The Success Center

As I stated in Monday’s post, my life has changed significantly since I’ve been in a new relationship and things have changed on my job. I asked God, “How do I find the right balance of time to spend in my relationship, with family, friends, and my business?”

His response to me?

—————— Spend time with me and I’ll show you —————————-

That blew my mind.

For months I had been so wrapped up in my own agenda, head-over-heels in my new relationship, and working constantly that I had not spent as much time with the Lord as I should have. Sometimes, as Christians, we can get caught up in just living  life that we forget the one who brought us life in the first place.

Last Friday I went to Creflo Dollar’s 2010 Change Experience Convention and it changed my life! Creflo spoke on how we should honor the Lord with our time and our tithes (Read why tithing is a part of my proven secret to business success here). You see, if we honor the Lord (which means to let His word weigh heavy on our hearts in every area of our life) then we’re in position to be honored (blessed!). It was in that moment that I realized that I had not honored God with my time, instead, I put everything else before Him.

Remember, Matthew 6 and 33 (King James Version)? It reads,

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

If you’re married with a family, a single mother, a corporate over-achiever, a small business owner, or a combination of all the above, put God first and He’ll create the balance you’ll need to succeed.

How do we put God first and honor Him with our time?

Get into Your Bible

I’ll admit that I’m not the most dedicated Bible reader. But, when I get into it . . . I get in to it! The Bible is God’s love letter to us, His living Word, and contains everything we need to succeed in life and business. Open it up and read what He says about you and every situation you encounter.

Pray and Fast

You’ll see a lot of these next tips include prayer. That’s because, it’s the gateway to communication and communion with God. When you pray and fast (disregard certain foods and liquids for a specific time period) you make your spirit more sensitive to hearing from the Lord. This opens up blessings for your life, family, and business in ways that you could not have gotten otherwise.

Pray and Speak the Word

After you pray, find a couple of scriptures that pertain to the areas of your life that you want God to prosper, and speak them out loud. Doing so enables God to move on your behalf and perform for you in ways you can’t imagine or think. Can’t find time to manage your family and your business (which is growing fast)? Apply the Word and watch God give you the supplies, help, and resources you need to make it work!

Pray and Write

Writing is an awesome way to receive instructions from the Lord. I’ve got tons of journals with business ideas, strategies, and other things that have come to me. Journaling is a great tool that will help you archive the wisdom, knowledge, or understanding God drops in your spirit.

Read Inspirational Books

I just finished reading Creflo Dollar’s 8 Steps to Create the Life You Want: The Anatomy of a Successful Life (Faith Words) [affiliate link] and now, I’m looking for my next book. Reading is a great way to spend time with God because He allows the wisdom that He’s given others to minister to you. Put down the fiction, the murder mystery, or the sleazy love novel for a bit and you’ll see awesome results in your life!

Set aside Worship Time

Listening to music is a great way to spend time with God because He ministers to us through song as well. Put on your favorite gospel or inspirational song and just meditate on where you want God to take you in life. I promise you there’s nothing more liberating than to just worship and love on God freely like this.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed with family duties, running your business, working your job, or all the above – honor the Lord and He’ll honor you. This simply means that He’ll bless you to handle it all by bringing in needed help and supplies or give you tactics and strategies to see it through. If you’re looking for practical steps to maximizing your time, go back and read 6 Ways to Maximize Your Time and Get More Done. However, this article lays the foundation for success that goes beyond your own strength and capabilities. What are your thoughts? Share them below.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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This is the age of amplification–where news, opinions, and reviews go further and faster than ever before. This is both good and bad for the Christian Entrepreneur.

It’s good because if what you’re selling is great, with just a little bit of communication, you can get it in to the hands of people quicker. But, if what you’re selling sucks [1], there isn’t enough PR out there to change the opinions of people. Because people are quicker to believe their friends than your ads.

And with all the changing marketing techniques there’s a need for changeless marketing principles that work regardless of product or service. And there’s one Person that’s been using these strategies for years–the greatest marketing phenom the world has ever seen:the Master Marketer Himself, Jesus.

Jesus was a Master Marketer!

He had no marketing budget and still gained such a following that most Chief Marketing Officer’s would’ve passed out from disbelief; He used no ads and still thousands showed up to hear Him speak!

