Search results for "leadership"

In college, I didn’t like my finance and accounting classes. I probably didn’t like them because I wasn’t good at them. I barely scraped by to knock those classes off my list of requirements, knowing I would NEVER become an accountant or be in the financial planning industry. After college, I started my business, and accounting wasn’t my priority. But since I was the “ivy league” graduate of my partners, I took on the accounting myself. I figured since I had just learned it in college, I was the best of the 3 of us. Instead of hiring a bookkeeper or paying for monthly accounting service, I decided I would do it all myself to save money. After all, how hard could this be – it’s not like we were a billion-dollar company. A few years into my company, it came time to files for taxes. I met with a Certified Public Accountant, and he broke the worst news I had ever heard – I owed $15,000 to the IRS in payroll taxes that I had not been paying. I was devastated. The accountant told me that I shouldn’t be trying to do things on my own, especially in an area I’m not good at. That day I sucked up my pride and hired the accountant’s monthly bookkeeping and financial advising services. We all need help in certain parts of our businesses. There are tasks that we need guidance with, but our ego or pride doesn’t let us ask for help. Sure, there are things we can save money on by doing ourselves at the beginning of the business, but the least we could do is ask for guidance, read a book, or follow tutorials. We have to be smart enough to realize this journey wasn’t meant to be walked alone. One problem entrepreneurs can experience is that we think we need to know and do everything on our own since we’re the owners – or else we’d be seen as unqualified to be a business owner. We think that owning a business means we should know it all, so we don’t ask for the help and guidance we need. But doing things on our own is NOT how God designed us. In fact, in the most famous preaching ever given, Jesus tells us that our entire spiritual walk hinges on the concept of humble dependence – our need for God. The bible says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3 NIV) When Jesus says, “poor in spirit,” he’s talking about people who have come to understand that without God, they are nothing. In other words, the people that are humble enough to admit that they don’t have it all together and need help are the ones that will be blessed. So how does this apply to your journey as a Godpreneur? It’s a blessing for you and your business when you recognize you are in need of God’s grace, you are spiritually bankrupt, and you’re a sinner that will take the whole business down if left on your own. Your realization of this danger to your life is what turns you to God because you realize you can’t do what you’re born to do without Him. One of Jesus’ steps to achieving greatness in business is to have total dependence on God. When you are in a mindset of dependence, it humbles you, and you see that you’re not as good in certain areas as you might think. We stop pretending to be someone we’re not. We get off our throne and let God take His rightful place in our businesses. I could imagine how hard it must have been for my accountant or my partners to work with me, Mr. Know-it-all. I wasn’t willing to learn, grow, or accept correction because I was trying to maintain the inflated image of myself I created because I graduated from an Ivy League school. When I started my journey with God and realized that there was so much more to learn about business, even after graduating college, that’s when I finally humbled myself and committed to being a student again, depending on my new professor – God. When we realize our dependence on God, that’s when He brings a resource into your business that will help. This can come in the form of a person, a new tool, or a resource. Even Jesus, when he started working as a carpenter, must have needed guidance and instruction. God must have brought resources around him to make that happen. We Godpreneurs need to acknowledge that when God is at work within us, we can put Jesus’ teachings into practice across all the areas of our businesses. In a marketplace full of powerful business people, it may seem like a weakness to be dependent on God. This is a lie the enemy wants us to think. The Godpreneur that’s more likely to be successful will be the instills a culture of dependence on God and each other to break through barriers and achieve greatness. As Jesus eludes to, a humble Godpreneur is the first characteristic mark of companies that achieve sustained greatness. Of course, the marketplace is full of entrepreneurs that are stuck in a state of inflated self-appraisal and self-promotion. Instead of being envious, our hearts have to break for them. This is even more of a reason we need to show our dependence on God – so we can be a light in the marketplace and display Jesus’ characteristics and influence others to turn their dependence on God too. Let’s pray. Lord, be merciful to all of us Godpreneurs – sinners ministering in our marketplaces. We recognize our need for help. Please help us to be more humble and have a true view of ourselves in our businesses. We thank you in advance for the greatness we will achieve as we do Your will through our products and services. Amen! #LaunchingMyBusiness #NewEntrepreneurs #BusinessBibleStudy Jesus’s 8 Steps For Achieving Greatness in Business Achieving greatness starts when we learn about humble dependence on God and trust that He will always bring new resources into our business. Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

