Dream: I was sitting on the ground behind a fortified barrier leaning against a tall building. I was holding a baby as the Father sat next to me. Suddenly a sniper shot me and I heard the sniper say, “Thank you for your service.” I had a bullet wound but I did not die.

The dream so unnerved me that I had to get out of my hotel room. I left and had my friend pray over me. When I returned to my room, the Lord gave me insight about this warring season and how to battle.

Interpretation: God elaborated on how the enemy targets and wants to attack leaders and their assignments. By picking them off one by one, the enemy creates chaos and confusion in the leader’s assigned territory. The baby in the dream spoke to new assignments for which we are purposed. With our demise, the enemy’s plan is that we would never see the completion of these assignments.

Here are the eight strategies of war that the Lord gave me to prevent the enemy’s attacks and thwart what he has already released against us: 

1. Identity – a Foundational Tactic

You release victory by knowing your identity as a member of God’s holy family. We are co-heirs with Christ and one with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In John 17:23, Jesus is talking to the Father:

“You live fully in Me and now I live fully in them so that they will experience perfect unity, and the world will be convinced that You have sent Me, for they will see that You love each one of them with the same passionate love that You have for Me.” (TPT)

Living in the reality of being one with the Triune God enables us to discern and see the solution to offset the enemy’s attack.

2. Tactical Positioning

You are bi-locational. You are seated in heavenly places in the spirit while your body is on Earth. As you are faced with attacks, you can seek the winning strategy from God’s perspective to bring the victory – the exceeding riches of His grace…

“But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-6, NKJV)

3. Strategic Sowing

The Lord emphasized the power of sowing to defeat the enemy. When the enemy is squeezing your economy, which affects your finances, sowing breaks the stronghold.

In Genesis 26:12-13, Isaac sowed in a time of famine and reaped a hundredfold. His sowing took territory for the Lord and demonstrated to others how to create wealth:

“Then Isaac sowed in that land, and reaped in the same year a hundredfold; and the LORD blessed him. The man began to prosper, and continued prospering until he became very prosperous.” (NKJV)

Sow into the area where you need victory!

4. Tactical Redirect

Sometimes we have to move away from the enemy’s stronghold. The Lord reminded me that not every battle that takes place is ours to fight.

Men quarreled over the wells that had been dug in the time of Isaac’s father, Abraham. They had been stopped up by the Philistines, but were reopened by Isaac. As Isaac tried to claim the wells, other men quarreled over them, striving against him. Isaac moved on and did not fight. When Isaac moved to the third well, the enemy did not contend with him.

“Now Isaac again dug [and reopened] the wells of water which had been dug in the days of Abraham his father, because the Philistines had filled them up [with dirt] after the death of Abraham; and he gave the wells the same names that his father had given them. But when Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and found there a well of flowing [spring] water, the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, ‘The water is ours!’ So Isaac named the well Esek (quarreling), because they quarreled with him.

“Then his servants dug another well, and they quarreled over that also, so Isaac named it Sitnah (enmity). He moved away from there and dug another well, and they did not quarrel over that one; so he named it Rehoboth (broad places), saying, ‘For now the LORD has made room for us, and we shall be prosperous in the land.'” (Genesis 26:18-22, AMP)

Isaac gained victory by knowing when to move away from a quarrel.

5. Engaging the Word

The Word of God is a powerful weapon to destroy any demonic plan that is against you. Job 22:28 (NKJV) says, “You will also declare a thing, and it will be established for you; so light will shine on your ways.”

We must declare the Word of the Lord aloud, releasing it into the atmosphere. When we do, the enemy is notified that the army of God is activated on our behalf.

In 2 Kings 6, Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the enemy. His servant was afraid and asked what to do. Elisha repeated what the Lord had spoken throughout His Word: “Do not fear!” (See 2 Kings 6:16, NKJV.)

“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17, NKJV)

6. Strategic Tactic of Worship

As we worship, the Lord inhabits our praise, goes before us and defeats our enemy. (Photo via Piqsels)

In 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, the enemy had surrounded Israel, and as they worshiped, the Lord set them up for victory:

“And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the LORD, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“‘Praise the LORD, for His mercy endures forever.’

“Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.” (NKJV)

Worship is a strategic plan to render the enemy ineffective.

7. The Strategy of Testimony

Our Testimony empowers us to overcome the enemy.

“And they overcame him by the Blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” (Revelation 12:11, NKJV)

Keep a running list of each area the Lord gives you victory in. Share it with those who are involved in a war with the enemy. It will provide them with encouragement and strategy for their victory.

8. The Strategy of Communion

Jesus came to destroy the works of the enemy. Communion reminds us of the work that was accomplished on the Cross. Turning your attention to Christ ushers in His presence and strengths you. His body and His Blood paid for the victory over every attack of the enemy coming your way.

We take communion at the table of the Lord in oneness with Him as the enemy watches.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil;
my cup runs over.” (Psalm 23:5, NKJV)

Again, these strategies of the Lord are anointed to use in this season. God is teaching us to live out and navigate the spiritual realm to win the war. By learning and using these eight strategies of war, we activate the spiritual realm to release the victory.

Have you felt an increase in the enemy’s interference? 

Leave your comment on my Facebook page or send me an email at cindy@Cindy-Stewart.com. 

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, New Moves of God, will open your spiritual eyes to see what God is doing so you can position yourself to be part of one of the most significant invasions of world culture in Kingdom history. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, hosts Cindy Stewart LIVE on YouTube, and hosts 2 weekly podcasts on Spotify and more.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post 8 Strategies of War Against the Enemy’s Tactics appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

I do not know anyone that would say that they do not want success in life. 

Whether it is success in relationships, business, or personal disciplines, something deep within us longs to be successful, and to contribute to the world. 

I have been privileged to receive some of the best training the corporate world has to offer for success. My many years of experience outside the classroom taught me even more. 

But while I benefited tremendously from that training, there is one person whose wisdom set me up young for success: my mom.