In only three and a half years He preached a Message that still continues on to this day!

So its safe to say we could probably learn a few things from Him. So, here they are… some tips from the Master Marketer Himself:

Have a great product

Not a good product, not an ok product, not a status quo product…but a great product!

When the people of  Samaria heard a woman raving about Jesus–they ran to see for themselves. When they saw what He was offering themselves, they were impressed:

“Then they said to the woman, ‘Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves. Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.’” [2]

I warn you: don’t make a big hype if what you’re offering doesn’t match the hype! You will regret it.

Let people try it for free

When getting His Message out there Jesus didn’t charge people.

He didn’t say,

“Ok, if you want Me to heal your eye that’s $50. What that’s a withered hand? Yeah that goes for $45. Raise your daughter from the dead? Whew…that ’s our special of the week…its gonna cost ya!”

If you want to get the word out about your great product, let people who need it try it.

• That’s what William P.Young did to get the word out about his book The Shack. He and two freelance editors–Wayne Jacobsen and Brad Cummings–were rejected by traditional publishers and decided to publish it themselves. They introduced it to the the Christian Community through a series of podcasts–described as “an ever expanding conversation among those thinking outside the box of organized religion.” With only $250 spent on marketing these unknowns, with no national platform,  had a book that has sold into the millions, and the rest is history (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 87 and 89)
• That’s what Rick Warren did for Purpose-Driven Life. Years before he wrote his first book, Purpose Driven Church and followed it up with a website: Pastors.Com. The membership of the website grew to 85,000 pastors who saw Warren as trusted advisor. He enlisted their help with the PDL book–asking them to conduct the “40 day campaign” in their churches. He gave away 400,000 copies of  the $20 book for $7 to churches and congregations that agreed. Within two months, those 400,000 spokespeople pushed sales to two million, and  the rest is history (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 85-86)
• That’s what Mel Gibson did to market The Passion of the Christ. When he approached movie executives about producing the movie nobody wanted to go near it. So Gibson decided to fund it himself using $30 million of his own money. Not having much money left to marketing (it usually costs $40 million for marketing, he only had $15 million) he tried an unconventional approach: letting pastors see it for free.  They started small–showing only a few pastors, but it grew exponentially. One of the final screenings was at Willow Creek Church. After the showing, Bill Hybels took the stage and spoke for the 5,000 pastors in attendance: “All right, what do you need us to do?” (Faith Based Marketing, pgs 87, 89) And with $611,899,420 in gross sales the rest is history.
• That’s what Timothy Ferriss did to promote his book The Four Hour Work Week. He called successful authors and asked them how they promoted their books. They gave him two answers: radios and bloggers. Since radio was losing its influence he decided to rely on bloggers. He went to a blogger event, met the ones he wanted to meet, established relationships, and then asked them to do a review. They did. And with the book becoming the #1 New Times, the #1 Wall Street Journal, and the #1 Businessweek bestseller the rest is history.
• That’s what Seth Godin did to promote his first best seller. He built a website, sent out an email asking people if they wanted to read 1/4 of his book for free, some did and some didn’t (most of the one’s that didn’t just plopped down money to buy the whole book!). And with multiple bestsellers under his belt, the rest is history!
• That’s what Rod Kirby did to promote his new E-book. And with hundreds of visits to the site, tons of downloads, and plenty of good reviews the rest is history!

The Bible says Jesus went all over Galilee, using synagogues for meeting places, teaching  people the truth of God.

And…

“He healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives.”

What happened next?

“Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the ‘Ten Towns’ across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.” [3]

In other words, word about this Guy spread near and far!

Give it to people who want it…not to everybody.

In the middle of His ministry Jesus decided to stop by His hometown.

And “on the Sabbath, He gave a lecture in the meeting place. He made a real hit, impressing everyone. ‘We had no idea He was this good!’ they said. ‘How did He get so wise all of a sudden, get such ability?’ But in the next breath they were cutting Him down: ‘He’s just a carpenter—Mary’s Boy. We’ve known Him since He was a kid. We know His brothers, James, Justus, Jude, and Simon, and His sisters. Who does He think He is?’ They tripped over what little they knew about Him and fell, sprawling. And they never got any further.” [4]

So because of their unbelief He didn’t do much miracles.

