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Purposeful Pathway Biz Tip: Systematically Stepping Back
Purposeful Pathway is a haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. It is a journey in which faith and business gracefully intertwine. It is a pathway paved with purpose, peace and passion. The posts provide insights for faith-based business and also inspiration for the spiritual journey. My hope is that, in reading, your businesses will grow and your lives will be enriched. My prayer is that these messages will allow God’s peace, love and joy to pave your purposeful pathways.
Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural.
The focus of this “Biz Tip” is systematically stepping back.
Stepping back periodically before stepping forward is essential.
Once you have you have clarified and defined your goals, researched how to achieve your goals, and created / implemented an action plan, you will find it beneficial to periodically step back to take an overview of your goals, activities, habits and results.
Our habits, healthy as they may be, can blind us from the bigger picture. We can become so engrossed in action that we forget to step back and see from a bird’s-eye view the overall picture. Getting lost in a sequence of activities leaves us narrow-sighted, and we can reach a point where our actions are no longer fully aligned with our goals.
Perfectionists, in particular, beware! It is tempting to want to perfectly complete all your action steps to the point of not stepping back and redirecting focus when need be. As someone who struggles from this firsthand, I encourage you to remember that it is necessary to step back from time to time at the risk of disrupting the “perfection” of your routine.
Actions Steps:
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Schedule time for stepping back: This step may seem obvious, but it is crucial; without scheduling the time we will subsequently find that we do not have the time. Carve the space for overview.
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Dig deep during our “stepping back” session: Question what is working effectively in your business or ministry. Then, on the other side of the coin, question what is not.
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Evaluate results, goals, activities and habits: Determine which, if any, of your goals, activities or habits needs adjustment
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Commit to implementing adjustments where necessary: More often than not, you will find adjustments are required in one or more areas. Commit in prayer and in writing to make these changes.
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Petition God: Ask the Lord for clarity in your overview and for courage to create changes.
The Lord says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways.” (Isaiah 55:8) Rely on God to make clear what is working and what is not. Rely on Him to direct your paths. Rely on Him to transform you for His glory. He sees things from an eternal perspective; He sees your life interwoven with others in the glorious tapestry of all lives. Trust, therefore, in Him to guide you in your overview.
By adjusting activities, habits and goals, distractions are immediately cleared away; this allows greater achievement. Furthermore, by gaining control and clarity rather than getting lost in a cloud of activities, you will experience deeper joy.
Psalm 97:11 encourages us that “light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.” When we are living for God, when we are walking toward goals which glorify Him, He Himself sheds light on our paths and joy on our hearts. He will give us the grace to systematically and joyfully step back.
How does systematically stepping back work for you?