My mom was smart, beautiful, and creative. She was also witty and charming. 

She was known for her quirky little sayings, like:

Her ultimate secret for success was finding the best in every situation. I never remember her complaining or worrying. 

When we were running short on groceries, she would whip up something incredible for dinner—something that usually included eggs. As she would say, “If you have eggs, you have dinner.” 

There are many things I learned from my mom, things that I have since applied to my life and business that helped it (and me) thrive. 

I have found success from leaning on some of the things she taught me. I believe that you can, too. 

Here are my mom’s top five lessons for success in life:  

1. Think Outside the Box

My mom was a problem solver. She believed that there was always a solution to a problem. 

When our dryer was broken, for example, she hung our socks on the oven rack to dry while our cheese toast cooked for breakfast. 

For my mom, nothing was unsolvable. That is true for you and your team. 

2. Teamwork is a Must for Success

I learned teamwork from my mom. 

There were five kids in my family, and it took all of us pitching in to get everything done. 

My mom hung a chore chart outside her clothes closet, and each kid rotated chores. This often meant waking up at 6am to fix breakfast for the family during the week. 

If someone was behind with their chores, the others were taught to pitch in and help. 

Building a strong team is essential for your success. You can only accomplish so much alone. You need others expertise, perspective, and help to fully achieve your goals. 

3. The Art of Great Cooking

My mom didn’t measure anything. It was always a pinch of this and a pinch of that. 

We learned to determine the amount of an ingredient to add to a recipe by taste, smell, and texture. It was a fun way to cook, and even today I find myself wanting to add a little pinch of something else to the recipe. 

This lesson in creativity (and fearlessness?) was tremendously beneficial when I was out in the workforce building teams and problem solving. 

Develop a habit of encouraging creativity in your life and teams. You will unearth ideas and solutions for success that you did not think were possible. 

4. Wisdom and Counsel 

My mom taught me to hear the heart of a person. 

People came from all over to gain wisdom and direction from her. She would listen intently, encourage them, and offer wise counsel. Most importantly, she gave them hope. 

You have solutions to offer to a world in turmoil. You are called to be a giver of hope to the hopeless, and a wise counselor in times of uncertainty. 

But it starts with really listening to what is going on inside a person so you can offer the best advice for their success. 

5. Remember, They are People, Too. 

My mom taught me her greatest lesson for success when she lived with us. 

She would watch my children while I would be busy with laundry or cooking. I would hear her remind each one of them how they were special—and how important it was to treat each other with love and kindness. 

She was honoring of their thoughts and opinions. This helped me in my own parenting, and in appreciating my other relationships. 

Whether it is your spouse, kids, team, or any relationship, all are human beings worthy of respect and kindness, regardless of their age or place in the hierarchy. 

Remembering that each is a person boosts morale and strengthens your bond with them, increasing everyone’s chance of even greater success. 

My mom passed away from lung disease at the age of fifty-nine. She was vibrant until the end. 

She taught that nothing was impossible. Believe that it is possible! 

Did you learn something from your mom that was pivotal to your success in life? 

Leave your comment on my Facebook page or send me an email at cindy@Cindy-Stewart.com. 

As each of us is working toward an area of success, it can be helpful to have a mentor on the journey, just as my mom mentored me. 

One of my greatest joys is connecting with people on their journey and helping them be the successful person they are called to be. 

If you want individual help through this process, fill out the Connection Form and let’s get the conversation started. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post 5 Simple Ways to be Successful appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

Each of us has a core message burning inside—we just may not know it yet. 

Your core message is the one that you go back to over and over again. It is what you are all about and is usually developed from your values, passions, and life experiences. 

It can be challenging to identify your core message—especially because it is often buried deep within you. But as a person of influence in your individual sphere, it is essential that you identify your message (or messages) and refine it.  

Each of us has a voice that needs to be heard, and something to give to the world. If you do not contribute your part, something important is missing from the lives of those you lead. 

As you discover your core message and gain confidence in your voice to speak that message, people will listen to you when they hear your heart.

Madeleine Albright, former United States Secretary of State, is a great example of someone who found her message and her voice. 

Although a prominent representative of the United States, she was often one of the few women in the room, if not the only one. Yet, she refused to be silent. She realized that if she did not take the opportunity to speak, the voice of the United States would not be heard. 

One of her key messages while in office was the need to raise up women into governmental positions around the world. She believed that when men and women worked through problems together, they were better understood, and the solutions had a more well-rounded perspective.

How do you unearth your core message and find your voice so that it can be released? 

Here are two keys I learned during a writer’s workshop I co-hosted with Dr. Kynan Bridges. 

While teaching on discovering what is burning in your heart—your core message—Dr. Bridges gave us a two-part assignment:

After making my list, I was surprised that most of my items were the inverse of the other. For example, one subject I am passionate about is wholeness in marriage and relationships. Divorce and brokenness were on my list of things I wish I could change.

This passion came from a life experience. My parents were divorced after twenty-three years of marriage. While it was not a complete shock, I did question at the time whether being married forever was really possible. 

From that experience, I developed a passion to help others work through challenges in their marriages, family situations, and relationships.

My husband and I have been married for thirty-eight years. Different situations have challenged our relationship, but the one thing that has kept us bonded is the power of choice. We choose each other. 

This creates only one option for us: work it out.

This does not mean that everything is perfect. We moved fourteen times (yes, fourteen!) within twenty years of our marriage. One of those times, the moving truck sat fully packed in a parking lot while we waited for the final credit approval to move into our rental house. My husband, our kids, and my mother were with the moving truck, and I was at work. 

For two hours, my husband kept calling as he worked through the hold up with our credit, which made my boss angry. But we chose each other and stood together. 

No matter what the issues were in our thirty-eight years—kids, jobs, moving, money—we chose each other in every situation, and every day. 

If you want to identify your core message and find your voice to release it, here is my challenge for you. 

Set aside some time today and go through these two steps:

This simple exercise will go a long way in helping you unearth the core message, or even messages, inside of you. 