What He was selling was good, but they didn’t buy into Him and therefore couldn’t buy into His product (or Message).

So what did He do? Fight with them? Beg them to believe Him? Do more miracles in spite of their unbelief? Nope! He just left. Went somewhere else. He went other places where He’d be more receptive.

Stop fighting people who don’t believe you (or in you)…especially when there  are others that do. Stop wasting your time and go find those people. Rick Warren didn’t market to atheists, William P. Young didn’t market to people comfortable with religion, Gibson only showed screenings to conservative Christian and religious groups (even refusing to include those that initially criticized the film), Timothy Ferriss didn’t go after those interested in a 9-5 lifestyle, and Seth Godin gave books to those that wanted it!

Service Your  Best Customers

Not all customers are created equal. Remember: 20% of your customers will buy your stuff. That 20% will market you the best, talk about you the most, and defend you with all their strength.

Jesus spent time with thousands of people but He revealed Himself the most to the 12 disciples. When He left it was the 12 (Matthias replacing Judas) who spread the Gospel and turned the world upside down! Jesus spent His time with His best customers and as a result got His product into the hands (and hearts) of millions. Would He have received the same return spreading Himself to the masses?? Probably not.

Do whatever you have to do to keep in contact with your best customers!

Now do you see what I mean? Jesus was a Master Marketer. And if You follow Him, have a great product, and use His examples you’ll be one too…even in a market like this.

What are you thoughts?

1. By “sucks” I mean the dictionary definition: “To be objectionable or inadequate.”
2. John 4:42 (New Living Translation)
3. Matthew 4: 23-25 (The Message)
4. Mark 6: 2-3 (The Message)

Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on business and leadership development from a Biblical perspective. When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here.

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When it comes to principles of entrepreneurial success nothing is more proven than sowing and reaping. It’s more effective than any business, marketing, or social media plan you’ll ever come up with. Why? Take a look at this short verse from Genesis 26:12 (amplified);

“Then Isaac sowed seed in that land and received in the same year a hundred times as much as he had planted, and the Lord favored him with blessings.”

This scripture is pretty self-explanatory, Isaac sowed a seed and received a great harvest. However, to understand why Isaac received a harvest we have to take a step back to verses 2 & 3.

²And the Lord appeared to him and said, Do not go down to Egypt; live in the land of which I will tell you.

³Dwell temporarily in this land, and I will be with you and will favor you with blessings; for to you and to your descendants I will give all these lands, and I will perform the oath which I swore to Abraham your father.

You see, anyone can sow a seed but there are certain variables that must align before you see a harvest. It all comes down to being in the right season to plant seed, giving it time to grow, and reaping your harvest. Isaac was in the right season to be blessed, he obeyed the voice of the Lord, planted his seed, and reaped a great harvest.

What does this have to do with your business? Everything! When you sow a seed you exercise your faith that the seed will grow. You anticipate growth without knowing what the full harvest will be. This is where favor sends you a harvest a hundred times more than you planted.

To get a full grasp of this principle let’s first define what sowing and reaping does for you and your business.

• It blesses you by taking care of present and future needs (God’s obligation for your sacrifice).
• It blesses others because your business was destined to be a blessing and not just make money.
• It gives freedom for God’s will being done through you and your business (our obligation to God for giving us the vision).

Now that you understand what it is and how it benefits you, let’s talk about “what to sow.”

• Tithes & offering – The Bible says to give a 10th of your income. I’ve always been taught to give a 10th plus a little extra. Why? If you give God your best you’ll receive the best from Him. Giving a 10th is your obligation as a Christian entrepreneur and giving an offering is your sacrifice. Combined, God is obligated to do exceedingly and abundantly more than you can ask or think.
• Time & effort – In order to receive a harvest a hundred times as much as you planted you have to do your part. Meaning, you have to be willing to put your hands to the plow and work the land (or vision) God has given you. That means not giving up, staying persistent with the dream, and sticking with it when times get tough.
• Products & Services – Sometimes it’s strategic to sow products and services to organizations, people, or businesses that need them. This is a  great way to build credibility, relationships, and generate buzz for your business. God honors your sacrifice and will definitely make it worth your while.

