by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 21, 2014 | Decisions, Goals, Money and Finance, Motivation, Self-Leadership, Success
Now that I have your attention…
If you’re looking for a hook-up, shortcut, or another get-rich-scheme, STOP READING NOW!
Are you still with me? If so, let’s proceed. I’m not a late night infomercial salesman. But, if you’re looking for wise advice on being smart with money, then let’s explore what being rich is all about.
First, let’s clarify by what I mean by “rich,” as this is a subjective term. It’s an ever-moving target. It’s like trying to nail jello to the wall. Defining“rich” is as personal as taste preferences of food or fashion. Many times, even when you are considered by others to be rich, you don’t think of yourself that way. Why? It’s all about perspective. The problem is you don’t “feel” rich. For the sake of this post, I won’t define rich…I’m leaving that task to you. I will, however, share three tips that’ll help you “feel” rich regardless of your income.
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by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 19, 2014 | Bible Journey, Christian, Christianity, Decisions, Encouragement, Motivation, Worship
Let me be honest with you…the desert IS NOT a fun place. It’s dry, lonely, and HOT!
Everyone goes through dry seasons. Be honest, you can recall times when you didn’t feel “spiritually high,” You attend church weekly, go to Sunday School or Bible Study, perhaps you even study your Bible, but God feels a lot more like a distant relative than somebody you’re connected to. The toughest season, and one that so many Christians seem to fight through, is the dry season–the desert months. During this season our relationship with God feels distant but lifeless. Again I repeat, everyone goes through desert seasons.
When I sense God is distant, I cringe when people tell me to “pray more” or “have more faith.” Really? That’s the best you have when you see I’m thirsty! When you go through your desert season, here are 3 key truths you can hold on to: (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 17, 2014 | Decisions, Encouragement, Goals, Motivation, Success
Let’s face it…Setbacks can be disheartening.
They can leave us feeling disempowered and discouraged. Mostly setbacks can leave us feeling as though we have no real control over our lives. Yet there are some people who are successful despite the challenges and setbacks they experience. What is their secret?
The difference is that successful people have a different perspective on setbacks. While they realize that they can’t always control the world around them, they can control how they respond to circumstances. In other words, successful people use setbacks to gain perspective when they encounter circumstances beyond their control. They see setbacks as an opportunity to REFOCUS and find an EVEN BETTER WAY to meet their goals. Setbacks don’t stop them, they simply slow them down for a short period of time.
If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not you’ll find an excuse. – Unknown (more…)
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 12, 2014 | Decisions, Encouragement, Motivation
It is easy to stay motivated when everything is going well, but what happens when setbacks occur?
What happens when your “well thought out” plans don’t work out, or your world get turned upside down by events beyond your control, what do you do?
You can cry. You can crawl into a hole. You can give up. Or you can try again.
Napoleon Hill once said:
“One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overtaken by temporary defeat.”
The problem with most of us is that when stuff doesn’t work out we think it’s the END instead of seeing it as just TEMPORARY DEFEAT. What we need to do is realize that the worst is never really the worst. An end isn’t always THE END. It could simply be the end to one thing and the start of another.
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by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 5, 2014 | Empowerment, Encouragement, Goals, Motivation, Self-Leadership
Do you feel bombarded with change from every direction?
Do you feel stressed, overworked, with too little time to appreciate and enjoy life? Do you find it difficult to keep up with everything you need to do? If so, you’re not alone. Our rapidly changing world is rapidly stressing us out. What can you do to cope?
In Future Shock, Alvin Toffler wrote that when people go through times of rapid change, they need what he calls “islands of stability.” Those are things that do not change in your life—sources of security, safe harbors and anchors for the inevitable storms.
“When the speed of change around you or an organization is faster than the speed of change within you or an organization, they becomes irrelevant,” according to Rick Warren. Staying relevant requires you to take three strategic steps. Check out Rick’s video and discover the secret to remaining relevant.
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What do you do to stay relevant?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Feb 3, 2014 | Encouragement, Motivation, Teamwork
Heard this somewhere:
Don’t press timid people to be bold – Give them hope and they will be bold.
Boldness follows hope. Hope is facing the future believing you’ll win. Napoleon Bonaparte said, “A leader is a dealer in hope.” Timid people don’t believe they can win. People who believe they can win keep working to win.
10 Ways to Build Hope:
- Believe in them more than they believe in themselves.
- Do things that matter. Never complete bland tasks; always achieve meaningful vision.
- Remember past successes. “Hope is the feeling we have that the feeling we have is not permanent,” Mignon McLaughlin.
- Smile.
- Pat people on the back.
- Celebrate small wins, every day. Small wins create big wins.
- Celebrate effort; it keeps people moving forward.
- Praise often; correct occasionally.
- Focus on strengths more than weaknesses.
- Help people rest and renew.
People who give others hope inspire people to be bold.
First, let’s clarify by what I mean by “rich,” as this is a subjective term. It’s an ever-moving target. It’s like trying to nail jello to the wall. Defining“rich” is as personal as taste preferences of food or fashion. Many times, even when you are considered by others to be rich, you don’t think of yourself that way. Why? It’s all about perspective. The problem is you don’t “feel” rich. For the sake of this post, I won’t define rich…I’m leaving that task to you. I will, however, share three tips that’ll help you “feel” rich regardless of your income.
