by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Mar 4, 2020 | Entrepreneur Endeavors
Dear Entrepreneur,
Where do you find motivation to begin and finish a task for your business? Do you find yourself wondering how to get motivated about your business?
I know I have, and I really want to know! Honestly, I want to understand because I’m lacking motivation in a few specific areas and I am becoming sick of it!
Love being an entrepreneur!
The other day, my Business Coach, Diane Cunningham, commented on Facebook –
“Ummmm…… GoDaddy just favorited one of my tweets. Now that is rather nifty! I might just dance around the room and then go buy another domain. I love being an entrepreneur!!”
She’s hilarious! She’s on fire! She can show you how to get motivated about your business! She’s a cheerleader and I’m hiding under the bleachers. I want to be her – I want to “dance around the room” and “buy another domain” because I’ve persisted and reached some of these goals that I just can’t seem to find the driving force to complete!
I began to wonder how to find the motivation to finish some business projects – my PhD Dissertation, for one; unpacking and organizing the closet full of boxes at our new Counseling offices for another; there is a list. Can you relate to this?
I’ve prayed for inspiration and enthusiasm as if it is God’s responsibility to light a fire under me so that I will dutifully and thoroughly persevere. After all, He is Sovereign. He can do this! He turned the hearts and heads of the most unlikely of characters to bring about His Good Purposes (consider the rebuilding of the wall and city of Jerusalem as told in Ezra and Nehemiah)!
In the movie, Dances with Wolves, Lt. John Dunbar arrives at his post on the American Frontier ready to work diligently, only to find it abandoned with no explanation. He sets up camp, encounters his first Sioux Indians who come upon him while he’s bathing in the stream (totally exposed, totally unprepared), Sioux children try (unsuccessfully) to steal his horse, Sioux warriors try (unsuccessfully) to steal his horse (he has a really smart horse!), he tries (unsuccessfully) to defend himself and ends up with a concussion, and more.
Then we see him cleaning his uniform, polishing his brass and his boots, preparing to take action. Dunbar writes in his journal,
“I realize now that I have been wrong. All this time, I have been waiting. Waiting for what? For someone to find me? For Indians to take my horse? To see a buffalo? Since I have arrived at this post, I have been walking on eggs. It has become a bad habit and I am sick of it. [I LOVE THAT!] Tomorrow morning, I will ride out to the Indians. I do not know the outcome or the wisdom of this thinking, but I have become a target and a target makes a poor impression. I am through waiting.”
How to Get Motivated About Your Business:
Instead of asking God to provoke me toward motivation and business success, I began to seek Him in His Word (ah, what a novel idea!) and remembered 4 important things:
- PURPOSE: My primary purpose in life has to be to bring Him glory and honor. My sense of motivation or inspiration comes from God, not from the things of the world. David spoke of his motivation: “I desire to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:8).
- MOTIVATION is really a matter of obedience for me! Jesus was concerned with pleasing His Father; He always did the Father’s will, motivated by pleasing Him through obedience (John 8:29). His obedience extended all the way to the cross where He humbled Himself and “became obedient unto death” (Philippians 2:8). My motivation should be the same as His—the obedience by which I prove I am truly His. “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
- TRIALS PRODUCE STEADFASTNESS– According to James (Chapter 1), I must ask for wisdom as trials like this can produce steadfastness so that we may be “perfect and complete”; resoluteness so I can finish a task (even an undesirable task!). I’m responsible to communicate joy, even in the midst of trials.
- JUST DO IT– So I have to just get up and do the next right thing with determination, dutifully, unwaveringly, and loyally! James says this will lead to righteousness, salvation, blessings!
SO, I’ve blocked off specific times this month to work on the “blessed” Dissertation and I’ve called in the troops for help with the office closet full of unpacked boxes!
Now, how do you get motivated about YOUR business?
Just follow these 4 steps on how to find motivation about you business and do the next right thing! And may you be BLESSED!
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Feb 25, 2020 | Celebrate Life!
