Faith and Business 101: Refresh Yourself

I love The Message translation for Psalm 51:7:

“Soak me in your laundry and I’ll come out clean, scrub me and I’ll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don’t look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don’t throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails!”

I grew up reading the NIV version of the Bible, and sometimes I just love reading another version to get a fresh view of a verse I’ve read a thousand times. God always teaches me something new when I do this.

The past few weeks for me have been busy. Very Very Busy! It’s time for a breath of fresh air in my life and in my business. I’m looking for a new way to look at things. I’m asking God to multiply the work I’ve done and to help me “clean house” a little. I want to be able to enjoy what I do… and do things efficiently.

Last week I had to go through the very unpleasant task of changing my business name. I was honestly quite upset about it at first, but it really turned out to be a “God-Thing.” Sometimes change is good. Very Good! It took me a lot of work and extra hours, but it has paid off abundantly. Let me just tell you that I was very resistant to this change! I had to completely “re-brand” my business on everything from my website to the magnets on my car! It took tons of time…and money, too! But I really felt like God was driving this change. I could sense His presence as I went to work on getting everything in order. I listened. And God blessed.

What needs a breath of fresh air in your own life or business? What is going on with you right now that you are resisting or really not looking forward to?

Your Faith & Business Assignment for the week: Take some time away from your problems and refresh yourself. Even if its just a couple of hours. Read a new translation of your favorite scriptures. Treat yourself to a good cup of coffee and read a book at a coffee house. Find a recipe online for a “detox bath” and immerse yourself into a refreshing bath. Get your focus off of your problems and you can come back refreshed and able to look at things with a new perspective.

Ask God to breathe wind into your sails! He truly can turn something awful into something wonderful.

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: 5 Tips For Making Your Life and Business Run a Little Smoother

This week I just wanted to write out some simple things that help me greatly in my business and in my faith. I’m hoping these tips will do the same for you!

1. Make a to-do list before going to bed each night. Write out everything you need to do for your business on one side of the paper and everything you need to do for your family on the other.
2. Take 10 minutes and write out your menu for the next week. Believe me when I tell you how much time & money this will save you! I love looking at my menu posted on the refrigerator each day and knowing exactly what we’re having for lunch/dinner and that all the ingredients are bought and ready to go. This saves me time that I can spend on my business and/or with my family.
3. Before you start checking off your to-do tasks the next morning, commit your work to the Lord and ask Him to bless your efforts.
4. Visit Heartlight.org and have a scripture e-mailed to you each morning. I love to see this special little Word from God show up in my e-mail each morning. It stays in my inbox all day and I can meditate on this verse throughout the day.
5. Create a “Power Hour” each day where you completely limit distractions. If you have young children, do this during nap time (or “rest time” as we call it at my house). Turn your phones off and set the timer for 60 minutes. Now see how many tasks you can complete in that 60 minute time frame. You’ll be amazed at how this turns into a “race against the clock!” It provides just enough momentum for me to work hard, work fast, and work well!

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us—yes, establish the work of our hands. Psalm 90:17 NIV

Until Next Time…

MariLee
Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Choose Your Clients Wisely

I had a phone meeting this morning with a new client whose business is to organize other people’s lives! How great is that? However…I was a little nervous about taking this call because I had to preface the phone conversation with a warning and a disclaimer!

Here’s what happened:

I have a “mommy’s helper” that comes over for a few hours twice a week to play with my son while I work (she’s 11 and my son just loves her to death!). I try to schedule all of my important calls, writing projects, etc., during the hours that she is here and my son is happily occupied. However, my young friend’s family was ill this week so she didn’t come over this morning to entertain my son during this important phone meeting. On top of that, we are potty training so I really had to bare all to this new client that I have never talked to…all the while, praying that she would be understanding!

Thankfully, this woman had been through it all! She was positively understanding and didn’t mind one bit if I needed to hang up quickly to help my little guy jump up on his sesame street potty chair! We had a great conversation and I’m happy to say that we will start working together next week.

The reason I am telling you all of this is because I believe it is so important to choose your clients wisely! How different the outcome of this meeting could have been had I not been talking with another Christian mom!

You may not market primarily to the Christian community, but even so…I urge you to make sure that the people you work with are people of integrity!

Here’s what the Bible says:

Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. Proverbs 13:20 NIV

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV

The people you work closest with should be positive, honest, hard-working people! Does this mean you should shut out everyone else? Certainly not! You want to love everyone that God puts in your path without discrimination or judgment. But the ones that are in your “inner circle,” the people who influence you, the ones you work with on a daily basis….choose those people wisely!

