Sparkle

Years ago, I learned a big lesson about goal setting.  Of course, I didn’t realize it at the time, but later I looked back and realized that the lesson has stayed with me all these years.  The lesson is simple:  your perspective on challenges in your life will determine your goal-setting success.

I was facing an enormous challenge in my job at that time, and I was feeling discouraged and defeated.  Just at my lowest point, my assistant, Dawn, came into my office and smiled as she said, “Now is your chance to shine!”

Dawn’s words changed my mindset instantly.  Her enthusiastic comment and her bright smile were just the encouragement I needed in that moment.  Thankfully, my perspective opened up to see the challenge as an opportunity!  I set goals and with Dawn’s help, we successfully transformed the challenge into an achievement.

I thought about it again today because Dawn sent me a message to remind me to “sparkle.”  I smiled as I remembered her encouraging words long ago that helped me to change my perspective and motivated me to set goals.

You see, a challenging situation presents a fork in the road for us.  We can respond by complaining about it, which leads us down the road of discouragement and defeat, or we can respond by choosing to see the challenge as an opportunity.  When you see the opportunity, you can set goals and begin to achieve something great!

That was a simple lesson I learned long ago, but a very critical one.  Just imagine if Dawn had not come to my office that day and shared her message for me… I surely would have continued down the wrong path, and no goals would have been established to tackle the challenge.  Although I didn't realize it at the time, it was a defining moment in my life, and I thank her for making it happen!

Next time you face a challenging situation, whether at home or at work, look at it as a fork in the road.  Recognize that you have a choice.  Are you going to sparkle and shine, or will you be dull and defeated?  When you choose to see the challenge as an opportunity, and you set goals and take steps to face the challenge, you will definitely Sparkle and Shine!

Devotion

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.  Isaiah 41:13 (NIV)

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.  Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the friends in our lives who speak kind words to encourage our hearts.  Thank you for my friend Dawn, who encouraged me and opened my eyes to see a challenge as an opportunity, and helped me to achieve success.  I pray for those who are facing challenges and I ask you to help them recognize the opportunities they have to set goals and achieve success.  Bless them with your wisdom, love, and guidance in their lives, and lead them to seek your will.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

GPS

My husband and I took a driving trip recently.  We have a GPS in the car where we can see the navigation on the screen.  As we traveled, the nav system pointed us in the right direction and showed us the roads and the turns and everything around us.  The red arrow on the vertical line showed us we were moving toward our destination.  At all times, we could see exactly where we were headed.  We knew where we were and where we were going.

As I watched the screen, I had an epiphany.  I was looking for some goal-setting inspiration and this was it!

It occurred to me that the nav system is like goal setting for our lives.  Without it, we could just keep going along, moving around in the big sea of life with no personal goals or direction – just get up, go to work, go home, watch TV, do chores, whatever, while the days and years end up behind us.  Or, we can set goals by plugging something into our personal nav systems and know where we are headed in life!

Well, it may not be the best analogy, but think about it for a moment.  Are you just going for a ride or do you have a destination?  I heard recently that you have 50 percent higher chance of reaching your goals if you actually write them down.  If you do not establish your goals and make a plan, you may end up just wishing you reached your goal (destination), rather than actually taking steps to get there.

This year is half over.  Since half of 2018 is still ahead of you, now is a great time to plug something into your personal GPS.  Set a goal and make a plan.  Get some direction and make sure your red arrow is heading toward your destination!

Devotion

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  James 1:5 (NIV)

Prayer:

Lord, help me to set my goals in line with your will.  It is so easy to simply go for a ride, but I want a destination.  I want to accomplish something for you in my lifetime.  I pray for wisdom, and I ask you to guide me on the path you have set for me to take.  Help me to walk intentionally in the Spirit, rather than allow daily distractions to change my direction.  I will follow you, my Creator, who is in charge of my destiny!  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski

New Journey

If you could do anything you wanted to do, with no fear or limitation, what would you do?  I have thought about this question a lot lately, mainly because I just celebrated a milestone birthday and I have entered a new decade in my life.  I feel like now is the time for me to achieve things without fear or limitation.

I believe that God is giving me opportunities to do just that.

Last month, I gave a presentation on Growth Mindset.  I love talking about this topic because I passionately believe that one’s mindset is the foundation for setting and achieving goals.  I have learned, and continue to learn, that we must pursue our goals without fear!  To eliminate the fear, we must have a growth mindset to get beyond the limitations we think we have (or that we place on ourselves).

Here is just one simple example:  I have never liked talking in front of large groups.  Throughout my career, when I had to give presentations, I would experience fear (apparently, this is not uncommon).  Even though I didn’t like doing it, I still would volunteer to speak and I would accept every invitation to speak.  I would prepare well and push through the fear.

Now I don’t experience the fear, at least not the way I experienced it when I was younger.  In fact, I believe that God wants me speak and give presentations (fear or no fear)!!  I am amazed by the fact that my recent Growth Mindset presentation has now grown to three more invitations to speak!  I was invited to speak on a different topic as well, so I have four upcoming presentations!

I feel as if I am on a New Journey.  I believe that God is giving me these opportunities to speak with people and encourage them in their lives and careers.  Isn’t it just like God to use the very thing that caused me fear (giving presentations) to encourage people?  This is the wonderful way of the Lord… He leads me to be dependent on Him.

I heard a Christian broadcast this past week that touched on the topic of praying and having faith, and taking steps to see where God leads you (rather than sitting back and waiting for God to do something).  I believe that we can experience the power of God in our lives when we have faith, pray for God's direction and strength, and move forward.  I encourage you today to trust in God, follow His leading, and take steps to move forward, and you will find the Journey that He has for you!

Devotion

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.  Psalm 119:105 (KJV)

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for my New Journey, and the opportunities you are providing me to encourage others.  I trust you, and I know that you are helping me and strengthening me to give presentations and share my experiences.  I will continually look to you for wisdom and inspiration.  As long as you are with me and leading me, I will not be afraid.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

© 2018 Linda Lijewski