Find Your Inspiration OUTSIDE of Your Comfort Zone

Find your inspiration outside of your comfort zone.

Firstly, I want to take a moment to say thank you.

Thank you for allowing me to share these with you.

Thank you for spending a few moments reading them. Now, let’s have some fun! Today, I’m going to tell you about the coolest live event I’ve ever been to. It was hosted by Russell Brunson and the Click Funnels team, and it’s called Funnel Hacking Live.

Strange name, isn’t it? I began following Russell Brunson in January 2021. Honestly, I first heard about him in March 2020, when he was promoted along with Dean Graziosi and Tony Robbins. That’s when I first learned about Russell Brunson.

He’s a marketing expert who knows how to sell to many people at once. He shares similar beliefs with me and enjoys spending time with his family. It took me some time to start following him, though. I think it was around November 2020 when I finally decided to buy his perfect webinar training.

By January, I had purchased all three of his books. Then, by June, I had bought tickets to a live event he hosts every year called Funnel Hacking Live. As an entrepreneur, this was the most exciting live event.

To be honest, it was a bit overwhelming. I started wondering what I’d gotten myself into. As I made my way to the event registration, I saw many people wearing branded shirts, backpacks, caps, and more. I could attend to help with our business.

I got to Orlando, took an Uber to the hotel, checked into my room, and then headed to the event check-in. As I walked in, I was very doubtful about everything and everyone. (Not judging, just skeptical.)

When I finally got to the check-in area, everything was done on a computer. I filled out a simple form, then walked a bit more and saw about 20 people ready to assist me.

It felt nice. They asked for my shirt size, then gave me a box with Click Funnels branding, along with a name tag and a wristband. I don’t like wearing name tags. Then, I went back to my room to see what was inside the box.

They gave each person some cool stuff: a tumbler, notebook, t-shirt, a few pens, and some other small goodies, all with Click Funnels branding. But there was no schedule included!

So, I went back to the check-in area and saw that the schedule was posted all over the walls of the hotel. I quickly took a picture of it so I could remember everything.

I saw that the first session started that afternoon. I didn’t want to be late, so I planned to be there about 30 minutes before the doors opened. When I got back, about 1500 people were waiting in the hotel hallway.

One thing to know about me is that I’m not afraid when I’m on stage or hosting an event. But when I’m just attending, it’s a whole different story. I was nervous, to be honest.

Anyway, I walked past most of the crowd and found a nice spot near the doors, so I could get a good seat. When they opened the doors, there was a big rush of people all running to the front to grab the best seats they could find.

One thing to know about me is that I don’t rush to get a good seat. I just walk casually, not showing how nervous I am. Anyway…

As I walked to the other side of the room and then up to the front section, closest to the stage, I noticed there were one or two empty seats. I asked the people next to me if I could take one of them. Voila! I had an amazing seat for whatever was about to happen next.

The next four days went by quickly. I took over 40 pages of notes. I got to see Tony Robbins in person. I talked to people I didn’t know about our business. I also advised strangers about their businesses after hearing about their struggles.

We began early and ended late each day. Every time, I had the perfect seat, thanks to God. This event felt like attending a four-day rock concert.

The atmosphere was incredible lights, an MC to keep things going, a DJ to set the mood, cameras everywhere, enthusiastic people, and lots to learn. When I booked my tickets, I planned not to fly out until the afternoon after the event ended.

It was the best decision I ever made. The next day, as I walked through where Funnel Hacking Live took place the night before, it felt completely different. It was like the quiet after a big storm.

The hotel staff had taken apart the room, and the stage was being dismantled to get ready for the next event. What was packed with 3500 people the night before is now empty! There were only about three people there who weren’t hotel staff.

One lady was sitting on a couch with her computer, and another guy was sitting at a table with his computer. As for me, I was typing up a devotional. The past three days have inspired me.

I checked the time and realized I needed to leave. I only had about 30 minutes to pack everything and get to the lobby to meet my ride to the airport. As I walked past the other two people sitting there, I greeted each of them with a “hi.”

Then I felt like I should talk more to the lady on the couch. She seemed a bit worried. After chatting for a while, I found out she was Amanda Holmes, Chet Holmes’ daughter. Chet wrote the book “The Ultimate Sales Machine,” and she was working on rewriting it.

We chatted for a bit, and I mostly listened as she talked about her struggles with a particular chapter. She mentioned how she had rewritten it several times, but it just kept getting longer and longer.

Then she said, “I could write a whole book just on this one topic.” My response surprised her: “Then go for it! What’s stopping you from making a sequel to this book that goes deeper into this topic?”

I had to go, but she was thankful for the advice I gave her. I’ve been to lots of live events in different industries, but this was the best one ever. Now, my goal is to create something similar in my industry soon.