Today in our webinar, our last Tuesday’s session on the theme of spiritual wellness, we were supposed to hear from Dr. Tony Robinson. Her title was “The Evexia Life.”
Any title using a Greek root word intrigues me. I’ve always been in love with the etymology of words, especially words from God’s Word!
When I looked the word up online, I found, “The name Evexia comes from the Greek word meaning ‘well-being’.”
Perfect!
Anytime I get to hear from or be prayed over by Dr. Tony, I get so excited. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better, and I’m so grateful that God orchestrated our paths would cross in 2019!
We will reschedule her presentation as she has reached out to me in distress and unable to be with us. February is her and her husband’s anniversary month. Sadly, he died four years ago on February 25th – today. So, that day has crept up on her like a ravenous lion, as you and I can imagine.
Please join me in “praying her through” this difficult day.
Here is my response to her:
“Oh my goodness!
Dear Dr. Tony,
I totally understand and forgive you.
Tears come to my eyes and my heart aches for you. My husband Tim died a lot longer than four years ago after a four-year battle with three different cancers leaving me with children ages seven, six, and four years old. We’ve come a long way since then, but the sting of that loss will never fully disappear.
What a beautiful reminder
- to stop everything as you are trying to do by not being online on this special day,
- to reach out to Him/cry out to Him as you are doing and I will do with you on your behalf all day long, and
- to seek the comfort of His people as you have been able to be with Shae!
Know that you are covered in prayer today and in the days to come! I pray that we are able to partner together as Holy Spirit leads to do wonderful things for His kingdom with Christian Entrepreneurs!
Blessings in HIM,
Karen”
- Over 20 years ago, my young husband Tim died after a four-year battle with three different cancers when our children were only seven, six, and four years old.
- About a week and a half ago, one of our members was put in the hospital for pneumonia. You can imagine while she is fighting cancer, that a bout of pneumonia is far from just a “bout” and can be very dangerous – “life-alteringly” dangerous.
- Last week, one of our members discovered that her husband had molested one of her children. Her life, his life, the lives of their children, and the lives of so many others close to them have just been turned upside down.
- The week before that, one of our members dropped everything and flew to her father’s side for an endless stream of tests and doctor visits to plan a course of action against one of the most rare and debilitating forms of cancer known.
- Last year, one of our members was headed overseas to minister to others – a dream come true, dashed when her father had a stroke and all of her plans were canceled and altered.
All of this to say, it’s well and good to focus as we are doing in our organizations on Entrepreneur Wellness for the year 2020! It’s a great idea to work through spiritual wellness, physical wellness, emotional wellness, occupational wellness, intellectual wellness, environmental wellness, and social wellness one month at a time as we have planned to do!
But let’s be honest…
When calamities like this strike that threaten our well-being in all of these areas in life-altering ways, there is no way that things feel “well!”
And that’s what I want to talk about today.
Because of who God is, in the midst of trials like these, in the midst of heartbreak, the inability to breathe without help, the concerns of how to protect ourselves and our loved ones from harm, the fear of what the future holds, the reminder that our lives are finite – by God’s Design – it is well!
It is Well, When It is NOT Well!
How do we know?
It is Well – He Promises Us
We know it is well because He promises in His Word that all things work together for good, for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8 (ESV)
It is Well – Testimonies Abound
We know it is well because there are testimonies throughout His Word and in our own lives of God‘s presence and comfort and protection and provision during times of trial like these over and over and over again – in spite of us!
- Every year for 4 years, God has comforted Dr. Tony and He will continue to do so! It’s no surprise that her ministry has grown by leaps and bounds – lives are being blessed every day!
- My children and I are doing well and God has provided for us in ways we never imagined. I have been blessed with the privilege of working with grieving and traumatized families for over 20 years!
- Our friend came home from the hospital yesterday and is on the mend!
- Legal protections are already in place and we are praying our friend through. Her faith is strong and she is blessed with a godly support system.
- A medical plan of action to fight this rare sarcoma is underway.
- Pa is doing much better than expected and God has provided for EVERY need along the way and “then some!”
