Lead Steady, But Keep Moving

The model: lead steady, but keep moving.

"If you’re waiting for life to “settle down” before you lead boldly, you’ll be waiting a long time. The future belongs to leaders who can navigate the turbulence without losing their footing." - Ray Johnston

I wanted to share this.

Often I wait for things to be right and calm... This reminds me that I need to lead boldly, especially when things are turbulent. 

Your Worldview Matters

Your Worldview Matters.. (from one of my quiet times this week)..

“For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible . . . everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him.” Colossians 1:16 (MSG)

There are several competing worldviews—naturalism, which denies God’s existence and purpose; humanism, which centers life on self; and theism, which has God as Creator and life’s purpose-giver. Naturalism reduces life to random chance, stripping it of inherent value, while humanism exalts human control but ultimately replaces God with self. Theism, taught in God's Word, declares that everything was made by God and for God, giving life meaning and direction. In a world full of conflicting beliefs, recognizing that I was created by and for God is the foundation for a purposeful and coherent life.

Bottom Line:
Understanding my worldview shapes how I see myself, my purpose, and the world around me.

What is your Worldview and where do you see yourself as a result of it? Does your Worldview provide you with a purpose for your life? 

No Secrets to Success

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.” - Colin Powell

Are you looking for short cuts or the easy way? To reach success and significance will require hard work and planning! 

Intentions are not Enough

"Your direction, not your intention, determines your destination." ~ Craig Groeschel

Intentions are not enough, what are you actually doing to determine and follow a direction to achieving it? 

On the Path to Growth

On the path to growth:

"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along. ... You must do the thing you think you cannot do." - Eleanor Roosevelt

Start Small, Move Forward

The real question is not "What is my current position?" but rather, "What is my current trajectory?" Doing nothing builds nothing. Put yourself on the path to something better. Start small, but make sure you start." - James Clear (inspired by an Instagram caption from Kayla Henry.)

This quote reminds me that progress is less about where I am right now and more about the direction I'm heading. Staying still or doing nothing guarantees no growth, but even small, intentional steps will move me closer to something better. The key is to focus on momentum, not perfection.

Potential Action steps:

1. Identify one area in my life or work where I want to see growth.

2. Define a small, simple step I can take this week (not overwhelming, just doable).

3. Commit to consistency—repeat small actions daily or weekly so they compound over time.

I'm going to start by writing down one habit that’s holding me back (overwhelm of my work in-box). I'm going to replace it with one small, positive habit—by setting a 10-minute timer to focus on one task each day this week.

Fear: The Price to Pay

“The greatest mistake we make is living in constant fear that we will make one.

"Know that you're going to make mistakes. Wake up and realize this: Failure is simply a price we pay to achieve success.” - John C. Maxwell

Is there something you’re afraid of doing? I encourage you to do it and either win or learn from it. 

Purpose Doesn't Retire!

Purpose Doesn't Retire.. (a lesson from one of my quiet times that I want to share..)

Caleb’s story in Joshua 14:10–12 is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to step into God’s calling. At 85 years old, he boldly declared he was just as strong and ready as ever to take on the most difficult challenges—the mountain country filled with giants—because he believed in God’s promise. While others gave up or settled, Caleb pressed forward with faith, proving that age is not a barrier to purpose. Like Caleb, I’m realizing that growing older doesn’t mean slowing down spiritually—it means stepping into greater wisdom, strength, and impact. Retirement from a job may come, but there’s no retirement from serving God. The best is not behind me—it’s ahead.

Bottom Line:
It’s never too late to pursue God’s calling—no matter your age, your strength and purpose are still alive when your faith is strong.

It is my hope that you will find this useful and find value in it.

Giving my best, and living out my calling

Giving my best, and living out my calling.. (sharing from one of my quiet times this week...)

Timothy’s story reminds me that fulfilling God’s calling requires intentional focus, courage, and commitment. Though young and timid, Timothy was called to lead and serve with boldness, and Paul urged him to develop his spiritual gifts, stay focused on what matters most, and give God his very best. Like Timothy, I’m responsible for growing the talents God has placed in me, refusing distractions that pull me away from my purpose, and pursuing my calling with excellence. God doesn’t give a spirit of fear, but one of power, love, and self-discipline—and when I live from that truth, God brings out the best in me.

Bottom Line:
To fulfill God’s calling, I must grow my gifts, stay focused on what matters most, and give God my very best—trusting that He has equipped me with power, love, and self-discipline to live it out.

I hope you find value in this as I did!

Overcoming discouragement

Overcoming discouragement.. (from one of my quiet times this week)..

Discouragement, as illustrated in Nehemiah 4:10, is a common but curable struggle, and Nehemiah identifies four key causes: fatigue, frustration, failure, and fear. Just like the worn-out workers surrounded by rubble, we too can become tired and overwhelmed by life's clutter, making it hard to stay focused. Feelings of failure arise when progress stalls, but setbacks don’t define us—our response does. Fear, especially when fueled by negativity, can paralyze us, convincing us we’re not enough or can’t handle what’s ahead. Yet, by identifying the root cause of our discouragement, seeking God’s guidance, taking practical steps like rest, and shifting our focus from the problem to God’s purpose, we can regain clarity, courage, and momentum.

