Whenever I’m stressing about money in my business, my mind changes from an attitude of gratitude to a PANIC MODE of worrying about where I’m going to get more money from. I make rash decisions based on fear and stress. I’ll pull the trigger early on marketing campaigns, I’ll discount prices, and I’ll second-guess some of my hiring decisions and begin making cuts. When the dust settles and I’m back to normal, I’ll pat myself on the back for the decisions I made to get me out of that mini-crisis. But here’s my problem. I’ve given credit to myself and to the money I was able to bring in as the savior of my problem. In all the stressing out, I pushed God on the side, took matters into my own hands, got myself out of the pit, and congratulated myself for it. And I know I’m not the only one that does this. As entrepreneurs, we are inherently alone in our businesses since we are in charge. And our human instinct for survival kicks in, and we operate in a panic to keep food on the table. But if we truly desire to move away from stressing about money in our businesses, we need to understand what money is and what it is NOT. The Bible says Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17 NIV) Money is a gift from God. Your business’s revenue is a blessing that he freely gives to Godpreneurs. But money is not God. And the fact that you’re out of the mess you’re in is not from your effort alone. The reason why we have stress and anxiety about money is that we’ve attributed good things in our business lives to money and not to God. When we do this, we rob God of the credit only He deserves. I get it - when the bank account is low, we need to look and see what new product, service, or marketing campaign will bring in cash. But all of a sudden, that new thing becomes a god for you. You start paying attention to it more. You sacrifice morning time with God and nights with your family to get that thing going. And while the success of that marketing campaign and the positive money it brought in are real, this clearly illustrates our dangerous temptation to turn God’s gifts into a god itself. Let's be real - we feel more comfortable with a fake god we can make ourselves than with the real God who demonstrated his love and power over and over again in our businesses. For entrepreneurs, especially, it’s so easy for us to confuse money with God, particularly when the stress of making payroll on Friday makes us forget the ways God has provided for our businesses in the past. THE SOLUTION: A LIST OF VICTORIES I’ve talked a lot on my blog about my famous list of victories. It’s a list I try to write weekly where I bullet point the amazing things that happened in my business that week. I list where God showed up for me, and I review those Victories and thank God. I do this as a habit because I forget. Anxiety and stress make me forget. For me, it’s my antidote to stress. For you, maybe consider fasting every Monday morning as a reminder to yourself that God provides – He is the only one that provides for your business. Do this, and see how your anxiety level about money changes. Whatever we choose to do, it should be something that will remind us that God is sovereign over everything. Imagine if all of us Godpreneurs had a solid reminder that God is the source of all good things in our businesses!. We all need to set up some way to remind ourselves that God has done good things for our entrepreneurial journey in the past, and he is taking care of our needs today. Godpreneur Rule: Lord, you have done good things for me in my business. I will remember and write down your faithfulness in my business. #BusinessBibleStudy #DebtFreedom #EnhanceFocus Removing The Stress of Money in Your Business We don’t need more money, we need more God. God is looking out for us AND our businesses. Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

I’ve had times in my business where the money is rolling in. Things are great, clients are paying, there’s money in the bank, I’m paying bills on time, and life is good. But then it hits again. Another low. Nobody is buying, I’m behind on paying vendors, I haven’t paid myself, and I’m stressing. I start making desperate decisions, I’m moody at home, and I can’t think straight. My anxiety goes through the roof, I don’t know how I’m going to get out of this low, and I want to quit and get a stable job. I need some money. That will solve it all. I want money, and I want it now so I can stop stressing and things can go back to normal. The Roller-Coaster Ride of Money Many of us entrepreneurs experience this same roller-coaster ride. We worry about money, and for an obvious reason! We need money for our businesses for a lot of things. We need money like a car needs oil. Cash flow keeps the machine operating efficiently. Cut the oil, and you have a danger of the engine blowing up. Money in our businesses keep the lights shining, the computers humming, and the employees buzzing. It also helps us go on vacations, pay for our kids’ schooling, and keep food on the table. But because money is so important in our society, it’s crossed an invisible line of what it can buy us, and come to represent non-material things too. For a lot of entrepreneurs, many means security, confidence in the future, and control of our company’s destiny. The amount of money in our bank account is tied to our future success, and this is a dangerous place to be because no matter how much money we have, that stress won’t disappear. My goal is to help you reduce your stress by cutting the association you have with your sense of security and the amount of money you and your business have. What Does God Say About The Stress of Money? If Paul knows what it is to be in need, and knows what it is to have plenty, and has learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or want, then this proves to you that there’s a clear separation between money and contentment (Philippines 4:12). Jesus gives us an amazing metaphor so we can divorce our sense of security from our bank accounts. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life ? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:25‭-‬33 NIV) Like the birds, you too can move away from stressing about money and fly towards peace of knowing God is always there, helping you towards the vision He set out for your business. But this doesn’t mean you sit back and do nothing. No. You must still learn financial responsibility, sales, marketing, and operations in your business. What Jesus wants to do is guide us away from stressing about money and points us to the quality of God that we need to focus on. Focus on God We don’t need more money; we need more God. If God takes care of all the animals (who don’t work for money), then what are me and you worried about? Instead of worrying when times are low, we need to take the opportunity to trust God and that He’ll take care of us like He takes care of the birds in the sky. See, security doesn’t come from money, it comes from God and is strengthened within us when we continue trusting and thanking God. And when we have a lot of money, the same is still true! You’ll continue trusting and thanking God! When we Godpreneurs believe God is looking out for us and our businesses, our stress about money goes down. We can let the spirit guide us to the solution God has for us. All we have to do is maintain our positive mindset. A great strategy is to stop everything you’re doing and begin thanking God for what He’s already done. I’ve taught about always keeping a list of Victories in your business. Go back and read that list. Remember a time that God showed us and brought you through the same low, and helped you overcome! As we remind ourselves that God is taking care of our businesses, we will start to believe that He will provide for us now and in the future. Godpreneur Rule: Godpreneurs live stress-free about money and have strong hope in the future because of God’s in control. #BusinessBibleStudy #DebtFreedom #MakingMoreSales #GainConfidence Removing The Stress of Money in Your Business We don’t need more money, we need more God. God is looking out for us AND our businesses. Heard of the Godpreneur Academy? Grow Your Business, God’s Way! Bible-Based Video Courses for Entrepreneurs Putting God First In their Businesses Click here to create a Free Account

As a success-driven Christian entrepreneur, your days are filled with ambitious goals, demanding schedules, and the constant pursuit of excellence in both your business and spiritual life. In the midst of this hustle, have you considered the immense benefits of incorporating daily devotions into your routine? While it might seem like just another task on your to-do list, the transformative power of daily devotions can revolutionize your journey as a Godpreneur. Here are five tailored benefits that resonate with your unique journey: 1. Fuel Your Spiritual Growth: In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, neglecting your spiritual growth is easy. Daily devotions offer you a space to connect with God, reflect on His Word, and find inspiration for your journey. Each carefully curated devotional brings you insights that resonate with your entrepreneurial pursuits, helping you align your actions with godly wisdom. Over time, this consistent connection fosters spiritual growth, guiding you towards a deeper understanding of God's plan for your life. 2. Cultivate a Personal Relationship with God: As a Christian entrepreneur, your heart yearns for a closer relationship with your Creator. Daily devotions provide a practical way to nurture that relationship. Dive into scripture passages that resonate with your challenges and triumphs. Break down complex teachings through devotionals crafted to address your concerns. This personalized approach allows you to intimately know God's heart, strengthening your bond with Him. 3. Gain Deeper Insights into Biblical Wisdom: The Bible is a vast treasure trove of wisdom, but its depth can sometimes be overwhelming. Daily devotions guide you through selected passages, unpacking their significance in the context of your entrepreneurial journey. This focused approach allows you to gain deeper insights into timeless truths that are directly relevant to your business decisions, leadership style, and ethical choices. 