Chapter 4: Created for Success

This week Debbie tells us that we are created for success. In the section "Embracing Success" she stated that "If we are truly committd o fulfilling th pattern God has created for our lives...we must accept the success He is going to bring us." However, she tells us later in the same section that Success happens when we stay faithful to the purpose and the passion God has given us.

In "Finding Success in the Small Things she tells another story about one of her children and his performance in a Christmas program. I can relate to the story and both the mother and the child. How often have I gotten all the way to the end of the verse, only to forget the reference source. But the story in this section that most touched me her joy over receiving $5 for story. Like Debbie it has long been my ambition to write. Not great novels but just stories that will help other people. My mission statement for years has been to "be of service to God and to others". My work gives me a sense of being of service to God and others in one area of my life and I would like writing articles and other things to be another area of service. You might say this blog and some other activities that I started as a result of the last study are my taking a risk. I have been finding some success in the small things, such as my Examiner.com articles.

Debbie's next section is "Characteristics of a Successful Woman". The first trait is that successful women trust themselves. My favorite line in this sections is "A successful woman realizes this [that life is made up of good and hard times] and accepts that each one of those hart experiences is essential in shaping her into the woman she is today." She then shares a story that demonstrates what I heard in one of my support groups "no matter where you go there you are". We find exactly what we are looking for, what we trust ourselves to be, becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

The next trait is that a successful woman accepts responsibility for herself. Here Debbie lists several well known, famous individuals along with the fact that as children 3/4's of them as children were troubled by either poverty, a broken home, or overly possessive, dominating parents. Some were physically handicapped by blindness, deafness, or crippled limbs. Some came from families that now days would be labeled as dysfunctional. "And yet, from such poor circumstances, God was able to create success." In this segment and previous one Debbie tells us to (1) prepare a mission statement and (2) set goals. Again these were things that we were also instructed to do in the previous study. Debbie tells us that these goals should be defined by what she calls "the S.M.A.R.T. plan" meaning that they should be Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, and Timed. The last thngs she addresses in this segment is wasting time. In particular she focuses on telephone calls/requests. She gives us this advice "The next time someone or something comes along seeking your time, ask yourself, 'If I agree and answer yes to this request, what am I sayiing no to?' If you take on that project at work, what are you givng up? If you agree to organize that event at church, what will you be unable to do at home?"

Next trait a successful woman invests in herself. Debbie stated that the first way that she started investing in herself was by listening to motivational tapes. However, she furtgher states that she does not just listen to these tapes as she drives, puts on her makeup, etc.; she does what the speaker tells her to do. I have recently order an MP3 Player and Earbuds so that I can download free Bible Studies and speaches/sermons by well know Christian teachers; male and female. These are available through www.oneplace.com.

The last trait she discusses is that a successful woman thinks about success. One of the biggest determining factors in achieving success is whether you keep a PMA (Postive Mental Attitude). She advises that we stay positive and surround ourselves with upbeat, constructive people.
Lastly Debbie tells us to remember the Five "Be's"
Be Proud. Take pride in who and what you are because you are special in God's eyes.
Be Persistent. Go after your goals with everything you have and don't give up.
Be Bold. Dare to dream! God did not creat us with the intention of watching us sit back like sulking alley cats waiting for a handout.
Be Grateful. Appreciate the little things in life. Appreciate the opportunity to learn from your mistakes.
Be Yourself. No one ever found success by trying to be someone else. The scripture she uses here is very good. Matthew 23:11-12 "Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty." (The Message).
So let's remember God created us for success so whatever our dreams are we should take a risk and step out to claim the success he has for us.