by kelligarms | Jul 7, 2018 | Family, Women's Ministry
Can you believe we are halfway through 2018? How are your goals going? Let’s take a look.
First, this is not about resolutions. A resolution can be, “I want to lose weight this year,” or “I want to make more money.” These statements are vague and not measurable. We are talking about goals.
Goals should be specific, measurable, and have a deadline.
So instead of “I want to lose weight this year,” a goal would be “I will lose 20 pounds this year.” That is specific, you can keep track throughout the year, and there is a deadline.
Tip #1 Re-evaluate
I don’t know about you, but I am in a very different place than I was at the beginning of the year when it comes to my mindset.
- Look at your list of goals and decide if they are goals you really want to pursue.
I’m not talking about a goal that you haven’t hit so you take it off your list. I’m talking about a goal that sounded good at the time, but isn’t something you are actually committed to pursuing.
Maybe at the beginning of the year you wanted to lose 20 lbs., but you are not willing to sacrifice the time it takes to meal plan and work out. You aren’t willing to sacrifice the money it takes to join a gym or buy healthier food. You aren’t willing to sacrifice your tastebuds and really want to keep eating the foods you like. If this is the case, then losing weight is an aspiration but not a goal.
- Maybe you need to modify your goals to be more in line with who you are today.
My goal in my business was to add a certain number of customers. I have since grown through training and personal development, and my new goal is to serve a certain number of people whether or not they become my customers.
Tip #2 Re-commit
Now that you know the goals on your list are goals you actually want to pursue, sit down and figure out what it is going to take to hit those goals.
Work it out on paper.
- What steps do you need to take to make that goal a reality?
In my business, I know the requirements for me to hit my goal are to bring in a minimum of 4 new customers and one new business partner each month. These are the smaller goals within the big goal. I can then break this smaller goal into specific steps.
- Something that might come up at this stage of the game is the deadline.
Don’t ever lower the target, but you may need to evaluate your deadline.
Let’s say you set a goal of losing 50 lbs. by December 31st. You have been working hard to stay on track, and you have lost 10 lbs. so far. Hurray!! You have lost 10 lbs. That’s amazing! But, is it realistic to think that you will be able to lose 40 more in the same amount of time? It is ok to modify the deadline and still be committed to the goal.
Tip #3 Reward
(how do you like that alliteration? My teacher and preacher friends will surely appreciate it!)
We are incentive driven creatures.
Just think back to your school days when you were offered little trinkets as incentives to do fundraisers. As a mom, I beg my kids to just let me buy them the trinket online! But I have found even as an adult, I am motivated by incentives. My company offers trips, bonuses, and free products. Right now, I’m working toward earning an iPad even though I could just go buy one!
- A reward for hitting your goal will keep you motivated even when you don’t feel like moving forward.
Maybe for a weight loss goal you want to go on a beach vacation. For a financial goal you may want to invest in a new computer or a trip. Make sure you choose something you really want so it will keep you focused on the goal.
If you’ll take a little time to implement these three tips, you will find that it can make the difference between hitting your goals sooner instead of putting them off for another year.
by kelligarms | Mar 25, 2018 | Women's Ministry
Can you really do business in a godly way? Today’s society teaches that godliness and business are mutually exclusive. I disagree. If you are a godly person, it should be reflected in your business. This doesn’t mean you have to be a pushover or not make money in your business. Here are five tips to have a holy hustle.
Invite God into your business.
I know, this isn’t exactly earth-shattering. And the truth is God will be there whether you “invite” Him in or not. This step is for your benefit, not His. I make a conscious effort to invite Him in so I know He is watching everything I am doing, hearing everything I am saying, and knowing everything I am thinking. It is accountability for me.
