God has given us all a purpose and a passion, and when someone is being obedient to live out that purpose, amazing things happen. I am seeing amazing things from Shane Blackshear, and so I was excited to talk to him today about the unique passion God has given him for theology, ministry, and racial relations in the church. Shane is from West Texas where he lives with his wife and two kids. He is a podcast host with two amazing shows you should definitely check out. On Seminary Dropout, Shane interviews theologians who might not have the biggest microphone but have such wonderful things to share about our Creator. Shane’s second podcast, On Ramp, discusses how race and the church intersect.
Shane and I will dive into a lot of different topics in today’s episode. We started off with a discussion of race in the church, and how God’s Kingdom will absolutely be more diverse than the typical American church. Shane is teaching his listeners how to learn about the human experience through the eyes of someone who might not look exactly like them. It is a humbling conversation and one we probably can’t have enough.
From there, Shane and I are going to talk about how Seminary Dropout came to be, and why a show like Shane’s has such huge potential. God has given Shane more than enough strength and wisdom to graciously and empathetically interview the people who are seeking a thorough understanding of who God is and what his plans are for this world. Ultimately, Shane is encouraging anyone who will listen that, as image bearers of Christ, we have the potential to proclaim God’s goodness through every word and deed. That is absolutely what Shane is doing in the world, so you will want to check out my interview today!
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Twitter: @Beardonabike
Facebook: Shane Blackshear
What is the soul? What does it even look like to have a healthy soul? I’m going to tackle these questions in Part 2 of our 3 part series on Spirit, Soul, and Body!
When it comes to complex questions like these, I think it is best to take a basic and practical approach to understanding it. I am so thankful that God has provided us with Scripture that tells us all about our soul and how we can keep it healthy. Today, I am going to bring you Scripture from both the Old and the New Testament that illustrates a healthy soul.
Ultimately, we need to learn how to trust God. When we surrender our mind, will, and emotions to Him, he will bring us to a place of peace and health. If you are pursuing an overall healthy lifestyle, you cannot neglect the health of your soul. You will see today how it impacts every single aspect of your life, including your physical health!
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Today on Are You Real Government we speak to Chantelle Irish. She is the Senior Campaign Advisor for Zimbabwe candidates: Noah Manyika and William (Widzo) Pilbrough. They are running for President and Vice President of Zimbabwe in the 2018 election. They are running under the political party of "The Build Zimbabwe Alliance".
Despite how dangerous politics can be in their country they are ready to see a change and are helping usher in Gods favor to Zimbabwe.
LINKS:
Email the BAZ: info@buildzimbabwe.org
Samuel Rodriguez book "Lambs Agenda"
lambsagenda.com
Today on Are You Real Linked we speak with Jeremiah Bolich.
When Jeremiah was young he was discharged from the military due to a drug and alcohol problem. After hitting rock bottom a Christian couple invited him into their home and took him to a Billy Graham conference. At the conference, he had an encounter with the Holy Spirit that would change his life.
Now Jeremiah is gone 47 weeks of the year traveling the world spreading the good news and equipping "City Takers". You will hear all about how he and his wife lived out of a bus during the first years of the ministry and now how he balances his family and ministries. However, in the near future, his travels may be few and far between as he plants a training center in Lebanon to help equip leaders.
"Reject religion and embrace Jesus".
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Purpose is all about living out God’s plan, even if it looks nothing like anything you’ve seen ever before. Christians have a pretty good idea of what it means to do church, but today I am talking with someone who listened to the Lord when he asked him to think differently about his ministry and his congregation. This is Jordan Sutton, the pastor of Clearpath Church in Dallas, TX. He and his congregation are redefining church, and the Lord is working and speaking in mighty ways through them.
Instead of a pulpit, Clearpath has tables. Instead of a traditional gathering, they meet in homes. Everything from worship to Bible studies has been prayerfully refashioned so that the members of Clearpath can have a whole new experience with the Living God. What gets me excited about guys like Jordan is that I feel like the Lord told me long ago that the church was changing, and I think pastors like Jordan are on the frontlines.