Have you ever ran 10 miles?  The first mile is awesome, you’re feeling great.  The last mile…well, not so great. There’s an invisible resistance holding you back, voices convincing you to give up, and body parts that will surely make you pay for it in the next days. It seems like it works that same once you start sharing your business idea with people.  Your friends and family are supportive at the beginning.  There’s an excitement and it seems like this idea is going to take off. Once you get some momentum and this thing is looking for real, you start to get some haters. A family member starts to throw in the negative things that can happen (because he or she failed in the past).  A friend starts to guide you in the direction they are going in (because they don’t have the same talents as you).  A past client experience has you double guessing your return to try again. We’re all going to face criticism.  I believe it’s there to help us grow in the face of adversity. The Bible says "In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." 1 Peter 5:10 NLT When it shows up, realize two things If you feel you were truly called (born to do) what you’re doing, then keep going. You can’t, you won’t please everyone all the time.  Just please God. You’re going to offend someone.  In fact, you must offend someone.  Your entire business has to revolve around something you’re trying to fix, a problem in the market.  That alone means you’re going to face haters.  It means you’re on to something BIG. Your venture is going to stir the pot, but keep on going. Godpreneur Rule #84: We Godpreneurs operate under the command of one God that has called us.  He turns haters into motivators. #BusinessBibleStudy #FindMyCalling Reviving Your Business Dreams, God’s Way In this course, you will receive the training you need to have a successful business launch and know once and for all that FINALLY, MY BUSINESS IDEA IS LAUNCHED Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

I used to run my business out of my living room.  Employees would come over every morning and the living area was converted into an office.  Very convenient for me, and employees didn’t care, but it wasn’t cool for clients. We set out to find an office warehouse to convert into our new creative space. After searching up and down, and through an awesome set of circumstances, we came across the place that I’ve called headquarters since 2010. It’s easy to walk into my office everyday and not remember the struggles of working in my living room.  I take for granted that God made some awesome things happen for me to find and continue to stay in my space. Recently I’ve changed my attitude towards my office. When I walk in, I remember what God brought me though to get and keep my place. We entrepreneurs need these reminders around us of the victories we’ve had. The problem is that we’re so stuck thinking about problems and circumstances that we forget to have an attitude of gratitude. If we would set up reminders in our minds, I believe we will begin to tip the scale from worry over to gratitude more often in our days. Back in the Bible says, God would have people set up alters and stones to remember certain events.  It happened at the crossing of the Jordan River and many other milestones that the Israelites triumphed, where God mad himself known. In 1 Samuel we read "Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!” 1 Samuel 7:12 NLT The Israelites had just had a major victory and they set up a reminder so that they won’t forget.  This was done to make sure their minds were constantly thinking GRATITUDE. You have more things great that happen to you than you know.  You’re doing better than you think you are.  The problem is you’re focused on the bad things that are currently happening than remembering the past victories. This is why companies put their awards on the walls.  This is why companies keep a linkage of employees of the month.  This is why it’s important to always write down your victories. I have a reminder to write my victories every day, then review them once a month, then write the MAJOR ones down on a different list. If we all kept remembering where we have come from, it will give us the attitude we need and the gratitude needed to propel us into the plan that God continues to have for us. Godpreneur Rule #105: Godpreneurs constantly celebrate their wins by writing down and revisiting their victories. #FindMyCalling #BusinessBibleStudy Reviving Your Business Dreams, God’s Way In this course, you will receive the training you need to have a successful business launch and know once and for all that FINALLY, MY BUSINESS IDEA IS LAUNCHED Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