Bottom Line:
Discouragement is temporary and often rooted in fatigue, frustration, failure, or fear—but with rest, renewed focus, and trust in God, I can overcome it and keep moving forward.

Let me know if this was meaningful for you and what you are going through today?

Purpose Over Position: Building a Life, Not Just a Résumé

"Chase your desired lifestyle, not your desired title. People are blinded by status and labels. Once you release the need for a specific title, there is almost always an easier path to living your preferred lifestyle." - James Clear

I'm a growth-oriented leader, grounded in faith, active in organizational leadership and coaching, and increasingly focused on meaningful impact—so this principle resonates directly with my current journey.

How it applies to my life:

I’ve been building a path that blends leadership, service, coaching, and purpose. I already hold leadership credibility in my professional roles and I am expanding into areas like Maxwell-certified coaching and spiritual development. Titles like "Operations Leader", “Director,” “Coach,” or “Consultant” may matter in structure, but what I'm finding that really drives me is: freedom, alignment with my values, influence, and significance—the actual lifestyle I desire. I'm not chasing clout—rather I'm seeking impact and integrity.

So letting go of chasing a certain title (e.g., executive this, certified that) opens me up to craft a career and life design around what I actually want day-to-day:

• More time freedom
• Teaching and mentoring others
• Creating content with spiritual and leadership depth
• Speaking, coaching, and running workshops
• Flexibility to serve both faith-based and professional communities

Here are the next steps that I will move toward:

• Clarify my ideal lifestyle
• Map out a week or month in your "ideal" life: time spent coaching, teaching, leading, resting, serving, traveling, creating, etc. Use this as my compass—not job titles.

These are consistent with a theme from a most recent off-site Intensive I participated in.

Audit my current roles.

Ask: 

• What parts of my current roles align with this lifestyle? 
• What doesn't? 
• Where can I shift responsibility, say no, or delegate?

Design around my desired rhythm.

Use my Maxwell training, leadership experience, and spiritual gifts to build a platform that supports my lifestyle goals—whether it’s a part-time coaching practice, speaking engagements, or spiritual leadership work.

Detach from needing validation through titles.

I don’t need to be “Chief” of anything to lead powerfully. People already follow my example. I need to focus instead on influence, margin, and meaning.

Bottom Line for me:

I'm in a unique position to live with purpose without chasing labels. Choose the path that honors my calling, not one that simply looks impressive on paper. Let my lifestyle reflect my values, and my legacy will follow.

Thanks James Clear for the "idea"!

Who you want to be

The fastest way to become the person you want to be is to put yourself in a situation where you have no choice but to become them.

Are you making progress or are you setting for comfort?

The Law of the Rubber Band – says that “Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be.”

If you want to explore this more, feel free to reach out and we can talk. 

Walking Through and Not Being Stuck In..

Walking Through and Not Being Stuck In.. (sharing from one of my quiet times)..

Psalm 23:4 reminds me that even in life’s darkest valleys—whether it’s loss, grief, depression, or fear—I don’t have to be afraid, because God is with me and fully equipped to protect and comfort me. Loss is inevitable and grief is healthy, but fear paralyzes. While shadows may seem large and threatening, they can’t harm me, and they only exist because light is nearby. By keeping my eyes on Jesus, the Light of the World, I can walk through the valley with peace instead of panic. Trusting God in the shadows lowers my stress and strengthens my faith in His presence and guidance.

Bottom Line:

In life’s darkest valleys, I don’t need to fear—because God is with me, guiding, protecting, and comforting me as I keep my eyes on Him.

Hope you find this helpful for whatever situation you're in! 

Growth

"If you make it your goal to exceed expectations, you will continue to learn, grow, and improve" - John C. Maxwel

My new rule: Whenever Things Go Wrong, Wait and See what better thing is coming!

“My new rule: whenever things go wrong, wait and see what better thing is coming.” - Scott Carins

This reminds me of one of my quiet times this week…
Isaiah 55:8 reminds me that God’s thoughts and ways are far beyond my own. When I try to force solutions in my own strength I often settle for something less than God’s best.

Miracles don’t come from my effort or logic; they come from God’s unexpected and perfect timing. Even when I can’t see or understand His plan, I can trust that He is working.
My role is to wait patiently, obey faithfully, and believe confidently that God will come through—just not always in the way I expect.

Bottom Line:
God’s way is always better than mine—when I trust His timing and surrender control, I open the door for miracles I could never create on my own.

When pain becomes a teacher… (sharing from one of my quite times this week)

Pain is one of God's most powerful teaching tools, often opening my eyes to deeper truths I might otherwise miss.

