Your Next May Require Changing Your Now

Sometimes in order to move into our next we have to change our now.  If everything you do is based on your current environment, belief system, and what you see, then you are stuck in the now.  You need to learn how to see, believe, and experience things outside of your reality.  Day dreaming and night dreaming can be a beautiful thing, however if you never put action behind those dreams then you are just having sweet dreams.

I have a couple of coaches that I respect and appreciate their advice on how to move forward in business, especially when it comes to branding and getting your message to a wider audience.  Recently I talked with one of them about my goals and visions for Geri Speak, and where I see myself in the future.  After sharing, she presented me with the question, “What would it take for those things to happen?”  That question gave me pause, because I know what it takes to move forward financially, emotionally, and physically, but I didn’t really have any steps in mind of what it takes to get to where I see myself in business.

Recently I was watching a podcast about positioning yourself to be found.  Although the conversation was about steps that women can take in order to facilitate their possibility of dating, this holds true for professional relationships as well.  Remember, people do business with those  they know, like, and trust.  How can someone know, like and trust you if all they see is your social media profile?  Anyone can create a social media account and pretend to be whatever they choose.  You become a real person when people see and connect with you in person, or by video if the relationship is distant.  I have attended out of town events because of the persona that someone expressed through their video, not because of their social media page.  So how you show up determines how you will be perceived by an audience, whether it’s through social media or an event.  Although it may be uncomfortable to change things up a bit, your NEXT may be in your discomfort!

Be Your Own Rescue

There are a number of agencies and organizations in the world designed strictly to assist people who are less fortunate than others.  No matter how many systems you put in place to screen applicants there will always be someone who will take advantage of the programs.  I recall many years ago when a friend of mine said she was going to put her children names on the “Angel Tree,” a system designed to allow people with more to purchase and drop-off toys and clothes for those less fortunate.  I knew that my friend could afford to shop for her children’s Christmas presents, so I asked her why would she do that.  Her response was, so her kids would get more gifts.

I’m the kind of person who always feels guilty about accepting handouts even if I need them.  I remember when I was on public assistance with my first child, I kept telling my mother that I wanted to find a job because I hated having to depend on that tiny little check and food stamps.  Even today I have to be at my wits end before I go to anyone for assistance.  On the few occasions in my adult life when I lost a job or my financial situation took a turn, I was able to snap back to reality without the world knowing the magnitude of my situation.  I’ve been to food banks but never to clothes closets, and I still visit the food pantry at my church on occasion, because there is always more food than the congregation can take.  It does help when you can pick up a few veggies or occasional meat before you do your grocery list.

Unfortunately there are many in this world who always have their hands out and no matter what you do it never seems to be enough.  I firmly believe that after a certain age in life it is mandatory that you be your own rescue.  I don’t mean that you should never borrow money or a cup of  sugar, but how many times are you going to start over and keep asking people to hold you up while you get back on your feet?

Who’s Pushing Your Swing?

Who’s pushing your swing? The other day during my bible study this title came to mind. As I was reading my devotional materials I came across something that made me see myself as a little girl on a swing.  In this  video of the mind I saw me trying to swing higher and higher by pushing off with my feet.  What I realized was I could only go so high and the height lasted for a very short period of time.  It took quite a bit of energy using my feet to propel myself.  I thought about giving up because the height that I reached did not merit the amount of energy that it took to get there.  There are situations in life where we spend too much energy trying to create stuff, when all we have to do is ask someone else to push us.  When someone else pushes us it not only relieves the need to be in control while using our own energy, it also allows us to reach higher heights.  In doing that, the thrill of the ride is more enjoyable and it seems as though you remain at the height a lot longer.

Who’s pushing your swing? Are you reaching the heights that you deserve or are you still operating in your own power to push?  Have you considered having God push your swing?  The heights that He is willing to take you, and the destiny that He has for you is unimaginable. We will have pain along the way, but misery is optional.  We can decide how we will react to the pain that inevitably comes to us all.  Will you spend your time blaming the world as you shuffle your feet at the playground and watch everyone else swinging high?  Or will you tell pride to take a seat the next time life takes you outside of your comfort zone?  When you find yourself swinging without a partner, why not ask someone else to push your swing?