Your Faith & Business Assignment for this week: Pray for Godly colleagues, clients & customers! It’s amazing who God will put in your life at exactly the right time. Even when you’re potty training!

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: The Mirror

Yesterday was kind of a depressing day for me. Maybe not so much depressing as it was overwhelming! Have you ever held the mirror up to your life and taken a good long look? I personally try to do this on a pretty regular basis. I meet with my accountability partner each week and she does a wonderful job of speaking truth into my life. And yet…I’ve recently recognized some giants in my life that I know I need to tackle. I see them clearly now.

Why am I writing about this in the “Faith & Business” section? Well, because the way I live my life affects my business. These issues I need to tackle keep me from being all God wants me to be. In life. In business. I have a hard time believing a person who says they can “check all their stuff at the door,” disconnect with their personal life, and be a great business leader. I have met a lot of great leaders in my life, and all of them have been real. Authentic. That’s the kind of leader that I respect. That’s the kind of leader that I can learn from. Someone who pretends like they have it all together doesn’t help me at all. Those people are frustrating, right? And they aren’t being honest with themselves.

Back to “The Mirror.” Yes, I’ve held it up and I see some ugly things. The problem? Where will I find the time and energy to do what needs done? I have been pondering these verses:

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4: 12-13 NIV

First, I was just looking for verse 13. “I can do everything through HIM who gives me strength.” That is a famous, often quoted piece of scripture. The verse before it is not nearly as well-known. But I think its very important!

How can I be content in my current situation when I see such giant tasks ahead of me? Does this verse mean that I should just be lazy and content with where I am and do nothing? I don’t think so.

I think God is telling me not to beat myself up over the way things are. Yes, I’ve looked in the mirror and I know what needs to be done, but I’m not supposed to wallow in it. I have to DO something about it. With God’s help. I can do everything through His power and His strength. I can be content knowing that God will come along side me and help me conquer these giants.

What giants do you see in the mirror? Remember…

You can do everything with the power of Christ working through you!

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Stepping Out in Faith

“Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.” Proverbs 8:32-33

Is your year getting off to a great start? Are you pursuing the dreams that we wrote down not long ago? I know from experience that it takes a great amount of courage and faith to step out of the box you’ve been living in and pursue your God-given dreams!

Maybe you know exactly what you need to do, you’re just still afraid to do it? Maybe you’re afraid of what your friends and family might say. Maybe your dream means a big risk financially?

Whatever is holding you up in pursuing your dream, take it to the Lord and seek His face on the subject. Many times our instincts kick in on purpose to give us a gut-feeling of caution. Are you feeling that way? Ask God for clear guidance and direction. Then step out in faith and act on what God is tell you to do (or not do!).

A prayer I bring to the Lord often is… “Lord, would you open wide the doors that I’m supposed to walk through, and firmly close the others?”

He has answered that prayer for me countless times.

This prayer applies to any and all situations: starting out in business, current business, future business, daily life, family situations, ministry…you name it!

Again: … “Lord, would you open wide the doors that I’m supposed to walk through, and firmly close the others?”

Then, trust the answers that come! Some may be disappointing and some may be exciting! Some might cause anxiety and some might cause the good kind of “butterflies in the stomach.”

Whatever the answer and outcome, know this: When you step out in faith, God has you firmly in the palm of His hand. If a door that you’d hope to walk through has been shut, trust that God has a better plan for you. If a door has been opened that you are unsure of, trust that God will guide you along the way.

As a wise mentor used to tell me often “Where God guides, God provides!”

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: God is Our Promoter

I receive a daily devotion each morning from Chuck Swindoll. This past week there was a reading that really hit home with me and reminded me that no matter how much time and energy I put into something…God is the promoter, not man!

All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5: 5-7

As a mom in business, there are millions of ways to go out and promote what we’re doing. In fact, it’s a great idea to go out and do all the promoting! We put PR in our budgets and we count on that every month to help bring in sales. However, do you believe—and put into practice—the fact that PRAYER is more important than PR?

Chuck Swindoll says this: “Throw yourself on the mercy and care of God. This does not mean there is no place for planning or goal-setting or diligence; it just means we refuse to make success our private shrine.”

There is nothing wrong with setting goals and advertising, but when we put all of that before God, we are just wasting time. When you are feeling overworked and underpaid, stop and pray. Ask God to bless your efforts. Ask Him to be the Lord of your time, talent and treasure.