It is Well – He Gives Us Confidence
It’s no surprise that I am reading through Hebrews in preparation for a week-long retreat without any connection with the outside world, without any technology, that starts tomorrow! We know it is well because in Hebrews God teaches that Christ is our confidence!
…but Christ is faithful over God’s house as a son. And we are his house, if indeed we hold fast our confidence and our boasting in our hope. Hebrews 3:6
For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Hebrews 3:14
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16
[ The Full Assurance of Faith ] Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, Hebrews 10:19
Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Hebrews 10:35
It is Well – He Promises us Reins to Reign!
It’s no surprise that I am reading through Proverbs with one of our members day by day until we are done! It’s no surprise that although I rarely do this, I am reading through the book of Proverbs using The Passion Translation! We know it is well because in Proverbs, in the midst of all of the precepts and promises that we will live long and prosper if we heed His Words of Wisdom and wise instruction, much to my delight and surprise, His words are also full of promises that He will give us the “reins to reign” no matter what our circumstances bring today, tomorrow, every day!
We talked about CHAYIL (Greek) at the #2019NACWEConference and learned that we are “ARMY” strong, mighty, efficient, wealthy, and able,… to do all God has called us to do as Christian Entrepreneurs!
We will talk about REIGNing (Hebrew) at the #2020NACWEConference – God is so good!
Translations of Reign
noun
מִשׁטָר
regime, regimen, government, authority, rule, reign
מֶמְשָׁלָה
government, cabinet, dominion, reign
מְלוּכָה
monarchy, kingdom, kingship, dominion, reign
(Google Translate)
It is Well – How is it Well?
Will you share with your fellow Christian entrepreneurs a time that God has given you confidence that it is well, even in the midst of your circumstances and allowed you to reign?
Will you pray diligently for those listed above and for others whose well-being seems threatened at this very moment?
My prayer:
Father God – Our Protector – Help us feel Your Presence and protect us from harm. Remind us that It is Well, even when it does NOT feel well because of who You are!
Jesus – Intercede for us even when we are so distraught that we cannot utter words. Remind us that It is Well, even when it does NOT feel well because of who You are!
Holy Spirit – Comfort us in all our troubles. Remind us that It is Well, even when it does NOT feel well because of who You are!
Amen
We need to PRAY for one another!
We need to pray for you!
Join our Thursday Prayer Call
Matthew 26
40Then Jesus returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. “Were you not able to keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. 41“Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”…
By Phone via Free Conference Calling
All Thursday 9am CST Prayer Calls can be accessed by dialing 1-712-775-8968 / conference code 620259
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
- Community
- Networking
- Education
- Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
- Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
- Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
- Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
- Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at karenbourg.com.
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Feb 9, 2020 | Blog
Do you create your entrepreneurial atmosphere or does it just happen around you? What does the ambience that greets your customers tell them about you and the services they will receive?
“In its highest and purest form, good feng shui signifies perfect alignment between inner and outer worlds.”
― Lada Ray
We are moving into a new office building that is under construction and therefore have the privilege and fun of choosing wall colors and cabinets and counter tops and flooring. I know what I like when I see it, but I don’t always know how to get it there. So I have to ask the opinions of others who have a better eye for decorating than I do. And I had to look up how to spell feng shui and still can’t really tell you what it means! I’m also sure I’ve never experienced “prefect alignment” either!
How important is the ambience and the atmosphere in your workspace? Is your workspace just for you and your team or do your clients and customers visit you there? What other than good decorating sense do you need to understand to create a place that ministers to others and is in line with your mission and vision?
We have a counseling and coaching and supervision organization based on Biblical principles and therefore it is very important to us that our clients are comfortable when they visit us. It is very important to us that they see and hear and receive a testimony from us that God has solutions to all of life’s problems.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV)
Everything seems to be happening at once: we are moving into a new building, we’re launching a brand-new website fully branded, we have just added two new associates to our team, and we have just launched brand-new services and products. I am most frustrated when everyone involved in these processes has asked me over and over who we are and who our clients are and what our mission and vision statements are. And yet, answering these questions again and again has refined and clarified our mission and our team so well that the face and even the atmosphere of Karen Bourg Companies today is very different than it was as few as nine months ago. I’m willing to bet that face and our ambience will change again over the next nine months if we continue to ask ourselves really good questions.
