September 5, 2013
Self-Servants Not Wanted
June 12, 2013
Take the Secret out of Doing Business
- Who are your clients and how do they find you?
- What’s your strategy to deliver your product and/or service to prospective clients to meet their needs, solve their problems, or enhance their lives?
- Who are your ideal business clients?
- How well do you know your prospective and current clients?
- What’s your strategy to keep your clients happy and transform them to raving fans?
- What resources will you need to support your strategy?
- What’s your strategy to handle disgruntled clients and build their trust?
- What’s your strategy to continue moving your business forward when funds are low?
- What method(s) will you use to stay connected to your clients for repeat business or referrals?
- How will you demonstrate your appreciation for your client’s business?
- What strategies or tools will you use to measure your client's satisfaction?
Stop seeking secrets; just create and build your strategies. You’ll be amazed of the results you will reap and you will not need to keep this a secret.
June 10, 2013
Everyone has had a free ride at least once
Free riders are from different ethnic and economic backgrounds. They’re people who cheat on their taxes or avoid paying taxes due to tax shelters buried under complicated tax codes. They’re people who can afford to pay for healthcare, but choose not to; passing their expenses to the shoulders of people strapped with the high cost of health insurance. They're executives who receive government bailouts and bonuses, in spite of their misuse or ill investments of hard working citizens who lost their life savings. They’re also celebrities indulged with expensive gifts they can afford and may not want.
What about the poor? Are they simply sitting and waiting for a free ride or an opportunity to transform their lives? Not all of them. Why are the poor viewed differently when they’re provided with free opportunities or resources to improve their lives? Is it because the benefits to help the poor haven't been deemed a great investment?
Helping people transform their lives to become financial contributors to society can benefit us all. We just have to slow down enough to give others the same ride many of us were granted for free.
April 23, 2013
Pay attention to what isn't being said
People normally show us their truth. However, some women second guess their intuition and what’s presented to them. Example, a man’s truth maybe sexual or financial infidelity – the woman’s reality is she’s living or in a relationship with a man who cannot be trusted. A man’s truth maybe, he’s married with children - a woman’s reality that dates him is she’s an adulterer and a person that doesn’t value the sacredness of marriage. Lastly, a man’s truth maybe physical, emotional, or verbal abuse – a woman’s reality is depression, fear; hope for change, low self-esteem or self-worth.
Women have to take charge of their lives and stop allowing their lives to be controlled or manipulated by false statements and be motivated by the true actions of others. Maya Angelou states, When people show you who they are, believe them. And, don’t view their truth through your ‘lens of potential’ because we all have potential, but only action creates change.
January 14, 2013
If You Think...
If you think you’ve been defeated, you are “more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:37)
If you think the world’s system has control over you, remember “greater is He that’s within you, than he that’s in the world.” (I John 4:4)
If you think you’re not loved and no cares for you, “God cares.” (I Peter 5:6-7)
If you think you’ve been cursed and nothing good will ever happen to you, “there is no good thing God will withhold from those who walk upright.” (Psalm 84:11)
If you think your efforts are going in the wrong direction, “the steps of a good [wo]man are ordered by the Lord.” (Psalm 37:23)
If you think your hard work is going unnoticed, “do not grow weary in well doing for in due season you shall reap!” (Galatians 6:9)
If you think your spouse will not surrender his will and life to God, they can become saved by the way we live (I Corinthians 7:13-14).
If you think it's impossible for a loved one’s life to be transformed, “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27)
If you think God forgets to bless you when others are being showered with blessings, “God is no respecter of persons.” (Acts 10:34)
If you think your sins can’t be forgiven, confess them to God, because “He is just to forgive us of all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)
If you think you can become saved based on good deeds, “it’s by grace that we are saved, not because of our works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
If you think you have no purpose to live, God created us for His glory. (Isaiah 43.7)
If you think you’re unattractive, you came from the mind of God and “He fearfully and wonderfully made you”. (Psalm 139:14)
If you think it’s pointless to pursue your dreams or desires, “delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of our heart.” (Psalm 37:4)
If you think your enemies have the upper hand, don’t fret because “God will make your enemies your footstool.” (Psalm 110:1)
If you think everyone is against you because you’re a Christian, “if God is for us He is more than the world is against us.” (Romans 8:31)
If you think your job is drudgery, try completing your tasks “heartily unto the Lord and not unto men.” (Colossians 3:23)
If you think your gift is nothing compared to others, “every good and perfect gift comes from above.” (James 1:17)
If you think your life is headed for a dead end, “trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
If you ever feel alone, God will “never leave us nor forsake us!” (Hebrews 13:5)
If your life is in turmoil and without peace, “keep your mind stayed on God and He’ll keep you in perfect peace.” (Isaiah 26:3)
January 7, 2013
The correlation between the window and the mind
This experience is a valuable example about our minds. Our minds can be as clean or dirty as car windows depending on the environment or the number of times the car or windows are cleaned.