My goal each morning is to commit my entire day to the Lord before I start anything else. I’ll be honest and tell you that as a mother of a toddler, this doesn’t always happen. But even as I go throughout my day, I ask the Lord to be the center of what I’m doing. That my purpose and plans would be what He wants them to be—not my own agenda.

God is our promoter. No amount of promoting on our part is going to get us where we want to be without God’s approval! That makes a HUGE difference in the way I run my business.

The day I received this devotion, It was a direct message from God to my heart. I was stressed and had way too much on my plate. I needed to stop what I was doing and refocus my heart and my business on the Lord. I needed a break. I asked God to bless what I had already accomplished for the day…and then I took a much needed rest.

The devotion ended with this:

“Instead of spending all those hours pushing and promoting, we’ll wind up with more time for friends and family—and ourselves. Seems almost too good to be true, doesn’t it? It isn’t.

Submission + Humility – Worry = God-Honoring Success with Satisfaction”

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Who’s Advising You?

As you all know, I love John Maxwell! His books about leadership are filled with truths from years of experience. I’m currently reading his daily devotional called “Leadership Promises for Every Day.” One of my favorite excerpts is entitled “Your Advisers Will Make or Break You.” He quotes Proverbs 11: 14 “Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” NKJV

The reading is all about how every leader should make sure that his or her closest friends add value to their life and organization. Why? Because the close company you keep will either “make or break you.”

Who are you keeping close company with? Does this person (or people) influence you in positive ways? Is this person encouraging? Do you leave this person feeling better about yourself, your life and your business? Does this person speak the truth in love? (All friends speak… some friends speak the truth…but it is rare to find a friend that actually speaks the truth in love! Seek out this kind of person. Be this kind of friend!)

I urge you to pray about your friends and your accountability partners. Allow God to bring people into your life who build you up and walk alongside you as you strive to become all that God wants for you to be as a woman, a wife, a mom and a business woman.

When deciding whom to bring alongside you in your business ventures, John Maxwell suggests that you choose the following types of people:

Creative People
Loyal People
People who share your vision
Wise and intelligent people
People with complementary gifts
People with influence
People of faith
People of integrity

Take some time and think about the people who are surrounding you. Who is God leading you to spend less time with? Who is God leading you to get to know better? Who can you invite into your business endeavors?

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Facebook Fan Pages for Business

I hope you and your family enjoyed your family council meeting! We did, and every year I learn something new about my husband as our goals and dreams change.

This week I’d like to talk about Facebook Fan pages and how important they are for your business.

First of all, if you do not have a Facebook account you need to get one. I have been tracking Facebook for some time now, and more of my clients and sales come from Facebook than anywhere else. Twitter is a close second, but Facebook has been most successful for me.

We’ve talked about Facebook in the past, but very little about fan pages. Is a fan page better for business than a group? Yes. Groups should be for interactive discussions, and getting to know other people with common interests. Fan pages are where you should be promoting your business. Also: fan pages show up in Google searches! Groups do not!

A fan page can be your one stop shop for promoting your business! You can easily link your fan page to your twitter account so that you can post something on your fan page and it will automatically post to your twitter account! No need to do double duty. Here’s the link to do that: http://www.facebook.com/twitter/

Make sure your website links are visible on your fan page and try to make at least one fan page post a day. “But how do I get fans?” you ask. You have to promote your fan page. First, use the buttons on the top left hand side of you fan page to “suggest to friends.”

Then you’ll want to blog about your fan page and host giveways on your blog.

Here is an example: http://wahmblog.info/2010/01/05/new-years-celebration/

Facebook recently changed the rules about fan pages. You are not allowed to host giveaways on your fan page anymore. If you violate this, you run the risk of having your account disabled without warning. However, you can host a giveaway on your blog or website and link to it from your fan page.

More Facebook Info:

I have received many questions asking about privacy and becoming friends with people you really don’t know.

Here’s what I’ve done:

My husband and I share a Facebook account where all of our family and out-of-town friends can see photos and videos of us and our son. We keep that account solely for personal use and the privacy settings are set on all of our pictures and videos so that only our family can see them. Then I have another account that is in my name only that I use for business and connecting with colleague friends. I don’t post too many photos or a lot of personal info about my family for safety reasons. I get many friend requests and even though I usually only friend other women and moms, I have a young family and I’m home alone most of the day…it’s just better safe than sorry. Having said all that, I think it’s much better and safer just to create a fan page!

