Deneen Troupe-Buitrago

Grow from your overflow

Prayer

When there is no more to offer

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A while back I felt like I had nothing more to offer. I was going in so many directions, following so many ‘experts’ and trying to do it all to make my business grow.  I thought I was doing it right. I thought this was what God wanted. Then I crashed. The very thing I thought I was to be doing was taken away from me. It was hard.

I decided to rest for a while and regroup. During that time, I felt empty. I didn’t know how to pick up and start again. In this rest-time I also discovered God in a new way and He taught me to put everything before Him, allow Him to fill me, and wait. Waiting is hard for me.

It took about six months and I must say it was worth the wait. As I have given God each of my ideas, my programs, my personality, my gifts, my. . . well, everything, I have seen tremendous growth in my life and business.

Empty

How about you? After a day of kids, carpools, laundry, meal planning, cooking, cleaning, marketing, phone calls, meetings, networking, and clients you can feel like you are going in many directions. And, you can feel a little empty. Let’s face it, a lot of empty. I forgot to mention your self-care that includes exercise, eating well, and spiritual renewal (aka, time with God). Are you there? Do you feel that drain as you read the list?  I feel the drain just writing it.

It was like that for the Widow in Debt. Do you remember her (2 Kings 4)? She had run out of everything and now her sons were in danger of being taken from her. She was at the end of what she felt she could physically do. But what she did have was. . . a little oil.

You might feel empty, but I bet you have a little oil.

Filling

God wants us to trust Him with the little things. He builds our faith on what we hold out to Him. You may feel you have nothing to offer, but you do. Think about those tasks that come easily to you. Give it to God for His use. He will pour it out and bless it.

For the Widow, healing came from acting. She is given a project to do so she is focused on what she has, the little oil, and not on what she does not have. She displayed her complete trust in God by getting to work.

God asks you to offer what you have so He can use it (Rom 12:1). He asks you to start with the small things in your life- your schedule, attitudes, and relationship with Him. Then He expects you to look at the bigger things in your life and hold th’re you do. What qualities has God equipped you with for your business that you need to hold out to Him so He can bless?

Start offering the oil so you can pour it out on all that God has for you.

 

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen

P.S. Schedule a FREE Clarity Session. I would LOVE to discover how you can use your ‘little oil’ to do MORE for God.

 

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

 

 

 

What does God PROVIDE for my business?

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God wants more for you. He wants to PROVIDE so many things so you will succeed with His Calling for you. Do you believe that? Do you want more?

Since I LOVE acronyms, I am going to share a new one. Remember, God wants you to serve Him through your work. AND, these are some of the things He will PROVIDE for you when you align with Him for your success.

PROVIDE

Promises- God gives them to you. “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

No matter what you are going through there is a reason and God has your best at heart. Stay close to Him through Bible study and prayer. Use your journal to pour out your heart to Him and to hear from His heart what He wants to say to you.

 

Respect- God helps you earn it. The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming. Job 29:8

Building your business means also building a good reputation. When you are doing things with excellence and integrity it shows. Be known for doing what you say you are going to do and helping others get what they want.

 

Obedience- God expects it from you. But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and . . .” 1 Samuel 15:22

We all need help to do what is right. God gives you the ability to stand up and stand out in your business when you obey what He is asking you to do. The work He has for you is unique because He created you as the only person able to accomplish it.

 

Victory- God delivers it to you. But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

God’s way to do business may look different than the world’s. But that is okay! He will give you the tools you need, the method to follow, and the stamina to see it through. He wants you to succeed and He will do it for you in the way that is true for you.

 

Inspiration- God breathes it on you. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Your idea, that vision for your business came from God. He designed it just for you. He wants you to go after it with passion. He will keep you feeling motivated, even when things get tough, because you will know it is from Him and He is with you every step of the way.

 

Direction- God shows it to you. Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6

The way to know what God wants you to do is to ask Him. By staying close to His Word, praying, and talking with God, you WILL know what the next step is to take. He gives you opportunities and allows you instances to trust Him to take that step.

 

Equipping- God prepares you. May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. Hebrews 13:21a

He never gives you a Calling without having given you all you need to live it out. Every experience, value, gift, talent and even your personality are perfect for you to do what He is asking you to do. Discover these parts about YOU so you will thrive.