A Short Story

I haven’t always been a faithful tither but when I give I never worry about needing anything for my life or business. It’s interesting how God honors the financial sacrifice and gives us back more than just money. Ideas seem to flow freely, favor from others enters my life, and I lack nothing to accomplish my goals.

It’s really awesome how it all works in the supernatural to enhance our natural lives.

I remember needing a place to host my monthly seminars on business leadership and I couldn’t stand to pay my local library anymore (non-profits could host events free but for-profit organizations couldn’t). I remember challenging God to make something happen and He challenged me to sow a seed. I started bringing my tithes and offering on a consistent basis to church. Before the end of the month I got an offer from a pastor, who’s church I didn’t belong to, to host my seminar series – free of charge – at his church!

That’s how I know it really works. If you don’t believe me, then challenge God for yourself and watch Him work on your behalf. If you need financing to start or grow a business, need new equipment, investors, etc. – this is how you get it. Try it . . . I dare you!

Has anyone else experienced this level of success from sowing and reaping?

Further Reading

Does God Want You to Succeed?

Are Christian Entrepreneurs Supposed to be Wealthy?

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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Image by Joe Cannibal

There’s an organization out to stop your progress. It performs acts of sabotage covertly on your path to success to stop you from ever making it to your promised land. This group is called, FEAR.They are the reason you find it so hard to start a business, plan an event, write a book, or start the thing God has put in your heart to create. My friend and author, Paul Wilson, Jr., defines fear as thoughts or feelings that create a mental prison of anxiety & apprehension, preventing positive forward progress.

In order to combat this worthy opponent you first have to understand how FEAR operates. The group infiltrates your thoughts and tells you you’re too busy, you don’t have the right equipment, or it’s too hard to accomplish. Then they take over your eyes and when you look into the vision God wants to give you all you see are giants in the land. Lastly they monitor your hands and they make sure that you never reach or grasp the tools God already has for you to keep you idle.

But, there is a secret to defeating this black ops organization. It’s rooted in American’s favorite past-time, the game of baseball. What FEAR would have you to do is not even step up to the plate and take a swing at bat. FEAR wants to make sure that you forfeit the game even before the game starts. FEAR will put so much pressure on you to make a home-run that you’ll stare at the bat long before you even pick it up. What you have to realize is that the game is not won with one swing and one swing only . . . it’s won in innings!

Here are 5 sure fire ways to defeat FEAR, inning by inning, score home-runs, and win the big game;

1. Get to know your Umpire – God is the umpire of every game. He officiates the game, He calls the fouls, He’ll make sure you’ll have everything you need to win the game. I say it all the time, but it’s true, if God gave you the vision then He’ll provide you with everything you need to build it. Get to know Him and He’ll make sure you understand how to use the tools He provides.

2. Break the Game Down – Of course you want to win the game, but what’s your strategy for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings? If you’re going to start consulting, what’s your strategy for marketing, what’s your process for turning prospects into clients, and how are you going to generate leads? Don’t get so overwhelmed with the idea that you never start to work it. Take it a step at a time and break it down into “bite-sized” pieces instead of trying to swallow chunks at a time.

3. Create a Game Plan – no one ever went to war without a plan. Period. You don’t have to create the world’s most thorough and in-depth business plan; but you need to have an idea of where you want to go and how to get there.

4. Ask your teammates for help – Baseball isn’t won by the hands of one person, it’s a team sport so get together a team of advisers and ask for feedback on your business plan. When I started my first business which was a video game tournament company, I had just graduated high school. So, I went back to my favorite teachers and asked them to be on my advisers board and they gave me a wealth of advice and support for my business.

5. Hit the Ball! – You have to start somewhere, just hit the ball already. Don’t worry about making a home-run on your first hit. Let’s get to first base, make adjustments once we’re there, and figure out how to make it to second after that. It doesn’t matter if you go to the library to research whatever it is that you want to start, read up on blogs that pertain to your industry, or go to seminars and learn something new. Do something! Remember, fouling out is better than striking out!