Here is an additional perspective on releasing your message: 

Madeleine Albright had a “silent voice” that became part of her apparel. It started when she went to the UN after the Gulf War and Saddam Hussein compared her in the papers to an “unparalleled serpent.” 

She happened to have a snake pin, and she wore it the next day as they discussed Iraq.

Madeleine Albright became famous for selecting a pin that reflected what was going to happen that day. It was a preview of her message, and her signature in voicing her position loud and clear. 

When I saw her being interviewed, she was wearing a pin she deemed “breaking the glass ceiling.”

My favorite story of her pins was when Russia had planted a bug in the conference room near her office. The next time she met with Russia, she wore a giant bug pin. 

Like Madeleine Albright, you can bring your unique personality and perspective to the people you lead, but it starts with identifying, embracing, and refining your core message—what you are all about. 

I would love to hear the results of your two-step assignment. Leave me a comment on my Facebook page or send me an email at cindy@cindy-stewart.com. 

Another one of my passions is helping people identify and refine their message and walking with them on the journey to finding their voice. 

If you want individual help through this process, fill out the Connection Form and let’s start the conversation. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post How to Identify (and Release) Your Core Message appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

A team—some may call it a tribe—is a unique group of people with whom you connect on your journey. We need each other to become all that we can be. 

These unique groups of people with whom you connect may even become a community that you can share your life with within specific areas, like health, business, working moms, or authors. 

The list is endless. 

If you are going to build a business, you will need a team. And your team can be global! Social media has made it easy to connect with like-minded people across the world. 

There are benefits to building a strong, fully-functional team—a group of people who want to learn from you. This pushes you to become a better leader, helping you to expand and grow in your expertise. You will also learn from their input and knowledge. 

I have built many teams over the years, and the one I have now is in the beginning stages of development. We are testing different formats to connect with people who are interested in discovering their purpose in life. 

My team, or tribe, are those who want to be the best they can be in their personal development, have healthy relationships, and are in careers where they can thrive. I love the interaction and hearing about their journeys. 

I also belong to several tribes as well. Donald Miller’s Storybrand has taught me to keep my message clear. Jeff Goins provides me with great tools for wisdom and encouragement as an author. Michael Hyatt is the king of productivity and platform building. 

Each have an expertise that I need, and my engagement with them is through their weekly podcasts on iTunes. 

As you build your community, there are six team building basics to keep in mind in order to keep everyone on a path of growth:

1. Clarify Your Message

Identifying and clarifying your core message is an important part of your journey. 

When I first started out in business, my message was too broad. I was trying to reach everybody with my range of experience. I had to narrow my focus in order to give consistency to the type of team I wanted to attract and build. 

2. Select Your Avenue(s) of Connection

Facebook; Instagram; Twitter; Linkedin; Snapchat; YouTube; Podcasts; Blogs. 

Each platforms offers a unique avenue for connection.  

Currently, I host a weekly podcast on iTunes as well as a weekly blog. I also post daily to Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. 

I chose these specific channels as a means to share my experience and expertise because that is where my audience is. 

Knowing which platform to choose is one reason why you need to know your audience. This is a learning process that we will look into in the future. 

What area do you already have a presence in? Start there and then add others. You want to have consistent visibility in one market—and do it well—before adding another. 

3. Add Value 

Your team, tribe, or community is following you for direction, encouragement and expertise. Be generous with them in sharing your expertise, such as offering a free eBook or workshops to help them on their journeys. 

Share honestly and openly about your successes and missteps. As with any relationship, people are looking for someone who is authentic. 

4. Mentor and Be Mentored

Mentoring has found a new platform. 

Instead of one-on-one mentoring, much of today’s interaction is coming through your team. Communities are mentoring each other by generously sharing their experiences and expertise.  

5. Be Gracious Yet Set Healthy Boundaries 

People will critique you. Listen carefully. You will learn to pick out the meat and throw away the bones. 

While constructive criticism is important to your and your team’s development, do not allow negativity, foul language, or inappropriate discussions in your community. 

Your team needs to feel that they have a safe place to learn and grow. 

6. Set Expectations and Keep Your Commitments 

Setting expectations with your team is key to staying connected. If you say that you will blog every week, then do it! 

One of the things I learned is to start slow, then grow.  

Decide how available you will be and communicate this to your team. For example, if I am traveling, I may not be as available to answer questions. So, I let my team know when I am on the road.

Building a team offers a place where you can build community and trust while moving forward on this journey of life together. When you focus on your team, it can provide growth and long-term relationships. 

How are you building a team?

Leave your comment on my Facebook page!

I love expanding my tribe. If you resonated with our mission to discover our purpose, live every day with passion, and develop into all we can be, then fill out the Connection Form to get the conversation started. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post 6 Simple Steps to Position Your Team for Growth appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

In my consulting business, I work with many entrepreneurs that want to push past the daily grind of the 9-5 to achieve independence and step into what they are passionate about, all while building a profitable small business that helps people. 

One of the first things I do with these clients is to help them define and articulate their dream. Then, we develop a step-by-step action plan to turn that dream into reality so that they can live the fulfilling life they long for and reach their full potential. 

It is possible to live this type of life, but you must take the first step. 

Let me tell you about my friend, Aylssa, and her dream. She is an artist who turned her passion into a profitable business that beautifies the lives of others. 

Alyssa began looking for a way to express her creativity while providing her with independence and financial security. After some soul searching and evaluation of her skills and dreams, she discovered a canvas that surprised her—fingernails! 

She started small providing a few clients with individually crafted nail designs for day-to-day wear and special occasions. 

Today, Aylssa’s business is three years old. It is so successful that you must know someone to get an appointment! 

Do you have a dream and a skill like Alyssa? Would you like to turn them into a profitable (and fulfilling!) income producer? You can!

There are many doors of opportunity available to begin your business and to make it profitable. 

