Live by Design, Not by Default

Hey friends, this is a looooooong post !

Big things happened in 2018! I have some exciting projects that I have been working on to help you grow personally and professionally.

I am officially working on my first book, "Designed on Purpose, For Purpose. Live Your Life by Design, not Default." (working title)

4 Driving Ideas for 2019 

1. Less but better. 

2. Live by design, not default. 

3. My utmost for His highest

4. Living Fearlessly

Less, but Better

Last year I tried to start 3 side businesses.... yes, 3 ??

Trying to start 3 businesses was fun, creative and challenging. Yet, as I was reflecting on 2018 I realized that I needed to simplify. My friend and co-worker while I was in full-time ministry Star, had a saying, "dig deeper and narrow the focus." Thats it!

As Carol Dweck says, there is power in a growth mindset. Instead of a fixed mindset, I realize that I have been hard-wired for growth, learning, starting and designing. At the same time focus and execution are key!

I love what Mark Batterson said in a small pocketbook I got from a conference, "destiny is not a mystery. It's a decision. And you are only one decision away from a totally different life."

So I picked up my copy of Essentialism by Greg Mckeown. The big idea in this book is, "Less but better." It is the disciplined pursuit of less.

Here are a few quotes to give you an overview:

“Essentialism: only once you give yourself permission to stop trying to do it all, to stop saying yes to everyone, can you make your highest contribution towards the things that really matter.”

“The way of the Essentialist means living by design, not by default. Instead of making choices reactively, the Essentialist deliberately distinguishes the vital few from the trivial many, eliminates the nonessentials, and then removes obstacles so the essential things have clear, smooth passage. In other words, Essentialism is a disciplined, systematic approach for determining where our highest point of contribution lies, then making execution of those things almost effortless.”

Live by Design, Not Default

I call it your greatest good. The idea is simple: The world needs your greatest good for their greatest good. You can only serve and lead people to the level you are. John Maxwell calls this the Mirror Principle: “The first person we must examine is ourselves.” If you don’t look at yourself realistically, you will never understand where your personal difficulties are coming from." Go ahead and sing Man in the Mirror, I know you want too.... ??

For me, 2019 is about putting all my energy and effort into my greatest contribution and creative work. The challenge is to focus on what is essential. And, I think you should focus too!

There is no shortage of personal development, self-help, leadership and business books. I want you to set career goals and development goals. I want to help you start the new business you have been dreaming about. I believe in dreaming big and starting small. I believe you were designed on purpose for a purpose. However, as a Christian, you have to pursue a bigger purpose.

My Utmost for His Highest

I've added Oswald Chambers classic devotional to my morning routine. January 1 says, "Shut out every other consideration and keep yourself before God for this one thing only- My Utmost for His Highest. I am determined to be absolutely and entirely for Hime and for Him alone."

What would your life look like if you died to yourself and fully followed Christ?

I've been also re-reading one of my favorite authors and teachers, Paul Tripp who challenges us to consider these reflection questions:

"What kingdom are you actually living for? What is the “good life” that you daily pursue? What hope gets you up in the morning and keeps you going throughout the day? Is Christ the center of your life? If I watched the video of your last month, listening to what you said and why you said it, what would I notice most? If I watched how you made decisions and related to others, noting what you were interested in and fought for, what kingdom would it reveal? If I saw how you dealt with responsibility and invested your free time, and if I saw you in both busy and quiet moments, even hearing your silent conversations with yourself, would I conclude that Christ is the center of your life? Is he really your source, your motive, your goal, and your hope? Is it possible that your Christianity may, in fact, exclude Christ? Is it possible that the little kingdom is alive and well, smack-dab in the middle of the big kingdom?"

Living Fearlessly

Author, Bronnie Ware spent years working in palliative care with people in their last weeks of life. The most common theme of regret she found with each person was that they "wished they had the courage to live a life true to themselves, not the life others expected of them. This was the most common regret of all. When people realize that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people had not honored even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made."

What if we had the courage to push past fear and not be persuaded by everyone else's voice? If the number one regret is not discovering your unique design and living out other's expectations, then what would happen if you acknowledged that this year? We are all distracted by our own limiting beliefs and the opinions of others.

Author and speaker Jon Acuff said, “If you’re going to risk and maybe fail, fail at something that matters. Fail gloriously so that even in failure, lives change.”

So, we need focus and intention! We need to remember we are designed to glorify God and join His work.

Instead of three separate business, I'm focusing on doing one thing. Helping people and organizations live on purpose for a purpose.

The challenge I gave myself is "what if I focused all my energy, effort, time and talent on consulting, coaching, speaking and writing around this big idea?"

I am committed to driving conversations around four themes of personal passion and curiosity: Social Innovation, Organizational Strategy, Social Entrepreneurship, and Faith & Work. These are ingredients that make up my core purpose.

I can see now that the businesses I started are just vehicles for this personal mission.

I have combined 3 businesses into two with one big idea. Designing your life and business on purpose, for a purpose.

Common Good Design: Social Impact Consultancy

Greatest Good Design: Coaching to help people Design their life and business on purpose, for a purpose.

Want to join me in designing your greatest good?

Are you thinking about these questions?

Am I living my adventure for His glory?

Am I dreaming too small?

Am I making a difference and having impact?

Is this all there is?

What risk do you need to take? 

Where do you need to go all in? 

What do you need to stop doing?

You know in your soul that something is not working.

The most important question is where is your walk with God?

If you are like me, 2018 left goals to be met, failures to still overcome, and dreams still waiting to be launched.

I have created two coaching intensive programs that will help you start 2019 strong.

Ready to design your greatest year?

Get started today: Send me a message for more info!

Design Your Life Plan

or

Design Your New Venture