Today, Jordan is not just going to share how and why Clearpath changed so drastically, but also the amazing changes that happened inside Jordan himself. God really emphasized for him a pursuit of holiness in spite of a fallen world and has asked him to think deeply about what it means to be set apart from the world. If you have a heart for people, especially in the American church, then you are going to want to listen to this episode. I think we have so much to learn from Jordan Sutton.
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What’s so creative about business? Everything! Especially if you are an entrepreneur, you are extremely creative. Businesses thrive when we are using our God-given creativity. When we don’t we get caught in a cycle of constant striving, and strife is the opposite of creativity. You were made in the image of a creative God, and I think some commonly overlooked creative processes will be the key to your success in business.
Today, I want to give you easy tools to help you access your creativity, apply it to business, and then watch all of your endeavors thrive. I’ll show you 5 habits successful business leaders DON’T have because I think we can learn just as much from what we are not, as we can what we are. Your authentic self is capable of creating so much! It’s time to start thinking about how we can bring some creative solutions to our businesses.
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How would you define success? We tend to define things in our lives incorrectly because we are either using someone else’s definition of success or following the world’s definition. When we take a close look at our definition, we may start to realize some unrealistic expectations. Today is your chance to redefine success so that you can actually see it manifest in your life. I am going to show you how!
There are five areas of my life where I need to have a balanced definition of success: Faith, Family, Fun, Finance, and Fitness. When I take a close look at these categories, I have to ask myself if I am reaching towards a goal for that particular arena. I want to challenge you today to look at how you define success in these areas and much more. You will also get a look at what influences our definition of success, and how we can take steps now to change our definition to a more positive one.
Practical wisdom and easy first steps are waiting for you in this episode of Are You Real: Success!
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Hey, everyone! Welcome to Are You Real Government episode 07.
Today we speak to Jenn Bara. You will hear all about her incredible journey about how God is using her in both the Government and Business Mountian.
When Jenn was young she wanted to be a women's pastor and work in the church, because that is where she thought God moved the most. After attending Bethel Church's Heaven and Business Conference God opened her eyes to all seven Mountains of Influence.
In episode two we explain in depth the Seven Mountains of Influence. If you missed it, we recommend going back and listening so you can fully understand some of the ideas shared today. Click here to listen.
Jenn is the current President of the Panhandle Restaurant Asociation. This organization is equipping the next generation of entrepreneur that want to be in the industry. They provide educational conferences to small business owners to educate them on ever-changing laws, and much more. Jann also helps run her families local restaurant. Their business just celebrated 35 years and is thriving.
After Jenn realized she was called to both the government and business mountain she received a phone call from Ginger Nelson who was running for mayor in her hometown. During the call, Ginger shared that God had told her that she needed Jenn on her campaign. This was a clearly a God-ordained moment, considering that Ginger Nelson had never met Jenn. She only knew her name because of her great influence Jenn had in the business mountain.
Jenn shares that the number one lesson that she learned from the campaign was learning how to see God moving in people regardless if she agreed with their policy's. Also, she dives into how to fight the spirit of religion in government.
Links:
Seven Mountian Strategy Explained
Download a FREE audiobook today with Audible.
We are so excited to continue the conversation about "City Taking".
In episode 5 "City taking 101" we had a great time with George and Sarah from City Light Church about how to start "taking" your city back for the Kingdom. We recommend going back and listen before you dive in today. (Link below)
Today we had the pleasure of speaking with Naomi Volkman. She is a 12-year old Christian and is making a huge difference in her community. When Naomi was young her Mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she began to struggle with suicidal thoughts. She was saved after experiencing an incredible vision of Jesus telling her how much he loved her. After that, she started evangelizing in her high school which turned into a passion to see City's restored back to the love of Christ and has since graduated from Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry and has traveled around the world, sharing the gospel. Pretty much... she is a rock star!
Links:
Download a free audiobook on Audible.
