The other day I was brainstorming with one of my friends over some things we are endeavoring to accomplish as we planned our upcoming conference in Los Angeles. We were charged and caught up in the moment by what God is doing in both our lives.

I met Linda while I was on an assignment and we sort of gravitated towards one another. But the amazing thing about her is that she keeps me accountable and I her, probably by default because we understand that success is a choice. Continuing to bounce ideas off one another I suddenly realized that we were realigning ourselves, designing for success, and walking into our purpose.

Linda and I talked about there being many who have no clue what true success really is. I believe that success is a choice, and it must be cultivated. The world suggests that our success requires us to turn away from the path of godliness – to neglect developing our relationship with God; to disregard ethics and morals for the sake of getting ahead.

I asked my husband Eric to define success. Out of his mouth I heard, well it is NOT money. (I smiled in delight). You have to know my husband. He doesn’t usually directly answer a question. In legal terms, he generally demurs, or delay by making a point of order. Befitting of him. His mind is trained that way as he is a law student. But then he went on to say something so profound, “Success is doing the will of God; and in God’s will we find our purpose, and when we know our purpose, we have found success.” I could not have said it better. Humm…

In cultivating a successful lifestyle, home life, family relationship, ministry or business, much the same as designing a space, or a room or even a entire residence or office space, there must be a process. The process of designing for success begins within us because wherever we go, whatever we do, we are there; When we are there, we make an impact on the environment, the people, the world. Our successes aren’t for us alone, it affect others. It begins with the one you see in the mirror. Michael Jackson said it so well,

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror,I’m asking him to change his ways and no message could have been any clearer, if you wanna make the world a better place take a look at yourself, and then make a change!”

Success causes one to ask questions like, “what do I have to become?” We have to become what we think. This means we have to relinquish the old way of thinking and cultivate a new. My 5 secrets to designing for success look like this:

1. Don’t Serve Your Thoughts

You can’t move forward as long as the problem or the obstacle that you are looking at is the biggest thing in your life. If you are thinking about the problem more than the solution, you are serving your thoughts. There is a way of escaping negative thought patterns. Talk to the man or woman in the mirror and tell him or her who you desire to be and what you desire to become. Make it automatic each time you see yourself in a mirror. And by all means look in a mirror often!

2. Take Control

Quit allowing your circumstances and challenges to assume your thought life. Instead, realize that circumstances won’t ever change until you change. Remember, you aren’t alone. you have God’s thoughts. You have the Holy Spirit to strengthen you and you have the mind of Christ.

3. Enlist a Master Mind Group

This is so very important. Get around people who are full of faith and have attained and traveled where you want to go. Don’t rehearse your problems to them! Make yourself listen to them. Join in with their faith and resist your old way of thinking,  seeing and saying things.

4. Prepare

Don’t be like the foolish virgins in the parable at Matthew 25. When they went to meet the bridegroom, though they took their lamps but took no extra oil and therefore were not prepared for the unexpected. We must be responsible for preparing ourselves by:

• Becoming the Learned. Read what others are saying. Read about current events. Read your Bible. Study to show yourself approved.

• Competing only with Yourself. When you compete with you, then you are challenging you. Competing with someone shows signs of immaturity. You cannot succeed by trying to out-do someone else.

• Journaling your Thoughts. You must be prepared to see around the corner. Write down the plan, a one, five and ten year plan. Everything you will ever need is within you. The design is within you.

5. Get a Strategic Mindset, Serve Others and Seek their Wisdom

Today I tweeted some thoughts and then retweeted some thoughts of others. I believe this is a great place to share as they fit in and are self-explanatory:

• It’s difficult dealing with an adult who acts like a child…..put them in TIME OUT! @JamalBryant

• As you go about your day, look for opportunities to add extra value to your customers and the people you work with. @JennyFerns

• Keep your eyes on your dreams, feet on the ground and you will get there one step at a time @JennyFerns

• Mastermind with yourself for 30 minutes each day, gets ideas flowing, answers bubbling. @ ProsperitybyDesign

• Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner. @LesBrown

• Instead of doing 4,000 things 1 time…do 1 thing 4,000 times. That will bring success. @StephenSwisher
  

• Life is personal journey. People who give so much time to judge others, have no time to improve their life. @CodeinDesign

• God hates cheating in the marketplace; rigged scales are an outrage.” Proverbs 20:23 (MSG) @HaroldHerring

• Watch what you say and say what you mean. Words can create an atmosphere that can be felt. @FaithladyDeana

• Don’t loose the simplicity of a child. Just believe God and do it! @FaithladyDeana

Designing for success is a choice. And, of course you don’t need permission to succeed. Linda and I know this and we are holding one another accountable for the directions we are taking in this journey called life. Designing for success is the road we have taken by merely making a quality decision. What about you?

Leave me your comments, questions or thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Sharing my passion,

Deana

Perhaps 2009 wasn’t one of your best years. And conceivably the past ten years didn’t manifest your heart’s desire. And then maybe, I’m wrong. Whatever the case may be, let’s reflect and redesign some lifestyle components for leaping off into 2010 with a great start.

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will
just help other people get what they want.” — Zig Ziglar

MY 3 STRATEGIES FOR 2010

#1. Renovate, Revamp, Rediscover

Don’t carry over into next year the same decor elements of procrastination, digression or complacency. Look over the aspects of the areas and associations that molded your 2009 journey and re-examine what worked for you and what didn’t quite hatch it.
How much time did you spend spinning your wheels? What adjustments do you believe are needed to make 2010 better for you, your family, and your relations? If you were engaged in several projects, which ones have your passion? Which do not? Which ones offered the best opportunities to GIVE and help others? Expect to give more.

“Judge each day not by the harvest you reap, by the seeds you plant.” –Robert Louis Stevenson

#2. Create Your Personal Style Portfolio

Empower yourself with what you already have. How many pdf files, books, DVDs and programs are filed on your computer or on sitting on your shelf that have not been utilized? These products carry many techniques, tools, tips and strategies that can give you a colorful personal style portfolio for inspiration and provide dynamic perspectives and fresh ideas. Do all things in excellence and with purpose. And while you’re doing this, cancel email subscriptions that you don’t have the time to read.

“No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated, and disciplined.” – Harry E. Fosdick

#3. The Design is Within You.

With pad and pen take time away from any distractions and listen to your spirit. Write down everything as your mind begins to move forward. I’ve used this technique one morning even while waiting for an associate to show up for breakfast. The best time though is when you’re alone in your favorite spot at home with peaceful surroundings. Engage a peaceful home environment. You will be surprised what pours from your creative mind when you relax. Be patient until you know for sure what to do. If it’s burning inside you, pull it out, run with it, and begin designing your future.

“Within each of us is a hidden store of energy, courage and determination.” –Roger Dawson

I don’t know who wrote this, but it is certainly profound:

“Small people talk about other people. Average people talk about events. Great people talk about ideas. Carve out some time to contemplate on who you are, what you’ve done, and what you will do.”

With anticipated opportunities that new beginnings bring… a new year; and the prospects of an emerging new decade, be thankful. A good time to renovate and redesign the spaces of your heart, your life, and your home in anticipation of planning your lifestyle design to carry you through 2010 and beyond.

Thank you for reading my blog posts. May your 2010 journey flourish with unspeakable success.

Sharing my passion,