I boarded a plane for Orlando, Florida last week with the usual pre-conference excitement and anticipation. This would be my second attendance at Rhea\'s EntrepreneurDays (http://www.abiggerplan.com/entrepreneur.html) and the line-up of speakers promised new material that was sure to improve my business goals.
Never one to \"waste\" a flight across country, I began my usual reflection about what it was I wanted to learn and come away with from this business conference.
What would be important for me in moving forward in my goals?
What could I learn that would support the mission statementthat I\'ve constructed for my life?
I\'ve learned to make a plan, and then be willing to expect the unexpected!
Hurricane Jeanne blasted through Orlando and I return to my home in California with ten new BIG Business lessons learned in a hurricane.
*LESSON 1: Know where you are.
As I watched the Weather Channel pre-Hurricane Jeanne, I realized that I didn\'t know exactly where I was on that map. I knew roughly where Orlando was in relation to the swirling mass, but when the weather person began talking about counties and evacuations through-out Florida, I needed some clarity.
BIG Business begins with knowing exactly where you are.
Living your life on purpose is about taking a deep breath and evaluating your present circumstances.
BIG Business is about moving forward in life.
Knowing where you are is not about dwelling on past mistakes, but rather, it\'s about planting your feet firmly on the path to personal fulfillment and success.
Find your location on the map. Buckle up and get ready to enjoy the journey.
WooHoo! Here we go!
*LESSON 2: Be willing to take calculated risks.
When the reality of Hurricane Jeanne became evident, I felt a moment of panic. Coming from California, I felt out of my comfort zone a bit.
Earthquakes I have dealt with, but there is something very unsettling about preparing for a natural disaster. Earthquakes, obviously, do not afford the uxury of preparation before they occur.
In Orlando, some attendees had chosen to leave the conference. Others felt complete peace about staying, as the event would continue. I needed to weigh the risks for myself, so I began to ask questions about the hotel and the realities of previous hurricanes from others who lived in Florida.
BIG Business is about the willingness to take risks.
There are risks involved when we decide to accept the challenge of discovering our true purpose in life.
Sometimes we risk rejection by those in our lives that don\'t know how to support us on our journey to success.
We take risks when we decide that part of our genuine purpose is to reach out to others in the world.
On our quest for education and continual improvement, we take calculated financial risks as we invest in teachers, mentors, and the products that have the information we need to help us grow and change.
Your willingness to accept risks as you discover and become exactly who you were meant to be will catapult you on the road to success.
You will develop greater courage and as you risk andthen enjoy successes, each will build upon the other until eventually your self-confidence will soar and you will truly feel unstoppable.
*LESSON 3: Assess your resources.
I learned that in preparing for a hurricane, it is very important to know what supplies you have and what you need. In our hotel, we knew what the hotel would be providing if the power went out…things like minimal food service, main area lighting, and cold water for showers.
Some additional supplies and resources were definitely needed for maximum efficiency during this time. People needed full gas tanks, additional food and water, flashlights and extra batteries. Cell phones were charged and resources were strategically placed for easy access in our rooms.
BIG Business involves assessing your resources.
My friend, this is such an exciting part of the process of discovering your purpose!
As you begin to acknowledge the strengths, talents, desires, dreams and passions deep within you…your heart and will beat faster with the knowledge of knowing that deeper inner truth that gives you a rush of excitement and a hunger for new possibilities.
All these unique gifts are pieces of your personal design that will enable you to do that great and impactful thing that will complete your destiny. Do not limit yourself as you go deep to discover everything that leads to your unique greatness. I promise…this is only going to get better and better!
*LESSON 4: The power of your team.
Going through the hurricane with my mastermind team was amazing. Until Orlando, the five of us had only been able to support and encourage each other via email and our weekly conference call.
During the hurricane, the very same team of partners and friends that encourage me and help me with weekly challenges calmed my fears through prayer and honest assessment of the risks. We also had some amazing late night brainstorming/product creation sessions over snacks and candle-light.
BIG Business is about utilizing the power of a team.
This has had a huge impact in my life. As a single woman, I am very used to being independent and getting things done by myself.
Did you know that real effectiveness becomes possible when you combine strengths, talents, and resources?
I\'m talking turbo-momentum here!
Discovering and living your life on purpose is as much about discovering the team that will support and encourage you along the way.
Imagine that huge list of resources you came up with earlier multiplied by 2, 3, 4 or more. In my mastermind group of five, I am continually amazed to discover more and more talents, skills, and contacts that we have available within our group.
We\'ve been so completely blown away by the momentum that\'s been happening within our group, that we feel compelled to share all the information that we\'ve put together with others.
You can find out more about MasterMindMatrix by clicking the link below.
http://www.mastermindmatrix.com
*LESSON 5: Know the power source.
It was somewhat comforting to know that if Hurricane Jeanne wiped out the power at the Hotel, a generator would kick in…all power would not be out. There would still be lights to see by and fire to cook with.
BIG Business is about knowing your power source.
It is my complete belief and privilege to acknowledge Jesus as my true source of power. Discovering your purpose is really about knowing deep within you what God had intended when He created you. He will take such joy in watching this wonderful discovery take place in you.
If your beliefs differ from mine, please know that it is not my intention to offend you, but it is my prayer that if you don\'t know the reality of having a very real and personal relationship with Christ your heart and spirit will leap with longing within you as you seek this truth for yourself.
I promise you with all my heart that you will not be disappointed or regret taking that step of faith.
BIG Business is about allowing God to be that source of light and burning = fire within you shining out to the world.
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To listen to Chapter 1 of \"The BIG Business of Life\", click the link below.= Click the article link there to continue reading Lessons 6-10.
http://www.thebigbusinessoflife.com
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Your Partner in BIG Business,
Paula
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Paula Seymour is a passionate entrepreneur who is using theinternet to teach people to discover and live out their purpose.Visit her website today to learn more about H.I.P. Productionsand to be encouraged on YOUR journey.