Here are a few suggestions to get a clean mind:
- If you're a habitual negative thinker, get real with yourself and discover the root cause(s)
- Separate yourself from negative people and environments - even family members
- Watch what you feed your mind and determine its impact
- Read God’s word and meditate daily
- Become a non-conformist to the trends of the world
- Eat right and exercise to exert negative energy and get proper rest
- Forgive people that have wronged or hurt you and realize their actions could be a result of unhealed wounds or pain
- When a negative thought comes to mind, immediately replace it with a positive one
Finally, Proverbs 23:7a states, For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.The way you think and feel about yourself and others will be reflected in your behavior. A transformed life starts with a transformed mind.
January 2, 2013
Now's the Time
Now's the time to quit wishing that things could have been different yesterday, last month, last year. Today is the day to express your best. Today is the day to express love. Today is the day to be free and happy, at peace in mind and body, successful in all you undertake.
Instead of wondering how things can change, instead of wondering where you can begin, realize the time is now!
You're not bound by old thoughts, old fears, or old beliefs that once held you in bondage.
In Christ you can be free. In Christ you can become new. In Christ you can do all things.
You can be a blessing and live joyously. You have the power to change things now. What are you waiting for? Time is ticking.
August 28, 2012
The Power of The Tongue
Proverbs 18:21 states, Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. So, words can hurt or empower!
How will you use your use your tongue today? Will you speak life or death into the lives of others? What will you speak into yourself? If you choose death, why bother speaking?
August 26, 2012
My Sister's Keeper
August 21, 2012
The Least Factor
At least I have a man – even though he’s married with children.
At least I know dynamic, elitist people - but don’t have authentic connections.
At least I go to church – but don’t have a spiritual connection to God.
At least I’m liked – but you yearn for unconditional love and encouragement.
At least I have a GED – but was born with potential beyond a general education. Energy exhausted striving for the least is a fast race to the bottom. If you’re going to run, strive for the top (i.e., your best). No one spends time practicing to enter a race with the intention to lose or end at the bottom.
April 3, 2012
Got Power?
- Housing $203.8 billion
- Food $65.2 billion
- Cars/Trucks $29.1 billion
- Clothing $29.3 billion
- Health Care $23.6 billion
It appears the Buying Power of Blacks is generating economic stability and wealth outside of their communities. Yep! It's helping other Ethnic groups establish businesses in socially and economically disadvantaged communities (i.e., underserved Black Communities) for members of their group. And, this buying power depletes the vitality of Black Communities because their money seldom returns.
If Black Buying Power isn't creating long-lasting, positive impacts within the Black Community; this Black Buying Power isn't powerful at all.
March 30, 2012
Why Plead the Blood?
March 25, 2012
Choices, Choices, Choices!!!
The choices we make while living on this earth, can result in life’s great gain or destruction. Our eternal destiny is determined by the way we live now! Have you ever pondered the thought of life after death? Do you believe there is life after death? Many of you reading this post may say, “I do believe in life after death”, and may emphatically say, “I know exactly where I’m going”. Do you really believe there is a God? Does your lifestyle exemplify your belief? Where will you spend eternal life? Who or what is your eternal security?
Joshua, Moses’ successor, is an example of a Godly leader who submitted to God, and was successful in being a spiritual influence in leading Israel to remain faithful servants of God. In Joshua’s final message, he stated “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the Lord your God” (Joshua 23:11), and “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom you will serve...but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
Living life without God, is like a fish living out of water. In order for the fish to live to its fullest potential, it must remain in water because water is its source of life. In order for us to live to our fullest potential, we need to be connected to God - our source of life. One of the most important choices you can make this day is to choose eternal life and not eternal damnation. Every time we wake up, it is not a mistake or coincidence, it is the will and purpose of God. God allows opportunities to confess our evildoings, repent and turn from our wicked ways, and turn our hearts toward Him to gain eternal security.