My main point is that I felt uncomfortable when I arrived. But by the end, I felt a bit better. And this year, I’m thrilled to get another chance to go!

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “God already knows your path!” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

From the Heart

From the Heart

I was in my mid-twenties when I had the chance to travel to Reno, NV, and deliver a 5-minute speech for the National Grange.

Standing on stage in front of the whole convention and delivering my speech felt amazing. I bring a lot of energy to the stage, which is something you should know about me. It’s a cool experience overall.

I spoke at a conference in Colorado with around 150 people. We arrived the night before. The next morning, we sat and listened to the presenters. It was a big event.

They were all nice people, but they seemed a bit nervous and serious when they stood in front of the group. My turn to speak was scheduled for just after 10 a.m.

Sam, a member of my team, accompanied me as I swiftly passed him my truck keys. “Quickly head to the store,” I instructed, “and purchase a candy bar for everyone present. We’re commencing in 45 minutes, so no dawdling!”

He dashed to the truck and sped to the store, buying plenty of candy bars for everyone. He returned just five minutes before my presentation. We distributed the candy bars, and as they signaled me, I hurried from the back to the front of the room, beginning the presentation.

After that 45-minute presentation, I felt completely exhausted for the whole day. Many approached me afterward, saying, “You’re amazing! I was nodding off before you started, but I stayed alert and took lots of notes during your talk. Thanks for being here!”

Moving on…

Now, back to my speech for the National Grange. While preparing, they mentioned that there was a podium available. I grabbed my speech and headed there, ready to deliver it.

I tilted my head to the side, like a dog hearing a high-pitched sound, and asked, “Can I have a handheld mic, please?”

They agreed. Then, the woman in charge reminded me I only had 5 minutes! She warned that at the 5-minute mark, they’d cut off my mic.

Awesome! As I stepped onto the stage where many great singers had performed, I sensed their presence. Suddenly, my nerves vanished, and I began speaking. The more I spoke, the more comfortable I became.

After the speech, I was filled with immense energy! The passion and fervor in my delivery were palpable to everyone present. The speech centered on the importance of having God in your life.

I wish I had a video or just the audio of it. Finally, I wrapped up at 4 minutes and 59 seconds. As I walked off the stage to applause, I realized that being in front of groups was where I belonged.

Throughout the entire speech, I felt a powerful presence, causing the hairs on my arms to stand up. The best part came afterward when many approached me, surprised, saying, “I never knew you had such strong faith!” That’s when I knew God’s presence was with me on that stage.

He guided me to speak the words necessary for both me and others. He enabled them to listen attentively to the message I conveyed.

Since then, every time I step onto a stage, I offer a prayer. “God, help me convey the message you want them to hear. Open their ears and minds to accept what they need. I’m grateful for your guidance!”

Despite my discomfort with attention, being on stage is where I thrive because I know it’s my purpose. I’m meant to assist others as much as possible!

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “Using Stories To Teach” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

Limiting Beliefs

Limiting Beliefs

Let’s begin with a verse from Psalms 139:13, which states, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

To me, this verse encapsulates the idea that we are all integral parts of God’s grand design, each bestowed with a unique purpose.

For those familiar with me, it’s evident that I steadfastly believe in the notion that every individual is crafted with intent and that the events of life unfold with purpose, even including the constraints of our own beliefs.

Yes, even those beliefs that confine us serve a purpose in the grand tapestry of existence. But before delving too deeply into these restrictive beliefs, let’s first define what they entail.

But before we embark on that discussion, allow me to address any apprehensions you might have about this topic. It’s perfectly natural to feel a bit uneasy, as exploring limiting beliefs, especially my own, is a daunting prospect for me as well.

So, if you’ll permit me, for this reflective piece, I’d like to open up and share some personal vulnerabilities with you. I only request that you refrain from laughing too uproariously at my expense (although I didn’t expressly forbid laughter altogether, did I?).

Now, returning to our focus: what exactly constitutes a limiting belief?

In my view, a limiting belief is any conviction that an individual holds that acts as a barrier to their growth and fulfillment.

According to Tony Robbins, limiting beliefs are the narratives we internalize about ourselves that hinder us from reaching our true potential. These beliefs constrain us from realizing our fullest capabilities. Personally, I find his definition more resonant than my own.

One example of a limiting belief I once held was that I lacked proficiency in reading. Throughout my schooling, numerous teachers and classmates reinforced this notion, asserting that I was a slow reader and not adept at it. Consequently, I embraced this belief and allowed it to dictate my actions.

From third grade through graduation, I never completed an entire book, except for two by Tim Allen (“Don’t Stand Too Close To A Naked Man” and “I’m Not Really Here”). Though I completed countless book reports and contributed to class discussions, I never truly engaged with the material.

Please don’t inform my English teachers or parents about this, haha.