Bonus: Write down 2 Timothy 1:7 – “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

So, the next time you start thinking that your dream is to big to accomplish, remember the game of baseball. Don’t just stare at the bat . . . pick it up and do something with it! So, what are you afraid of? What part of your business appears to big to make it a reality? I’ll tell you mine: I want to make big budget Christian movies (rivaling Hollywood!). For the longest time I thought it was impossible, but now I find myself networking with producers, starting scripts, and other things to make this dream a reality. I’m not there yet, but at least I’ve stepped up to the plate.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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With no venture capital, no cost projections, no business plan, no spreadsheets, no ads, and no sophisticated office space the early church turned the world upside down!

And yet when we look for lessons on what makes a start up successful we look to a Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Zappos, and Amazon–not realizing that the greatest start up and some of the greatest lessons for start-ups are found right in the Book of Acts!

And without further ado…here they are…some of the lessons we can learn from the early church:

• They had purpose–They had one purpose and one aim: tell people about Jesus and make disciples. That simple laser focus marshalled their energies, occupied their thoughts, and allowed them to complete lofty goals.  Purpose is a trademark of great organizations. Those companies with a purpose that exceeds any one person seem to trounce all purposeless counterparts. Do you have a purpose that is greater than you?

• They were committed–“They agreed they were in this for good.” (Acts 1:14 The Message) This wasn’t a “fly by night” operation–they found their life’s work. They faced jail, persecution, death and still were committed to the cause. Paul summed up his commitment: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20 New King James Version) In other words, “He gave His all for me so I’m willing to give my all for Him.” Are you willing to give your all for what you’re trying to do? Not some of you, but all of you.

• They were apprentices first–Many of them were disciples (followers) before they were apostles (leaders). Although there are exceptions, most entrepreneurs had experience in their respective field first. Warren Buffet worked in his father’s brokerage house and under Benjamin Graham before he built Berkshire, Donald Trump apprenticed under his father before he built Trump Organizations, Mark Kay Ash worked in direct sales before she founded Mary Kay, and etc. The best way to train for leadership is through servitude. Do you REALLY understand what you’re getting yourself into?

• They had one message communicated through different mediums-On the day of Pentecost, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak in other tongues (or languages). They spoke in over a dozen dialects all telling the wonderful works of God. The nations present “were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, ‘Whatever could this mean?’” (Acts 2:12 New King James Version) Your message needs to reach your marketing target through any and all means…but it must be ONE MESSAGE. Not different messages, through different mediums, at different times–that’s just confusing. But one message, through many means, to one group (your target audience). Do you know your core message?

• Peter knew how to sell (or persuade)– In the middle of the amazement, confusion, and ridicule Peter used the opportunity to give one of the best sales presentations the world had ever seen. He spoke with authority, urgency, and conviction.  He used supporting Scriptures (or references)…and…he closed the deal!! 3,000 people signed the order and were baptized into the family of God! One of the greatest abilities you as a business owner must have, besides leadership, is sales ability. It’s vital! Why? Because nothing happens without a sale. Absolutely nothing! When Peter preached he preached with the intent of closing: “Turn back to God! Be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins will be forgiven! Then you will be given the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children. It is for everyone our Lord God will choose, no matter where they live.” (Acts 2:38-39 Contemporary English Version) Do you know how to sell?

• They created a leadership culture–After a while the church had grown exponentially; and with growth came problems. The Greek speaking believers were complaining about the Aramaic speaking believers. So they had a meeting and the Twelve told the multitude: “It is not desirable that we should leave the Word of God and serve tables.” (Acts 6:2 New King James Version) In other words, “We can’t leave what we’re doing to handle that.” So they appointed seven leaders to handle that situation while they continued doing what they were doing. Most leaders would do the opposite and take on the extra responsibility needlessly–but in order for your company to grow there has to be a culture of leadership. John Maxwell calls this the Law of Explosive Growth:”To Add Growth, Lead Followers–To Multiply Lead Leaders.” (The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, p.205) You can’t just be preoccupied with developing you, you have to develop those around you. There’s a saying: “Good leadership works itself out of a job.” In other words, a good leader develops other leaders around him or her so well that he or she almost doesn’t have to be there. When you develop other leaders you can work less and still get more done! Do you create leaders or followers?

These lessons simply validate the point that business is God’s idea. But what do you think: do you agree? Disagree? Do you see any more lessons? What are your thoughts?

Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on business and leadership development from a Biblical perspective. When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here.