We will look at a few tools to turn your dream into a moneymaking business, but first, have a look at these statistics from the 2017 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report: 

• There are 25 million entrepreneurs in the U.S.
• 57% of Americans see an opportunity to start a business
• 37% of all entrepreneurs are developing innovative products or services

Think about the new services that have sprung up over the last decade. Two of them are Uber and Blue Apron. 

Uber is an on-demand car service that started in 2009. It is usually easier and much less expensive than a taxi. Now, they have expanded to Uber Eats, delivering takeout food to your home—even McDonalds! 

Blue Apron delivers fresh meal ingredients with recipes to your home. My husband and I love it. Since its inception in 2012, the company worth has grown to 1.9 billion dollars.

It is possible to turn your dream into a profitable business! 

Here are a few tools to get you started exploring your business idea:

1. Be passionate about your product or service 

I have owned three businesses, all similar in passion, direction, and product. The only real difference was the customer base. 

My first venture, and the one I am still operating, is my consulting and executive coaching business at cindy-stewart.com. This business came from my years of experience in the corporate world, and from the realization that my real passion was helping people and companies be the best they can be—all while tapping into their dream and discovering the steps to make it a reality.

I love working with small business owners, executives, and entrepreneurs who are motivated to build momentum, establish a healthy culture, and build strong teams to achieve their goals. What I do makes me leap out of bed in the morning. 

It all started with identifying what I was passionate about and turning it into a profitable business that I knew would offer value to my clients lives.

My second venture was a family business. However, once the family no longer worked in the business and I was left running it, I realized that while I had the skills to make the business profitable, I did not have the passion to infuse into it. 

There was no vision without the passion. For me, the business became just another job. 

So, I chose to focus on my area of passion.  

Passion drives your actions. It enables you to push through even during the tough times. 

Your answers will give you a clue about what product or service you should pursue. 

2. Develop Your Business Plan

The Small Business Administration has a downloadable business guide. This will help you think through the different aspects of a profitable business’ plan, from planning and launching to growing. 

Another helpful resource is score.org. This website matches you with a mentor that will guide you through the business plan process. 

They also offer online workshops and a library for further business plan development and self-study. 

Mentoring is so important when launching a successful business. If you would like one-on-one mentorship from a likeminded coach on your entrepreneurial journey, send me a message and we’ll start the conversation. 

3. Gather Needed Resources

In a 2013 article in The Business Journals titled “Entrepreneurs Rev your Engines: Startup Activity in the U.S. at 13-Year High,” the author stated that 80% of all funding for new businesses came from personal savings, family, and friends. 

Additionally, the author pointed out that nearly 69% of new businesses are home based—no expensive office needed—and 44% have a family member working for them.

An important part of building any profitable business is considering what you actually need to make the endeavor successful, and what resources are already in front of you. 

I remember starting my first business. I developed my brand, which at that time consisted of a business card and a logo, and then hit the pavement looking for clients. 

I landed few small jobs that kept me going. Then after a couple of months and many cold calls, I scored a major corporation who had recently acquired an international company. 

One of my friends was an analyst, and she offered to help me with the initial review at no charge. She was a tremendous resource for me as I began my new business. 

This process will also help you identify the tools or training you need to gain to get started. 

The time is now—step into your dream! You can live the fulfilling life you crave while adding value to people’s lives through a product or service that benefits them. 

If you would like a partner on your journey, I would love to help you. Fill out the Connection Form and let’s talk. 

Remember, you are the BEST investment you can make! 

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post 3 Steps to Turn Your Dream into a Profitable Business appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

There is another more powerful investment you can make, one that goes a long way in guaranteeing your future success. 

That investment is positioning yourself for future success by finishing well. 

I use the term “Lame Duck” for someone who eases up on their effectiveness as their time in a specific role, job, or volunteer position is completed. 

These types of people do not finish well before moving to the next assignment or a new company, and in so doing, they miss out on an opportunity to invest in their future. 

I have been a Lame Duck. At one company, I was so over the position that it was all I could do to drag myself to work. 

There were three outcomes from my behavior: 

1. I did not learn to invest in my future by enduring. 
2. I did not serve the company well as I was leaving. They did not get their money’s worth in my final week. 
3. I did not make a good final impression. 

I realized later that my failure to finish well did not benefit me as I looked for new opportunities and open doors. 

Now, let me tell you about a friend of mine. After many years of having a good job, but not her dream job, she reached the point where she could quit. 

After careful planning, she realized it was time to step into the next phase of her dream.

However, my friend understood the power of investing in her future by finishing well. 

She made up her mind that until the day she walked out the door, she would do everything with excellence. 

She had made this decision before she gave her notice, and they asked her to apply for two promotions! 

My friend’s investment in excellence opened the door of opportunity for promotion. 

If she had not resolved to invest in her future by positioning herself for success, she would not have had the chance for promotion. 

The Key to Future Success

Integrity is the key to investing successfully in your future. 

Here are a few words that describe integrity: honesty, character, principles, ethics, trustworthiness, decency, fairness. 

Integrity is about doing the right thing despite your feelings. It is doing the right thing whether another person deserves it or not. 

In the Bible, there is a story of a young man whose brothers were jealous of him. They decided to get rid of him by selling him as a slave. 

For the next twenty-three years, this young man’s integrity was tested. Yet he endured his various trials with a resolve to finish each one well. 

First, he was promoted for his excellence. Then, he was accused of a crime he did not commit and was thrown into prison!

Yet, he continued to invest in his future by doing everything well. He was promoted again, this time as second in authority in the nation of his enslavers. 

Because of his position, he was able to rescue his brothers from a deadly famine—and he forgave them. 

Here is what happened:  

And Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they approached him. 

And he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt. Now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to save life and preserve our family. For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five more years in which there will be no plowing and harvesting. 

God sent me [to Egypt] ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on the earth, and to keep you alive by a great escape. So now it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 

Hurry and go up to my father, and tell him, ‘Your son Joseph says this to you: “God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall live in the land of Goshen [the best pastureland of Egypt], and you shall be close to me—you and your children and your grandchildren, your flocks and your herds and all you have. There I will provide for you and sustain you, so that you and your household and all that are yours may not become impoverished, for there are still five years of famine to come.”’  