4. Practical Application of God's Word: Integrating faith into your daily business endeavors can be challenging. That's where targeted devotionals come in. Consider devotionals that resonate with your entrepreneurial challenges, like navigating ethical dilemmas or managing stress. Discover narratives that provide practical applications of biblical teachings, empowering you to implement God's wisdom into every aspect of your entrepreneurial journey. 5. Embrace Tranquility Amidst the Chaos: The entrepreneur's life can often feel chaotic, leaving little room for peace. Daily devotionals offer a haven of tranquility, reminding you that God is in control. During moments of overwhelm, turn to devotionals that speak to your specific concerns, soothing your spirit and renewing your perspective. The assurance of God's love and grace brings much-needed calm to your bustling life. Embarking on daily devotions might seem like a daunting endeavor, but the rewards are abundant. If you're a busy Christian entrepreneur seeking spiritual growth, a closer relationship with God, and practical insights rooted in biblical wisdom, daily devotions are your key to thriving. Through these intentional moments, you'll find your entrepreneurial journey not only prosperous but also deeply meaningful. Looking for Daily Devotionals for Christian Entrepreneurs? As you navigate the dynamic intersection of faith and entrepreneurship, don't overlook the profound impact daily devotions can have on your journey. If you're ready to embrace spiritual growth, enrich your relationship with God, and infuse biblical wisdom into your business endeavors, it's time to take action. Visit GodpreneurAcademy.com, your haven of transformation. Explore our collection of daily devotionals meticulously designed to align with your path as a busy Christian entrepreneur. Our Business Bible Plans are more than just lessons; they're your daily source of inspiration, guidance, and connection to God. Join us in this journey of thriving in business while honoring God's principles. Let your entrepreneurial journey be a testament to the incredible synergy of faith and success!

This post is the 10th (and final) in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. Welcome back to my series that summarizes and gives a Biblical perspective to each of the seven habits laid out in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. We now come to the 7th and final habit, which is my favorite habit: sharpening the saw. For entrepreneurs, this habit is all about pausing on work to take care of yourself. This blog, Daily Godpreneur, is a testament to my habit of sharpening my saw. Back in 2014, I realized that my personal development was more important than developing a business idea. If I spent all of my time working and never paused to exercise, meditate, write my blogs, and go to church, I would become a burned out entrepreneur. My clients, employees, vendors, and business partners wouldn't have the same Alex that they are able to interact with. I've proven that if I don't get my Bible reading and blogging done in the morning, I'm a different person throughout the day. I'm more irritable and short with people. I'm not as loving and patient. My wife and my employees notice. The same phenomenon happens with my fitness and eating. If I don't work out, I feel lethargic. If I don't eat right during the day, I feel unhealthy. As Christian entrepreneurs, if we never pause to take care of ourselves, any gains in effectiveness we achieve will be short-lived, for we'll soon exhaust ourselves and we won’t be able to maintain any of the other 6 habits that we previously learned about. When we entrepreneurs fail to work on sharpening our spiritual, physical, social, and emotional parts of our lives, we become unbalanced and it shows up in the form of conflict with business partners and employees, inability to find creative solutions to problems, and missed opportunities. This is why “sharpening your saw” isn't just a great idea that Covey came up with, it's a Biblical mandate given by God. The Bible has many passages that speak to personal growth and development, as well as the importance of taking care of oneself and cultivating a healthy inner life. Covey says that when it comes to our personal lives, we should focus on four domains: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional. Let's see what the Bible has to say about what's essential for lasting effectiveness in each of these four key dimensions of our entrepreneurial lives. Food and Exercise The Bible emphasizes the importance of caring for our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This means that we should make wise choices when it comes to what we eat and how we treat our bodies. For you to perform at your highest capacity - the natural state that God created you in - you need to stay physically fit by exercising regularly, eating healthily and avoiding undue stress. Spiritual Health Mr. Covey is Mormon and he clearly recognizes that your spiritual health also contributes to lasting effectiveness. The Bible teaches that personal growth and development in spiritual health involves seeking God first, renewing your mind, growing in knowledge, developing spiritual disciplines, being accountable, serving others, and trusting in God. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33). You should be seeking God first before starting the work day. Your God-First business model depends on this. I suggest my devotionals at Godpreneur Academy. It could also be just praying or meditating. Mental Health Mr. Covey teaches that to stay mentally healthy, read plenty of good books, avoid spending too much time in front of your television screen and make time for your own writing in some form – be it letters or poetry or a diary. Organizing and planning things are also good exercises to keep your mind sharp and fresh. King David is known for his musical abilities and wrote many of the psalms found in the book of Psalms. Even though he was a king and had many responsibilities, he took time to write and play music. Luke was a physician and writer who wrote the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts. Even though he had a demanding profession, he took the time to write and share his faith through his writing. These examples suggest that it is possible for you to pursue other activities while still fulfilling your business responsibilities. Emotional Health Lastly, Mr. Covey teaches that it’s important to take care of your social and emotional health by deliberately seeking to understand others, building positive relationships with them and working on projects that help improve their lives. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus models the importance of building positive relationships with others and working to improve their lives. He spends time with people from all walks of life, showing them love, compassion, and empathy. The apostles stress the importance of meeting together regularly with other believers, being equipped by leaders in the church, encouraging and supporting one another, and using our gifts and abilities to serve the body of Christ. Hebrews 10:24-25 says "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Being involved in a church and Christian community is not only beneficial for our own spiritual growth, but it also helps to strengthen and build up the entire body of Christ. When we model Jesus in this area, we are improving our emotional and social health. This, in turn, helps us show up to our business ventures in a more highly productive way. Sharpening the Saw - Conclusion Mr. Covey teaches that by sharpening our saws, we consciously make time to recuperate and recharge. Us entrepreneurs sometimes claim we can’t find time for this, but in the long-term, it’s essential for sustained effectiveness in our businesses and the rewards in productivity and well-being that come with it. Similarly, the Bible encourages individuals to prioritize their inner lives and cultivate habits that lead to personal growth and development, including self-discipline in the areas of physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional health. By doing so, individuals can better align themselves with God's will and live a fulfilling, purposeful life. Imagine if we all made sure you truly sharpen our saw and implemented activities that could contribute to our well-being in each of the four dimensions. Final Summary So, what can a Christian entrepreneur learn from reading the book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People? How do the principles by the author compare to biblical principles? What I discovered in my time combing through the principles presented by Mr. Covey is that Christian entrepreneurs can learn from the book in several ways. The following are some of the things that a Christian entrepreneur can learn from reading this book: Proactivity: Covey emphasizes that effective people take responsibility for their lives and focus on what they can control. This aligns with the biblical principle of taking responsibility for one's actions and not blaming others for one's problems. Begin with the end in mind: Covey advocates that one should begin with a clear vision of what they want to achieve in life. This is similar to the biblical principle of setting goals and having a sense of purpose in life. Put first things first: Covey emphasizes the importance of prioritizing and focusing on the most important things in life. This aligns with the biblical principle of seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Think win-win: Covey emphasizes that successful relationships are built on mutual benefit and that we should seek solutions that benefit everyone involved. This is similar to the biblical principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31). Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Covey emphasizes the importance of listening and understanding others before seeking to be understood. This aligns with the biblical principle of being slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19). Synergize: Covey advocates that working in teams and combining individual strengths can lead to better results. This aligns with the biblical principle of the body of Christ working together for a common goal (1 Corinthians 12:12-27). Continuous improvement: Covey advocates for lifelong learning and continuous improvement. This aligns with the biblical principle of growing in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). My goal in this series, as with any book or resource, is to filter the book through a biblical lens and discern what aligns with God's word and what doesn't. Overall, the principles outlined in "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" align well with biblical principles. However, you should read the book for yourself and discern what the holy spirit wants to show you through the teachings. Got feedback? I'd love to hear what you think about my series of teachings where I analyze the best-selling self-help books from a Christian point of view! Just drop an email to alex@dailygodpreneur.com with your thoughts or leave a comment. Suggested further book reviews Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - A Christian Entrepreneurs's Perspective Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is the 9th in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. Welcome back to my series that summarizes and gives a Biblical perspective to each of the seven habits laid out in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. We now come to a habit that all the previous habits you’ve learned have prepared you for: synergizing. Synergy means a situation where the contributions of many add up to a total that exceeds the combined contributions of the individuals. One plus one can equal three or more. Synergy in Entrepreneurship At the time of writing this blog post, I have two main companies I'm building. One is a branding agency for charter schools. We manage charter school brands. They pay us a monthly retainer to handle all of their branding needs. My other company is a virtual assistant staffing agency. We find VAs in Latin America (primarily Venezuela) to work for companies in the U.S. For a few years, I was managing both companies separately. I'd focus on one for a bit, then I'd focus on the other. I had different partners, employees, clients, and softwares. Basically, I lived two lives: one as the owner of a branding agency and one as the owner of a staffing agency. One day, one of the schools we manage was complaining about their staffing issues, particularly with admin and support tasks. I didn't want to mix both of my businesses, but I couldn't resist the temptation to tell my client that I have another company that could help them with their staffing issues. Within 3 months of that conversation, I had virtual assistants working at my client's schools. I was making money from one single client through both of my companies that used to be completely isolated from each other, but because of the synergy I discovered, now we're all collaborating to service my clients at a whole new level. That's how synergy works. We all have the ability to find synergies in our business relationships. In fact, I believe that God wants us to create synergistic relationships throughout our entire entrepreneurial journey. This isn't just a concept that Mr. Covey came up with it on his own, he thought of it because this is how God designed us to think. What does the bible say about synergy? So, what does God have to say about Mr. Covey's 6th habit of synergy and synergistic relationships? The concept of synergy, or the idea that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible. However, there are many biblical passages that speak to the value of cooperation, teamwork, and unity, which are essential components of creating synergistic tasks or relationships. One famous example of the importance of synergy can be found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, which states: "Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This passage emphasizes the power of working together, and the benefits that can come from supporting and relying on one another. Similarly, the apostle Paul frequently emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration in his letters to early Christian communities. For example, in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, Paul uses the metaphor of a body to describe the interdependence and cooperation that should exist within a community of believers: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ... If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it." This passage emphasizes the importance of every member of a community working together to achieve a common goal, and the value of supporting and caring for one another in the process. In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "synergy," it emphasizes the importance of working together, supporting one another, and collaborating to achieve common goals. These values are essential components of creating synergistic tasks or relationships in Kingdom-driven businesses. How to Implement Synergy in Business So how can you implement this principle in your own business interactions? When building your team, for example, each employee sees the world differently and we each have our own particular strengths. You can leverage the power of synergy by being open with others, valuing these differences, and tapping into each person's unique ability to move a growth opportunity forward. And in agencies, when account managers and clients truly synergize, they listen to each other, understand each other's roles in the relationship and use the contributions of others as a springboard to create something great. When you value synergy, everyone is on the same side, trying to tackle a shared challenge, not fighting each other over budgets and deadlines. As a Godpreneur, the path to synergizing starts with seeing your interactions with others as an adventure that God partners with you to go on. The outcome of that adventure may not be what you planned in your head, but God is directing the steps and your faith will help you embrace it with complete openness. Imagine if Christian entrepreneurs worldwide developed a significant degree of self-confidence, (as well as the Biblical conviction) that the combined contribution of each party can lead to something great, even if the entrepreneurial journey to get there seems a bit chaotic. Let's all make a list of the people we find it difficult to discuss things with and think about their views. If we were more confident and open-minded, do we think we could find synergies between our perspective and theirs? In the next post, we will close out with the 7th and final habit that will set us up for the rest of our business lives: sharpening the saw. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is the 8th in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. Welcome back to my series that summarizes and gives a Biblical perspective to each of the seven habits laid out in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In my last post, I discussed Habit 4: Think Win/Win. For entrepreneurs, that habit is to seek to allow clients, employees, or business partners involved in a conflict or negotiation to feel as if they’ve “won.” Win-win thinking in business is an application of the Golden Rule: "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). Win-win thinking is an important part of our Godpreneurial journey. The more we become like Christ, the more God will want to use us to deal with some form of interpersonal conflicts happening around us. This requires balancing consideration for the needs of others, with the assertiveness to show up and hold space in our faith. The combination of consideration and assertiveness is what gives rise to spiritual maturity. Habit 5 — “Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood” — helps us develop the consideration side of the equation. Let's dive into Habit 5. Imagine calling a patent lawyer and having the lawyer listen absentmindedly to the first few seconds of your idea for an invention before announcing, “I’ve heard enough,” and handing you a proposal. Or what if my virtual assistant staffing agency gave you a plan, without bothering to ask what your business was or what your staffing needs are, claiming that since we are experts at staffing, we know what will work for your company? You probably wouldn’t put much trust in either of our services. Though these examples sound surreal, we actually often behave very similarly in our businesses, particularly when talking with others. We don’t really listen to what our prospects, employees, or business partners have to say and instead project our own situation onto them, coming up with quick solutions that we can "prescribe" to them. This could be particularly troublesome for sales because if we can't make consistent sales, we cut off the lifeblood of our business - incoming revenue. In general, most failed sales proposals come from a lack of listening to the prospects' problems, since people usually only trust someone’s recommendation if they feel their situations have been fully understood. What if God designed business in a way where if we aren't empathetic and we don't listen to others, then doors close. What if that was the natural consequence God set up for a person who is more concerned for their own