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As an entrepreneur you wear many hats. You’re the manager, the administrative assistant, the delivery person, the accountant, the graphic designer, and the list goes on and on. Some people are more “blessed,” than others and have employees to handle many of their daily operational duties. But when you’re just starting out . . . it’s just you.

When you’re wearing so many hats it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and forget why you’re doing it in the first place. You’re juggling clients, sales presentations, trying to get your website just right, and in the daily shuffle the vision God gave you  turns into just another job. Don’t get so tied up to working it that you forget what you’re working for. In the bible, the book of Habakkuk 2:2 (New King James Version) says;

Then the LORD answered me and said:

“ Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.”

Whatever your business idea or grand scheme, get it out of your mind and onto something solid. When you “make it plain,” you give fuel to your dreams, desires, and destiny. It gives you a reason to put on the many hats of entrepreneurship. It gives you that reason you need to keep pushing through to the next sales meeting. It gives you incentive to keep going through the setbacks, successes, and failures.

One other thing, when you write down the vision of your company. Describe what you want it to be and not where it currently is. The bible also tells us that the power of life and death are in the tongue and we should speak things as if they were and not as they are. So speak, or in this case, write your success into existence. You may not be a millionaire or have a few hundred employees . . . so what! If God gave you the vision He’ll definitely give you the tools to make it happen!

Here are 3 tips to help you make your vision plain so that when you or someone else reads it you can run with it.

• Write it on a mirror – If you wake up and the first thing you see is you in a mirror, then this one is for you. What better way to start your day than seeing your vision staring back at you? It’s like looking into the future!
• Write it in a journal – Journalism is the key to keeping track of the progress of your vision. I keep many journals and each one is full of ideas, concepts, and anything else that comes to me in the middle of the night.
• Print it on a business card – I call it a vision card! It’s just a quick synopsis of what your business is and what it’s destined to become. Keep it in your wallet where it’s easily accessible. When you’re having one of those rough days just pull it out and remind yourself of the vision God gave you.

Remember, don’t get so caught up in working the business that you forget what you’re working for. Make the vision plain and keep it in front of you. This enables you to push through the rough seasons that entrepreneurship brings. What’s the vision for your business? What things do you do to remind yourself of where you’re headed in the business? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Main Image above supplied via Flickr from – sepblog.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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Do you want to take your business to the next level? Are you ready to make that first million and live the good life? What if I told you that the key to getting it is actually easier than you thought?

Check out my guest post, “The Ultimate Key to Business Success” on my friend, Mike Holmes’ blog, “I Shall Raise Thee Up.”

In it I share the greatest route to wealth, prosperity, and making millions in business.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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Guest Post by: Mike Holmes
Image Source: soxfirst.com

It’s amazing the amount of people that see business as bad. Even those in business or those wanting to start a business are stuck with the stigma of “business is evil.” But business at its core is not bad. How could it be? God created it.

Huh??!!

You heard me: business is not bad because God created it!

The Bible says, “For everything, absolutely everything…got started in Him and finds its purpose in Him.” [1] That “everything” also includes “business.” It may have been distorted by evil men but, at its core, it is not evil. Business began with Him, ends with Him, and finds its true purpose in Him–period!

Business minus God equals Big Problems

For instance, Entrepreneur Magazine recently had an article that spoke about the necessity of having a “moral compass.” AND how the problems we now face stem from a lack of that compass. Ironically, it wasn’t a lack of business that destroyed some businesses–but a lack of business character and questionable business practices.

One of the main reasons (if not the main reason) for the fall of our economy was a willingness to ignore or gloss over principles. By “principles” I mean those timeless, timely, immutable laws of God that endure from generation to generation. In fact, Stephen Covey in an interview with Success Magazine delved even deeper:

“Financial success—prestige, wealth, recognition, accomplishment—will always be secondary in greatness…Primary greatness is about character and contribution. Primary greatness asks, ‘What are you doing to make a difference in the world? Do you live truly by your values? Do you have total integrity in all of your relationships?’ And when correct principles are not followed or ignored, the result can be catastrophic as we have witnessed… in the financial markets.”

God needs businessmen…

But this stigma isn’t new.