More of then than not, you are in the middle of your purpose before you realize it’s even started. God has a funny way of taking us on a journey to find our calling, and he is certainly capable of working through us all in a might way, even if we can’t see it. This is why I am so excited to have Matt Brough on the show today. Matt has many passions that seemed to have all converged at this moment in time. Primarily, Matt is a family man in Winnipeg, Canada. When he isn’t spending time with his family, he is pastoring Prarie Presbyterian, a small but faithful and diverse congregation that is walking faithfully with God in this season.
What sets Matt apart from the rest is how his ministry has expanded beyond the pulpit. Knowing he had been gifted with words, Matt decided that he would start a podcast and write both non-fiction and fiction books on the side. It is incredible to see the way that Matt has listened to God’s call on his life and walked faithfully towards these creative endeavors, even though “success” looks a bit different than he thought. Matt has no idea what God might have in store for him next, but he continues to pursue more books and opportunities as a supreme act of faith.
Matt’s writing, his podcast, and his pastoring have all converged to make Matt a powerhouse of spirituality. He humbly wears his many hats with an attitude of service. He writes books his family would want to read. He shares stories that his church would want to hear. Above it all, Matt chooses where to use his gifts to serve others, and I think we have a lot to learn from him. You do not want to miss out on Matt’s story in this week’s episode, so let’s dive right in.
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If you are going to live a healthy life, you have to take care of your body, your soul, and your spirit. This week, I want to set us off on a three-part series that will change the way we think about taking care of our spirit, soul, and body. Jumping right in, let’s talk about how we can nurture and feed our spirit by looking at the words the world uses to describe health and applying them to things in the spiritual realms.
The spirit is what allows us to communicate with God. When we pray, read Scripture, and act in the authority that Jesus has given us, we are absolutely feeding our spirit. It is so important that we nurture our spirit because otherwise, we will be playing right into what the world wants us to spend all our energy on. Satan loves it when our spirit feels far from God. We have the power to stop him in his tracks!
A healthy life starts with the spirit. Join me today as we look at how the Bible describes a healthy spirit.
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Sometimes, God gives his followers a talent for the creative arts, and so they are called to ministry through the art that they create. Other times, the calling comes first, and the skills follow. This is exactly what happened to Jon Egan, this week’s guest on Are You Real: Creative. Jon had a knack for the drums, but he didn’t know he would lead and write worship music until later in life. God’s call was crystal clear, and Jon listened faithfully. God would continue to ask Jon to be faithful, even in the midst of some truly tragic and difficult circumstances.
These days, Jon is leading worship at New Life Church and writing songs with people like Desperation Band and Jesus Culture. You’ve probably heard a lot of Jon’s songs, but today we wanted to hone in on “Make a Way.” This song was a response to scandals, shame, and fear that Jon was facing in his church. Through it all, God made a way for Jon to continue to make music. He makes things happen so that our relationship with Him and with others runs deep. If you’ve been experiencing a real struggle in your life lately, you need to listen to this episode!
Jon is not just going to reflect on his own experiences, but also on his experiences with the Christian music industry in general. The music industry can be a monster, but it is also reaching millions of ears. How can older musicians expect to keep up with the pace of the industry? What do musicians need to keep in mind if they want to make it big? Do they even want to make it big? We will dive into all of these topics and much more in our next incredible podcast installment. When you get a guy like Jon Egan with you, you know you are going to learn so much. Join us to learn and experience God in his fullness today!
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On Twitter and Instagram
@Joncegan
Christians today are very good at the priestly practices but are often find themselves uncomfortable or intimidated by the kingly practices. God’s Kingdom on earth functions in much the same way as an earthly one. There is a ruler, a structure, and a line of command. You and I, as followers of Jesus, have inherited the kingdom from God’s own son. We can participate in princely powers and activities just as he does. It isn’t just a privilege, it is our birthright.
To give us a complete understanding of what it actually means to be a Kingdom Statesman, I have on the show with me today Dr. Barry Lenhardt. Dr. Lenhardt has been working tirelessly to equip and empower men and women to bring God’s dominion to the nations. Today, he is going to describe the physical structure of God’s Kingdom, and how we are called to participate. He will also provide key areas in which we are not currently living out our kingly position. When we take on the mantle of a ruler, we can bring about healing and light to our fallen world. Countries all over the world have soul wounds, and only God’s Kingdom and his promises will fix them.