success than the success of another? As Christian entrepreneurs, the Bible teaches us the importance of empathetically listening to others before offering our advice. Proverbs 18:13 says, "He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him." This means that we should take the time to hear what someone is saying before we offer our own thoughts or opinions. James 1:19 also emphasizes the importance of listening: "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." This verse encourages us to be patient and understanding when listening to others. In addition, Proverbs 17:27 says, "He who has knowledge spares his words, and a man of understanding is of a calm spirit." This verse encourages us to be thoughtful and considerate when offering our advice. The Bible emphasizes the importance of actively listening to prospects, employees, and business partners, and taking the time to understand their perspective before offering your own advice or opinions - seeking first to understand, then to be understood. So if you want to be respected as a listener of your client's needs and a giver of advice to your employees, you need to develop the skill of empathic listening. This necessitates a change of paradigm from "I’m listening so that I can provide an answer" to "I’m listening so that I can really understand the person in front of me." Tips for Listening Empathetically Empathic listening means trying to get inside the other person’s frame of reference so we can understand them both intellectually and emotionally. First, we have to recognize that the enemy doesn't want us to empathetically connect with others and wants to keep us in selfish mode, focused on our own needs. Pray for the holy spirit to take over so God can show up in the conversation. Once we're connected to our holy spirit, we need to try to understand things the way they themselves do, instead of trying to fit their perspective into our own. How do we do that? We ask questions. So simple, yet we often don’t do it because we’re overly confident in our ability to understand what others are thinking and what they need. We want to tell when we really need to listen. After we've asked a question, we need to be quiet and really listen. Active listening takes work and time, however, it’s well worth the effort. By seeking first to understand, we'll be in a better position to find Win-Win solutions to interpersonal problems and Win-Win opportunities for our prospective clients. Empathetic listening increases the trust in our relationships significantly, and God can bless our circle of influence by expanding it. Imagine if the marketplace was full of God-first entrepreneurs who take time and effort to master this skill. If we all learn to listen in a truly empathic way, we'll notice that many people are fully prepared to open up to us and to reciprocate by considering our opinions and advice. They just need a good, appreciative listener before they can do so. See how the 4th habit of thinking win-win works synergistically with the 5th habit of considering others before ourselves? This is a nice segue to Mr. Covey's 6th habit of highly effective people - Synergize. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

I want to write today about building strong, lasting relationships with clients. A client relationship is kind of like an emotional bank account: by putting time, effort and good will into it, the balance of the account grows, reflecting the increasing trust between the two parties. A healthy balance on the client account means that both parties are flexible, any miscommunications are quickly sorted out, and the potential for increased services goes up. If, on the other hand, the balance is zero with a client, there’s no flexibility and the relationship is like a minefield: every action is scrutinized and there's an increased risk of a blowout that leads to losing the client. In my agencies, I can see a big difference in the relationships with clients where I make an extra effort to make emotional deposits, versus the ones that I haven't made the time to give them extra love and attention beyond the services we provide. It's no coincidence that the accounts that get more "extra love" from me are the ones that bring in the most revenue to the companies. On the other hand, the accounts that I neglect feel like they are one mistake away from us getting fired by them. Even as I write this article, I'm convicted of the neglect in the emotional investment in those accounts. As Christian entrepreneurs, we must understand the importance of showing up as Christ in all of our client relationships and doing more than just the service we promised, but also the service we provide on behalf of God. God first entrepreneurs provide two services: the actual service and the emotional service. This is the key to building strong, lasting, and growing relationships with clients. So how can we grow our emotional balances with our clients? What does the Bible have to say about building strong lasting relationships? In the book of Galatians, it says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." (Galatians 5:22-23) This passage highlights the importance of displaying characteristics such as love and kindness towards others. While the concept of making deposits in the emotional love tank of a client may not be directly mentioned in the Bible, the importance of showing love, kindness, and compassion towards others is a central theme in the Christian faith - and it's the #1 purpose of why God has given you the opportunity to interact with clients in the marketplace. To some clients, we are the closest thing to God they will know. Ways to Deposit Into Client Relationships A deposit into a client relationship could be, for example, finding a win-win solution, sticking to promises you’ve made or really listening empathically to the client's needs. A withdrawal, on the other hand, would be fighting for a win-lose solution, breaking a promise or only half heartedly listening to your client. To build strong, long-lasting relationships, there are several major deposits you can make: always keep promises be explicit about what you expect in the relationship be courteous and sensitive, even in seemingly small matters Another major deposit is maintaining the utmost personal integrity. I put together an entire Business Bible Study called Conquering Integrity in Business because that's how important integrity is. Integrity in business means being loyal to clients, and never bad-mouthing them or revealing what they’ve told you in confidence to other clients. This will prove to clients that you can be trusted. But perhaps one of the most important deposits you can make is really trying to understand your clients, because this deposit allows you to discover what’s important to them – and thus which things they consider deposits. By following these principles, we can build strong lasting relationships with our clients - God's way - based on trust, respect, and service. Imagine if all of our client relationships had healthy emotional love tanks! How much more satisfying would our work be? How much more impact could we have for the Kingdom? And….how much more revenue would that translate into our business? That's how God's economy works when we do business, God's way. 😉 P.S. If you do happen to make a withdrawal from a client's emotional account, pluck up the courage to apologize sincerely. It takes strength of character to do so, and clients are usually more than happy to forgive a repentant sinner.

This post is the 7th in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. Welcome back to my series that summarizes and brings the Bible into each of the seven habits laid out in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. In this series, my goal is to show how the best-selling self-help books all derive from Bible-based principals - like I did with Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harve Ecker. The first of Covey’s 7 Habits all prompt us to get our own lives together: Being Proactive, Beginning With the End in Mind, and Putting First Things First. These are habits we work on privately every morning in our alone time with God. By working out these first three habits throughout our Godpreneurial journey, we start to become more like Christ, understanding that we have a calling in the business world, and that we can bring our visions to life. However, now it's time to take this privately-developed habits, and start interacting with the world and letting our light shine. We don't do business alone; we interact with others who have their own desires and ambitions, and deal with their own levels of internal conflict. How do Christian entrepreneurs successfully navigate the world as individuals who live among other individuals? How did Jesus and the apostles do it? That’s what the next habit seeks to answer — Think Win/Win. My $30,000 Lesson One time, I sold a company an entire branding and website package for $30,000. We went back and forth in the negotiations, and they of course wanted a lower price. I wouldn't budge. I had a strong “win-lose” mindset. Yes, I won that deal and we did a great job, but the next time that entrepreneur launched another business, guess who did NOT get a call….me! I succeeded in getting the price I wanted, but the customer preferred to take their business elsewhere the next time. In the long term, I lost. However, if I would have been thinking ”win-win,” I might have built a positive relationship rather than eroding it. If, instead, I would have sought a mutually satisfactory deal, the customer would probably remember that I was fair – and she would come back again the next time, thereby increasing my profits in the long run. The lesson I learned is that it's impossible for a long-term positive relationship to form between me and my clients if I'm constantly in competition with their budget. It doesn't mean I lower my price for