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Last Time That I Checc’d

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Last Time That I Checc’d.

I have been told in so many ways that if I’m not an executive by 50 it’s not going to happen. Well maybe that’s true in this realm, current employment situation or even market but in my best Nipsey Hussle voice, “last time that I checc’d” there were no “best if used by” dates in GOD’s plan.

GOD’s promises are HIS promises. PERIODT.

For those feeling that you’re too old and have missed it, I want to remind you that age is never a hindrance to fulfilling the purposes of God. While you still have breath in your lungs and a pulse, God has a plan and purpose for your life.

There is no such thing as being too old to fulfill the purpose for which you were created – just ask Sarah, Caleb or Elizabeth.

No, you and I might not have the access nor privileges like some but the GOD I know specializes in using highly unlikely people to fulfill his purposes – the kind of people others overlook, discard, dismiss or ignore – because it brings Him great glory.
(Go run and tell that!)

Today is a reminder for anyone who’s on a “climb or “grind” you’re not done, it’s not over. Your latter days can be more fruitful than your former.

Keep pressing, keep reaching, keep going. Jesus is worthy of every last ounce of energy expended for HIS Glory on this earth.

As for me, “last time that I checc’d” I’ve only tapped into about 23% of my potential.

Living Your Best Life!

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You don’t have to retire from all those years of labor to begin living your best life. Many of us have visions of a better tomorrow, a future where we will except is more, or find a career that we actually love, make more money, have more feee time and so forth. If you’re reading this, it is because you want more and you suspect you’re capable of more. You have hopes and dreams and you’re ready to create the life you want. Jesus lived and died to give us this gift of abundant life. So how do we go about receiving it? We see the need to change direction in our lives, the need for forgiveness for past sins, and the need to start down the path of discipleship with Jesus. But that is only the beginning. The next part is the “following” part, the “imitating Jesus” part. We begin to realize that there is left in our life a root of sin, from time to time we act unchristian, and we know that there must be more that God has for us than what we have. So what actually is our best life and how do we live it? 

The most important word in the phrase “Living your best life” is “your.” Strip away the Instagram filters and look at your own values objectively and with honesty. Figure out what’s most important to you, what matters on an achievable level and go from there. What do you need to do to be satisfied with your life? Once you’ve figured that out, set some goals. Hate your busy city life? Then make time on the weekends to escape to the country. You’re not energized by your career?  Well, do something about it. Take tiny steps to inject things you like into your workplace, set new goals, talk to your boss about new responsibilities, or look for something new. Take a class, learn a skill, take up a new sport or hobby — everything is within your control. Ask God to take a certain habit away, to prune away a particular behavior and as God takes away those undesirable traits in your life, ask Him to fill those now-empty spaces with His love, His “likeness,” and His presence. It is then that we find ourselves living out loud the best versions of ourselves. I believe we should be living life to its fullest, which is the life God intended for each of us to have and the life for which Jesus died. There is no reason to ever be ashamed of where you are in life. Not when you’re doing your best. Not when you’re in your best moment. There’s always gonna be people to tell you “No.” Or “You can’t.” Or “you shouldn’t.” Or even that it’s just not in your cards. No matter what anybody says, you have to have the mindset that saids, “They may not see my potential but I’m still doing this and I will give it my best.” Defy the odds. Take chances, take risks, try to appreciate the things you do have and surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Sometimes our happiest moments are among the most mundane made special by those they’re shared with. Don’t hinge your happiness on things you think will impress others — that’s not living your best life. That’s only living someone else’s idea of it. This is the life that you can claim today.
Why not you?

Excerpt from Breakthroughs and Bless You’s 100 Day Devotional Journal by Kara Barker available now!

NOPE!

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It’s clear that in life we all will experience many uncontrollable challenges on a daily basis and some are greater than others. Our lives have many facets with work, home, family, friends, colleagues, partners and perhaps children as well. And over the years, no doubt, commitments have crept in, almost unnoticed, to the point where, whether you know it or not, there are probably multiple versions of you juggling lots of different plates. During the time that I started writing this blog, I changed jobs twice yet within the same organization and there have been several times when the feeling of being overwhelmed has crept in like a dark shadow. But, it doesn’t have to be that way if you know how to control the controllables. For this moment, think about how many versions of you there are. There’s the personal you with family and friends, the professional you with colleagues and bosses, you in a relationship, you as a parent, as well as just you being you. Each version of you has to meet different demands and expectations. Each version of you dialed up or down as you and your life evolve. 

Managing the tensions between these various versions of me is something I’ve had to learn and, if I’m candid, am still learning, as new demands and challenges arise. The answer isn’t to become universally excellent at all of them, but to understand which one requires the most attention at any given point. Remember, there are many versions of you but only one physical you. One thing I learned is the value of saying no because every time you say ‘yes’ to something unimportant, you are saying ‘no’ to something important. Remember you can’t be all things to all people. Know your priorities. Know your goals. Know what needs to get done over the coming weeks, months and years for you to feel that you have played your best game. And, say ‘no’ to everything else.

Sure, some people around you might not be happy. But would you rather live your life according to the approval, rules and demands of others, or be aligned with your truth, your dreams and your goals?

What are you going to say ‘no’ to today, tomorrow, next week and next month, to ensure you achieve personal and professional success?

Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, as we begin to take steps in the direction of our purpose, we ask that You give us wisdom, insight and patience. We ask in faith that as Your word promises us, that You will give us wisdom in every small and big decision as we further step into our purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reclaiming Back Your Calendar!

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“May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands.” – Psalm 90:17

My days of automatically filling up my calendar with tasks are done. A leader can’t afford to confuse activity with productivity. A leader has to prioritize and commit time to those things that make the day most productive.

That’s why I schedule white space into my calendar. My target is always to leave 20 percent of my time free. I would suggest that you fight for that same percentage.

What might that look like? You could choose to create margin every day. If you spend on average sixteen hours a day awake, creating margin means leaving three hours and twelve minutes unscheduled every day. If you wanted to think in terms of your week, you would need to leave about twenty-two and a half hours unscheduled every week. Margin by the month: leave six days totally open. By the year: seventy-two unscheduled days.

You may be saying to yourself, “I can’t do that. I can’t spare three hours a day or six days a month. And I’m definitely not taking more than seventy days off!” I think the same way. That’s why margin is so difficult to maintain….

Yet to create margin, taking essential time off is exactly what we need to learn how to do. You can’t maintain your priorities if you fill your life with busyness.

Few things give a leader as great a return as good priorities. That’s why I say they are the key to leadership.

If you’re a high-energy doer, you may find it difficult to stop, take stock of your activities, think through your priorities, and reevaluate what you do and how you do it. But you need to do it—not just once but day after day, year after year. Priorities never stay put. Yet if you can learn to master the principles of priorities and you develop the discipline of applying them continually, you will find your personal and professional effectiveness will be off the charts.