R.G. LeTourneau founder of LeTourneau Technologies was a great industrialist and was often referred to as “God’s Businessman.” But in his early years he questioned if he could serve God being a businessman (those awful people). So one night, after weeks of praying and searching, he paid a visit to his pastor. And after another session of prayer, his pastor told him something that forever changed his life:

“God needs businessmen as well as preachers and missionaries.” [2]

And that’s the same thing I want to say to you!

Are you called to business? Good. Be diligent “to make your calling and election sure.” [3]

More than ever, we need a new generation of leaders with the insight to see the Biblical principles for business, the wisdom to use them, and the courage to tell others about them. The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few!

What do you think? Your thoughts…

Scripture References

1. Colossians 1:16 (The Message)

2. Christian Business Legends, p.37

3. 2 Peter 1:10 (King James Version)

About the Author

Mike Holmes is the author of I Shall Raise Thee Up: Ancient Principles for Lasting Greatness. He’s also a blogger that writes on business and leadership development from a Biblical perspective. When he’s not writing blogs or speaking he can be found writing bios in the third person. Check out his website/blog here.

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I went to see my twin brother’s new movie (Denzel Washington), The Book of Eli this weekend. I was totally surprised to find a film that is deep and full of inspiration yet, dressed up in action movie clothing. Here’s the trailer for your viewing pleasure;

As the trailer suggests, it’s about a guy named Eli traveling west with a very special book in a post apocalyptic world. He encounters tons of bad guys and one main baddie played by (one of my most favorite actors) Gary Oldman who desperately wants Eli’s book. Baddies get beat-up, stuff blows up, and overall, it’s a great movie if you haven’t seen it yet.

That’s the general plot, I won’t spoil anything for you in this post that is major to it so read on with a sigh of relief.

With a message that’ll shake the core of your spirit and action that’ll make your brain ooze through your ears, the movie serves up 4 keys that will help you on your road to success.

God Never Said It Would Be Easy

Throughout the film, Eli is faced with serious opposition both external (tons of baddies) and internal (judgment calls and moral decisions).

It’s important to note that being successful at anything isn’t easy, even if God promised it to you. You will face opposition, temptation, and the comfort of an easier path. However, stay encouraged, if God promised you something (a multi-million dollar business, to impact the world, to cure a disease, whatever it may be) He’ll give you the tools to make it happen.

Even though, Eli’s path was over-run with bad guys, he had the tools to take care of them all. And boy oh boy did he take care of them!

Walk by Faith and Not by Sight

Faith is a big part of this movie because Eli knows he’s supposed to go west with an important book, but he doesn’t know exactly why. It takes a lot of faith to walk toward success without knowing what you’ll find when you get there even if the path you’re walking is a dangerous one.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb.11:1)

The substance of things hoped refers to making the decision to believe in something and the evidence of things not seen is believing it with all your heart. This is what it takes to be successful in any area of your life.

You have to know with all your heart that God is going to prosper your business even though you’re in debt. You have to lean on that hope and keep walking towards that reality.

Favor Comes from the Most Unlikely People

In the movie, Eli is accompanied by a young girl, played by Mila Kunis, who becomes his only ally. She doesn’t start out that way but eventually the two set out together to take the book out west.

On your road to success you will receive favor from the most unlikely people. People who were once your enemies, people who discouraged you, or people you never met before. God’s favor upon you will raise someone from somewhere to help you reach your destiny. It all boils down to if you’ll recognize it when it comes.

What’s Your Weapon?

Gary Oldman’s character (main baddie) growled at his henchmen, “It’s not just a book, it’s a weapon!”

For those times when the odds seem stacked against you and you’ve got baddies surrounding you, what will be your weapon of choice? For me, nothing is as powerful as the Word of God. It can strike back at the enemy closing in on any area of your life. It’s sharp enough to cut deep within your reality and flexible enough that you can hide it in your heart.

On your road to success you’ll have to determine your ultimate weapon. Trust me, the road will be littered with plenty of opportunities to use it.

So remember, the road to success isn’t easy, you’ve got to walk by faith and not by sight, recognize favor and maximize it when it comes, and finally, choose the weapon that can go down the darkest paths with you. Which one of these principles do you relate to the most? Where are you on your path to success? Share your thoughts below.

Update 1/22/2010: My good friend, Naomi Trower wrote a similar post except she tackled Eli from a social media perspective. I highly recommend reading her article, “3 Details The Book of Eli Can Teach You About Social Media”

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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If you could be any celebrity, business mogul, or leader who would you be? Who do you most admire, adore, and wish you could trade shoes with?

