clarity Course. God has placed this Resource at your feet so you can take that next step in obedience to His Calling. He wants you to do GREAT Things for Him. He wants you to know how incredibly unique you are. He wants you to FOCUS on what He wants to do in your life through your WORK.

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

P.S. There are only 5 spaces for this Course. Is God talking to your heart? Is this course the next step for you? Trust God, take that step.

 

 

What being a Christian in the Marketplace is NOT

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How many of these roles describe you? A ‘mom’, ‘sister’, ‘daughter’, ‘wife’, ‘housekeeper’, ‘chef’, ‘chauffeur’, ‘board member’, ‘non-profit organizer’, ‘Sunday School teacher’, volunteer, ‘network marketer’, . . . whew, that list is making me lose my breath. AND, are you truly yourself when you show up to each of these roles? Are you being authentically YOU?

Playing a Role

My friend Dana asked me to coffee one day. After we got our green tea lattes and sat for a few minutes catching up she turned, leaned in, and with a serious expression asked me, “How do I show Christ in my daily business and work life?” She went on to explain how she felt disconnected to God throughout her work week and that she never felt she was truly showing up as herself because of it.

I explained that she was not alone. Many women feel like they are fragmented and showing up in situations as if they are playing a role. “Life is not a stage. We are to be who God has created us to be whether in the board room, the PTA meeting, or in our home,” I told her.

The tears welled up in her eyes as she went on to say she felt phony and didn’t know what to do to pull all these things together, to feel whole. She began to give me a list of things she thought she SHOULD DO to show others her faith while at work. She thought that may be the answer. I stopped her.

If you are there thinking, “If only I do… I will be a good example for Jesus at work”, STOP. As I shared with Dana, it is NOT about doing a certain ‘thing’. It is about showing the real YOU in all situations. Integrating all your roles into the unique individual God has created you to be.

The Role is NOT

Starting with the ‘It is NOT’ list will help your mindset the same way it helped Dana. Here we go…

  1. It is NOT about wearing a Cross around your neck or having verses around your office.
  2. It is NOT about praying before meals so you can show you are religious.
  3. It is NOT about inviting someone to church or talking about your church activities.
  4. It is NOT about seeking and hanging out with other Christians in your business circles or work environment.
  5. It is NOT about trying to fit in so much that you end up a secret Christian.

The Role really is

Dana looked at me confused when I gave her this list. You may be confused too. “What do I do then?” she asked. The answer is simple, LOVE. “What does that look like?” she asked.  I smiled, “This…

  1. Carrying your Cross into work each day by looking for ways to show love to others.
  2. Praying without ceasing to have a right attitude toward your coworkers, boss, and business partners.
  3. Inviting those who don’t know Jesus into a deeper relationship with you.
  4. Seeking opportunities to show God’s goodness to others by being truthful and fair.
  5. Trying to set yourself apart so that you attract others who need to experience hope.”

Integrating Your Roles

I went on, “Don’t allow the world to tell you that you must keep Jesus out of certain parts of your life. Integrity, honesty, goodness, fairness, and love all come from God.  You need it in business and you need to let others know where it originates in you.”

A small light went on in Dana’s eyes. “It’s not as hard as I thought,” she exclaimed. Her shoulders relaxed and she sat back in the chair. “Why was I making all these ‘should dos’ for myself?”

We get it into our heads that God has a prescribed list for us to follow. BUT, what He really wants is a relationship. As I told Dana that day at the coffee shop, God wants you to connect with Him first and then everything else will follow. God will help you choose best business practices, He will give you stamina to complete the tasks He has for you, and He will bring opportunities into your marketplace to tell others about Him.

Knowing YOU better is key to doing it well. Understanding how He created you unique unlocks the HOW to live an integrated life. The Calling Clarity Course can give you the tools to see HOW God wants you to show up as the same person in the office, the Sunday School class, and in the car with your kids.

Find out more about the Course by clicking here. The next opening starts in March. God wants you to be whole, holy, and authentic. He wants YOU to be you. Let’s work on figuring this out, together.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

Re-frame your Thinking and See God Opportunities Everywhere

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Lean In

One of my favorite ‘secular’ books is Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg. In it she says, “We hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”

Are you leaning in to what God has for you?

I am intrigued with the idea of Leaning In . . .  to God.  Throughout her book one message rings clear, if you want something or want to do something then you have to stand up for it and sometimes fight for it.

Are you, as a Woman of Faith, ‘fighting’ for the ONE relationship that matters most?

Lean In to God

Connecting Faith & Business starts with your Faith. Let’s look at the concept, LEAN IN. Since I love acronyms, I have devised this one to help you visualize the actions behind it.

L- listen to God

E- evaluate and reframe your viewpoint

A- access His power

N- note or place your attention

I- imitate the Father and Christ

N- His name, your reputation, and whose you are

Lean In through God

Start with the vertical relationship to fill up on God. This is a daily habit that needs to be nurtured so it grows. Sitting with God each day gives you His perspective and aligns you with His plans for your day and your life. It allows you to LISTEN to what He wants to say to your heart.

Next, think about how you view your service to God. Do you think it is only when you are involved in a ‘church sponsored’ activity? When do you really think about asking God for opportunities to share Him? EVALUATE your pre-conceived ideas and ask Him to change your thinking so you see it more in your day-to-day activities.

Then ACCESS God’s power that lives in you. Because you are a believer in Jesus you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you. You have God’s power to do what He wants you to do. God only asks that you trust Him and take the next step. Is that next step giving someone a smile? Is it asking someone to do something social outside of work? Is it doing something that is important to someone else? Get over any fear and know that God’s power will give you exactly what you need when you need it.

Take NOTE of what God is doing. We have heard slogans like ‘pay it forward’ and ‘acts of kindness’ BUT do you think to do those things? It is an opportunity to show God’s goodness. When you ask someone how their weekend was and their eyes don’t match their ‘fine’, take a minute to ask what is going on. Find ways to invest in the people around you.

As a believer in Jesus we are called to IMITATE the Father. What does that look like when we are reframing our opportunities to show God? Kindness, caring, attention and time. How did Jesus let others know He cared? He spent time with them, asked them questions about themselves, and listened to what they had to say. Start with a cup of coffee in the break room. Take someone to lunch who is having a hard time. Talk on the phone or skype and just be present with the person.

The people in your world are looking for hope and guess what, you have it. You can make God’s NAME known by being the woman He is calling you to be at work and in your business. Your reputation grows and in turn gives God glory. Don’t hide from Whose you are. Stand up and fight for your position at the table. Fight to show God to others as you LEAN IN to Him.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen