Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Planning

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

 

 

 

P.R.A.Y.E.R.

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Prayer, What does it mean to you when you hear the word? Do you see yourself kneeling in church, lifting your arms toward the sky, or holding hands in a group? What does it mean to Pray without ceasing? How can Prayer help your life and your business?

PRAYER is-

Purposeful. Research shows that prayer is a powerful tool for self-control; making you a nicer person; increasing your ability to forgive; increasing trust; and, offsetting the negative effects of stress. But you probably don’t need to hear this. You know that prayer and praying are good for you, right?

And, prayer is part of your planning process. In the Bible, we learn that God used Rahab, a woman with a questionable reputation, to be part of the lineage of Jesus. She trusted God when she didn’t even know Him yet. She started with a Plan. Her thoughts were her prayers. She wanted to save her family, she wanted a different life, and God redeemed her through her Planning.

Make your prayers purposeful by bringing all your plans to God.

 

Real. Talk to God in the way you would talk to a friend. God wants your vertical relationship with Him to be your most intimate. How do you connect with people in the world? Through conversation, right? When we open up to God and are honest with ourselves before Him, then we are being real.

Our deepest need is that soul longing connection with God. In a conversation with a friend there needs to be authentic communication. Guess what? It works the same way when you are talking to God. He invites you to spend time with Him. You have to agree to have real connection with Him through prayer.

Charles Spurgeon said, “You learn to pray by praying.” That is the best communication practice you have that makes connection with God Real.

 

Adjustment. We are all following a path in this life. Some paths are straightforward while others meander in different directions. No matter where they go or how they are travelled we are each on our own path. It is okay. Galatians 6:4-5 says, Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

God wants us to align with Him for our success. He will give you the vision for what He wants you to do. AND you know what? He also equips you to do what He is calling you to do. By staying in communication with Him through daily prayer you stay close to Him, know His will, and have no fear for the adventure.

Prayer can look different too. Find a way to pray that helps you connect to God. (For me it is using my colored pens & pencils in my Journal.)

 

Yielding. God’s will for you is better than you can imagine. The vision you have for your business was put there by God. He asks us to be satisfied in the place He has us now; then we are ready to move into the next phase. Do you really believe He has your best interest at heart?

Remember, 10% of life is what happens to you and 90% is how you react to it. So, the more you pray then . . . the better you can handle any situation. Do you see the logic? God wants to transform you into His image. He wants you to see your work as your way of serving Him. AND, He wants you to place Him at the head of life and business. Trust Him by doing what He is asking you to do.

Plus, prayer is your first line of defense so you show up in your business exactly as God planned for you.

 

Expectation. Your definition of success needs to be what God has designed for you. Many times, we can be caught up in the world’s definition of success. God has so much more for you. Celebrate successes along the way. Each time you obey God, success. Each time you make progress, success.

Expect God to show up in BIG ways for you. Ask Him for outrageous things. That vision He gave you when you began your business is small compared to where He wants to take you. And, don’t worry about feeling equipped. He will bring the resources you need to help you when you most need it.

Pray prayers of gratitude for all He has given you so far AND prayers of expectation as you plan the future together.

 

Routine. Have you found it hard to find time to pray? Do you think you are not good at praying? Are you not able to focus when you pray? You are like me (and a lot of others who are not being honest). I want to share a simple technique. Instead of working through an entire hour, stop what you are doing at the end of a ‘50-minute hour’ and allow yourself to switch gears by re-charging your brain. (This is science.)

Sit comfortably and quiet your mind by focusing on your breathing. Close your eyes or focus on an object/picture. Just breath normal and bring your attention to the breath moving in and out of your nose. Then feel the breath moving your chest and stomach as you inhale and exhale. Give yourself a minute or two just focusing on it. This gives your brain needed oxygen (yes, you will start to breath deeper, it is natural).

Now move into intentional thinking: Prayer

  • One thing you are Grateful for
  • One thing that is a Concern for you
  • One Friend
  • One Family member

No more than these four points. You can write it down or just think through it. By doing this exercise at various times during your day you will accumulate several minutes of prayer that will be better for your brain, your body, and your soul.

 

Pray, Plan, Pray MORE.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

 

 

 

Three Ways Your Personality SERVES Your Business

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By Design

God designed your personality so you stand out in your business. What is one thing about you that you know it is ALL you? Own it and use it to show YOU.

In my business it is my LOVE for learning new things and then teaching it to others in a way they can understand. I am especially fascinated with brain research, learning styles, and business strategies. It sets me apart in my coaching by creating personalized plans to meet each client’s needs.

How can your personality help you stand out in your business?

 

By Learning

Knowing your UVP (unique value PERSONALITY) attracts your ideal clients to you. What have your learned about yourself through assessments? Use these tests to get insights about how you function and lead in your business.

When I use my Command Strength to take charge of an event. I watch my tribe relax and become the participants instead of having to be ‘on’. It is FUN to watch these leaders take a break. They trust me to bring refreshing and refocusing to their businesses.

What part of your personality do you think attracts your clients?

 

By Acting

Don’t copy others. Show YOU all the time. Be your wacky, corny, serious, energetic self. How would others describe you to someone you just met? Showing up as your whole self is the way to be authentic so they know the real you. Never bring just part of you to the party.

Being who you are takes courage. Every day when I go out into the marketplace I prepare myself before by meeting with God (my CEO) and making sure I am aligning with Him. I can only be successful being ME by continually connecting with Him. This gives me courage to be ME.

What ONE thing can you do today to be more YOU?

 

By design, God created your personality so you can serve others uniquely. By learning, you can get to know specifically how He created you special and work within those qualities to attract those you were meant to serve. By acting, you can show up doing the things He has called you to do with courage because you know Whose you are and who you are called to serve.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

 

Deneen

P.S. Looking to know yourself better? Start with the Leadership Quiz.

 

 

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

 

3 Ways to PLAN a God-centered Business

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There are many ways to create a business PLAN. They can range from simple to complex. Before any of it begins, there are few things to ask yourself.

Why do I have a business?

Who am I serving with my business?

How do I present my business?

Your business must solve a problem for the people you want to serve. Much of the time, those you serve are very similar to you. And, as for the way you present your business, you have choices from products, to downloads, to all forms of coaching.

For me, a God-centered business means I ask Him first what direction I should go and then decide together how I should offer my services.

The three ways I PLAN for a God-centered business is to actually PLAN with God. Here’s how. . .

Make Him the CEO

This involves having a relationship with Jesus and making Him the boss, the Lord, over all in your life. This includes your business. He has a place for you in His overall PLAN and you have such a specific part to play in His Story.

Only by being close to God can you have the understanding and wisdom to follow in that PLAN. God is there to guide you every step of the way. By reading His Word, journaling, and through prayer, you can align yourself with Him and cooperate with His PLAN for your success.

Follow the Vision He is giving you

God has placed in your heart that pull to do something more. He has orchestrated your life so you have acquired skills, experience, abilities and knowledge about your areas of interest. He created you to be satisfied when you work in those certain sectors and industries.

Proverbs 29:18 says, “When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. . .” Divine guidance is also translated as Vision. God has a purpose for you to fulfill. He has placed the vision in you and now it is up to you to live it out, one step at a time. That is where getting to know Him and sitting with Him as your CEO allows you to make the PLAN He wants for you.

Create a business that is uniquely suited to you

You have been created as a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. There is no one else that can bring your part of God’s PLAN into the world. He has reserved it for you. Getting to know how He created YOU unique allows you to create a business that will energize you each day.

God will help you build your business in a way that will attract your ideal clients and customers. He wants you to use all those special things about YOU (personality, values, talents, gifts, experiences, strengths, expertise) to show up authentically in your business. Get to know yourself better and you will experience CLARITY as you PLAN for the future.

 

Take the time to make God the CEO of your business by meeting with the boss; follow the Vision He has given you for your business and trust Him for the results; and, create a business that highlights all your wonderful skills and abilities so you shine for Him through your business.

Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty.” Don’t try to do it like everyone else. Be true to who God has called you to be. PLAN with Him, PLAN to build, and PLAN to do it your way.

What is your PLAN for your business?

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Take the Leadership Quiz to see how you LEAD your business AND then check out the Clarity Leadership Conference & Retreat coming in September.

The Person Driven Life Can Be Your Life

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I have read through the Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren twice now. I went through the book the first time with a group at my church when it first came out. Then recently, I lead my Christian Women’s Network Group through the book for our Bible/Book Club.

What did I learn the second time around?

I want to change the wording. . . instead of Purpose-driven life I want to change it to the Person-driven life.

AND, I want to give you three ways to look at this Person-driven life for your Business.

Relationship

First, God has created you to be in relationship with Him.

This is the easy part for me because I truly believe that if you don’t fill up on God each day you will not overflow in your life in the way you are meant to. The vertical relationship with God is what He calls us to FIRST when we accept Him as Savior and Lord our lives. Don’t think anything will go the way it is supposed to go if this relationship is not consistent and growing.

Plan

Next, God has created you to do something specific.

You are part of God’s story. You are alive now to fulfill your part in that story, HIStory. I don’t want you to think though that it is ONE thing you are to do. God leads us to different parts of our ‘something’ as we live our lives. We can only stay on the path if we are willing to meet with our ‘boss’ and align our lives with Him. Staying in God’s Will means carving out time to allow Him to speak to your heart. Listening to what His heart is for you.

Belief

Last, God has created you equipped to live out your Calling.

You are the only YOU that will ever exist. God has given you the unique qualities that are designed to help you live out your Calling. He brings ideas, resources, and growth opportunities into our lives so that we can show up as our authentic selves. Your values, strengths, gifts, and experiences all work together so you are equipped to do what satisfies you most. He really does give you the ‘desires of your heart’.

All In

God is calling you to a life that is ALL for Him. There is no division between the personal, professional and spiritual parts of your life.

Does this mean you have no ambition? No, God has given you a will to be successful.

Does this mean you don’t utilize good business practices? No, God actually brings resources that are best for you.

Does this mean you have to give all your money away? No, God wants you to be financially independent.

It does mean that you have been given the opportunity to BLESS others through your business. God has given you a way to SOLVE the problems of your clients. That’s what a business is all about, solving problems. AND, as you build your business you can BLESS others who join your team.

By focusing on this Person-driven life you have your priorities in order. God filling you up in relationship with Him. Growing in your spiritual life as you become MORE like Jesus. God revealing your part in His story. Growing in your professional life with MORE of a passion for your business. God equipping you to live out your Calling. Growing in your personal life as you learn MORE about how He created you.

God’s vision for your life if so much bigger than yours. Trust Him and take the first step. Where are you not aligning with Him: in relationship, in His plan, in belief in yourself? Get these first three things in order; be Person-driven, you will succeed.

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

 

4 Places You May Not be Showing up Authentically

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Everyone wants to feel accepted, right? No matter what place you are in, you want others to like you and see you as a competent woman. You want to fit into the group. There is nothing wrong with this. In fact, we were made for community and therefore crave acceptance from it. BUT, are you compromising who you really are to ‘fit in’? Are you trading off a part of yourself so that others will ‘like’ you?

There are four places I think we, as women, compromise showing who we really are and it makes us feel disjointed, stifled, and fake. You may see yourself in one or in all four places bringing just a part of your whole self. And, I bet it feels like your authentic self will never emerge. God calls you to live your life in such a way that, “So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31NLT

Place ONE- At Work

This is the first place I see women hiding who they truly are. They are afraid to let others know they have a faith-life outside of the office. Oh, you may have integrity and work with excellence, but unless you are letting others know your WHY, you are not living completely honest with yourself and with God. Jesus warned, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:33

Place TWO- At Kid Activities

This place makes it easy to hide who you truly are. There is a surface level type of communication. It is easy to discuss the activity itself- soccer, dance, birthday. It is easy to get caught up in the cause of the PTA for the betterment of the school. It is easy to not voice your opinion about anything. Honesty is not required on this level and so you can become one of the crowd to fit in. But, God wants more from your interactions with those you see on a regular basis.  Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5, “But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

Place THREE- At Church

This place should be the one where you feel the most authentic BUT it is not. Many of us tend to put our best faces on when we go into worship, attend a Bible study or volunteer. You want everyone to think your life is great. The very place where meaningful relationships are supposed to take place ends up being the place where you feel the most unlike yourself. If only we all let down our facades and really cared about one another. Paul says, “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.” Philippians 2:2

Place FOUR- At Home

This place is where your role may be to serve everyone else and therefore you are left empty. Women tend to leave their needs last when it comes to family obligations. Doing all that is expected of them so that others thrive. You make sure there is food on the table and laundry is completed. You watch the movie others want to see. You never turn off being the caregiver. But God wants your attention. He wants you to fill up on Him. Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

 

How can you be your authentic self in all these places? By being who God created you to be. He doesn’t ask you to change your personality but He does change you to be His representative here in your places. That is the way to feel authentic.

You may be trading authenticity for safety. The safety of acceptance, the safety of no conflict, the safety of . . . BUT, the Christian life is not safe. It is the greatest adventure and you are living it. Show up as the woman God has made you to be. And don’t be afraid. “But as for you, be strong and courageous, for your work will be rewarded.” 2 Chronicles 15:7

Believe that you can be authentically you. Believe God will help you be authentic. Stand in your places as the person you are, living a seamless life that feels REAL.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Find your PLACE with the Calling Clarity Course. Click HERE for details about how to show up Authentically in your Calling. Sign Up ends this week. HURRY!