Take a moment to really think through the answers to the following questions.
· Who does God say that you are?
· What has He called you to do in this entrepreneurial venture?
· How does He want you to serve Him and others?
· When and where will you minister to others?
· Why do you feel led to serve in this way?
May these answers unfold and lead you to know the Lord, know yourselves, know your customers, and build a business that honors Christ and serves others in a more effective way than ever been before.
Feng Shui Away! Create an AH! Ambience!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com .
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Feb 5, 2020 | Blog, Celebrate Life!
Life-Changing Journeys with God
I’m so grateful for the journeys God took me on in 2019!
We want to hear from you!
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
How would you describe the most life-changing moment God brought you through or brought to you in 2019?
Quest After God Purposefully
I honestly believe that there are times He brings to us great moments and we are surprised by them and by Him! But some of the best moments for me have been moments that have come to me when I sought/quested after Him and asked Him for them! They are all times when I finally am still enough to listen until I really hear Him speak to me!
I’m blessed to have the ability to easily snatch quiet moments for myself. We have four boys and two girls and they are all grown. One of our sons has some special needs and still lives with us, but he also treasures his alone time and gives us lots of space. We have 10 – welcome new baby girl Mika born January 23 – and we have an 11th grandorable daughter due in May! That will make eight grandorable daughters and three grandorable sons! Everyone is within 4 minutes to 4 hours from us and we zoom off to see them as often as we can.
Family means everything to me, but again, there are times I work really hard and then crave some alone time. Especially alone time with God!
7 Ways to Quest after God
1. Be Still and Know
I don’t know about you, but I am rarely still – although many times people at events or conferences have said they were calm because I was calm. If they only knew I am most often like a duck gliding serenely on a still pond, but underneath I am paddling frantically to keep up with life!
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!” – Psalm 46:10 ESV
2. Seek Him Every Morning
Put Him First!
“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary,
beholding your power and glory.
Because your steadfast love is better than life,
my lips will praise you.
So I will bless you as long as I live;
in your name I will lift up my hands.” – Psalm 63:1-5
3. Utter a Breath of Prayer Often
Breathe in one of the Names of God – who is God to you in this moment of need?
Breathe out your utter most desire – what are you asking Him for in this moment of need?
O God, My Comforter; please comfort me in this desperate time of illness.
Add a Verse of Assurance to your prayer –
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.” – John 14:16
4. Journal
I only journal in spurts, but EVERY time I do, I feel I receive a breakthrough and badly needed mind- and heart-set shifts and I hear the Lord speak to me.
Journal Prompts I use:
What is the pressing issue you need to bring before the Lord today? _____________________
This is how I think/feel this issue is affecting me: _____________________
What has the LORD promised in this area? _____________________
Remember a time when God was with you. _____________________
Express gratitude for His presence. _____________________
Be quiet and still for __ minutes: Listen as HE Says,
“I know this is a big deal for you! _____________________
I hear you _____________________
I see you _____________________
I can help you _____________________
I want _____________________ for you!”
What’s the most powerful thing you can ask God for? “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee” (Psalm 55:22). _____________________
What’s the one thing you cannot fail to do, the one basic action that will affect change, make a difference if you do it with consistency and excellence? _____________________
5. Fast from Food, Talking, or Technology
You choose! Ask the Lord from what and for how long. Then be obedient!
From food – be sure to hydrate!
From words? SO hard to do for us gals! – Be sure to listen intently!
From technology – I promise your life and work will still be there when you return! Be sure to relax!
The Purpose:
“Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him a safe journey for ourselves, our children, and all our goods.” –Ezra 8:21
6. Join Group Studies or Ask for Wise Advice from a Mentor
So many of my breakthroughs have begun with the wise counsel of a trusted mentor. Ask for help!