#EnhanceFocus #FindingMyPurpose

Almost every morning since 2014, I’ve sat down to read my bible in the morning and God puts it on my heart to share a message with other entrepreneurs. I’ve learned a lot about running my business by the book. Will you allow me to share that with you? If so, you would receive a daily email with some thoughts on what I’ve learned from the Bible to apply it in business. You´ll get a message in your inbox to help you grow closer to God and the customers you serve. This way you’d would be able to give God some minutes of your time and stay connected with Him during your workday. Would you join us? Subscribe here: http://www.dailygodpreneur.com/landing/subscribe/ #GainConfidence #ShareYourTestimony #FindingMyPurpose

In this course, I’ll walk you through my own experience in putting God first in my business and bringing that new brand to life, quickly! COURSE HERE In this course, I’ll walk you through my own experience in putting God first in my business and bringing that new brand to life, quickly! When we put God first, it changes the entire way you look at the marketplace. It won’t be easy. You’ll face an enemy that does not want you to align your business with God’s will. When that happens, stand firm in your identity in Christ. Let your desire to be obedient to God give you strength, and lovingly explain why you’re not willing to compromise your beliefs. Godpreneurs seek to please one boss, one board of director member, the main investor: God. #GodpreneurAcademy #BusinessBibleStudy #LaunchingMyBusiness

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to “restart” my business. One day things are going great, there’s momentum, the vision is clear, we´re making money. COURSE HERE I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to “restart” my business. One day things are going great, there’s momentum, the vision is clear, everyone’s on board, we’re making money. Then, bad news. Bad news has come in many forms. For me, it happened each time a partner of mine left the company. It also happened when I lost my biggest client. The latest one happened in November when I dropped the nightlife from my service list and the accountant told me I had a couple of weeks of survival before it was all over. We’ve all had set backs in our business. We have good days and bad days. But sometimes we get news so big that it rocks the entire foundation of your business, your plans for the future, and ultimately, your identity as an entrepreneur. We feel depressed, lonely, like a failure, like the dream is over. I’ve been there, and its likely I will be there again. But there’s good news! God has a plan, and he wants us to REBUILD! Yup! And in these next series of posts, we’ll look at the book of Niahmiah and how he was sent to REBUILD the city of Jerusalem. Most of the time in the bible when something bad has occurred we see people going straight to God first. TAKE COURSE HERE #GodprenerAcademy #BusinessBibleStudy #LaunchingMyBusiness

There are seven key factors for succeeding at launching the purpose God has placed in your heart for you to fulfill. COURSE HERE We all, as Godpreneurs, have stories we are waiting to tell. The right time to do it is always NOW! Don’t waste time thinking twice about the difficulties or resources you don’t have in order to start, think about what you do have right now and follow both God and your heart, there’s no time to lose when it comes down to living out the dream God has planned out for you. There are seven key factors for succeeding at launching the purpose God has placed in your heart for you to fulfill. Write the story God always planned on you to write, serve Him in the best way possible: by following His wish for you and your business TAKE COURSE HERE #GodpreneurAcademy #BusinessBibleStudy #LaunchingMyBusiness

I’ve had the pleasure of going through pain in business. I had a client include me in a multi-million dollar lawsuit, which propelled me in a new direction for my business. I had a client fire me and request money back, which led me to fundamentally change the way I do business and opened my eyes to a brand new opportunity. When faced with adversity, I know I choose one of two roads: either I internalize it and let it make me bitter, or I give the pain to God (my defender) and let the spirit process the emotions and feed my mind new positive thoughts that lead me to finding opportunities. Based on my own account, God uses pain I experience in my business to do one of 4 things for me: mold my character teach me something important grow me in some way make a difference in the lives of others How can I look at the list of benefits above and not thank God that I go though pains in business? Business is about solving problem after problem.  Nothing happens when you’re jumping from happiness to happiness.  Happiness come from problems being solved. The bible says "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28 NIV The key for me is choosing to give the problem to God and not keeping it to myself.  God will never waste pain in your business that is offered to Him. When I offer my struggles in business to God, it removes it from contaminating my mind and opens me up to receive the solution.  In the torment of pain, I choose to spend my emotional energy and mental capacity on thinking logically. I need to pass this off in order of move on. #ShareYourTestimony #IncreaseEnergy #SharpenLeadership

