As a Coach and Counselor, I often attend seminars, join FB groups, attend conferences, and read blogs to get the most recent information and trends for achieving success in my business. I hear others sharing that they have the degrees, the certifications, funnels, lists, and offers – and still don’t get the clients. They may be askings, “Am I missing the “Special Sauce” that others are using? Is there something wrong with me?” Let me encourage you – there is NOTHING wrong with you or your technique in engaging and securing clients; you need heart!
I discovered that while knowledge of your craft and education are critical components for success, clients seek those that will serve them to be authentic and empathetic. As am Empowerment Ignitor, if I’m not living what I’m proposing to minister to others, how credible am I? I am an EMPOWERED woman who has overcome homelessness, domestic violence, bankruptcy, foreclosure, sexual assault, and divorce. When I engage with potential clients, I hear them and feel their situation from experience – and it makes a difference.
I hear you, Valerie – what are you suggesting? I’m suggesting to each of us that when you desire to aid someone through coaching, counseling, or mentoring, let it come from an authentic place. Let what you share with others comes from an encounter or experience, not just something you heard of learned. Knowledge is power, but our truth and testimony can be a key to unlock others’ success.
The steps of a man/woman are ordered by the LORD who takes delight in his/her journey. (Psalm 37:23 – MSG)
Do you ever find yourself wandering, with no destination in mind? It happens often when we’re not being led by purpose, but being guided by emotions. Today, I want you to pause your movement for just a moment, to ensure that you’re moving on the right path, taking the right steps. Today, I need you to be INTENTIONAL!
Your intentional movement today could be the catalyst to disrupt the chaos in your life, and set you on the path to success. I know you want more, we all do; but are we willing to make the necessary changes to get there. I am moving forward in purpose, moving intentionally and I want you to join me!
I’m not a rubberband or pizza dough, so why am I feeling STRETCHED? Stretching is a part of our process of becoming. Our capacity increases along with the propensity to excute our purpose on a larger scale. If you desire more from your life, expect the stretch. If you’re content where you are – I don’t want to even think that way – DON’T be anymore.
This photo was taken with my kings in 2017 after the weekly chapel, and it feels like yesterday. As Character Coach for Bluefield College Men’s Basketball, I am often asked why I do what I do, and my response never changes. I realize that I’m more interested in making an IMPACT in the lives of others than I am making a name for myself. I am a servant before anything and know that my sphere of influence blends education, government, family and ministry and I love it all!
Some of you are feeling challenged today because you’ve lost focus of purpose and began focusing on people. Let me challenge you to shift your mindset and become consumed on the impact that your obedience to operating in purpose will bring. It’s not to late to make the needed change – take the leap today, someone is waiting on you to make an IMPACT in their life.
This is a photo of a beautiful sunset that I experienced in Eldoret, Kenya a few weeks ago; breathtaking, humbling, majestic, stimulating! My journey to Kenya was ordained by God, I have no doubt. It presented opportunity for inward reflection, correction, and growth. This journey pushed me to another level in obedience to God’s plan for my life and I surrendered to His will.
Our life journey will often take us places we didn’t expect to go, having us doing things we’d never dreamed of doing, and receiveing blessings beyond what we could imagine – I’m testifying! I want to encourage you today to take the limits off of yourself; and God. Be willing to be stretched for His Glory and embrace your journey.
Doors are being opened because of my obedience to GO and DO; life as I’ve known it has changed. I am continuing to trust God to order my steps, and I encourage you to do the same. Embrace the Journey, stay the course according to God’s plan and experience all the breathtaking moments that are in store for you.
It’s a new day, and new week to be great! We are grateful for these empowering words from Minister Rebecca Brooks White providing us with a mindset for winning.
Billionaires, moguls, savvy entrepreneurs… there is something many of them have in common: regular morning rituals to set them up for success!Upon awakening, Gary Vaynerchuk checks the news and starts his workout; Barack Obama has breakfast with his family; Arianna Huffington does yoga and meditation and sets her intention for the day. Just look at the morning routines of other successful people and you’ll see similar patterns. Bottom line: having a structured routine helps you start the day on the right foot to accomplish your goals. Let’s dive into how to use morning rituals for success.
YOUR MORNING RITUALS MINDSET
Before you create a ritual that works for you, think about the bigger picture: why are you following this way of eating? What’s truly motivating you?Consider Your “Why”What’s the main reason you’re following a diet? What’s your goal?Do you want to experience weight loss, mental clarity, better athletic performance, or better health in general? And what are the underlying reasons you want to experience this? —To be able to pursue your passions with a clear mind, to be healthy enough to play with your kids, and/or to live each day not feeling sick?Think about your “why” (or “whys”) and keep that in the forefront of your mind.
SET REMINDERS
After you’ve determined your big “why,” write it out on a piece of paper (or in your phone) and keep it somewhere you can reference as needed. Dieting is hard, and there will likely be moments of weakness — a regular reminder of your motivation is a helpful tool to have from the beginning.