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know that if you were to die this day, that you would spend eternal life with God, where there will be no more sorrows, heartaches, or evil? Some of you may believe that you have time to give your life to God or you have other things you would like to accomplish before solely surrendering to Him. The Apostle Paul wrote to the church of Thessalonica, “For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (I Thessalonians 5:2). One of the biggest accomplishments in life, is knowing that your eternal destiny is with God, and God has provided a way of escape from eternal damnation through His Son, Jesus Christ.
We all are travelers of life, and many of us are traveling nowhere fast. But, you can “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few be there that find it (Matthew 7:13-14). The gateway to eternal life is called “strait” and the only way to live eternally with God is to believe in Jesus Christ, because He alone died for our sins and made us righteous before God (Romans 5:19).
March 24, 2012
Anger
- Are they tired of the negative connotations associated with their identity?
- Did they grow up without an earthly father that never confirmed their God-given beauty when society didn’t embrace their darker hue?
- Are they tired of playing the role of mother and father when they only have the capacity to play one?
- Are they tired of lifting up others, while concurrently being torn down?
- Are they tired of living pretentiously, and have forgotten how to be authentic?
- Are they living in bondage and don’t know how to break free?
- Did their search for love, affection, and acceptance lead them into the arms of Mr. Wrong?
- Did their career pursuits bring them external wealth, while leaving their spirits depleted?
Women let it go and let God move on your behalf!
October 21, 2011
Ten P's of Business Success
- Prayer – Spiritual guidance from God to ensure your work will bring glory and honor to Him
- Passion – The enthusiasm to serve others through your business
- Purpose – Clear business vision, existence, and desired outcomes
- Perseverance – Determination to achieve success regardless of obstacles or setbacks
- Patience – Ability to deal with difficult people and tasks
- Partnership – Business relationships that strengthens your capacity to better serve your clients
- Publicity – Life-changing services and/or products that create excitement about your business
- Power – The power of God when you run out of your might to succeed
- Performance – Criteria to evaluate and measure the effectiveness and impact of your work
- Purity – Absence of activities and/or people that can taint your business existence or expansion
October 6, 2011
Can't Find a Job - Create Your Own
- Develop a winning attitude and embrace the challenge to take charge of your life.
- Define and create your dream job description without thinking about your bills or the economy. Just dream big!
- Make a two-column list and write the required skills/resources needed to fulfill this dream job on the left side and your skills on the right.
- Create an interim dream job description if you don’t have 80 percent of the required skills for your ultimate dream job.
- Create a target-list of people/businesses that can benefit from your skills.
- Identify your working/business relationship (e.g., contractor, W2 employee, consultant)
- Make a list of people currently working your dream job and define what makes you stand out from them.
- Write and send a one-page letter to business owners with your knowledge and interest, passion and skills, a value statement, and business quote from someone that has experienced your work. Also, keep a log of businesses you sent letters to.
- Send a note or post card expressing your gratitude for business owners taking time to read your letter. Do this repeatedly until you receive a response.
- Network with people that are employed and have winning attitudes.
- If you’re low on funds consider the library, churches, community colleges, or volunteerism as resources to acquire the needed skills to create the job of your dreams.
September 30, 2011
Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
- Get Real With Yourself - Identify and deal with the source of negative emotions because nothing positive derives from them. Suppressing or camouflaging these emotions with shopping, smoking, or eating are temporary coping mechanisms that can lead to other challenges.
- Know Your Role – Be clear on your purpose for working; the benefits and impact your contributions have on your employer’s bottom-line, and how your role coincides with their mission and core values.
- Don’t React, Get the Facts – There are many women reacting to events based on their emotions instead of facts. Feelings should never be used as a deciding factor in the workplace because they aren’t tangible and cannot be validated.
- Define Your Outcome – For every task you perform, you should have a desired outcome that links to your personal mission and your employer's. Working without a personal mission is like accomplishing empty victories because there isn't a connection to your uniqueness.
- Begin with the End in Mind – Start your day with a clear vision of its direction and destination. What you envision in your mind (direction) will lead to your destination. This is achievable when your emotions are under control.
Want more help to chart your course to emotional intelligence, visit SOFEI Online.
September 23, 2011
The Number Nine Can Have Power
September 21, 2011
Be What God Wants You to Be
- Forgive yourself of your past mistakes and use them as stepping stones to your true identity and potential. (Isaiah 43:18)
- Feed your inner being with God’s word, positive thoughts, and positive self-talk. (Philippians 4:8)
- Focus only on your potential and not your limitations. (Isaiah 43:7)
- Do not measure your life against the accomplishments of others. (I Samuel 16:7)
- Govern your life according to God’s plan; not opinions. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)