Being the best you!

I want to start by saying, don’t beat yourself up about what you would like to be but can’t, because you weren’t born with a particular potential. Don’t see someone you admire and spend your life judging yourself because you can’t achieve what they have.

Usain Bolt was undoubtedly born with a natural talent for running fast and has broken world records while making others look slow! Of course he had to realise this and work hard with the talent to improve it, but he was still born with the body that had this potential.

I may admire this and dream about what it might be like to run this fast, but I am sixty two years old! I am never going to break the world 100 metres sprint record!

Each of us are born with potential and with gifts and talents that can take us to be the best we can possibly can. Along life’s journey you may have been discouraged and lost the appetite to do well, or time has just passed on by, but wherever you are right now, let me encourage you to start to become the best that you can be going forwards.

Don’t dwell on the past because your past doesn’t have to define your future.

Don’t dwell on what you can’t do, but think about what you can do.

Nehemiah in the bible faced a massive challenge when he heard that Jerusalem was in ruins but he did and said some important things.

1/. “I sat down and wept and mourned for days; and I was fasting and praying before the God of heaven”.

Maybe you have or will cry some tears and mourn the situation you are in, but as Nehemiah did, look upwards to heaven and pray!

2/. He was moved. “And I arose in the night, I and a few men with me.

Firstly he went to see for himself and came back with the statement “You see the bad situation we are in, that Jerusalem is desolate and its gates burned by fire”.

It’s not wrong to assess where you are and be honest about it. Don’t be put off by the gravity of your circumstances.

3/. He also said “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem so that we will no longer be a reproach.” 18 I told them how the hand of my God had been favourable to me and also about the king’s words which he had spoken to me”. And when he suffered opposition he said “The God of heaven will give us success”.

Take courage by hearing and remembering God’s word over your life and if you are sure you know what he has called you to, then say to yourself “God is with me in this dream and I can be the best me” I can be successful!

Please think about the following;

A vision or dream without a plan is just a dream. A plan without a vision is just drudgery…but a vision with a plan can change the world.’ Old Proverb

Five things you can do to ensure you start moving towards this dream.

1/. Write down the Goal

This will look a lot like the vision you are working towards. It should be clear and very specific. Also, you should have a clear, realistic date for when you intend to achieve the goal.

2/. Milestones – attainable steps!!

It is time to get out a calendar. Work backwards from the date you want to achieve your goal. Write down the specific milestones that you hope to achieve before the final goal. Where do you want to be in two months, four months, six months, nine months etc.

3/. Actions

Make sure that they are attainable for you in the time you set yourself. Be honest and realistic so that you don’t get discouraged.

If you are planning to raise £5000 for an investment in twelve months time, your first goal may be to get a job that will allow you to save £415 per month. So your first milestone will be getting the job. Write on your plan/calendar the date you hope to achieve this.

So Monday morning your first action will be to go out looking for the job and making applications.

4/. Speak to someone

I encourage you to share your dream and plans with a close friend and anyone else who could be a part of your journey. You could ask someone to be your mentor, to meet with you once a month to see how you are progressing, to offer help or encouragement.

5/. Get resourced

Depending on your goal, you may want to write down the resources you need for each step you are going to make. It could be finance, or people, or spending some time away from other distractions to learn from others who have travelled down the same path as you. This might mean buying books, reading articles or listening to podcasts by those with the right kind of experience. Make notes for yourself.

There are many things that I will never be because I was never meant to be them, but with God’s help and grace, I will endeavour to be the best me that I can be. Will you join me in this exciting journey?

There is a pool of experience within the Church so if you need help or direction, please speak to one of the leaders.

God bless you!