Look! Your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that I am speaking to you [personally in your language and not through an interpreter]. Now you must tell my father of all my splendor and power in Egypt, and of everything that you have seen; and you must hurry and bring my father down here.” 

Then he embraced his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, and Benjamin wept on his neck. He kissed all his brothers and wept on them, and afterward his brothers talked with him (Genesis 45:4-15). 

Investing in your future by finishing well has an effect on you and on the people you leave behind. 

5 Ways Finishing Well Invests in Your Future Success: 

1. Finishing well brings closure. When you finish well, it allows you to leave knowing that you have given your best. You will not have regrets about things you should have done before you left. 

2. Finishing well allows you to acknowledge the people who have invested in you. Expressing gratitude is powerful. People appreciate being acknowledged for their participation in your success.

3. Finishing well ensures lasting relationships. Your relationships are one of your greatest assets. When you finish well, you are investing in those relationships by demonstrating to them that you will carry your responsibility until the end.

4. Finishing well builds your confidence. When you choose to do your best until the end, your integrity and character are strengthened. 

5. Finishing well is an ultimate investment in your future. Your persistence instills a work ethic that carries on into your future ventures. 

Over the years, I have known many people who transitioned from one thing to the next, both employees and volunteers. I remember most the ones who invested in their future by finishing well. I could easily recommend them when an amazing opportunity came across my desk. 

Invest in your future by resolving today to finish well when the time comes to transition to the next part of your dream. The benefits of this choice often pop up unexpectedly, and how you position yourself today effects your success tomorrow. 

Sometimes it is helpful to have someone beside you as you plan to transition or are building your blueprint for success. One of my greatest joys is mentoring others who are chasing the next part of their dream. 

If you would like one-on-one mentorship, fill out the Connection Form and we will get started together on investing in your future by connecting you to your best. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make! 

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post 5 Ways Finishing Well Invests in Your Future Success appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

As you invest in your personal growth and live a life of significance, you empower others. In other words, the worth, greatness, and value you carry impacts others. 

You are an influencer for the time you live in. 

Recently, I was telling my daughter, Katie, how proud I am of her success in her business. She owns a hair salon and had invested in professional development training to expand her hair extension business. 

Within the first three weeks following the training, she met her first quarter goal. WOW! 

Why is it important to invest in your personal development?

1. Your personal and professional development empowers others. 

Your self-improvement opens possibilities that others may not have considered. It provides them with a role model to follow. 

I quit my corporate job and started my consulting business when Katie was in elementary school. As my daughter watched me invest in my personal development, it gave her a framework for her future success in business as an adult.   

2. Your personal and professional development brings greater meaning to your life. 

A recent survey stated that nine out of ten Americans are NOT living their dream. 

I believe this is because many do not grasp the importance of investing in their personal growth.  

3. Your personal and professional development identifies barriers that are keeping you from moving forward. 

As I began investing in my dreams, I discovered several barriers I had to knock down to reach my goals, the biggest one being the fear of failure!  

Here are four steps you can take to start investing in your personal development:

Here are some great ways to start investing in yourself:

1. Take a walk

2. Read 

3. Watch a “how to” YouTube video in a subject of interest or professional development. 

4. Take an online class that lets you learn at your pace. 

5. Build a new relationship and/or strengthen your current ones.

Another strategy is to begin to track your time. By tracking your time, you will understand where your time goes. 

Tracking your time will also provide perspective for what you can eliminate to have more time for professional development. 

I do a two-week time tracking exercise with every client. Once they have completed the two-week tracking, we analyze where their time is going. 

Because they now understand where their time is spent, they now have the freedom to allocate their time so that they are investing in their personal development. 

Set goals to increase the amount of time and resources allocated to personal growth. 

I often felt guilty for spending money on myself, even if it would bring additional income in the future. After wasting months trying to build my own website, I learned the hard way that investing in my personal and professional development was essential to my future success. 

After a friend knocked some sense into me, I took the leap and hired a firm to build the website for me. It was one of my best business investments.

Another great professional development decision I made was taking a writing class. The financial commitment was significant. I had never spent that kind of money on myself, but it was well worth it! 

Since the class, I have written four books. Several other benefits also came from this personal investment:

My passion for writing became abundantly clear.

My confidence in my ability to write increased.  

My newly sharpened skill enabled me to write blogs, speeches, articles, training classes, and podcasts with content that helps others. 

I have even begun to teach writing workshops to help others get started writing. 

That one investment in personal growth not only improved my life, but it is now influencing the lives of others! 

You are worth the investment in your personal growth! Now is the time to see the significance you carry for yourself and for others around you. 

Check out the following podcast episodes for step-by-step ways to invest in your personal growth: 

• In Episode 3, “Dreaming:” You will learn why allowing yourself to dream is important to your success. 

• In Episode 7, “Resources for your Dreams:” You will discover four ways to unearth the dreams stirring inside of you. Take it a step further by completing the free Dream Worksheet. 

• In Episode 22, “Blueprint for Success,” provides a step-by-step plan of how to map your days to bring success to your year.

Are you living your dream? Take the quiz and find out. 

Use these and other resources to take the first step toward your personal development today. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make! 

If you would like one-on-one mentoring in building your blueprint for success, including preparing for promotion, fill out the Connection Form so that we can begin the work. 

I look forward to assisting you in the journey of connecting you to your best! 

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post How to Leverage the Power of Personal Development appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

If you are investing in your future daily through your actions, then you are preparing yourself for the next promotion. 

My first promotion came when I was nineteen years old. I was working in the accounting department for a subsidiary of a large corporation in Atlanta. When they decided to move their headquarters to Tennessee, they offered me a transfer with a promotion to the Information Systems Department. 

They offered to pay for my computer programming training and for all the education costs to finish my business degree. 

After a little salary negotiation, I was on my way. 