Provision

God has PROVIDED all you need to live out your Calling and do it in the way that is BEST for you. He has called you to be a leader in your business and show His goodness in your sphere of influence.

Align with Him and grow your leadership abilities (for your business or ministry) at the Clarity Leadership Conference & Retreat. God is PROVIDING this opportunity for you.

Learn to better connect and communicate with your clients, team, and tribe. Clarify your calling and commit to moving forward with the plans God has PROVIDED for you.

 

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

 

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

 

 

 

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.

Five CORE Levels for Your Business

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There are five things that make up the CORE of your God-centered business. Think of it as a triangle. Start at the bottom. The first two levels deal with Jesus and your doctrine. These make up the foundation. The third level is the strategy you use to run your business. The next level is about your values and doing what is important to you. And, at the top of the triangle you have your specific methods.

Anyone who desires to have a God-centered business will have similar foundations but God calls each of us to show up differently through our strategy, values, and methods.

Over the last few years I have grown a business that is more focused, doing exactly what I want to do serving women I really enjoy. It has not been easy. But God has been at the CORE of everything, so my good and difficult times have been beneficial to get me here.

Let’s look at how these five CORE items can help you focus on what God is Calling you to do.

Jesus

He is the reason we have meaning in anything we do. Our view of WORK comes from the Garden of Eden. God created us to take care of His creation and to multiply. We are to take His creation and be creative ourselves. It all begins with staying close to Him.

The only way for you to know what God wants from you is to spend time with Him each day. Put that appointment in your planner first. God’s wants to give you a Vision. When God calls you close to Himself and says, “Do you see what I see?” it is because you have the heart of the Father in you. Don’t neglect this important foundational level of growing your business.

Doctrine

This is your view of God. We need it to be very high. We need to know that God has given us His Word and that it contains everything we need to run our businesses His way. Only when you align yourself with God and cooperate with Him can you enjoy satisfaction in your work.

God is asking you to do something specific as you make disciples for Him. You have a personal mission to carry out the Great Commission by telling others about Him. He has chosen you to do it through your business. These two foundational levels give you a Strong Base so you can have a Great Reach.

Strategy

The way you design your business is unique. God has given you all your qualities to do it in your way. No one else can bring your brilliance into the world the way that you can. That THING He has for you must be done in a way that keeps you motivated and energized. God gives you the passion and you can live it out courageously because you are standing on a solid foundation.

Your business solves a problem that your ideal clients need solved. No matter if you decide to make a product, create a course, or coach, you have the freedom to deliver your business anyway that appeals to you. Be driven by radical compassion for those you are meant to serve and find ways to serve them best. Do not be afraid to offer your solutions and charge what you are worth. Be the leader God calls you to be and help others become leaders also.

Values

God asks us to work and play hard. We are to live to serve others. Your values help you decided what is important to you. You must do your business in a way that honors what you value. When you work in your values, that which is important to you, then you have more passion, energy and grit to keep going (even when setbacks and disappointments happen).

Values are not moral ways of acting, they are a decision-making filter. If an activity, program, or business opportunity presents itself, you have a way of saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ because you can pull it through the filter and see if it aligns with where God is leading you. When something doesn’t align with your values you get that dread feeling and you know it is pulling you off the path where God wants you.

Methods

Your unique style is what makes your business appealing to your ideal clients. The way you lead in your business causes others to be attracted to you and your services. For this reason, you don’t have to look at how others are working their businesses (Galatians 6:4-5). God has given you a way to show up authentically to your people. All those talents, gifts and abilities create a mix that no one else will ever replicate.

You must also stay relevant and change with the times. This means to always be growing in Wisdom. God brings people and resources into your life to help you flourish continually in your business. Be open to opportunities for improvement in your skills and leadership. Remember, your business can transform lives for Him.

 

These five CORE elements will increase your relationship with God, allow you stand firm in God’s Truth, create a business that is appealing to others, take on projects that energize and inspire you, and allow you to show up in your business as YOU.

I have used these five CORE levels to help others get close to God, grow in His Wisdom, use their uniqueness to discover a business strategy that works for them, stay true to their values, and show up whole, holy and authentic in their business.

Schedule a Clarity Session and see what I can do for your business.

Be filled to overflowing,

Deneen