This also means that I am continually nurturing my relationship with Him. As I spend time in His Word and get to know Him, I learn to recognize His voice when He nudges or pushes or shoves me in a specific direction. As I get to know His voice, I also learn to recognize the counterfeit voices that hinder my hustle. The enemy trying to stop me from doing what I should, fear telling me I’m not good enough, discouragement from friends and family that causes me to slow down or stop are all counterfeit voices I have learned to recognize because I recognize they are not God’s voice.
Follow through with your commitments.
The Bible tells us that our “yes” should be “yes” and our “no” should be “no” (James 5:12). Our word should be our bond. If you tell a customer you are going to do something or you tell a coworker you are going to look into something, do it! If you said you would do it, do it! Nothing will destroy trust and reputation faster than being someone no one can count on. If there is a chance you won’t be able to follow through with something, don’t commit to doing it.
If you have committed to something, and you have discovered that you can’t follow through, communicate as soon as you can with the people you have disappointed. Don’t wait and expect your commitment to be forgotten. As soon as you know you can’t follow through, communicate.
Lean in to complaints.
Many of us are afraid to follow up with customers because the customer may have a complaint. We think if we don’t open the door for communication the customer won’t think to complain. The truth is this practice will eliminate the opportunity for further business with that customer. But if we take the time to provide excellent customer service, especially when a customer is unhappy, we increase the chances of repeat business. If we will see complaints as an opportunity to serve better, we will be following the most important rule of sales: Selling is Serving.
Don’t make it personal.
If you are going to see a superhero movie with a group of friends, and you invite another friend to join you, you will not be offended when she says she doesn’t like superhero movies and prefers to stay home. Yet when she tells you she doesn’t want to try your product or she tried it and didn’t care for it, you take it personally. You are not your product, and your product isn’t for everyone. Don’t make it personal when someone doesn’t want your product. It is not directed at you as a person.
When you make it personal, you run the risk of damaging the relationship and future business with that person. Not everyone who says “no” the first time is a “no” forever. Don’t burn the bridge so she can’t change her mind at a later time.
Create an atmosphere of community not competition.
When a co-worker or team member hits a goal, meets a quota, or receives a bonus, your response should be one of genuine congratulations. When you reach that milestone, you want that response to be reciprocated, right? Creating an atmosphere of encouragement, building up, and cheering on is what we are commanded to do in Scripture.
Following these five tips has proven to give me more peace about my business and how I run it. When I invite God into my business, follow through with my commitments, lean in to customer complaints, don’t make rejection personal, and create an atmosphere of community, I find that my stress level decreases, my sense of urgency and desperation is tempered, and I’m happier with my business overall.
by kelligarms | Feb 9, 2018 | Women's Ministry
One of the reasons I was afraid of starting a new business was because I already have a ministry at my church, and I was afraid I would damage my “image” in my ministry. What I have found is quite the opposite. Because of the way I have chosen to market my business, I discovered that my business has actually grown my ministry, not hurt it.
What do I mean by the term “ministry”? Ministry can be a full-time, paid position or a volunteer position. It can take place in your church or outside the walls of your church. The fact is every Christian is called to ministry because ministry is love in action. We are called to love God and love others, and when we show that love to others, that is ministry.
Grow your network
I have noticed my ministry growing through my business in the expansion of my network. Most of my business comes from social media. As a result, I have made a conscious effort to grow my social media networks on Facebook and Instagram. What I have found is new “friends” or “followers” are not only seeing my business posts but also seeing my day-to-day posts, which include Bible studies, family activities, sharing of other ministry leader posts, etc. It has made my reach longer.
I am embarrassed to admit that this completely blew my mind! It had never occurred to me to grow my network for the purpose of ministry outreach. I had limited my ministry vision to those with whom I come into direct contact. What an incredible opportunity to touch others with the Gospel!
Icebreaker
If you haven’t heard, I became an affiliate with a luxury hair care product company. It is very natural for me to compliment someone on her hair. This is a natural extension of my business. Several years ago, I was partnered with a different company that marketed purses. I felt very convicted because I could talk to anyone about a purse, but I was too timid to talk to them about Jesus. What I have found is it’s ok to begin the conversation with business as an icebreaker because the conversation doesn’t have to end there. As I develop friendships with people, the conversation could very well lead to an opportunity for me to serve them (i.e. ministry).