I feel “called” to what I’m doing. Not the logo and website stuff that I do.  That’s my “vocational” calling – a strong feeling of suitability for my particular business. My calling is not merely my business plan or what I do as an entrepreneur or my set of skills or gifts. My calling is my identity. Who am I? My Primary Calling My primary calling as a Christian that I’m made in God’s image and I’m known by Jesus and called to be his faithful followers.  Regardless of my business doing good or bad, I’m in a transition between businesses, or I’m very satisfied with the meaningful work I’m doing – I’m called to be like Christ and show that to the world. Secondary Calling (My Business) Like a building is built on a strong foundation, the secondary calling is built upon the primary calling and it is through that calling in which the secondary one can exist. Yes, I do logos & websites.  But if I attach my primary calling to this, then it gets deeper.  I don’t just do logos & websites, I help people find their identity.  When I help someone find out what they are born to do, I develop a relationship with them where God can begin to use me to speak into their lives.  Now I can do my primary calling – be a light to my clients. The bible says "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." I Peter 2:9-10 NKJV It’s in this dual-calling approach where I’m able to truly find my identity as an entrepreneur. When I can combine my primary calling and my vocational secondary calling, I’m more powerful both as a Christian and as a provider of my service to my clients. The two are not separate.  You don’t have two different callings.  You have one calling (vocation) built upon the first calling, your primary calling. Our calling is primarily about our identity. And that is not usually the answer people are looking for when they ask, “What is my calling?” Usually, people want to know, “What business should I do? What product or service should I offer? What skill, what capacity, what gift might be distinctly mine?” People come to me to help them with their secondary calling, but they are going to always get my primary calling because I’ve recognized one can’t exist without the other. I pray that God remind me of my identity in him as I meet with clients. I am a follower and a servant that’s being discipled to best serve my clients. I thank God for calling me to this service. No matter what task I am facing, I always remember my identity as a child of God by his mercy and grace. #BusinessBibleStudy #FindMyCalling #DifferentiatingMyself

The leadership of the great entrepreneurs I admire always inspires me because they knew how to overcome

Ambition had a good and a bad side. The good part is that it’s a strong desire to do or to achieve success in something, typically requiring determination and hard work. The bad part comes when the desire is unmarried to my main mission, my born to do identity. Let me explain. My mission in life is to help 10,000 Entrepreneurs uncover and bring to life what they were born to do, the Business God created them to start. That’s a mission God gave me, so he supplies the ambition I need to go out and get it done. But then a distraction comes along the way, usually at a time where I really need the money.  My ambition, unchecked by God, begins to shift because something “sexier” came along, caught my eyes, and now something shinier is the object of my ambition. This is adultery, for business.  I’m cheating on my mission for something that is actually taking me away from my mission. The book of Proverbs in the bible references illicit sex and loose women more than any other single subject. The writer certainly thinks this is an important topic for us to consider. But for entrepreneurs, the message goes far deeper than one might think. The bible says "Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.”  They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words.  At the window of my house I looked down through the lattice.  I saw among the simple, I noticed among the young men, a youth who had no sense.  He was going down the street near her corner, walking along in the direction of her house  at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in.  Then out came a woman to meet him, dressed like a prostitute and with crafty intent." Proverbs 7:4‭-‬10 NIV Anything in business that ignites your desires and passions to the detriment of your good judgment and common sense could be considered a harlot who would potentially steal your heart and fracture your business. Who or what in your company is the harlot that wants to steal your life? What is it that has the potential to bring you to ruin if you give in to its unhealthy attraction? It might be some form of addiction, sex, the lust for power or influence—maybe, like me, it is ambition. It is seen time and again in the lives of famous entrepreneurs consumed by some uncontrolled appetite. If we Godpreneurs have a clear mission in life, we will not be easily distracted by the sideshows along the way. Godpreneur Rule: Focus your business on a meaningful mission that inspires your personal discipline and single-mindedness. Don’t give in to your unseemly passions. #EnhanceFocus #StrengthenIntegrity #SharpenLeadership

We fight to protect ourselves from pain of loss in profits, reputation, trust, and leadership.

