Does God really care about all of the choices you make? I’m faced with some big decisions right now and am trying to figure out a direction. What do you think? Does God care about all of the decisions you make?

Seriously, I want to know what you think. Where’s the line?

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I asked this question when I started my business. Then I decided to do something about it. It’s what keeps me going every day.

If you don’t have this same passion in your business, you’re going to run out of topics for your blog, and you’ll never be as profitable as you want to be.

So, what makes you mad? Comment and let’s talk about it.

Original video of What Makes me Mad if you can’t see it here.

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057 Coach Radio – Your Story: Alan Jackson

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Alan Jackson is a success evangelist and action expert.   He has a degree in radio, television, and journalism and you’ll find him online at snapcoaching.com.

Alan’s all about taking action.  SNAP stands for Start Now Action Plan.

Alan says that staying on track is all about accountability.  You don’t need Yes Men at the core of your life.  You need people who will help hold you accountable.

A few years ago, a bad business decision put Alan and his family very near bankruptcy.  He had to reassess his goals and priorities so he could continue to make it work.

“No one is perfect.  We need to expect to fail and be ready to pick ourselves up when we do.” – Alan Jackson

“If you don’t take inventory of your life every so often, you’ll get off track.” – Alan Jackson

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The lion is generally known as the King of Beasts, but in the Land of Oz there exists a cowardly lion who is gripped by fear and unable to take action.

That may sound like your life.

Courageous People Lack Fear

Don’t believe it, it’s not true.  Even in cartoons, characters are sometimes paralyzed by fear.  But they take action despite being gripped by it.

Thousands of firefighters run into burning buildings every year.  Don’t tell me those guys aren’t afraid.

Even more people go to the dentist twice a year.  Have you ever been afraid to sit in that chair?  I have.

Action is the Solution

You have to realize that courage isn’t the lack of fear.  Courage is taking action despite the fear.

When will it finally be the right time for you to take action? My wife and I have something on the horizon that scares us to death.  I think at this point we’re going to have to do it just to say we did.

What about you?  What do you need to take action on to overcome your fear?

Nothing says humor for me like the show, “The Office.” Michael Scott has a funny and very relevant line about making copies versus making originals.

Are you making originals or copies (if you can’t see the video here)

What about you? Are you making originals or are you making copies?

The great thing about a step-by-step plan is that it probably worked for someone at one point so they wrote it down to share with you. As a coach, people come to me for a step-by-step plan to get their business running better. Many people are looking for a road map to follow in order to become successful.

But you don’t need a map…you need a compass.

Derek spoke recently on the importance of thinking for yourself, but received a lot of backlash on it.

Your Map is No Good

The great thing about a map is that you can follow it; but I guarantee your plans won’t work like you plan for them to work. Something will happen along the way and derail you. Then what? Your map is no good.

What you need is a clearly defined destination and a compass. Where do you want to be in five years? Yes, it’s very likely that will change, but without a destination you don’t know which direction to go. You’ll end up wandering and your business will fail.

Think for Yourself

Road maps are OK, but you need to start thinking for yourself.  No one else is just like you so do what feels natural. Read biographies of people you admire.  Listen to stories of people making it happen.  Read books other than how-to’s.

What do you think is more helpful, a road map or a compass?

Update: David Garland got me thinking about this and was the inspiration for this post.  You can read his thoughts at The Rise to the Top.

Update 2: David Garland interviewed me and we talked about this issue at the end of the show.

(photo by psd)

Ever struggle with accomplishing something?  You can call it procrastination, but on a large scale it could mean never opening the business of your dreams or reaching a goal in your life you have always wanted to obtain.

The common Christian sees an obstacle and says “I’ll pray about it.”  You hear this in the church all the time, and many times the only thing missing is action.  So, what is my advice to you?  Stop praying.

“But,” you claim, “doesn’t this advice go against everything the bible says?”  The book of Exodus actually addresses this very situation.  In fact, in chapter fourteen we see Moses leading his people out of Egypt when the enemy forces catch up and nearly overtake them.  As they prayed through their grim situation the Lord says in verse fifteen, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!”

These people hit an impasse in their journey and praying simply was not enough.  It was time for action!

What are you holding back from in your life that prayer has not resolved?  Are you stuck in a career going no where?  Are you drowning in debt and the only light you see in the tunnel is an oncoming train?  What about that business you have always dreamed of starting?  How is prayer helping you over come these obstacles?

Here is my advice.  Pray that God gives you the wisdom and strength to turn your plans into action!  When you have prayed all you can pray, then pray some more, but this time, DO something in your life!