everyone, it means that if they can't meet my prices, maybe God didn't want us to do business together in the first place. Maybe, the win-win was that we both agree to NOT do business, and the next day I find a better-fit client, and she finds a better-fit agency. Winning Conflict in Business When I interact with employees, clients, prospects, vendors, or my business partners, I'm always believing that everyone can win. My mindset is always thinking that there's enough pie for everyone, and it is far better when all parties work toward a "win-win" solution that is beneficial for everyone, rather than fighting for a “win-lose” outcome. However, I've interacted with people in business whose worldviews are shaped by a strong "win-lose" paradigm. This means they see any interaction with others, whether at work or in their personal life, as basically a competition, where they need to fight the other person for the bigger slice of pie. As Christian entrepreneurs leading God-first businesses, I believe that the Lord really wants everyone to win. When our clients, employees, and partners win, it doesn't mean we lose. In fact, it makes it more likely we'll "win" too. Win-win thinking in business is an application of the Golden Rule: "Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). The apostle Paul also discussed this principle in Philippians 2:3: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." Win-win thinking is an important part of your Godpreneurial journey. The more you become like Christ, the more God will want to use you to deal with some form of interpersonal conflicts happening around you. This is why it's very important to turn win-lose conflict into win-win thinking. Some of your greatest testimonies as a Christian entrepreneur will be when you turned a conflict into an opportunity. God-first entrepreneurs do not avoid, repress or deny conflict, but rather see it as an opportunity God has given them to be Christ in the conflict and bring God into the center of the solution. Once you begin to see people problems that way, the Holy Spirit exchanges your carnal combative posture for a creative stance. In turn, the people you're dealing with don't feel threatened, they feel challenged. That's the power we have as Kingdom driven entrepreneurs. Losing Conflict in Business Of course, there are times that, no matter how much we seek the win-win, you will lose - in the short term. Sometimes the other person isn't interested in a win-win solution, only in making you lose. But we know that in the end, God wins and so do His people. The Bible says "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Romans 12:18) When you live peaceably with employees, partners, and clients, you end up as a winner whether the other person does or not. As a Godpreneur you should always try to make it possible for the other person to win too, but sometimes people will choose otherwise. If this happens, you shouldn't feel like a failure since you have done your part. Conquering Conflict in Our Companies Whenever we see that someone is going to be the loser in a situation in our businesses, think win-win! Here are some helpful tips: Start with a quick prayer: "God, what is win-win? Thank you for using me to reveal it!" Get the facts. Focus on the present and the future, not the past (don't play the blame game). Break down the problem into smaller parts and find mutually beneficial agreements on these step by step. Brainstorm for possible solutions. Find common ground. The next two habits from Stephen Covey's book will help the win-win concept for our entrepreneurial journey. The fifth habit is "Seek first to understand, then to be understood." This requires what he calls empathetic listening in our business, where "you listen with your ears, but you also, and more importantly, listen with your eyes and your heart." These steps lead to the sixth habit, "synergize," or creative cooperation in our companies. Synergy is like winning multiplied. When everyone is working together creatively, the results can be phenomenal! Let's keep the winning going in the next articles! Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Are you a Christian entrepreneur seeking to align your business with your faith and experience true fulfillment? We're excited to announce the launch of our latest business bible plan, "The Power of Entrepreneurship in the Spirit," exclusively available at Godpreneur Academy. Starting on Monday, July 10th, this nine-day plan will empower you to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship, find purpose, and experience the joy of living in the present moment with God. Unlock the Secrets of Success "The Power of Entrepreneurship in the Spirit" is designed to revolutionize your approach to business and help you achieve lasting success. Led by experienced Christian entrepreneurs and mentors, this plan will guide you through practical strategies and biblical insights to transform your mindset and embrace the power of the Holy Spirit in your entrepreneurial journey. Why Join Godpreneur Academy? As a member of Godpreneur Academy, you'll join a global community of like-minded Christian entrepreneurs who are passionate about honoring God in their businesses. Every month, we provide exclusive bible plans designed to address the unique challenges faced by entrepreneurs. This July, "The Power of Entrepreneurship in the Spirit" takes center stage as our featured plan of the month. What to Expect Starting on Monday, July 10th, all Godpreneur Academy members will embark on a nine-day journey of growth and transformation. Each day, you'll delve into key topics such as: Strategy for Entrepreneurs Dealing with Failure and Regret Overcoming Negative Emotional Pain in Entrepreneurship Suppressing the Entrepreneur's Ego, God's Way How Your Body Helps Your Business Grow How to Escape Mental Anxiety in Entrepreneurship Uncovering God Opportunities in Business Dealing with Non-Christian Business Relationships Overcoming the Pain of Losing in Business Help! My Business Sufferings Are Just Too Much to Handle By dedicating just a few moments each day, you'll gain invaluable insights, actionable strategies, and renewed inspiration to live out your calling as a Christian entrepreneur. Enroll Today and Transform Your Business: Don't miss this opportunity to join Godpreneur Academy and be part of "The Power of Entrepreneurship in the Spirit" plan. Our global community of Godpreneurs is eagerly waiting to support and inspire you on your journey. Together, let's build businesses that honor God, make a positive impact, and thrive in the marketplace. Mark your calendars for Monday, July 10th, and visit https://godpreneuracademy.com/p/the-power-of-entrepreneurship-in-the-spirit to learn more about the study and to become a member of Godpreneur Academy. Get ready to transform your business and experience the power of entrepreneurship in the Spirit.

This post is the 6th in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. Welcome back to my series that summarizes, expands, and brings a Christian entrepreneur's perspective into each of the seven habits laid out in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. Covey’s first two habits are big picture and abstract. Habit #1 — “Be Proactive” — is about Godpreneurs proactively obeying God based on His word, and never reacting to situations in our business based on feelings alone. Imagine a world where all of us God-first business owners, when tempted, we allow the Holy Spirit to engage our minds and proactively reflect through the temptation, so we see the way of escape and obey God. Habit #2 - "Begin with the End in Mind" - builds off of the first. It's about taking the time required to visualize the business God has inspired you to build - your calling and assignment here on earth. Better to ask God now than to lose your way pursuing worldly desires. It’s much more productive to spend time in prayer, meditation and thanksgiving anticipating an action and visualizing the desired outcome, than just plowing hastily on, possibly in the wrong direction. Then, once you know your God-given purpose, you create a personal mission statement based on Biblical principles and Christian values that help guide your entrepreneurial journey. Habit 3: Put First Things First Habit #3 - "Put First Things First" - is where we take the two previous big picture concepts and apply them to our daily routine. And nothing is more important to a daily routine than the personal development we do in the morning. It’s about taking actions in the morning that match your entrepreneurial calling. What does the Bible say about putting first things first? How does this apply to a Christian entrepreneur's success in business? Let's discover how. The Perfect Morning Routine for Christian Entrepreneurs I wrote an article describing the routine that I go through before arriving at my office at 11am. To summarize, here is what I do: 6 am : wake up 6:20 - 7:20 am : meditate, read Bible, wrote blog post for Daily Godpreneur 7:50 am : listen to inspirational message on way to gym 8:30 - 10:30 am : CrossFit, stretch, sauna, shower, drink protein shake 10:50 am : meditate for 10 minutes 11:00 am : begin work Notice that before all of the unforeseen events that can come up on any given workday, I have already connected with God, received a message from the Bible, taught the lesson to others, worked on my physical fitness and taken care of God's temple (my body) fed my body healthy food What most people struggle to do all year, I've accomplished before 11 am….every week day! We could all agree that I have a better chance at being proactive and staying focused on my calling in business with this morning routine than, for example, a person who wakes up stressed about a project and rushes to the office to try to figure things out. This person is in "reactive" mode, disconnected from God, and is likely not on the "path" he or she should be