Most of us [me in included] would kill to be as [or more] successful as the people we see on television, read about in magazines, receive tweets from, are a fan of on Facebook, or read blogs from. It’s human nature to desire more for our lives and even envy the accomplishments of others.

I was on a coaching call last week and my client’s goal was to take his life and business to the next level. He mentioned that he wants to model his business after, social media super star, Chris Brogan.

Going deeper into the conversation he begin too compare Chris’s accomplishments to his own and quickly realized that how long of journey was ahead of him. It really upset me when my client began too compare what he didn’t have to what Chris does have.

This is the advice I gave to him . . .

Dear Chris;

First of all,

Chris Brogan doesn’t have super powers, can’t leap tall buildings in a single-bound, and wasn’t born in a manger. His blog isn’t “totally awesome,” aesthetically speaking, and if it weren’t for a few pics and graphics, it would be really bland. However, what God has given him in terms of knowledge, wisdom, and understanding is spectacular. What he shares is nothing short of awesome.

That’s what I love about God – he uses the ordinary and makes them extraordinary! And what I love about what Chris Brogan has achieved is his simplicity and his consistency. His blog is very simple but he’s consistent in delivering top-notch content. This has only been one facet of his success but it’s an important piece of the pie.

And second of all,

“You can’t go where God sent Chris Brogan and Chris Brogan can’t go where God is sending you.”

Sometimes we need a friendly reminder that our purpose and destiny is uniquely ours crafted by the hands of the master potter. I don’t doubt one bit that my client can become as or more successful than Chris Brogan. Not because he’s a better blogger, has more Twitter followers, or is a better practitioner of social media; but because he’s destined to impact the lives of people Chris Brogan can’t reach. He’ll be able to deliver content, products, and services that Chris won’t be able to . . . and so will you.

There’s a lot we can learn from Chris and others like him. Here are a few lessons I’ve learned;

Stay on purpose!

Staying on track with your goals is not enough, you have to stay on purpose as well. I think Chris has a good idea of what his purpose is for his business and where he’s going next. Purpose gives your efforts meaning, keeps you in the trenches, and becomes your compass toward success.

Watch them walk, but don’t walk their way!

Ever seen a model walk on a runway exactly the same as the one before her? Each model has their own rhythm, tempo, and puts their own flare into the walk. It’s ok to “model” yours like someone else’s but it’ll be your own personality that sells the crowd.

When I was in high school I used to copy the artwork from comic books that I admired the most. However, whenever I copied a drawing, I also copied the artist’s mistakes as well. After a bit of practice I begin to draw my own comics and made my own mistakes. But, I loved creating my own stuff. Trace someone’s success but be original and find your own way.

Capitalize on missed opportunities!

If you’re modeling your blog or business off of Chris Brogan’s be smart and claim some of the opportunities he may have  overlooked. Such as starting a forum on your blog, doing more 1-on-1 coaching, starting a podcast, or doing video interviews, etc. You never know, something might take off for you that may not fit with Chris’s readership.

What about missed opportunities in business? Who has Chris Brogan passed over in a mad dash to satisfy small business and corporate clientele? If he doesn’t focus on the solo-preneur then you should!

Love,

Rod

It’s ok to model your business after the success of someone like Chris Brogan. However, you have to keep the comparison as a model and it can not become the standard. Doing so hinders your confidence, your success, and ultimately the lives you were destined to touch.

Remember, the promised land that God wants for you  has your name on the gate . . . no one else’s. What have you learned from shining stars like Chris Brogan? Who do you model your business after? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

P.S.

Chris, if you’re reading this, everything in bold is my best advice to you and your continuing journey down the road to success. You’re experiencing a lot of awesome things in your life, but stay on purpose, be original, and capitalize on your missed opportunities. You’re at a critical phase in your flight to super-stardom. Follow this advice and you’ll remain in the air and drift toward the stars.

About the Author Rod is the editor-in-chief of The Success Center, Producer of "Inside the Success," and a Success Coach. For more information, tips, and advice on being a successful Christian-preneur subscribe to Rod's "Success Tips!" weekly newsletter.

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