What real poverty looks like…and real freedom.
For a little over a year at this point I’ve been on an entrepreneurial journey. This journey has definitely had its many ups and its many downs. It’s been lonely, incredibly lonely. It’s been very encouraging. It’s felt like more of a personal challenge than anything else; I’ve had to push through my limiting beliefs, my discomforts and insecurities, and stay the course when it’s been very difficult to do so.
And throughout this entire process with Penderview Events it’s been clear that the thing that’s been most defining of how I do business has very little to do with my event planning skillset; it’s way more about my mindset and how I approach entrepreneurship and business.
In the past year as well I’ve been pursuing a mindset journey, namely illustrated by the work I did with mindset7. It’s not something that I’m currently pursuing, but I’m very glad to have jumped in to learning about affiliate marketing through my work with mindset7. The mindset, in essence, is about embracing child-like joy as the means to genuine joy and true freedom.
And that child-like joy has been paramount for me as I’m learning to do business, and to pursue what I believe is true freedom. Not just financial freedom, but the freedom to call the shots about what I do with my time, and how I work. I get to work for my dreams and goals, not someone else’s. And with that comes incredible freedom, and honestly a lot of peace and contentment. I’m doing what I love, and with this pursuing of my dreams comes a great deal of empowerment and courage.
And so I really like - back to mindset - that this journey with my event planning business has been such a gift to me, because it’s teaching me where I’m self-doubting, where I’m limiting myself, and where I have room to grow as a person.
I’ve been working with a Christian business and life coach, TJ Loeffler, recently and he has such wisdom regarding life as a Christian in business. He mentioned to me recently that only four things really matter each day: nourishing my body, my soul, my bank account, and my relationships. He also encouraged me that there’s really no reason why I’m not making more money right now. And I agree with him. What’s holding me back right now has little to do with what I offer, but how I’m going about my day to day.
And with that, the mindset kicks in. If I have what’s called a “poverty mindset,” that’s what ultimately keeps me from pursuing my dreams and fulfilling them. And I really see that that is exactly where genuine poverty settles in. I don’t think I have what it takes. I don’t believe I’m enough, just as I am, I’m enough. I can’t possibly imagine becoming wealthy and gaining financial freedom. I’m not reliable and dependable, I’m not a consistently hard worker. Blah blah blah. Can’t you see how damaging this mindset is?? And I do think this mindset is where real, limiting, life-altering poverty lies.
On the other (much, much better) hand is the “abundance mindset.” This mindset is where entrepreneurs really thrive and grow as people. We believe that all things are possible. We believe the sky is the limit, which means there really is no limit to our successes. And as a Christian, I love this mindset because it aligns so, so well with my personal convictions. I believe with God all things are possible! I’ve seen Him move in my life in miraculous ways, and it’s not just once in a blue moon. I believe God is the richest being in the universe (that money is no match for Him!), and that He delights in giving His children good, good gifts. And I’m learning too that as I’m operating within God’s grace, He shows up! And He shows up big time.
God is in the business of blessing His children. And as we trust Him with everything, He provides. He shows up. He wants to give us more than we could ever possibly imagine, and that starts with Him giving us…Himself. God’s Presence has been my anchor in the loneliness, the lack of motivation (big time), the discouragement and in the self-doubt. And it’s also been a source of deep encouragement and courage for me as I continue on in my business. And that is where true abundance and identity lie. What a joy, what a privilege, what an encouraging thought!
Don’t give up. You have no idea what kinds of fruits - good fruits! - could come from your labors. When we do our part - working hard and for God’s glory, and operating within His grace - God does His. And that is a deeply encouraging thought; life with God is true freedom. And living with that “mindset7",” a mindset of abundance and child-like joy and trust, leads to incredible wealth of spirit and soul, and maybe even of the green dough, too. Eyes up, and keep going. Life is worth the living!
