“Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you that you are wrong. There are always difficulties rising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to and end requires courage.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
1. Start with a vision. God’s desire is that you have a vision that comes from Him and belongs to you personally and not a vision dictated by contemporary society, traditional religion or someone else’s image. When you have a specific vision it will raise a hunger and passion in you like never before. Never underestimate the power of a vision. It will change your life.
2. Seek your purpose from God. Many people do not have a clear definition of who they are and they live life in a maze of confusion never living to their full potential. Knowing your purpose provides the direction for your daily living. Your response to God’s purpose for your life is the single most transforming event and all else flows from it.
3. No more excuses. Excuses are self-built roadblocks that keep you from achieving what is possible. Until you stop making excuses, your vision is just a stagnant dream. Stagnant dreams do not produce results. When you become serious about making a real commitment to your vision, you will eliminate the excuses and get the job done.
4. Define your core values. Core values provide guidelines for your daily choices and actions. They determine what is really important to you. When you make a conscious decision to follow your core values you cannot be easily persuaded to live against them. Your core values should be: clearly stated, championing your purpose, committed to daily, consistently followed and constantly evaluated.
5. Develop a picture of your future. A picture of your future focuses on where you are going and not where you have been and on the end results and not the process for getting there. God will give you a picture of your future that can only be seen, believed and achieved through the eyes of vision.
6. Focus forward. You must release the guilt of yesterday, the discouragement of today and focus forward on your promised future. Focusing on who you were created to be and what you were put here to do enhances your life. Believe in yourself and do not let anything or anyone stop you.
7. Accept challenges. Most people allow challenges to stop them from living their vision. The key is to learn from your challenges and move forward. Life’s challenges can make you stronger, give you the motivation to push through pain and prepare you for victory. Do not run from life’s challenges because without them there is no real success.
8. Set specific Goals. Setting specific goals will help you determine your priorities, get organized, make sound decisions and move your vision into action. A goal that is worth pursuing is not something that anyone can easily talk you out of attempting. If you miss a goal, don’t quit, reset it and get back to work!
9. Define success. Success is possible for everyone. It is not distinguished for a select group. It is more than accumulating money, amassing material possessions or acquiring personal achievements. Real success is becoming the person God has purposed you to be; living positive values that guide your daily choices and actions; accomplishing the goals that give your life direction and sowing seeds that empower others.
10. Work your vision. If you want to succeed, you must work your vision. Whatever God has called you to do, remember He will provide everything you need to get the job done! By working your vision, you will make an enormous impact in your family and positively affect the life of everyone connected to you.
Question: What strategies do you need to incorporate to live a winning life? Leave a comment below.
Joe Abraham says
Great, workable strategies, Bernard. One winning strategy I follow is to be focused on doing what God has called me to do. We are not called to do everything, but something. It is easy to give in to demands. But I deliberately take steps to avoid being distracted and focus on doing what I must do. That helps me a lot.
Bernard Haynes says
Great strategy Joe. I few years ago I found myself trying to do too much. I was trying do so many things that it was taken me away from my main thing. I have intentionally become focused on my two most important gift and it has made a tremendous difference in my life.
Joe Abraham says
Wow! That’s good news!
Dan Black says
These are all great points. I would also add find and use your talents. I need to work on setting specific goals, I’m working on some personal writing projects but have not set a end goal. However I do have a goal to work on those projects every week.
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks, Dan. Find and use your talents is a great strategy. I am reminded when Paul told Timothy to stir up the gift that was in him. You gave me an idea for a future post.
Dan Black says
Great example. Looking forward to reading the post.
Lincoln Parks says
No more excuses and focus forward have me so excited. I need to incorporate those two right there. I am reading this post during my hour to read my friends blogs and comment and Bernard, you have ten awesome points. This must be shared!
Bernard Haynes says
Thanks for the comment Lincoln. We are on the same wave length. No more excuses and focus forward are the two that I am working on the hardest.