It is time to take God’s call on our lives very seriously. We only reap the benefits of our position in God’s Kingdom unless we take action and participate!
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Today on Are You Real Linked Christy Austin speaks to Anthony Turner. He is the founder of Destiny Ministries International, in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Almost 40 years ago God spoke to Anthony and told him to: “Elevate minds and disciple men to be examples of God’s awesome power, tender mercies and everlasting love.” ever since, he has been doing just that.
In 2012 Anthony and his wife Alicia started Destiny Ministries International with a goal to disciple, equip and mobilize the next generation of emerging leaders for kingdom transformation.
We continue our teaching over Luke 10, and what it means to be a modern day "City Taker".
You will hear Anthony's wisdom on topics like:
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God has gifted and equipped all of us differently. Some of us are prayer warriors, and others glorify God with their service. A few of us have been called to teach and to study and know God’s Word. We tend to see these teachers up in the “ivory tower,” somewhat removed from the mission and the people. I’m here to tell you today that not all teachers are distant from the people they teach. That is the exact opposite of my guest, Preston Sprinkle, who is a clearly gifted scholar and teacher who wants to be in the middle of all the action.
Preston loves to write. He’s written books on just about everything, but recently he is making waves in Christian circles with his Biblically-based perspectives on hell and homosexuality. Preston is a guy who has studied the word thoroughly during most of his adult life. Above all, Preston believes in the power of Scripture to change our lives, so naturally, he uses Scripture to inform his perspective on some of the toughest issues the church is facing. His book, Erasing Hell that he co-wrote with Francis Chan demystified some of our most common misunderstandings of an unsaved destiny. People to Be Loved tackles how we, as the church, should love those who identify as homosexual while still maintaining a Biblical standard of marriage.
Instead of staying high up in theology land, Preston wants to educate people with practical wisdom so that they can be the hands and feet of Jesus. In this conversation, Preston admits to struggles and setbacks with humility and plenty of grace. While he is a scholar at heart, Preston is also a man of the people. He has so much wisdom to share with you today that you do not want to miss. It’s a power-packed episode, so let’s get started.
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Let’s talk about money! What does it mean to make “good money?” Can money even be good? How much do I really need? These are all excellent questions that I am going to tackle in this installment of Are You Real: Business. I think all money can be good money. Like any gift from God, when we use our money for his kingdom and glory, God blesses us with a full and satisfied life. Yes, I said it! Money can be an enormous blessing, but we have to steward it well.
I am sharing with you today stories from my own life and the lives of those who inspire me most so that you can have a God-honoring mindset about money. You can happily make all the money in the world, but unless you are giving sacrificially, money will become mammon. Today, you will learn what it means to trust God with your finances, be vulnerable with your ambitions, and borrow selectively to grow your business well. Money doesn’t have to be terrifying or all-consuming. All money can be good money. Listen this week to find out how.
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Transformation---how does it happen? We get caught up in the idea of a saved person “becoming a different person” than what they were before. In actuality, the change happens as self-perception changes, which is the way we define ourselves. We are talking in today’s show about The Transformation Principle—something that brings curiosity to all of us. Join me for more about this topic.
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America is a nation that has forgotten who she is. The mandates of our founding fathers still ring as true today as they did when our nation was born. Now is not the time for the church and her leaders to hide in the cellars and wait for Jesus’ return. It is time for us to consider seriously whether or not we are called to the government mountain. We can shape our nation from the top of the mountain, but to get there we must start on our knees. Today, my guest, Vanessa Chavez is going to declare boldly what it is going to take to remind America about who she is, and it has to start with the power of prayer.