According to Job 36:15, God uses suffering to instruct us, and through our distress, we learn vital lessons—not just about ourselves, but also about God’s power, grace, and presence.

While it’s wise to learn from my own mistakes, it’s even wiser to learn from others' experiences—and to let others learn from ours.

Pain teaches me to depend more on God, to trust and obey His Word more deeply, and to recognize my need for others.

Ultimately, the lessons I learn in hardship are not just for me; they are meant to be shared to help others find hope and wisdom in their own struggles.

Bottom line:
God uses pain to grow us, draw us closer to Him, and equip us to help others through what we’ve learned.

Today is the only time you have

“Today is the only time you have — It's too late for yesterday. And you can't depend on tomorrow. That's why today matters!” - John C. Maxwell

Consider that time is the only currency you spend without ever knowing your balance.

Are you using it wisely? 

When Effort Isn’t Enough: Trusting Jesus for the Breakthrough

When Effort Isn’t Enough: Trusting Jesus for the Breakthrough... (lessons from one of my quiet times this week)

In Luke 5:4-5, Simon Peter, a skilled fisherman, humbly admits his failure after a long, unproductive night of fishing—but still obeys Jesus' instruction to try again. This story illustrates how, despite my best efforts and expertise, I sometimes come up empty due to circumstances beyond my control. When that happens, the key is to invite Jesus into the center of my work and life, confess that my way isn't working, and let Him lead. Confession requires letting go of pride, stubbornness, and fear—barriers that keep me from trusting God fully. Only then can He guide me to abundance beyond my efforts.

Bottom Line:
When my own efforts fall short, learn to invite Jesus into the center of life, surrender control, and trust His direction—He can do more with my obedience than I can with my expertise.

Is there something you need to turn over to and trust Jesus with? 

Obedience Over Understanding

Obedience Over Understanding.. (something from my quiet time)

Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me to fully trust in God, not relying on my own limited understanding, but submitting to Him in every area of life. This kind of trust often requires obedience even when it doesn’t make sense—just like Peter in Luke 5, who, despite exhaustion and doubt, obeyed Jesus’ unexpected instruction to fish again and witnessed a miracle. God calls me to follow Him with faith, not logic, because His ways are higher than mine. When I choose obedience over understanding, I open myself to His guidance, peace, and blessing—trusting that He always has my best in mind.

Bottom Line:
Even when it doesn’t make sense, obedience to God leads to blessing—trust Him fully, surrender my understanding, and follow His lead.

Where do you need to step into obedience over your own understanding? 

Backpack full of unfinished tasks

“Each person carries an invisible backpack full of unfinished tasks.

These things can weigh on you, especially the ones that you feel like you should do but know you probably won't make time for.

There are two ways to lighten the load: finish the task or let it go. Give yourself permission to stop worrying about the things you're never going to do.” - James Clear

Lately my backpack has been feeling heavy. I have so many things I want to accomplish. It’s time for me to evalate and make some decisions. Finish some key tasks and drop some others.

What's weighing down your backpack that needs to be released? 

The Answer to the Stress of Indecision

The Answer to the Stress of Indecision.. (sharing from one of my quiet time studies this week)...

When faced with difficult decisions, I don't have to be overwhelmed by fear or stress—God promises to guide me along the right paths, as Psalm 23:3 assures. Often, I seek guidance through feelings, formulas, or signs, but God’s will isn’t found in confusion or gimmicks; it’s discovered through faith and trust. He desires to lead me more than I desire to be led, and when I ask in faith and commit to trusting Him fully, He frees me from doubt and second-guessing. Even in uncertain times, God's guidance is steady and reliable—He will show me the right way when I rely on Him completely.

Bottom Line:
When I trust God fully, He will guide me on the right path and give me peace in every decision.

I hope you find this to be of value for your upcoming week! 

You can't hit a target you cannot see

“You can't hit a target you cannot see, and you cannot see a target you do not have.“ - Zig Ziglar

Be sure you are establishing goals!

What is your next wisest step?

Opportunities

Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us everyday! - Sally Koch

Purpose / Meaning

“There's a difference between feeling tired and feeling empty. One probably needs sleep. The other may need purpose. Are you low on rest or low on meaning?” - James Clear

Determining and fulfilling your purpose in life is one of the most important things you can do to live the life you’re where designed for.

Do you know what your purpose is?

If you’d like help, feel free to contact me.

There Will Always Be Doubts

"Win the day and go on your way.

There are always doubts:
* But what if...
* Will I be able to...
* Should I be worried about...

Leave it be. Have the best day you can today. Win the moment in front of you right now." - James Clear

This is a very appropriate quote for me this week. It helps as I approach a course of action in front of me. It reminds me to enjoy the moment and not concentrate on any doubts.

Does this quote have any meaning to you?

How You React Matters

A thought for your day…

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. I can't control what happens to me, but I can control how I respond to it.

Problems are not my problem. It's not what happens to me, but what happens in me that matters.” - John Maxwell

How are you handling what comes your way?