“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31
What Mindset would Help you Succeed in your Profession and Relationships?
Have ever thought that how you think and react to what is around you affects (touches and shapes) and effects (consequences) everything about you and your ability to succeed? Consider, if you are a person of faith how does your faith factor into your approach of life? How has it grown past your past? I have been on the quest to find out. I have spent the last twenty-five plus years casually interviewing the top people around the world in their professions and relationships. This was not a scientific study; rather, an observation, as I sought personal testimony and exploration.
What makes someone effective in ministry, faithful in their family, and doing well in business? What makes them successful and how did they overcome obstacles and adversity? How did people with disabilities overcome them? How did those who were abused and gone through severe trauma overcome that?
This includes the richest self-made entrepreneurs, the most successful pastors, the heads of major corporations, major sports figures, the self-made entrepreneurs, developers of major ministries and so forth. I asked one question:
“What attitude / mindset helped you succeed in your profession and relationships?”
Or, depending on the situation:
“What attitude / mindset helped you overcome the suffering that you went through?”
I was not seeking what is on a motivational poster or a self-help book. I wanted the real deal. Why? Many of us, including me, tend to be too negative and glum in our call and life. We are stuck in what happened to us in the past and sometimes we cannot move on. Thus, I needed to find out beyond the platitudes of the motivational speaker crowed, what is a healthy Christian mindset is. Then, what was their ‘mindshift’ to overcome obstacles, even life shattering ones. How does our attitude and thinking affect and effect our lives and ministry?
How did I do this? My wife calls me Forrest Gump, because I happen to know a lot of people and weird stuff happens to me. Also, my mother heads a catering business that attracts the top executives, celebrities and the who’s who folks. I also grew up around the rich and famous in Carmel, CA. A friend from my early childhood is the head of the largest wealth management firm. For example, I had Christmas dinner recently with the heads of Wells Fargo and another top bank, along with an A list movie star. This is a normal occurrence for me. So, it is easy for me to talk with a major celebrity, a former President, the head of a major bank. Okay, I will name drop. I talked with Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Tony Robbins, President Bush, both of them, as well as people I know in real life like Rick Warren, Nick Vujicic, Clint Eastwood, and even more successful people in life, like my pastors around the world you may never heard of. This is not to impress you, but to inform you.
It came down to three main categories about having the right mindset.
Such as, being fear focused is a major inhibitor to all accomplishments. Being unfocused, so nothing happens because too many things are happening. Then, there is being ‘strategic’ in ones thinking and where that can take someone. And for the spiritually mature, having a real active faith in Christ as Lord; where will that take us in our call.
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23
Look at these three questions below and honestly take an introspective look under the hood of your faith, life and mindset.
These are the attitudes that hold us back or help us move forward.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Philippians 4:6
Are you Fear Focused? This is the mindset of being overly emotional, stuck in being overwhelmed, trapped in struggle, and a mindset of worry that everything is fearful. This is also allowing people to rain negative in your life and or being codependent in an unhealthy relationship. Being influenced by negative people who are not helping you succeed in faith and life will stop you from moving forward in all aspects of our life.
“But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” Deuteronomy 8:18
Are you Unfocused? Having a wait and see attitude, or spending so much time planning and then doing nothing? Too many things going on in your life and thus no time to do anything right. Or, never take advantage of any opportunities because your mind is on what has not worked in the past, so you do not try anymore or just general unfocused busyness. Just doing lots of work, does not mean you are productive. You need to be inspired to do what is your call while taking hold of the right opportunities.
“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5
Are you Strategic Focused? This is about being focused on your personal and professional growth and seizing opportunity. These people can take what is given and work with it. If you have this mindset working, you will be able to learn from setbacks and then move on. This is all about having a growth mindset verses a stuck mindset. You can see opportunities and engage in the action to make something grow and be successful.
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” James 4:10
To get to be more balanced and deliberate on what you need to do to make something work and be successful.
This is all about having an ability to reset yourself after setbacks.
When you fall, you get back up. This is about shifting your mindset off of the negatives and focus on what will help you move forward. And, for a Christian, to do this in the parameters of the Fruit of the Spirit and to Glorify Christ as Lord.
How Do Self-Made Rich and Successful People Think?
First of all, having money and being successful in a business even a ministry does not mean you have a good mindset or are truly successful in what matters. Real success is making a difference in their own life and others too. It is not about money or accomplishments in the world’s view, although that can happen too.
The biggest aspect in successful thinking that sets them apart from others who never try or give up too soon is quite simple, they have a relentless desire to succeed.
Successful people see a problem and then seek to solve it and repeat this attitude of approach. It is about being in control of their discipline and focus.
How Do Unsuccessful People think?
These people see a problem and find blame, or get stuck in fear, or become overly frustrated. Sometimes they are living with indifference, and then they think this is ‘not my problem.’ Also, they have a lack of commitment, and give away themselves negatively to others, these are what hold us back.
They get stuck in their past and fears!
The engagement of our excuses that we give ourselves and others, these are what hold us back the most.
“Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:14
This does not mean you will make bad decisions or fail, as we all will.
Success means we learn, get up and move on. And the Christian does it with the active power of the Fruit of the Spirit and how they can glorify Christ as Lord!
A winning mindset is a burning desire to think and grow abundantly; this is the fuel of self-motivation.
We have to get out of our comfort or fear zone to change our own lives as well as to be used to inspire others too!
Because of a growth aptitude, successful people can influence others and be used for inspiration! They usually, although not always, have people skills. And, they stay ready, so they do not have to get ready. Furthermore, this is extremely important:
Real mature Christians with a growth mindset will encourage, praise and recognize others.
They do not put others down unless they are hurtful to others. They protect. They are grateful for what they have and not obsessed with what they want. They give it all to Christ, as He is our All in All.
What Mindshift would revolutionize your life and move you to where you need to go? Past your hurts and fears? What are you are going to do about it?
Up next, The Top Ten Mindsets…
© 2000, 2010, 2020; Dr. Richard J. Krejcir
FINANCIAL PLANNING and STEWARDSHIP 