on for that day. I attribute 100% of my success in business to the fact that I have figured out what the BIG PICTURE items of my day are, and I've attacked those first. My rule is that personal development must be the priority so that the rest of the day flows with the holy spirit alive and well in me. For us entrepreneurs, we have 12 hours in the day to be of service to God through our businesses. We'll have a whole bunch of tasks that need to be done, but they aren't so important — the endless to-dos and fires to put out. And as Christian entrepreneurs, we also have a lot of personal development we want to do in our daily life. These are important things that might not have a hard deadline like a project does, but help us achieve our goals, as well as our overall mission and calling as a purpose-focused Godpreneur. These important personal development tasks involve spirituality, health, relationships, and business purpose — the things that ultimately develop our virtues. Many business owners I know decide to go to the gym after work and do their Bible reading at night. The problem with this is that it's backwards to the third habit of highly effective people, which is to put important things first. Our personal development is more important than our business operations. If we're not operating at 100% internally, then our business is getting short-changed by it's leader. There are many examples in the Bible where God stresses putting first things first. The Bible says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) Proverbs 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths." Proverbs 3:9-10 says "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine." Notice that in all three of these verses, the reader is being instructed to prioritize personal development, and that there is a natural consequence of success that follows? When you decide to take care of the most important thing first - drawing closer to God in the morning - you end up having time and energy to accomplish and deal with the everyday business tasks, as well as for relaxation and fun after work. However, if you start off by dealing with business tasks and putting our fires, you risk not connecting with God and you miss out on the energy you need to sustain you through the day and make God-first decisions. This is why entrepreneurs complain about life being super busy, frustrating, and stagnant. Every day your days feel crammed, but you don’t seem to be making any progress on your goals, and in becoming the Godpreneur you want to be. So we know why it’s important to put first things first, but how do we do it? What are the best “management” practices to help us Christian business owners properly order our priorities? Your Morning Routine is Sacred If you want to make sure you accomplish your personal development goals, then you need to literally make them the first things you do each day. How do you decide what tasks you need to schedule first thing in the morning? As a God-first entrepreneur, the answer should be obvious: you need to make your morning routine a sacred time with God. This will make sure you're always checking in with your purpose. Your routine might be: Strengthen your relationship with God Create content for your calling Do physical fitness Eat nutritious breakfast God has given us entrepreneurs a tremendous responsibility: to co-create solutions that will alleviate problems in the world. We're not going to be able to do any co-creation very well unless we get our mind right and connect with our partner in creation: God. What that means practically is that the very first thing we need to do when we get out of bed (and make coffee) is to engage in a set of mental and spiritual exercises: pray, read scriptures, meditate, and throw in a worship song for extra credit! Before having this routine, I remember the first thing I would do is check my email, but I found this set my mind up for a day guided by whatever came into the inbox. Good emails meant I was in a good mood. Bad emails meant bad mood. It made me a slave to outside circumstances and not subject to God's calling over my life. After connecting with God, we can continue to gain momentum by doing physical exercise. This will strengthen our positive, confident attitude with which we approach the day. Now that you have connected with God and done physical exercise, our spirit is ready to work! It's time to get to the office and follow a similar routine of taking care of the big projects first, then moving on to smaller tasks. Our morning routines set us up for business day success. Do this habitually for the rest of your entrepreneurial journey, and it will keep you in your purpose and calling. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is part of a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. In his New York Times best-seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey teaches that the second habit is to “Begin with the end in mind.” To that end, Mr. Covey suggests we all write a personal mission statement - a clear destination for our lives. So what does the Bible say about writing personal mission statements? What would God want an entrepreneur's statement to include? I went to a men's retreat that had me go through a mental exercise. The teacher had me imagine that it’s three years in the future, and, sadly enough, I've passed away. He asked all of us to take a moment to visualize our own funeral. I imagined my loved ones, but I also imagined my business partners, employees, industry colleagues, and my clients giving eulogies and talking about me amongst each other. I asked myself what I'd like them to say. What sort of business owner did I want to be remembered as? What would I want them to share with my mom and dad? For what did I want to be remembered as in my entrepreneurial career? That retreat, I wrote my personal mission statement for my business life. It was short and sweet, and I still look at it frequently to continue to visualize it. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs spend their time working toward a calling that doesn't really matter to them, because they never stopped to define their purpose and mission properly. In short, they fail to understand the difference between being efficient in the world and being effective for God. Being efficient in business means getting the maximum amount done in the shortest amount of time. But this is pointless if you don’t know what you’re striving for and why you’re doing it. It's like flying in a plane and not knowing the destination: you’re making progress, but it could be in the wrong direction. Being effective for God, on the other hand, means the coordinates are set in the right direction – that is, knowing what God's destination for your business life is. Effective Godpreneurs don’t just thoughtlessly pursue things like money and fame; they focus on what’s important to God. Everything else is a waste. Some of us are clear on our calling, and others aren't. So how can you start to understand God's destination for your business life? This is where writing a personal mission statement for your business starts to help. Jesus Christ was “On Mission” Jesus is our example, and He knew exactly what His mission was. He was sent into the world so that we could have abundant life. The Bible says A thief comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it in abundance. (John 10:10 HCSB) Everything Jesus did was framed by his personal mission statement, whether He was turning water into wine, teaching on a hillside, spending hours with people as they lined up for healing, or extending grace and forgiveness to an adulterous woman. And today, we continue to be influenced and guided by this mission. Writing Your God-First Personal Mission Statement for your Business I challenge you to ask yourself those aforementioned funeral questions, and then use your answers as a basis for writing a personal mission statement. Think about what people in your business would say about you - clients, partners, employees. This is a document where you define your own creed for doing business God's way, meaning what kind of entrepreneur God wants you to be, what you hope to achieve in your business life, and the basic Biblical values and principles underlying these goals. The mission statement is a commitment to God and the marketplaces you serce. What you're writing is your personal constitution of how you lead a God-first business, an established standard by which every business decision can be measured and valued. Having such a compass gives you a sense of direction and security, and it enables you to at least try to align all your actions with God's plan for your entrepreneurial journey. Here is my personal mission statement: My name is Alex Miranda and I help entrepreneurs uncover the exact business they were born to do in this world, and for a select few, I help them bring that to life in the form of a brand strategy resulting in a logo and website that will make them unique, memorable, shareable, and highly profitable. I do this by guiding entrepreneurs to live out God's true business calling for their lives. The hope and truth of living that comes from knowing their calling in following Jesus Christ drives me. That's how I bring my father's kingdom to earth. Imagine if all of us Godpreneurs started and frequently reviewed our personal mission statements. We would all have a foundational document for our business lives. We would all be doing business with others who also understand their God-first destination. WARNING: You can’t just bang it out in one sitting. It will require Bible study, meditation, deep introspection and several rewrites before you get it right, and even then it should be reviewed occasionally. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is the 3rd in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. In his classic book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, writer and businessman Stephen Covey laid out seven habits he believed led to a flourishing life. I’ve been re-reading the book as a Christian entrepreneur and it inspires me. All of the principles can be found in the Bible! I’ve been studying the book from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, so I’ve decided to do a series (see entire series here), summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. We start today with the first habit Covey delves into in the book, which lays the foundation for all the others: Be Proactive. Proactive vs. Reactive Entrepreneurs “Being proactive” is the first habit of the best-seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. So what does the Bible have to say about being proactive, and how does this apply to our journey as Christian entrepreneurs? I once had a business partner "borrow" $150,000 from our shared company bank account. The only problem was that he wasn't able to repay me. Instead, he went on a shopping spree to buy luxury items and investments. It was incredibly irresponsible of him. I was left with $150,000 in credit card debt. It ruined my credit. The worst part is that he refused to take ownership of his mismanagement. I felt betrayed, alone, and overwhelmed with shame. As a Christian business owner, how was I supposed to react to this situation I was in? I had written blogs and created devotionals on how to forgive bad business partners, and now I found myself faced with the ultimate business betrayal. Was I going to react the way the world would, or was I going to respond the way Jesus would? Approximately 2 years after the incident, I received a call from my former business partner profusely apologizing. He said "Alex, the way you were able to stomach that debt and still continue to love me through it has inspired me and I will never forget it. I'm going to start repaying you $5,000 per month until the debt is paid off." This has been my greatest business testimonial since becoming a God-first business owner in 2008. No single event on my Godpreneurial journey has shown more evidence of my growth as a Christ-centered leader than this one. Instead of reacting to the atrocities that I had experienced by this terrible business partner, I chose to be proactive and LOVE him through it all. I kept on consulting him on his next business ventures. I kept on believing in him. I kept helping him try to launch a new business (on his own, of course). Eventually, he had success with another business venture and was able to start repaying me. As Christian entrepreneurs, what should distinguish us from worldly business owners is one crucial difference - non-spiritual entrepreneurs are slaves to external stimuli, and can only react to these stimuli in the preprogrammed way that is in their nature. We Godpreneurs, in contrast, are called to reflect on a stimulus before responding to it, and we are commanded to reprogram ourselves to respond in a specific, desirable way…God's way…the way Jesus would. Steven Covey, The author of the best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, identifies "being proactive" as the FIRST of the seven habits. Although all seven habits are important, it's no surprise that this one has to be addressed first. It's almost as if every living moment is affected by our heart's ability to either react to a situation or proactively respond. The author explains that a proactive person acts in advance to deal with an expected difficulty. A proactive choice is based on values and principles. But a reactive person makes choices primarily based upon desires, feelings, circumstances, conditions, and their environment. As Christian entrepreneurs, God wants is to make proactive choices according to our feelings as long as the choice is compatible with Biblical values; but when we reactively make decisions on our own, based only on feelings, we often sacrifice our Christian values because of our feelings. So what does the Bible say about Mr. Covey's first habit of proactivity? GODPRENEURS MUST PREPARE - BE PROACTIVE Although the word proactive doesn't appear in the Bible, Kingdom business owners are commanded to be prepared, which requires proactive behavior. Peter says, "prepare your minds for action. . . ." (1 Peter 1:13). As a leader in the marketplace, you must prepare your mind to act the way God commands in a given situation. Therefore, you must be proactive - you must act in advance, to deal with whatever situation we find ourselves in. GODPRENEURS MUST BE READY - BE PROACTIVE Prepared Kingdom-driven leaders are ready to act. Therefore, they are proactive. Jesus tells us we must be ready for His return. He says, "You too, be ready; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect" (Luke 13:40). Paul tells us to be ready for every good deed. He says, "Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed" (Titus 3:1). And Peter tells us to be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks about our hope. He says, "but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you. . . ." (1 Peter 3:15). Christian entrepreneurs must be proactive to be prepared, and be ready for all things that come our way in business. HOW DO YOU NEED TO PROACTIVELY CHANGE? When my business partner left me with $150,000 of debt, I decided to do the right thing, even if it cost me my pride and ego. Maybe you were wronged in some way by a client or employee? Your attitude is to do the right thing, even if it costs you a lot of money. As marketplace ministers, must set aside our sinful affections to follow Jesus. We must bear our cross, never allowing ourselves to react with sinful passions and emotion towards clients, employees, partners, and even our competition. We must make proactive decisions to do the right thing, and be ready to face whatever comes our way. THE CHOICE IS YOURS You always have a choice regarding sin along your entrepreneurial journey. Paul says, "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it" (1 Corinthians 10:13). Since you always have a choice whether to sin or obey God in business, you must proactively obey God rather than reactively give into temptation. GODPRENEURS REFLECT RATHER THAN REACT Imagine a world where all of us God-first business owners, when tempted, we allow the Holy Spirit to engage our minds and proactively reflect through the temptation, so we see the way of escape and obey God. Imagine if we all sought the things above, setting our minds on the things above, considering the members of our earthly body as dead (Colossians 3:1-5). Godpreneur Rule: Godpreneurs proactively obey God based on His word, and never react to situations in our business based on feelings alone. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is the 4th in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. “Begin with the end in mind” is the second habit of the best-seller, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey. So what does the Bible have to say about beginning with the end in mind, and how does this apply to our journey as Christian entrepreneurs? Do you ever feel like you're a slave to your business? Are you constantly exhausted, wondering when business life will be easier? Maybe you need to develop the habit of beginning with the end in mind. In 2021, I partnered with a friend to start an agency focused exclusively on the needs of charter schools. However, before entering into the partnership, I clearly communicated to my partner two important things: In one year, I'm going to find my replacement because I don't want to be a slave to this business. When that day comes, I want to work ON the business, and not IN the business. After one year, we would begin to look at selling the agency. I began my partnership with the end in mind. What this did was make me focus on building the business from day one using systems and processes that didn't depend on me and would be attractive to a potential buyer. Every decision we made as partners had a clear outcome: move out of the way and build a well-oiled machine. In business, whenever we perform an action, we're actually performing it twice: first in our mind, when we imagine it, and then physically, when we do it. In my example, I first needed to visualize what kind of agency I wanted, the organizational chart (without me in it), how we accomplish projects for clients, and how we market for new business, all before landing our first client. If I wouldn't have taken the time to do this, the building of the business would have taken longer and been more chaotic: without a plan to follow, there's no doubt in my mind that I would have been stuck wearing too many hats, making it so much harder to let go of those roles later on. As the leaders of our businesses, that's why it’s crucial to have the desired end firmly in our mind before we start any business, project, or task. The more exact and realistic the mental picture of the action is, the better its execution will be – and, hence, the better the results. God gave us the ability to be proactive and to visualize things before they happen as a way to prepare ourselves before taking action. How does God ask us to visualize? If God grants you a dream or a vision for your entrepreneurial journey, or Jesus paints a parable for a way to lead your business, or the Bible tells a story that inspires a new venture, this is what God wants you to visualize. For Christian business owners, we further describe visualization as "Godly Imagination," which is picturing things the Bible says are true. God gave Abraham a vision of the stars of the sky and told him he would have that many children (Genesis 15:5), and that produced faith in Abraham’s heart (Genesis 15:6). So here we have an example of godly imagery which produced faith in the man who is called "the Father of Faith" (Romans 4:11). That is a powerful concept for Christian entrepreneurs that have a burning passion or desire that God