I am awake extra early this morning because I agreed to be at a client’s office at 6:30 a.m. I think that is a first for me. My day won’t end until tonight after my small group finishes around 9 p.m. Not a first for me, but it has been a very long time. I actually couldn’t go back to sleep knowing I had to get up extra early. Racing through my mind was the thought I may be going backwards. I spent so much time creating a work scenario where I have balance and feel like I am positively impacting others; now I am getting ready to embrace a 12+ hour day.
Thankfully, with my thoughts racing I thought about all of the different things that were keeping me busy. They are all good things with future implications to continued work/life balance and helping others. So maybe it is time for a season (a short season) of time investment to keep moving forward. My incremental time investment is in three areas:
Personal Development
I finally invested in a group coaching program for myself which starts today and will continue monthly. Secondly, I signed up for a business conference that focuses on evolving my business model to new places. The “new places” are supposed to provide me with more time and a larger impact. I have studied these models for almost five years now and feel God’s approval, and maybe even prompting, on this timing.
Business Development
As I invest in education and learning for myself I have begun to work on laying the foundation in place for the changes and hopefully continued growth of Crossroads. I have spent countless coaching hours espousing and working with small business owners to ensure that they shore up the foundation of their business. I can’t imagine moving forward without doing the same in mine. I really lean on the scriptural concept of building my house on a foundation of rock, not sand. This has resulted in investigating other people to bring into the team to work on the business with me. Even though it is work, it is particularly energizing to brainstorm and collaborate on a vision that I pray consistently is God’s plan for Crossroads.
Giving Back
Another core value for me is to show thanks for the blessings in my life in the form of volunteering to help others. Fortunately, in the last few years I have had opportunities to volunteer in areas that I am passionate about. On the calendar currently is teaching coaching skills to ministry leaders at church and getting small groups started. I love my church and feel that much of the blessings I have come from our church family. I pray I will always recognize this and freely give back my time and the gifts that God has given to me.
During transitions there is not usually a concrete stop and start time. So right now I have overlap. I don’t think I am going backwards, and if I keep it to a season (hopefully those close to me will hold me accountable), my additional time investment will help me to make some transitions to an evolving business that is supported by a strong foundation and loving community.
I wanted to share this to give you a challenge to think about your time investment. Are you moving forward? Are you taking time out for personal development? We have to invest in ourselves to remain healthy and to sustain growth. Are you stepping back and working “on” your business and not just “in” your business? Especially in today’s economy it is important to be planning and developing your business. And a gentle reminder that all that we have is a gift from God; are you sharing that gift by giving back in some way to others?
I am not sure of the speed of my travel or the length of my journey, but I know that I want to keep moving forward on the path that God has planned for me.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
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