TRACK YOUR PROGRESS
As you set up and try a new ritual, don’t forget to notice how you progress and what works. You might need to tweak things here and there as you go along, but you can only make changes if you know ahead of time whether or not the current one is working.Also, celebrate wins. If you meet your weight goal for the week, hit a certain number of reps at the gym, or notice clearer thinking at work, recognize it! Even small wins will help you push forward and stay consistent. It’s easy to forget how far you’ve come if you’re only focusing on the end goal. Celebrate the little steps.Now, let’s talk about the actual rituals you can put in place to set yourself up for success on keto. It all starts with a plan.
DECIDE WHAT YOU’LL DO
Your morning rituals should be highly individualized based on what works best for you, but here are some suggestions:Get up 15 minutes earlier: Even if you’re a self-proclaimed night owl, consider going to bed and waking up a little earlier. A study in 2008 showed people who get up earlier tend to be more proactive and show more success than late rises. Start your day a little earlier this week and see what shifts in your diet success.Meditate/ Prayer: Prayer first thing in the morning is a great way to stay grounded and centered for the day. Daily meditation can be great for reducing anxiety and increasing mental focus and calm. If you struggle with emotional eating, having a meditation practice each morning might help with that.Have the same breakfast: Try eating the same breakfast every day or have 2-3 meals you rotate every few weeks. Having a breakfast planned out beforehand as your “usual” eliminates time or energy spent on make a decision first thing in the morning. Decision fatigue is real!
Journal
Writing about what’s on your mind is a good way to calm, clear, and quiet it. Set aside 10-30 minutes each morning to write about whatever’s on your mind. You might just notice you’re better able to work through any mental blocks you’re experiencing, boost your creativity, and work through any troubles you’re struggling with mentally. If you’re looking for a journal that helps you define your goals, structure your days, and review your weeks/months, make sure to check out the Daily Domination Journal.Set an intention: Our minds naturally go to the negatives first — unless we train them not to, and a lot of diet success has to do with your mindset. Start your day by voicing a positive intention out loud about how you want it to go (i.e. “I intend to be open to success” or “I intend to make choices that benefit me”).
Affirmation
Just like with intentions, positive affirmations help set you up for success and put you in a mindset of personal development each day. Examples could include “I eat well and exercise to enjoy lasting good health” or “I have control over my feelings, thoughts, and choices daily.”Workout: This is a common one. Get your workout out of the way soon after you wake up to reap the benefits of feeling fit and energized throughout the day. Set phone reminders in the morning: Type out your “why” into one sentence, and set it as a reminder on your phone shortly after you wake up. That way, you’ll instantly receive a reminder each morning about why it’s important to stick to your diet.
STAYING CONSISTENT
No matter what you choose to do, make sure it’s something with which you can do long-term each morning. Try it out for at least a couple weeks and note any physical and mental changes you notice.Then, if you need to make changes or struggle to stick with your ritual most days, reassess. But remember to give yourself enough time to implement and get used to the changes before giving up on them.
PRACTICE HONEST APPRAISAL
Be honest with yourself when implementing a new ritual. Are you doing it every morning? Are you giving it enough time to see whether it makes a difference? Just like with the any diet, big changes take time to implement and to see results. Be honest with yourself about how you’re doing and whether you’re giving your ritual a fair try.
MAKING MORNING RITUALS HAPPEN
We’ve talked about how morning rituals can make you more successful and help you meet your goals. Now, all that’s left is for you to go out and try it! What rituals will you choose to start doing?
It’s a New Month, New Quarter, New Season, and hopefully and New Mindset emerging in each of you engaging with this post. What have you done thus far to ensure that you’re going me meet your goals? Of course we had those BIG goals for the year, but today, I want you to consider that goal that’s for today – let’s aim for a daily strong finish. If necessary, let’s start with these steps: recommit your goal(s); be purpose driven, not emotionally driven; determine what’s working and continue it; determine what’s not working and STOP it; determine where change needs to take place.
I read a quote from Gary Ryan Blair that spoke volumes to me, ““Finishing strong is an everyday occurrence as there will never be a race, goal, day, quarter or year that does not come to an end. This means finishing strong is not an act…it’s a habit.” — Gary Ryan Blair Meditate on that. A strong finish is habitual!!!
As your Empowerment Ignitor, here is a short message I released to EMPOWER you today!
Jeremiah 17:5-8 MSG reads, “5 God’s Message: “Cursed is the strong one who depends on mere humans, Who thinks he can make it on muscle alone and sets God aside as dead weight. 6 He’s like a tumbleweed on the prairie, out of touch with the good earth. He lives rootless and aimless in a land where nothing grows. 7 “But blessed is the man who trusts me, God, the woman who sticks with God. 8 They’re like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers – Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf, Serene and calm through droughts, bearing fresh fruit every season.”
Happy Monday, family! I’m so grateful to be alive!
Have you ever made a mistake? Of course you have, we all have! One of the unfortunate things about making mistakes is our ability to get over it. I wanted to encourage you today to let it go, live in the moment with no regrets. We cannot change anything that’s already happened but we can certainly navigate what’s before us successfully with the right mindset, motive and truth concerning our purpose.
Today, and everyday going forth, I will embrace the life; learning from my past and moving into my next.
I was honored to be guest on the premier lauch of a new podcast, The Love & Podcast, and wanted to share the dialogue with you’ll. When we think about LOVE and relationships, how often do you think about the cross? We find that we often make excuses for what we do, because we’re “human”, but the cross should make a difference in how we engage and behave. Listen and please leave your feedback.