“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14
7. QUEST Away for Extended and Focused Periods of Time
I am inspired by stories of my mentors who felt God asking them to get away from it all to another place and seek Him for as long as it took. A homeschool Pastor went away for 6 weeks at the beginning of the year – it was always amazing what insights he came back with. A local church I admire sends their Pastor on a variety extended sabbatical trips often. They are one of the most stable churches I have ever known. Several Entrepreneur mentors have gone away for extended periods of time and I admire their growth and dedication more than I can say.
Ask Him what you should do!
I spent a week away last year without technology or contact with anyone from home; I prayed, studied the Word, fasted, and grew. It is now my goal to get away again every year and more often! (I went to http://thequestlife.com)
I want to hear from you!
What about you? Do you have advice for your fellow Christian Entrepreneur about:
- Favorite group Bible Studies?
- Opportunities to quest away?
Please share your advice!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com
by Dr. Karen Lindwall-Bourg | Jan 31, 2020 | Entrepreneur Endeavors
Be an Entrepreneur with GUMPTION!
It takes great gumption to start, build and grow a successful business. It is not for sissies or the faint of heart. It is an extreme adventure with various ups and downs.
The best moments in your business journey are when the ideas are coming, the product is selling, and the customers are happy. The best times are when the progress you are making is apparent and measurable.
Then there are the other times. In real life, it gets terribly tough. There are times when the progress is not what you want it to be – or there is no evident progress at all. Setbacks come and your plan doesn’t work out like you hoped. It is so easy to become discouraged and give up.
Fight discouragement and despair with these tips:
GET GUMPTION! DON’T GIVE UP
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
It’s been said that building a business is a lesson in personal growth as much as it is about business. Every entrepreneur knows the frightening and exciting truth of this statement. Part of that personal growth involves not allowing discouragement to take root and become despair. Discouragement can be a first step toward giving up.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Do not be frightened! Do not be dismayed!
You must stir up courage and strengthen by reminding yourself that the Lord is with you wherever you go. God is always with you. So, whether you succeed or fail, you have not lost that which matters the most, blessed fellowship with God. It is that fellowship which strengthens your faith and renews your spirit and brings you out of discouragement.
GET GUMPTION! DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR PLAN
Sometimes the reason you aren’t seeing progress is because you have drifted off the purposed path.
I set two big purpose-filled goals at the beginning of the year. I break them down into monthly steps or tasks. I diligently review them daily. However, even with all the good-intentioned review, I often find myself easily distracted.
There are times when divinely inspired ideas come. Those ideas are important for my business development, but they are for later. In those times when I am not seeing progress, I revisit my major goals and passions. I also check my motivation and to-do list with these questions:
- Is this task in line with my principal passions?
- Is this task relevant to my primary overarching goals?
- Is this something pressing that needs to be done right now?
- Am I allowing this task to distract me from that purpose-filled task, that “something” I need to do, but I just don’t want to do? (Yikes! I live in this statement way too often! I can find lots of reasons to procrastinate!)
We all get off track at times, but don’t lose heart!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
GET GUMPTION! PRAY THROUGH PROGRESS
In those times when progress is slow or not evident – pray. In the times when progress is moderate and things are falling into place – pray. In the times when progress is swift and business is growing speedily – pray!
Prayer is what keeps your fire lit. It is the foundation of perseverance and strength. Prayer is the secret to banishing doubt.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
Part of not leaning on your own understanding is praying about everything instead of worrying (Philippians 4:6-7). Part of getting your path straight is acknowledging God in all you do through prayer, worship and giving thanks.
As Christian business leaders, God cannot be absent from your business. Having God as part of your business involves including Him fully in the everyday decision making as well as the big goals.
So when the going gets tough and the progress gets slow, keep going and build yourself up in faith and in the strength of the Lord.
What are some of the ways you handle slow progress in your business? Where do you Get Gumption?
I want to hear from you!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com