This promotion was a surprise. I had no idea they were considering me. 

Why did I get the promotion? 

1) When a new job came open, I was in a position for consideration. 

2) I was a hard worker who helped the department meet their goals. 

3) I was a team player who assisted in areas other than my own.

Through these things, the company had the opportunity to recognize my willingness and ability, which put me on their radar for promotion. 

My preparation met their need, and the door of opportunity was open for promotion. 

How do you prepare for promotion? 

Here are four ways to position yourself so that your preparation meets a need.

1. Focus on the Mission

Whether you are working for someone, serving as a volunteer, or own your own business, the mission of the organization is key. 

The mission is usually a short statement of goals. 

My company’s mission is “Connecting You to Your Best—You are the Best Investment You Can Make.” 

Everything that I produce—from blogs and podcasts to classes and workshops—is focused on this mission. 

Keeping the overall mission in mind provides a way for you to bring added value to your work. 

It creates an opportunity for you to be known for your focus, support, and completion of the mission—all of which position you for promotion. 

2. Be Forward Thinking

Being forward thinking and staying focused on the mission go together. 

Staying focused on the mission fine-tunes what you do while expanding your capacity for growth in many areas, including in information processing and training. 

Anticipating future needs and developing the skills to fulfill those needs is a primary way to prepare yourself for a promotion.  

One of my promotions came from submitting an idea to streamline a quality control process. After submitting the concept, I met with the Regional Director and my idea was implemented across the company. 

Within weeks, I was promoted to supervisor, all because staying focused on the mission prompted forward thinking that led to creative problem-solving. 

3. Be a Team Player

Someone who is a team player has the ability to communicate change effectively, adapt quickly, and pitch in—even if it is not their job. 

To build your skills as a team player, ask yourself this question: 

How can I assist in completing the mission?

One of my friends always won the company’s sales contest. His manager asked if he would be willing to train the other sales staff using his method. 

If he said yes, then his competition for the prizes would increase.

If he said no, he could maintain his status as the leader in sales. 

His answer was yes! He wanted to be a team player and increase his value, as well as the company’s overall sales goal. 

It also positions you for promotion. 

4. Invest in Your Future

As I shared earlier, my company paid for my education and training after my promotion. However, 53% of the workforce is employed by a small business, and 99% of these businesses have less than ten employees. 

Most will need to find a way to invest in their own training. 

Investing in yourself will prepare you for promotion.

The good news is, there are many options to receive training without going broke or incurring debt. 

In September 2016, a Forbes article listed ways to receive training when the budget is tight or your company cannot afford to provide professional development classes. 

Forbes highlighted udemy.com as one such economical training tool, one that can be beneficial in preparing you for promotion.  

This online platform provides training in specialized areas for minimal cost, even sometimes without cost. 

Other sites I have used specifically for training to expand my business are: 

MichaelHyatt.com

AmyPorterfield.com 

storybrand.com 

All provided free or minimal cost training for planning and marketing that helped build my business and expand my skill. 

Remember my first big promotion at the tender age of nineteen? Let me share with you what happened. 

I discovered one important thing about myself: I hated sitting behind a computer all day. 

I realized that I missed interaction with people. Whenever someone had a problem with their operating system, I would volunteer to fix it so that I could connect with a human being. 

I began to understand what I wanted to do by discovering what I did not want to do. 

You may be in a situation where you are not doing exactly what you want to do. 

However, your preparation for promotion begins with identifying what you do not want to do so you can discover what you are really passionate about. 

By keeping your focus on the mission, being forward thinking, a team player, and investing in your future, you are continually preparing for promotion. 

Sometimes preparing for promotion also means joining forces with a mentor who has been where you are and learned the secrets to prioritizing their dreams and leveraging untapped resources and preparation strategies to achieve them. 

If you would like one-on-one mentoring in building your blueprint for success, including preparing for promotion, fill out the Connection Form so that we can begin the work. 

I look forward to assisting you in the journey of connecting you to your best! 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make! 

If you want to invest in your future, find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post Four Ways to Prepare Yourself for Promotion appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

There are many effective leadership styles out there, but one I particularly love is a relational leadership style. 

This style ensures that you achieve your goals with excellence while also looking out for your team, encouraging their continual development, and treating them well. 

This positive leadership style is maximized by a powerful principle called the Domino Effect. 

I watched this amazing movie called Collateral Beauty with the actor Will Smith. One amazing scene had an elaborate city of dominos set up in his office. The dominos were spread across multiple tables, and they were set up in different colors, shapes, and sizes. 

Will Smith touched the end domino and a chain reaction began. 

Officially, this is called the Domino Effect—a cumulative effect that is produced when one event initiates a succession of similar events.

I use this analogy as an entry point to talk about our willingness to change in our leadership style. When we change, the people in our sphere of influence change. And when they change, the people in their sphere of influence change. 

This creates a domino effect, which continues as change in each person effects another. 

I serve on the Board of a faith-based company called City Plan. City Plan works with regional leaders throughout the world to equip and support transformative works within regions.

We experienced an incredible example of this domino effect at a local middle school. 

The school had been struggling with attendance and police involvement. Here are statistics from the school:

A team began praying together every Monday for the school, teachers, and students. After five months the statistics showed:

The willingness to bring change created a domino effect on the entire school. Attendance was up, police incidents fell dramatically, and the children had a safer place to go to school. 

Incredible! 

One of the first steps is recognizing you have a sphere of influence. 

Your sphere includes: 

• Your family
• Your work environment

This sphere is influenced by your behavior, decisions, and actions, whether good or bad.

Family Sphere

How do you want your family to grow under your leadership?

For me and my husband, we wanted our home to be a safe place for our children. We set boundaries to make it that way. 

Having a safe place was important to me because growing up, my home was not safe. My father was bi-polar and an alcoholic. There were many times of great fun in our house, but it hinged on my dad.

My siblings and I were not allowed to talk freely, and neither was my mom. We walked on eggshells, making sure we did not say or do anything to incite my dad. If we did, we felt his wrath. 