I clung to this limiting belief well into my twenties, until around the age of 27, when I finally shattered it. As a child, I cherished spending evenings at Grandma Greer’s house, just a half-mile from my own, where she would read to us before bedtime. Inspired by this, I resolved to read to my own children.

With Jenna’s assistance, I selected a book we all would enjoy, and every night I was home, I read it to them for 20–30 minutes. Initially, I felt immense trepidation about reading aloud, fearing I might stumble over words. Yet, I realized that I was the only one scrutinizing the text; the kids were already in bed.

So, whenever I stumbled over a word, I pressed on as if I were entirely confident. Before long, I found myself stumbling less and less, and after three months of nightly reading sessions, I began affirming to myself, “You’re good at reading.”

Around that time, I discovered my newfound love for books. This year alone, I’ve listened to and read approximately 50 books. Recently, while discussing my reading habits with my dad, I stumbled upon one of his own limiting beliefs.

When I mentioned that I’ve read 48 books so far and am currently in the middle of another, he questioned whether I read them or listened to them. My immediate response was, “WHO CARES?”

Do you perceive his limiting belief? According to him, you can’t derive knowledge from a book unless you physically read it in a traditional book format.

The challenge with limiting beliefs is their persistent nature. However, the truth is often far from them. They’re merely fabrications, stories concocted by Satan to hinder us from realizing the full potential that God intends for us to achieve ultimate success.

I could dedicate an entire book to exploring limiting beliefs and how to overcome them. (Who knows, perhaps I will someday?!?!) But for today, I want to emphasize that God has designed each of us with a purpose, and it’s our responsibility to strive to fulfill that purpose to the best of our abilities.

Now, it’s time to take action, and I’ll be honest, this step might be a bit challenging. Are you prepared for it?

Firstly, I urge you to listen to my podcast episode titled “Leading From The Middle Of The Pack,” where I delve into limiting beliefs. I believe it could provide valuable insights for you. You can find it here: THE ECLIPSE DOT PODCAST

Secondly, take a few moments to jot down your answers to the following questions:

What are three of my most limiting beliefs?
What negative consequences have each belief caused me in my life so far?
How has each belief negatively impacted my life?
What opportunities have I missed out on by embracing these beliefs?
What is the worst consequence that could occur if I continue to hold onto each belief?
What belief do I want to replace each of these with?

This is going to delve into some deep territory, but I have full confidence that you’re up for the challenge. And just to demonstrate that you’re capable, here are some of my own limiting beliefs:

  • I’m not good enough.
  • I’ll never put in enough effort to measure up. This fear of failure permeates my endeavors; my business could falter, my relationships may suffer, and I might cease to evolve. It’s constant stress, struggling to make ends meet.
  • I’ve missed out on incredible relationships, early success in life, and financial freedom.
  • There’s a looming fear of losing my relationship with Jenna.
  • I don’t feel deserving of happiness.
  • The prospect of failure in relationships, business, and faith threatens to unravel my entire existence.
  • Ultimately, these beliefs could cost me everything—Jenna’s departure, my children’s loss of faith in me, and the forfeiture of everything dear to me.
  • There’s a lingering sense of unworthiness regarding success.
  • I fear I’ll cease striving for improvement, leading to stagnation and a loss of sight of what truly matters to me, my family, my business, and my clients.
  • These beliefs have already exacted a toll, robbing me of genuine wealth—beyond mere financial gains—and adding strain to my marriage.
  • The possibility of losing my company hangs over me.
  • I struggle to celebrate my victories.
  • This fear of inadequacy could lead me to stop striving for excellence, allowing others to surpass me in life and business.
  • This belief negatively impacts everyone in my life. At home, I often appear dissatisfied, never pausing to acknowledge my accomplishments before moving on to the next goal. This attitude could jeopardize my business, marriage, and relationship with God.
  • Losing my relationship with Jenna is a significant fear.
  • I fear appearing foolish if I disclose my business situation to my peers.
  • I worry that if I don’t open up about my struggles, I won’t receive the necessary support to progress to the next stage of growth.
  • The collapse of my entire business is a looming concern.

Now, let’s explore the new beliefs I’m adopting to replace the old ones:

  • I am inherently enough, and God has designed me for success.
  • I deserve happiness and blessings in my life.
  • Success is not just desired but necessary for me.
  • I confidently celebrate my victories, exuding a joy that cannot be contained.
  • God’s love for me ensures my success.
  • It’s essential to celebrate my achievements as God intended.
  • By embracing vulnerability, I allow others to coach and support me, fostering growth.
  • God assures me that I am more than enough. He desires my success, happiness, victories, sharing, and celebration.

 

Enhance your faith-led leadership journey with God First Life Next. Explore empowering insights at “Limiting Beliefs” Let faith guide your leadership. Click for purposeful living at GodFirstLifeNext.org.

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