I attend a large church with multiple services and many Sunday school classes. There are many women in my church who never cross my path. They may have kids in the nursery while my kids are older. They may attend the 8:00 service while I attend the 9:30 service. However, many women to whom I wouldn’t have an opportunity to minister have approached me because of my business. I have met new people and cultivated new relationships because this business is a good icebreaker.
Mindset shift
I have been doing a lot of business reading for personal development and have come to the conclusion that I am not in the hair business; I am in the people business. Selling is serving. I never ever want to sell something to someone, knowing it will not serve her, just so I can make the sale.
My goal is to solve a pain point. You may be rolling your eyes right now thinking, “It’s just hair, not a pain point.” I get it, but let’s be clear. You know that question that people ask, “If there was one thing about yourself you could change, what would it be?” My answer has always been my hair! In fact, in college I had a crush on a guy who used my hair as an excuse not to date me. Obviously, my reaction was to say, “if that’s your reason, I don’t want you anyway,” but I still internalized that criticism. And if I can solve that pain point for someone else, then my business is a success.
Maybe the pain point is financial: you need to dig yourself out of debt, you want to take the family on a vacation, you need to buy a new car because yours is missing an engine. Presenting you with this business opportunity and showing you how to succeed could solve that pain point. That is ministry. Business is service.
So before you walk away from an opportunity because you are afraid it will negatively impact your ministry, think again. Your business can be a way to reach more people with the Gospel. It can open doors that were otherwise closed to you.
by kelligarms | Feb 1, 2018 | Book Review
I recently reread Richard L. Mabry’s book Code Blue.
It is a Christian medical mystery with a little romance thrown in. Dr. Cathy Sewell returns to her hometown of Dainger, TX, after breaking off her engagement. Moving from the big city back to her hometown proves “daingerous” when Cathy begins to suspect someone wants to run her out of town. Or is she just being paranoid?
As Cathy’s past relationships and experiences haunt her, she begins to question her mental stability. Her struggle to trust God comes to the forefront as her list of suspects grows. As she tries to keep her floundering medical practice afloat, she must juggle the advances of two men in her life.
Why should you read it? I’m glad you asked.
1. It is easy reading. If you are looking for something to read on a vacation or at night when you are winding down, this is a good choice. It won’t require you to take notes but will still keep you interested enough to turn the page.
2. It will hold your interest. Like a typical “whodunit,” this book will keep you turning the pages to figure out if Dr. Cathy Sewel is paranoid of if someone truly is out to get her.
3. You might learn a little something about medicine. Dr. Mabry infuses the story with his extensive medical knowledge, making the reader feel as though she has an “inside scoop” on the happenings of the medical field.
4. BONUS!! (because we all like a freebie) Although this book is one of four in the Prescription for Trouble series, each book is self-contained. That means you can pick up any of the books in the series and begin reading because they don’t overlap in characters or settings. It also means that, by reading one of the books, you aren’t necessarily committing to reading three more books if that type of commitment overwhelms you.
Now for the nitty gritty
- Overall, the story is enjoyable. I found myself excited to see what would happen next. There are some minor story problems, including a few loose ends, some grammatical and editorial issues, and some medical terminology and explanations that are a bit confusing, but none of these interfere with the reader’s understanding or enjoyment of the story. (Also, in the interest of full disclosure, I read the Kindle edition, so some of these issues may not be present in a printed edition.)
- The author includes some thought-provoking discussion questions at the end, which allow the reader to analyze the story in a way she might not have previously.
I will leave the links to the four book in the Prescription for Trouble series here:
Code Blue
Medical Error
Diagnosis Death
Lethal Remedy
SPOILER ALERT
(do not read past this point if you plan to read the book. After you have read the book, come back to this post and let me in on your impressions.)