The sad part for him and our family was that he refused all help, even when the company he worked for offered to help him. They paid for his initial treatment and offered to cover any additional treatment he might need. In the end, he refused their assistance. 

My parents divorced after twenty-three years of marriage because my dad’s disease was so severe. He alienated everyone in the family and spent the latter part of his life alone. 

I wanted my children to have a different experience. During dinner, we had table talk. The kids could talk about whatever they wanted, and what they shared never left our house. They could feel safe and be heard. 

My husband and I also rarely argued in front of our children. If there was a problem, we would talk about it together. Then we would talk with the kids. 

Were we perfect parents? Absolutely not!

We did take classes on marriage and finances. We sought advice from others.  At different points in our children’s teen years, we also sought professional counseling to help us work out some difficulties.

We were willing to listen and grow and develop a vision for our future.  That willingness and vision changed their lives, impacting their sphere of influence. 

What are some of your areas to grow in your leadership style that would have a domino effect on your spouse and children?

Here are a few ideas to get you started: 

1. What is your style of communication?
2. Does your family have a safe zone to discuss struggles?
3. Is each member in your family respected for their uniqueness?

This list is to grease the wheel and get you thinking. Talk to your family and see how each of you can grow. Then take a step toward making a change. 

One of my favorite resources is Danny Silk’s book, Loving Our Kids on Purpose.

In that book, Danny writes:

When love and freedom replace punishment and fear as the motivating forces in the relationship between parent and child, the quality of life improves dramatically for all involved. They feel safe with each other, and the anxiety that created distance in the relationships is chased away by the sense of love, honor, and value for one another.

Want additional resources for using a positive leadership style to create a domino effect in your family? Click here to contact me. 

Work Environment

How do you want to use your leadership style to influence others in your work environment?

In Leadership 101, John Maxwell says, “Real Leadership is being the person others will gladly and confidently follow.” 

Not every leader has a title by their name. Sometimes it is your peers that have incredible ability, and you are happy to follow them. 

When you carry that kind of peer influence, you have a willingness to change. When you experience change, you are excited to share the “how to” of that change with others, and the vision for why you do what you do. 

This creates a domino effect for you, your team, and your company.

I worked for a company who believed in investing in their employees. At one point, they spent a year training us for the Malcolm Baldrige Award of Excellence. We learned how to take any area of the company and continuously improve it.

I was in Human Resources and my customers were the company’s employees. One key focus was taking care of them and their families. 

I learned how to develop and identify best practices as well as the art of problem solving in both the process side of our company and the personnel side. 

But the greatest lesson was working together as a team toward the common goal of excellence. 

While this was going on, I was having a huge conflict with my boss.

She was very likable, but we had one contentious spot: the job I had was beneath her. She said she would never learn the job or help us because it would make her look weak to management. 

Her attitude showed her insecurities, but at the time, I was young and did not see it. It just made me mad! 

It all came to a head when the person I worked with went on maternity leave and a temp was brought in to help me.

As it turned out, the temp wanted my job. My boss started confiding in her. One day, I had enough.

I did not go to my boss to work it out, like I should have. Instead, I told the temp how I could do my boss’ job better. 

I also told the temp that if they ever had to lay people off, my boss would be the one because I knew how to do her job, but she did not know how to do mine.

The insanity of my insults played right into the temp’s hands. She immediately went and told my boss! 

Fortunately, my boss was gracious. I shared how I felt and gained a better understanding of her. We were able to resolve the issue.

What are some areas for you to grow in your leadership style at work that would produce a domino effect?

Here are few ideas to get you started:

1. How well do you engage with others in your work environment?
2. Do you invest in others success?
3. Where do you need to grow that will create the domino effect?

Understanding where you need to grow will produce the results you desire and really knowing the people you work with is key to your success. 

Understanding and developing a relational leadership style is key to creating a domino effect in your team. 

Assess your leadership style by downloading my free eBook, Relational Leadership. Work through the four strategies it contains to understand your leadership style. 

If you need some help processing through any of these elements, fill out the Connection Form and we will begin the conversation. 

Remember, you are the best investment you can make! 

If you want to find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post How to Maximize the Impact of Your Leadership Style with the Domino Effect appeared first on CINDY STEWART.

Negativity exists in the mind, but Norman Vincent Peale, the author of The Power of Positive Thinking, gives us a powerful clue for how we can move from negativity to positivity and slay the self-doubt stopping us in our tracks: 

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

Our mind is more powerful than any computer ever created!

Think about some of the greatest breakthroughs in technology. The iPhone—a mobile telephone with the capacity of a computer—was first released in 2007. 

Ten years later, Apple released a new version of the iWatch, replacing the need to carry your iPhone. Everything can be accessed from your wristwatch! 

This example shows the mind’s ability to move a thought from infancy to a fully developed product that changes the world. 

Imagine if Steve Jobs had let negativity, or any doubt that these products would work or be successful, stop him. We would not be enjoying the convenience of the iPhone and iWatch today.  

Understanding the power contained in the mind is more than simply practicing POSITIVE THINKING. It is understanding that our mind sends signals for action based on whether our thought life is negative or positive.

Positive thinking creates positive outcomes in your life. Negative thinking creates negative outcomes. This manifests as the self-doubt that kills our dreams. 

But it does not have to. Here is one man’s story of the power of the mind that changed his life and the lives of others. 

In the movie Hacksaw Ridge, Private Desmond Doss determined in his mind that he would not take a life. 

Even though he experienced great negativity from others that was intended to pressure him into doubting his decision, his focus was on saving the lives of others. 

Here is an excerpt of his story:

Private Doss fought in Okinawa, which was the second most bloody battle of World War II. The battlefield, located on top of a sheer 400-foot cliff, was fortified with a deadly network of Japanese machine gun nests and booby traps. 

The mission was thought to be near-impossible, and when Doss’ battalion was ordered to retreat, the medic refused to leave his fallen comrades behind.