Vanessa is a prayer warrior and the founder of Community for Country, an organization working to bring the Kingdom to earth via the Texas Panhandle. Vanessa has listened to God’s call on her life to become a leader and advisor on the government mountain, and she still listens to his call to this day. She is on her knees praying for God to raise up leaders with integrity, heal the severe racial tension in our nation, and transform the way we perceive issues and write policies in America. Vanessa has a prophetic voice and a natural authority that calls America to awaken. She knows with absolute certainty that this is exactly what she has been born to do, and she asks us all to listen and seek out what we too were born to do.
Pray and listen. If you think God has called you to the government, then allow Vanessa’s wisdom to soften your heart and open your mind. We need more people like her, and like you!
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We are told that our purpose is to be the “hands and feet” of Jesus on earth. Today, I am chatting with a guy who has taken that calling to heart…even though he has neither hands nor feet. No, you did not read that wrong! Nick Vujicic was born disabled, but rather than letting that define or ruin his life, he praises God every day for the incredible speaking platform he has been given as a result. Nick wants nothing more than to use his story and the truth of Scripture to plant seeds of faith in the ears of whoever will hear. You cannot help but be inspired to act by a guy like Nick, and I think he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Nick is a bestselling author and motivational speaker who has shared his story and the gospel with 8 million people in 68 countries. Hundreds of thousands of people across the globe have come to saving faith through his testimony, and God continues to open doors for Nick in hard to reach communities. It is so evident that God has done amazing things through Nick, and he remains faithful that God will continue to move, despite any physical or even mental limitations.
You are not going to want to miss out on Nick’s story! He is living out what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and he will tell you just how easy it is to become a part of that mission too.
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Text “LWL” 66866
A daily movement practice is absolutely essential for our health and wellness, but one threat to our functional movement is injury. If you’ve been an athlete for any length of time, or if you are starting out by yourself, you might be familiar with the aches and pains that come when we push our physical limits. What if I told you that it didn’t have to be this way? You can absolutely accomplish any fitness goal you want, injury free. I have an expert on the subject with me today, and he is going to show you not only how it is possible, but why we need to focus on moving well.
My guest, Dr. Freeborn Mondello, is no stranger to pushing physical limits. He is a former mountain biker and wrestler, and now he is running Ironman and Ultra Marathons. Freeborn is motivated by his fitness competitions, but his focus is always on treating his body right. This is because Freeborn is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and he believes in a painkiller-free approach to strengthening our muscles. Freeborn teaches his clients techniques and exercises that will build strength and alleviate pain naturally. His cutting-edge needling techniques are often used by professional athletes, and it is changing the way anyone can use their muscles. Today, Freeborn is going to describe his fitness philosophy and give us all some places to begin as we think about preventing injury and growing strong.
Our society needs to move more, but it is more important that we move well. Luckily, Freeborn is here to get us going!
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Reach out on social media
@RunFreePT
Most of the time, we hear stories of success and rapid fame out of the music industry. It’s rare to hear the behind-the-scenes perspective of how that artist got there and the sacrifices they had to make for a worthy cause. Today, I am speaking with a young up-and-coming artist that you need to know about. Joel Vaughn is on the rise, but his path to the music industry was anything but straightforward or easy. He’s going to give you the inside scoop on what it takes to sign to a label, produce a record, and then deal with the ebb and flow of fame and recognition.
Joel started out by leading worship in just about every church in the Texas panhandle. While he enjoyed it and was clearly good at leading worship, Joel couldn’t deny the doors that were opening up in the music industry. Taking a leap of faith, Joel moved his family to Nashville to record music. In 2016, everything was coming up roses. He had a hit song appear on Dude Perfect, and all signs pointed to another strong year after landing a record deal. However, just because you land a record deal doesn’t mean everything lands perfectly.
Listen this week as Joel shares the sacrifices, side jobs, and struggles that Joel faced as he made the transition to music. If you ever wanted to know how musicians make ends meet, Joel will clue you in. Above it all, Joel keeps his eyes on the mission—to make great music that will lead people to Jesus. Along the way, he will have to wrestle his pride, take a few hard knocks, and realize that everyone making Christian music is working together towards the same goal. It’s really an inspiring story from an artist you will want to support.
