Category Archives: Personal Growth

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Thrive to Survive!

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Thriving is flourishing in the correct environment. Thrive can mean to be fulfilled or developed successfully. It also is to flourish in an environment.

 Surviving is getting through a tough situation and coming out on the other side.

Thrive to Survive seems backwards because after you survive a circumstance, you want to thrive to be better. It is wise to set yourself in a peaceful, joyous environment before the test. If not you will have trouble surviving the tests. The Kingdom of God is similar. You should establish your relationship with God before the situation occurs.

  • Create a prayer life with God.
    • Set times to converse with your heavenly Father.
    •  Orally out loud. Communicate with him on daily decisions.
    •  Thank him often for the current love and mercy he shows you.
  • Create Kingdom living in your habits.
    •  Make it your business to remove negative influences.
    •  Promote God thoughts among your friends.
    •  Bless people regularly with your thoughts, words and deeds.
  • Focus on God.
    • Reduce yourself contemplating.
    • Ask God what he wants, then go carry out the instructions.
    •  Open your mind to the God way of doing things.

If you set your course to the thriving, the impact of negative situations will be diminished. Thrive to Survive takes meditation and focus. The reward is twofold. You will enjoy your life more on a regular basis. And when low moments happen, you will be full of love and contentment to overcome the obstacle.

1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2He makes me lie down in green pastures.

He leads me beside still waters.

3He restores my soul.

He leads me in paths of righteousness

for his name’s sake.

4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

5You prepare a table before me

in the presence of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days of my life,

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord

forever.

Psalm 23 shows us that God has us flourishing before the trouble. We are thriving like plants by the water until we walk into trouble. He restores our soul. Always replenishing us.

Thrive to Survive!

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The Definition of Patience to Dominate

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Man on top of mountain

Increasing ones capacity for calm, admirable endurance of a trying situation, circumstance or person, this comes out of understanding, mastery or control of oneself and the knowledge that the Creator has supreme determining or guiding influence over all.

 

The Patience to Dominate

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Protect the Lead

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This is a sports analogy generally reserved for football but it also can be applied in Business. Generally, it is thought to be more defensive when your team is winning. Even on offense we want our teams to be conservative with their strategies and approach to the game when they are winning. I have a different philosophy on how to protect the lead. When your business is up, pour it on. Be relentless with all you do. Use your defense to blitz the quarterback. The opposing quarterback in business is represented by your biggest problem. Do not take a break from attacking and subduing whatever is attacking your business. If it is bills or production numbers, do not work with a slack hand when you are ahead.

protect the lead photo

Your offense should be even more impressive. You already know how to dominate and gain points. When your sales are up and you are covered in work figure out how to make more calls and appointments. Becoming a scoring machine and keep going for the big clients and bigger deals. Stay with your game plan, every yard is important. Look for the small deals also because they keep the sales quota going. If you need another reason add more effort just think of the third stringers that want to play. In business these are the new hires, people you may not know exist. When you get really far ahead you can rest a little and let the new hires help out some.
The Bible says in Genesis 1; 28 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. This verse relates to protecting the lead because fruitful and multiply means making more of what God has given to you.

Finally, to protect the lead you have to remain patient and play smart. One fundamental way to protect the lead is to finish strong. Do not get sloppy because you have some success. You are only as good as your last play. Stay focused and make good decisions as if you are just starting the game.

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Dream the Impossible

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It always seems impossible until it’s done. Nelson Mandela

On April 26, 1994, more than 22 million South Africans turned out to cast ballots in the country’s first multiracial parliamentary elections in history. An overwhelming majority chose the ANC to lead the country, and on May 10 Mandela was sworn in as the first black president of South Africa, with de Klerk serving as his first deputy.
The possibility of a Black president in South Africa had to seem silly but once it was done it now seems common. When Nelson Mandela was fighting for a free South Africa he had to imagine this society free and believe in the people and the process. Part of this particular process resulted in in lengthy jail time. Of all the dreams I have none of them involve jail time. When we first started our business we had a dream of financial independence. This seemed impossible because In had no real knowledge on the subject of business. Twenty years later it seems impossible to envision another lifestyle.

Dream big, think the impossible and then go do it.

Matthew 19:26
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible

Our Father helps living Man create possibilities here on earth. Do not wait until you get to heaven to receive your glory work on it now. Expect great results and that is what you will have. Do not look at the size or difficulty of the task but look at the possibilities of the dream. Nelson Mandela came from a small village and influenced the world by focusing on what was possible. You will change your situation by acting in the same matter.

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How to do a lot of things at one time

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info@mikolji.comWrite it all down
Write all of your project and to-do things down on paper. I say this over and over and over again. Electronic notation in your phone or on your pad is fine also but set frequent reminders. Even set a reminder to review your list. Write down small things in a consistent visible place and you will have a better chance of completing them. If your list are large it is okay because at least you will not forget anything. Write down the major and the insignificant because the insignificant will cloud your brain at the most inopportune time. Remember to keep a consistent place for you list: sticky notes and little pieces of paper get lost. Finally, date all of your list.
Attack the hard stuff first
This is difficult to me because I like volume. I always try to do a lot of projects at the same time. So sometimes I will do the little things to prepare for the big thing. And what always happens is the big thing gets pushed to the next day. Do not procrastinate, Procrastination leads to bad karma. Sometimes the hard stuff needs a list of its own. This is quite aright and possibly preferable because another list will cause you to do it right. The premise of this step is to attack the hard stuff, do not wade in gently: you may get cold feet.
Let nothing wait
Are you ready to dominate, than stop waiting? Sure patience is a virtue but writing an action list requires action. Keep moving forward. Do not be proud of your to-do list, be proud of the action it inspired. Phone calls are the easiest, just take the first hour of the day and call everyone including the people that you know will not answer early. This will promote proactive action and most people will feel obligated to talk with you the second time around. Patience takes action and waiting takes time. Don’t waste time.

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Your Laughter does not affect my Christian soul

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You can laugh at me but it will not hurt me.My son gave this title without any more instructions.  After thinking about it I knew what it meant inside but putting it into words was a little more difficult. Daily we all battle something or some thought that nags us.  The thought that keeps pulling you down or worse just putting you down. Well those of us who are Christian have an answer that can stop this negativity in its tracks.

In the book “Patience to Dominate” there is a principle called “Unflappable, I shall not be moved.  This reflects the attitude of Christian towards any negative situation, especially ill-willed laughter. Stand firm and know that God is there to protect you.

Job 8:20-22

King James Version (KJV)

20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:

21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.

 

Dreams and goals are met with obstacles and these obstacles are primarily in your head. It is not over until you have the last laugh.

Abraham (in Genesis 21) named his son Isaac which means “he laughs”. But this reflects Abraham and Sarah’s unbelieving laugh at the promise of God. Do not laugh at the promises of God or you could cause delay in the blessing coming for you. Focus on the goodness inside of you and the unlimited goodness in the Father.

 

Job 5:22

At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth

Luke 6:20-22

20 And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said, Blessed be ye poor: for yours is the kingdom of God.

21 Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh

Psalm 64:10

10 The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory.

 

It is demonstrated in these scriptures that God already knows that you will be laughed at in your life time.  You can turn this into good and literally laugh at destruction and not be afraid of the antagonizer. Get it together the blessing is coming your way. Use your patience to overcome. Confessions have power so let’s use them and say, “Your Laughter does not affect my Christian soul!”

What is something or someone you wish to use the statement against?

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Are you conscious of His favor?

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Raise your consciousness and increase your joy. We are responsible for our joy. Knowing where joy comes from and how to keep it is explained in this Psalm.
Psalm 97:11
Amplified Bible (AMP)
11 Light is sown for the [uncompromisingly] righteous and strewn along their pathway, and joy for the upright in heart [the irrepressible joy which comes from consciousness of His favor and protection].
This one passage by itself encompasses a lifetime of wisdom. It shows God’s preparation for you and me. It states that, “light is sown”, this means it was plant or created for the righteous. And then it is thrown along our pathway. So even when we are in a place of darkness God shines light on us. Those with an upright heart receive joy along the path.