put on your heart. This would indicate that if you wanted faith in your heart that moves mountains in your industry, then you would need the same ingredients which God gave to Abraham. These are: A spoken promise (Genesis 12:1,2) A divine picture (Genesis 15:1,5,6) Then as you hold this promise and picture of a business venture in your heart, meditate on it and ponder it, God produces a miracle in the fullness of time. For Abraham, a child was born 25 years later. I personally use imagery in many ways in my businesses, and find it extremely beneficial in my Godpreneurial walk. God has told me that whatever I fix my eyes on, grows within me, and whatever grows within me, I become. So instead of fixing my eyes on my sin, or my self effort to become righteous, I fix my eyes on Jesus, and I discover that I become Christ-like, and find myself radiating His goodness and His glory in the marketplaces I traverse. This is the whole of a becoming a Godpreneur. So whether it's for a totally new venture, or for a project within your existing business, take the time required for visualization. First, make sure it was God-inspired. Better to ask God now than to lose your way pursuing worldly desires. It’s much more productive to spend time in prayer, meditation and thanksgiving anticipating an action and visualizing the desired outcome, than just plowing hastily on, possibly in the wrong direction. To get started, you could think about one of your upcoming projects and write down exactly what God said, the results He desires, and what steps you will take to attain those results. It might not all be crystal clear, however the Holy spirit will step in over time to provide clarity. Beginning with the end in mind isn’t just important for individual business projects. I've written a follow-up post explaining that you should also have a clear view of your larger life goals. Read the Whole Series: A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - A Godly Path to Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Proactive Entrepreneurship The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Begin With the End in Mind Writing Your Personal Mission Statement The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Put First Things First The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Think Win/Win The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Synergize The 7 Habits: Entrepreneurs Sharpen the Saw I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

This post is the 2nd in a series of posts where I've been studying the book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey from a Christian entrepreneur’s perspective, and I'm summarizing and Biblically backing up each of the seven habits. Scroll to the end of this article for links to the entire series. In 2005, a couple of buddies and I started a branding and marketing company exclusively serving the nightlife niche. We were young nightclub promoters that saw that clubs, bars, and lounges needed specialized help to pack their clubs. Then, in 2008, I had my "come to Jesus" moment and started going back to church. Surrounding myself with good, Godly people, I realized that the nightlife wasn't going to be a good place for me if I really wanted to give myself fully to Christ. After a few years, I completely disassociated myself and my business from the nightlife industry and began my journey of leading a God-first business life. This new path gave me meaning and purpose, helped me find my calling, and led me to start my blog, Daily Godpreneur. If I had stayed in the nightlife, that would have led me down a worldly path. However, I had a total shift in mindset, and it took me down a different path - a Godly path. Entrepreneurship is a journey. And like any journey we set out on, we all could agree that a map is useful, right? Now then, when we navigate the business world around us, instead of a map with streets and addresses, we use our paradigms to guide us. Paradigms are the subjective ways each of us perceives and understands the world. A paradigm is not something you actively think about, but a framework for understanding reality. No entrepreneur is an objective operator. Everything we understand and every way we act in the business world is tinted by our own paradigms. For instance, an entrepreneur with a negative paradigm will perceive losing a prospective sale as a frustrating waste of time, while an entrepreneur with a more positive paradigm might see it as an unexpected opportunity to learn, grow, and remain content. In his best selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Steven Covey teaches that since our paradigms are at the core of our characters, shifting our paradigms is the key to making lasting changes. Only in this way can we change our subjective realities – and, with them, our characters and behaviors. This is why we need to recognize and monitor our own paradigms; if we don’t, we won’t know which ones are holding us back. In a Christian entrepreneur's case, the paradigm through which we approach business ownership is that our ventures are a unified story that lead us to Christ-likeness. This is the paradigm we should strive for. My paradigm shift came when I realized that the Bible was one big book on business ownership. Reading the Word consistently is what eventually led me to let go of the nightlife industry. I'm convinced that it's the best self-help book on the planet for entrepreneurs. I'm sure that it contains all of the secrets to entrepreneurial wealth, wisdom, and success - I read it daily like a treasure map. This mindset has helped me see business ownership from a totally different perspective - God's point of view. The Bible says “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Corinthians 2:12). Scripture - the Gospel - is the paradigm shift that unlocks everything. Taking what you think to be the case in business situations, and showing you what you thought was the way things are, is not how they are with God. The gospel is the greatest example of a shift from the world's business model to God’s model. This means the reason you do business differently is a complete paradigm shift from what you thought. You lead your company differently because the Bible becomes your new map to navigate entrepreneurship. The Gospel gives you a new heart, new desires, and the Holy Spirit who empowers you to do the will of the Father in the marketplace. In short, you do business God's way because you delight in God and God is most glorified when you are most happy in Him. Imagine a world filled with highly effective entrepreneurs - ones aligned with larger, Christ-like principles, like fairness, honesty and integrity. Since the majority of people (Christian or not) agree that these principles are good, we can see them as permanent, natural laws. Therefore, the more accurately our map of paradigms reflects this landscape of natural principles, the more realistic our view and the better our chances of success in attaining lasting change. After reading Mr. Covey's Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, I've concluded that attaining this kind of Bible-based paradigm is exactly what the seven habits are all about. A Christian Entrepreneur's Perspective on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Introduction 1 - Why Your Character Defines Your Success in Business Introduction 2 - How a Nightclub Promoter Found a Godly Path to Entrepreneurship Habit 1: (coming soon) Habit 2: (coming soon) Habit 3: (coming soon) Habit 4: (coming soon) Habit 5: (coming soon) Habit 6: (coming soon) Habit 7: (coming soon) I pray you enjoy the series as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Parent Instructions: If you're teaching your child entrepreneurship or doing a business together, read this devotional to them. I wrote this to teach my son, Aiden, about budgeting. Aiden and I have a snail shell air plant business together. BE UNIQUE Have you ever had an idea that was unique and different from everyone else's? Maybe you thought of a new game to play with your friends, or a creative way to help someone in need. Well, just like in our everyday lives, having a unique idea is important in business too. God has given each of us unique abilities and talents that we can use to serve Him and make a difference in the world. In business, having a unique idea can help us stand out from our competitors and make a positive impact in people's lives. We can look to the Bible for examples of people who had unique ideas and used them to serve God. One such example is Bezalel, a skilled craftsman whom God called to build the tabernacle in the wilderness (Exodus 31:1-5). Bezalel had a unique set of skills and abilities that he used to make the tabernacle beautiful and functional, serving God in a special way. Just like Bezalel, we too can use our unique ideas and abilities to serve God in unique ways. We can ask God to give us creative ideas that will help us make a difference in our business and in the lives of others. Remember, we are all special and unique in God's eyes. He has given us talents and abilities that we can use to serve Him and bring glory to His name. Let's use our unique ideas to make a positive impact in the world and serve God in a special way. PRAYER Dear God, Thank you for giving us unique ideas and abilities to serve you in special ways. Help us to use our creativity and talents to make a positive impact in the world and bring glory to your name. Please guide us as we seek to use our unique ideas in business and in all areas of our lives. We love you, Lord. In Jesus' name, Amen. BIBLE VERSE Then the Lord said to Moses, “See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of crafts. (Exodus 31:1-5) BIBLE APPLICATION God gives us each unique abilities to serve him. We can turn those abilities into a way of making money either by being an employee and having a job or an entrepreneur and having a business.