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Instagram and Twitter: @joelvaughnmusic
The level of influence you can achieve at the top of the government mountain can shape nations. God wants to bring his government to earth, and we know he is using gifted individuals to do that. Today, I am speaking with Dr. Reuben Egolf, Chairman of the United States Global Leadership Council. If anyone embodies what it means to be a Kingdom Statesman, it’s Reuben. He is incredibly skilled at establishing relationships with influential people and then maintaining peace during difficult negotiations. Reuben operates with such skill and expertise that I personally admire so much. In this episode, Reuben will share his considerable experience atop the government mountain
For the USGLC and Dr. Reuben Egolf, the solution to a nation’s problems is always more important than any profit they might make in the process. The work the USGLC is doing in developing nations is providing freedom and sustainable solutions that will carry a nation towards prosperity for generations. Reuben and his team work with high-level officials to institute lasting change. All of this is in an effort to be the hands and feet of the Kingdom on earth today. This episode will be of particular interest to anyone who feels called to the government mountain. Reuben has wisdom and experience to share that might just change your life!
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Last week we talked about how to “go” to your city. We’re city takers, remember, so how are we taking our city? By the art of giving. And what are we giving? We are giving love. In this continuing study on Luke 10, we are going to learn today how to give to our city.
Luke 10 is filled with practical acts that we can do for our cities, in love. It’s also a good time for me to remind you to go back and listen to an earlier episode of Are You Real Linked, where I had guests George and Sarah Williams of City Light Church in Toledo, OH on the show. They have completely given their lives for the sake of going to their city.
There are 6 categories of “Go”:
Reconciliation
Deliverance
Miracles
Faith
Your Calling or Destiny
Healing
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Jesus talked in parables. He gave us practical steps that are parallel to what he mentioned in the parable. Maybe he really wants us to put everything on the altar and be willing to sacrifice it for him.
This “go” mindset forms in the spiritual and then extends into the natural.
We have to have a kingdom mindset and be linked in the spirit and then we link with others to do good works so that others can be drawn to the spirit as well.
Your true calling is found where your passions and your gifts collide. It’s a great feeling to know what God has called you to, but what happens during the period of time where it’s not quite time to quit your day job? How can we reconcile this deep, spiritual knowledge with practical wisdom? Here to talk about calling, theology, passions, and ordinary acts of obedience are Chris Date. By day, Chris is a software designer. His true passion is writing about and teaching on theology, specifically the concept of Hell and conditional immortality. If that sounds a bit heavy, hang in there. Chris has a lot of important ideas to share you do not want to miss.
Chris Date is an Evangelical author whose work has been published in the New York Times and National Geographic, among many others. When he’s not designing software, Chris can be found studying for his Masters at seminary or spending time with his wife and four sons. Theology truly is his passion, and, Lord Willing, he is going to become a teacher and writer on the subject full-time. In the meantime, Chris is staying faithful to God by providing for his family with his software design job.
In today’s episode, we get a little deep into some of the tougher topics of apologetics and the afterlife. What is so great about Chris is that he explains everything in a manner that is simple to understand. Above all else, he is bound by the authority of Scripture as God’s Word, so you know what he is saying is sound. If you are interested in taking a deep dive into some powerful Scripture today, Chris is the man for you!
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Entrepreneurs have a lot on their shoulders. Between the demands on their business and their home life, it can seem like there is not enough time or energy to go around. That is a lie! You can have a balance between your business life and the rest of your life. I am going to give you 4 guiding principles that will help you get there. Business success is within your reach, and what you do outside of business is just as important as what you do within it.
In order to remain balanced, you have to stay grounded. Your life at home can be that grounding place for you. If you have a successful business but an unfulfilling home life, you might find success a little too bitter. Your family can support you and come alongside you in business. There is no need to sacrifice them. Your mastermind group can also help you stay grounded. With their unique insights and support, you cannot help but be successful. Above all else, you need to stay grounded in your own innate abilities. I will explain how you can use positive affirmations to keep your head where it needs to be.
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