One time I pretended an event was sold out when it really wasn’t.  I had even sent an email out saying that there were no more spots left and there was now a waiting list. I thought that maybe people would see the sense of urgency and react and sign up.  Instead, I got nothing. Oddly, I wasn’t sad or defeated that the event didn’t sell out.  Instead, I was embarrassed because I had to lie to the staff that helps me with the event.  They replied to that email congratulating me and I had to let them know one-by-one that the email was a lie. Deep down, I know I had a pride issue at the time.  I want my events always to sell out.  I want to be seem successful to everyone around me. After all, I’m an entrepreneur and I should be crushing it. Underneath all the glamour and facade, entrepreneurs are all the same—just clay fashioned into housing for a living soul. Everyone is searching for meaning and purpose in business and shares the same basic human needs. Showmanship is one thing, but we shouldn’t be fooled by our own act. At the heart of it all we are the same as everyone else—no better and no worse. And we need to recognize that fact. So how do we kick this bad habit of showmanship, pride, and fake facades? What if our entire business model revolves around a fake authority we’ve built, and there’s no turning back? The bible says One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing; another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.  A person’s riches may ransom their life, but the poor cannot respond to threatening rebukes.  The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.  Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. Proverbs 13:7‭-‬10 NIV Here are 3 ways I’ve learned how to kick the habit of showing off and pretending to be someone I’m not. 1. Brag About Others: I’ve switched from trying to sell my services to selling my clients services.  I do branding, so I create the logos and websites for people.  When I’m done, I simply tell the world what they do, not what I did.  This helps me focus on others, and myself. Attend to the Basics 2. Your body, soul, and mind need working out constantly: We need to be in the bible daily to take on a Christ-like humility.  Here is God on Earth, can do anything he wants, yet shows us that those who are last will be first.  I read the Bible to keep me from becoming more of the old me. 3. You’re Doing Better than You Think You Are: Cultivate pleasures and have a realistic appraisal of yourself. God doesn’t read your press clippings. And if He did, He would not be very impressed. We’re all hard on ourselves.  If we really take a step back and look, we’re actually doing amazing things.  The problem is that we’re not where our visions have shown us yet, and that can lead to frustration and lies to make yourself act like you’re there already. Godpreneur Rule: Drawing attention to yourself may be good for business, but the simple life is good for your soul. #SharpenLeadership #StrengthenIntegrity

I don’t seem to learn very much when everything is going great. It is usually in my failures that God gets my attention. The other day I didn’t deliver on time a project I had promised. The client was upset. I had failed to deliver on what I had promised. I look at it like this: if something went wrong in a project, client, vendor, deal, or employee, it’s a check engine light that something needs fixing. I had to flat-out confess to the client that I was sorry and I had no other choice but to make it right. Sometimes God humbles us to test our reaction before He lifts us up. The bible says "Whoever abandons the right path will be severely disciplined; whoever hates correction will die. Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord . How much more does he know the human heart! Mockers hate to be corrected, so they stay away from the wise". Proverbs 15:10‭-‬12 NLT Have you ever been embarrassed or ashamed with a client situation only to discover later that your experience was supremely valuable? Maybe your failure turned your life in a way that nothing else could have accomplished. I have found that down is the way up in business. Anyone can handle success. How you handle failure as a Godpreneur is a sign of greatness. All entrepreneurs will suffer setbacks and discouragement; it come with the territory if you are trying to do what you were born to do. The one who is always playing it safe will never find out what kind of stuff they are made of. The failures and disappointments we experience in our businesses are not always what they appear to be. Maybe they are really just momentary set-backs as we focus on God’s will for our businesses. Godpreneur Rule: Humble yourself before God and He will lift your business up. #SharpenLeadership #GainConfidence