The type of joy we receive is “IRREPRESSIBLE” (it cannot be pushed down). There is nothing or no one that can steal your joy. This joy comes from you and I being conscious or fixing our mind on God’s favor and protection. All paths in life have darkness but, with the right mind set we can live every day in His glorious light.

My daughter wrote this:

Be delighted with yourself. You have to have an upright or a happy spirit for God to give you gladness.

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15 days to Jump Start you New Year

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As we age our shapes and our egos take a beating because of our habits.  Healthy living becomes an important part of our lives.  For me one of my revolving New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, eat healthier and exercise more.  This year I am going to start early and I challenge you to join with me.  During the holidays season there will be amble opportunities to turn to bad habits.  We have to use these moments to define our healthy future.

 

  1. Stretch and Meditate

Every morning for 30 minutes warm up your mind and body

 

  1. Use breakfast as a healthy launch pad

Eat more fruits and grains

Take your vitamins

Prepare a healthy lunch at home- Saves calories and money

  1. Work out or find a heart rat raising activity

Add another 45 minute workout

If working out is not your thing PLAN smart activities

  • Walking the mall
  • Riding a bicycle
  • Dancing with the children
  • Working in the Yard (like I will do today… yeah pine straw)

Now here is where I will seem to go off message.  Eat what you would like after the second daily workout.  Just eat in moderation.  Have a healthy snack at night and you will meet your goals.  Life is full of good things to eat and fun ways to maintain your health.  Combine the two facets of life and your soul will have harmony.

My goal is to lose 5 pounds in 20 days.  What is your goal?

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Confession for protection: Psalm 91

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The following post is a prayer adaptation that I heard a long time ago.  It is a way to personalize Psalm 91.  There is a link to the original King James Version for your comparison.  I will highlight the altered portions.  You can say this in whenever you spend time with God it also good for your children use it as a prayer.

Psalm 91

I dwell in the secret place of the most High and shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

3 Surely He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover me with His feathers, and under His wings shall I trust: His truth shall be my shield and buckler.

5 I shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walks in darkness; nor for the destruction that wastes at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me

8 Only with my eyes shall I behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because I have made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, my habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall me, neither shall any plague come near my dwelling.

11 For He shall give His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways.

12 They shall bear me up in their hands, lest I dash my foot against a stone.

13 I shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shall I trample under my feet.

14 Because I have set my love upon God, therefore will He deliver me: He will set me on high, because I have known His name.

15 I shall call upon Him, and He will answer me: He will be with me in trouble; He will deliver me, and honor me.

16 With long life will He satisfy me, and show me His Great salvation.

Please share this with your friends and family.  My book is coming soon, join the mailing list.

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Letter #2 to Hurricane Sandy Victims

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This is the second letter that I would write if I had a friend that was victim to the tragedy of this great Storm Sandy.  It can serve as a letter to anyone that has been through a life altering experience.

Hello,

I was going to wait a week to send you another letter but I realized that the weekend was coming and you probably have a million thoughts running through your head.  Cast down all of your negative thoughts and replace them with thoughts of gratitude.

Help is coming, just not the way you think.  You may be out of luck, but you have plenty of favor, grace and blessings.  If you are reading this letter you have more physical and mental blessings than you can count.  I know it seems like you have been fighting a long time to keep it together, but that is just the fatigue and shock of going through this change.  You must continue to take a long term view to keep your mind right.

I know you have a lot of personal pride but please except help and assistance where it can be found.  Now that I have said that, get out and handle all of your business.  Do not be deterred from putting your life back together.  You will recover in the process of rebuilding.  You cannot wait to recover and then rebuild.  Move forward with tears in your eyes and the love of God in your heart.

A final note: If you feel like you are not strong enough to stay and fight then make your mind up to move on.  There is no shame in shifting your efforts elsewhere.  This will cause immediate intense heartache but will give you relief quicker than fighting through this trouble.  Ride with peace and your decisions will be easy.

 

Praying for you,

William J. Spencer, IV