Keep the fan page for business and your profile for personal use.

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Proverbs 4:6

Until next time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Family Council

It’s January 15, 2010….can you believe it? Halfway through January already. The new year is off and running! This week my hubs and I have a “Family Council Meeting” planned. We make this a priority at the beginning of every year. We go over everything from finances to exercise to summer vacations…and everything in between. I encourage you to do the same thing for your family and for your business. This is a special and fun time that both my husband and I look forward to! We plan our favorite meal and dessert for that evening, we get out our special notebook containing our goals and dreams from the previous year, and we get everything out on the table.

For your own family, I suggest letting everyone know ahead of time that they will be included in the discussion. Have a list of questions ready to ask each other. A list is important because it helps even the most introverted person express his or her desires and goals in life Everyone gets a say at family council! Even your 3 year old will have something to contribute. This is a time to evaluate where you are as a family. Ask questions like: are we spending enough time together as a family? Are we eating dinner together enough throughout the week? What is important to each child? Etc.

Talk about what each family member was thankful for this past year, their disappointments, things you can do better and goals for the next year. Plan some activities for your entire family to do in the coming months. This also helps keep spirits lifted and gives the family something to look forward to after Christmas.

After the kids are in bed, continue this conversation with your husband.

Here are the set of questions we use:

Questions Husbands Should Ask Their Wives

1. What could I do to make you feel more loved?
2. What could I do to make you feel more respected?
3. What could I do to make you feel more understood?
4. What could I do to make you feel more secure?
5. What can I do to make you feel more confident in our future direction?
6. What attribute would you like me to develop?
7. What attribute would you like me to help you develop?
8. What achievement in my life would bring you the greatest joy?
9. What would indicate to you that I really desire to be more Christ-like?
10. What mutual goal would you like to see us accomplish?

Questions Wives Should Ask Their Husbands

1. Do you feel I properly understand the goals that God has placed in your heart? How can I help you achieve them?
2. What are some things I can do regularly to show you just how satisfied I am with you as my husband and the leader of our home?
3. Is there anything I am doing or failing to do that seems to send a signal that I do not honor you or your leadership in our home?
4. Is there anything I can change to make our home a place where you feel more satisfied and comfortable?
5. Are there any big dreams in your heart that you have been hesitant to share with me? How can I help you fulfill them?
6. How do you feel we can begin communicating better than we already are?
7. Do you feel that there is anything keeping either one or both of us from God’s best in our lives? What should be my part in freeing us from those restraints?
8. Are we where you wanted us to be at this stage of life? How can I help you make that possible within God’s guidelines?
9. How do you envision our future together? What can we do together to achieve that goal?
10. What can I do to show you how much I need and trust you?

Taken from www.marriagenet.org

What does this have to do with your business? Well, I firmly believe that if your marriage and/or family is in trouble, you cannot effectively run any type of business. When you have a healthy family life, you have more energy to dedicate to your business. Put your faith and your family first! Then start working on your business goals.

“Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior.” Titus 2: 2-6 MSG

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

Faith and Business 101: Dream. Purge. Get to Work!

Hi Mom Friends!

I hope you all had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas and that you’ve been dreaming about the New Year!

It’s time to get to work!

If you haven’t written out your goals and dreams for your business, stop right now and do it. Believe me when I tell you that you will feel like you are never accomplishing anything if you do not have your vision written down on paper.

Over the holidays, I went through every single element of my business and I purged, purged, purged. I matched every aspect against my dream and I got rid of (or I’m in the process of getting rid of) everything that doesn’t line up with my vision and purpose. Do you know what I found? A bunch of busy work that wasn’t getting me anywhere!

My former boss and mentor used to encourage me to “work smarter, not harder” and I have really taken that to heart. I want to encourage you to do the same. What can you purge in your daily activities that really isn’t helping you achieve your dreams? Yes, we may be talking about getting rid of some good things. But it is for the best, I assure you. I realized I was wasting a lot of time doing good—but completely unnecessary— things! Pray about this and ask the Lord for His leading and His wisdom. Make sure you are purging the right things. Get a second opinion for a trusted friend or accountability partner.

Dream. Purge. Get to work with tasks that are in line with your vision—and God’s vision—for your business.

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Ephesians 5: 15-17

Until Next Time…

MariLee

Copyright © MariLee Parrish, Moms of Faith, All Rights Reserved

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