Being Bold
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Purposeful Pathway is a haven for faith-based entrepreneurs. Part of my mission is equipping faith-based businesses with information that is practical, actionable and Scriptural. The theme of this post is being bold.
“The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.” (Proverbs 28:1)
We know that being bold about sharing our faith is a virtue. Shining radiantly with Christ’s light is how we lead others to Him!
Yet how often do we not step out in boldness in our businesses? As faith-based entrepreneurs, we have embraced the opportunity of sharing our faith, in part, via our businesses. We have decided to powerfully and purposefully use our God-given gifts to glorify Him and bless others. We have committed to building God’s Kingdom through our work. It follows then that we need to bold in business.
Before I move further on this point, let me clarify what I do not mean by bold. I do not mean brash, arrogant, pushy or presumptive. I do not mean greedy, rude, harsh or self-centered. I do not mean brazen, puffed-up or reckless.
I do mean courageous, brave and fearless.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:18)
Being a faith-based entrepreneur in and of itself requires boldness and bravery. So I commend you for embracing God’s calling on your life! If you are sharing your message (aligned with God’s message) and serving others, you are being bold.
Yet my challenge to you (and to myself) is to be all the bolder.
Is there any area of your business (or life) where success is lacking or plateauing?
Is there any area of struggle or challenge?
My question is: how can you be bolder in those areas?
I will provide a personal example to illustrate. There was a point in my business in which I was delighted by the response to my message, and yet people – as much as they loved my message – were rarely stepping up to work with me. In taking a step back, I realized I was not sharing business posts and products consistently out of fear of not feeling or seeming “spiritual” to others and to myself. Rationally, of course, this makes little or no sense. But the subconscious can embrace lies ever so subtly. With prayer, meditation and contemplation, I exposed the lie that helping to build businesses is incongruent with spirituality; I replaced it with the truth that business-building equips other Christian entrepreneurs for success. I committed then to embracing the truth and to being bolder in this area.
How can you apply this principle of being bold in your business?
- Look at all areas of your business, including reach, income flow, client pipeline, hours you work, level of enjoyment and employee contentment (if applicable). For each area honestly assess on a scale of 1 to 10 the current success. Write also several lines (or more if inspired) to describe why you ranked this area at this numerical level.
- Circle the struggle points in the list in Step 1. Ask yourself for each area: “How can I be bolder?” Write down your thoughtful and prayerful answers. You may find yourself writing answers such as “I will reach out to more joint venture partners” or “I will ask for the business consistently and confidently” or “I will be clear and bold about the value I provide.”
- Commit to these bold business actions. Trust in God’s provision and protection; worry not if your activities are well-received. “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7)
- Be consistent. When we step into boldness, we often expect the world to reciprocate immediately. Sometimes, by God’s grace, the world does. Oftentimes, however, the borne fruit requires consistency and commitment. Continue with your bold activities even if they seem to “flop” initially. “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
- Keep a journal or journal entry for boldness success. Take note of your bold activities; then take note of when, how and through whom they bore fruit.
- Give glory to God for His blessings on your boldness. Be intentional in celebrating God who rewards your faith in Him. Your celebrations will bring you closer to Him…and also encourage you to be all the bolder!
- Don’t grow older; grow bolder. Once your emboldened activities are bearing fruit, do not allow them to plateau. Move onto the next level. Start at step 1 and work through this bold business cycle again.
It may seem simple or obvious that being bolder is a necessity for bearing better fruit in business, yet this principle is often neglected in practice. We can grow comfortable with one level of boldness and forget to keep pushing our comfort zone. I promise you will find that these steps for being bolder in business will bear fruit professionally and personally. Better yet they will bring glory to God!
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus.” (Hebrews 10:19)
Let’s pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the precious faith you pour into our hearts through Your Holy Spirit. May we act boldly in our businesses and in our lives, for we know You have given us a spirit of power and love and self-discipline. We desire to glorify You in all we do, and we request Your blessings on our work and on our hearts. It is in Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
© 2013 Caroline Gavin
In what areas are you boldest in your business? In what areas do you commit today to growing bolder?
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Want more joy for your journey? Schedule a complimentary “Take Me to Transformation” Consultation with Caroline Gavin via caroline@purposefulpathway.com. Walk away with heightened clarity, renewed energy and customized action step plan.