The end of the story is foreshadowed in the first scene. As Cathy finds herself in danger, Will Kennedy, her high school sweetheart, takes the role of her white knight. Will is patient with Cathy throughout the story and never pressures her to accept him, yet every time Cathy is in trouble, Will is there to rescue her. At one point, she even moves in with his parents after her apartment is burned. Will’s parents, the pastor and pastor’s wife depicted in the story, are generous, attentive hosts, and patiently allow Cathy to come to her own conclusions about God and their son.
The town of Dainger plays the role of another character in the story. In fact, it is the character that ties all of the characters together. Life in a small town can be a challenge as news, good news and disturbing news, travels at lightning speed. But when it seems like everyone in town has a reason to hate you, the name “Dainger” takes on a whole new meaning.
A major theme of the story is guilt. Several characters battle the guilt of sins either of commission or omission. Cathy carries guilt about her parents’ deaths, her past relationships, and her inability to make ends meet in her medical practice. Other characters choose to blame others rather than see how their situation is a direct result of their own choices. One character carries a weight of guilt that has driven her to take antidepressants and attempt suicide. Because guilt plays an important role in the story, the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and restoration are also very prominent.
The book has a Sherlockian plot twist at the end, leaving the reader feeling like she was working without all of the information. Though there were hints dropped along the way, the end came as a surprise. The author did a good job of withholding just enough to keep the reader guessing. So don’t fall for first impressions; they are deceiving!!
by kelligarms | Mar 20, 2017 | Book Review
In order for me to be with a great woman, I was gonna have to learn to be a great man first.
Rory Feek’s book This Life I Live is, simply put, a love story. But it is not only his love story with his wife Joey but also his love story with God. Before reading this book, I didn’t know much about Joey and Rory. I had seen a few episodes of Can You Duet?, and articles had crossed my Facebook page during Joey’s battle with cancer. That was all I knew when I picked up the book. However, knowing the end made each chapter more impacting as the story developed.
The conversational style of the writing made it feel like I was sitting across from Rory, laughing and crying with him. Each chapter can stand alone and is easy to read even though he tackles very difficult topics throughout the book. He doesn’t shy away from discussing his past mistakes and how they have made him the man he is. He bravely embraces topics of raising his older daughters alone, watching his wife battle cancer, and facing raising their daughter alone, as well. He confronts the issues of salvation, tithing, family, sex, repentance, and the list goes on. And he takes responsibility for the choices he made, never laying blame at someone else’s feet. He is gracious to those around him who have made mistakes, and often reminds the reader that we are all doing the best we can with what we have.
I am me because of me. No one else. My decisions brought me here, good or bad.
To look at him today, I never would have guessed at Rory’s childhood and the choices he made in his past. Rory’s story of redemption is powerful! It is a good reminder that, no matter what I’ve done or who I’ve been, I am never so lost that God can’t save me. His experiences with repentance, confession, and forgiveness brought me to tears.
Yes, I have been forgiven greatly. Many times over. And so I must forgive greatly and trust that God has a greater plan in store than the one that I can see.
The characters in Rory’s life made an impact on me, as well. From his difficult relationship with his parents to his lovable Uncle Goombah to the woman who changed his life forever, the people who invested in him helped bring him to where he is today, both personally and professionally.
My wife understood that there are things you cannot put a price on, and there’s a huge difference between time wasted and time spent.
Rory’s descriptions of Joey are loving and tender. He describes her in terms of her grace, dignity, passion, and love. I so wish I had followed their story more closely while she was on this earth! As the tears blurred the words on the final pages, I thought about how Joey felt as a new mother, knowing that her daughter would grow up without her mother and that Rory would have to raise another daughter alone. As I struggled through those emotions, I was reminded of Rory’s words:
We must turn the page and trust that the story He is telling is bigger than that one page or that one chapter.