Facing heavy machine gun and artillery fire, Doss repeatedly ran alone into the kill zone, carrying wounded soldiers to the edge of the cliff and singlehandedly lowering them down to safety. Each time he saved a man’s life, Doss prayed out loud, “Lord, please help me get one more.” 

By the end of the night, he had rescued an estimated 75 men. (The always modest Doss reckoned he saved about 50, but his fellow soldiers gauged it closer to 100. They decided to split the difference.) [Read more of the story here.]

Doss was awarded the Medal of Honor for his role in saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. 

Doss set his mind and resisted self-doubt, which determined his actions.

The way we think and the words we speak can release good things or bad things, and science is backing that up. 

Dr. Caroline Leaf’s book, Switch on Your Brain: The Key to Peak Happiness, Thinking, and Health, explores how your thought life impacts your body: 

“Scientists are proving that the relationship between what you think and how you understand yourself—your beliefs, dreams, hopes, and thoughts—have a huge impact on how your brain works.” 

She cites research, including a Harvard Medical Study, that is discovering that 75-98% of mental, physical, and behavioral illness comes from one’s thought life. Only 2-25% of our illnesses comes from environmental factors and genetics.

Stunning! 

Our thought life can affect the health of our body, our organs, and our emotions, which means that we live a healthier life by changing the way we think. 

We can change the way we think and overcome self-doubt through the words we speak about ourselves.

I am oversimplifying this science, but I think you can capture the heart of the matter. When you speak words that bring hope, life, purpose, and direction, your cells, bones, and every part of your body responds. 

Think about an athlete. They can easily be plagued by self-doubt, but they determine their ability by what they decide in their mind, and that decision drives their body. 

Do you remember Olympic Gymnast Kerri Strug?

In the 1996 Olympics, Kerri was part of the Magnificent Seven gymnastics team. In her first vault, she was unable to land properly and severely injured her ankle. 

Yet, she was determined to make a second vault and win a gold medal for the United States. She was not going to let the pain, or doubt, stop her. 

With the pain in her ankle increasing, she only had thirty seconds to reset. As she headed back for the second run, her coach shouted, “You can do it!” 

She ran toward the vault, not knowing that her ankle was broken from her first landing. How did she do it?

She had trained her mind, and her body followed. 

Kerri began saying the declarations she had prepared for competition to motivate and focus her for the task. She ran toward the vault, launched into the air, and landed perfectly—on one foot. 

The judges gave her a score of .971. Her coach carried her to the platform to receive her gold medal. 

Both Private Doss and Kerri Strug faced impossible circumstances. Both were in situations where self-doubt could have easily stopped them. Yet, both made a positive mental decision and then trained so that that they acted on the decision, even in the face of great negativity. 

Training our minds to focus on the positive creates health in us. The Book of Proverbs says, “Your words are so weighty that they have power to bring life or release death.”

Consider what you are speaking over your body, and what you are feeding your mind. 

Are you nourishing yourself with positive thoughts and words? 

When you begin to declare good things over your physical body and emotions, then your actions will line up with your mind. This same science that brings us health also brings our dreams and goals to fruition. Self-doubt does not have a chance. 

The seed of a dream comes from your mind and is planted inside you. Everything you do feeds, waters, and nourishes that dream until you see it come alive. 

My husband’s favorite quote is from Napoleon Hill: “Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” 

He lives by this, and he is one of the most successful men I know. When he sets a goal, I can guarantee it will be accomplished. He refuses to let negativity feed self-doubt, and our family has greatly benefited from his commitment to positivity and forward movement.  

Now is the time for action! 

Here are five simple tools that will help you turn mental negativity feeding self-doubt into positivity so you can achieve your goals. 

1. Determine that there will be no negative talk for the next thirty days. 

This can be challenging if you are around people who are naturally negative and speak doubt into you. This is where your determination to be positive will be tested. 

Invite these people to join you in changing your words so that your life will be changed. Share this blog post with them and make this a team challenge. 

2. Begin each day with positive declarations over your life. 

Follow my Daily Positive Word on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter for inspiration for your positive declarations.

My book, Believing God and Believing His Word, will also help you reset the way you think. It contains ninety-three short stories to empower your mind, emotions, and physical body so you can achieve your dreams.

Each short story takes about five minutes to read and is an easy way to start your day off with a determination of success. 

3. Journal your plans for change for today and in the future.

When a declaration goes from your mind to paper, it creates a deeper ownership. 

Begin each day by writing what you expect from today using positive words. Then, write what you expect for the next thirty days because of your decision today. 

4. Turn around your negative words quickly. 

As soon as you catch negative, doubting words coming out of your mouth, stop and reverse the verbiage. 

For example: 

5. Write down your dreams for the future.  

Your actions will follow what you seed into your mind. Download my free dream worksheet to get you started envisioning your future.   

Want some help processing through these elements? Fill out the Connection Form and we will begin the conversation. 

I am passionate about helping you defeat self-doubt and connect to your best on your journey!

Remember, you are the best investment you can make! 

If you want to find your passion AND the why behind it, sign up for my 6-week online course, Compelled to Change. 

In this class, you will learn practical and repeatable strategies to accomplish your dreams and be unstoppable! 

Learn more here.

Abundant Blessings, Cindy 

Cindy Stewart has a passion for people and helping them connect to their life purpose, discover their passions, and live their dreams. Cindy’s latest book, God’s Dream for Your Life, brings clarity to your purpose while unlocking vision of what is possible in the natural and the supernatural. She is an itinerant speaker, an executive coach, and hosts a weekly podcast on Charisma Podcast Network.  Along with her husband, Chuck, they lead The Gathering Apostolic Center in Tarpon Springs, FL. 

Please email Cindy with any questions or comments to cindystewartauthor@gmail.com. She’d love to hear from you.

Remember, you are the best investment you can make.

The post Five Easy Tools to Overcome Negativity that Causes Self-Doubt appeared first on CINDY STEWART.