The BIG TEN principles to live by

1. Faith over fear

Defined: Faith is a strong belief or trust in something, often without tangible proof or evidence. It can refer to belief in a particular religion, spiritual teachings, or higher power, as well as trust in oneself, others, or the universe. Faith involves confidence in the unseen, the unknown, or the uncertain, and it can provide comfort, guidance, and motivation in various aspects of life. Faith can be expressed through prayer, rituals, practices, and actions that reflect one’s beliefs and values. It is a deeply personal and subjective concept that can bring hope, resilience, and meaning to individuals, shaping their perspectives, decisions, and relationships.

From a Christian perspective, faith is the belief in God, His promises, and His guidance. It involves trusting in God’s plan and purpose for one’s life, even when facing challenges or uncertainties. In the context of success, faith for a Christian person means relying on God’s strength, wisdom, and provision to achieve their goals and fulfill their calling. It involves surrendering one’s will to God, seeking His guidance through prayer and scripture, and walking in obedience to His teachings.

A successful Christian person views faith as the foundation of their achievements, recognizing that their abilities and opportunities come from God. They attribute their success not solely to their own efforts, but also to God’s grace and favor in their lives. This perspective cultivates humility, gratitude, and a sense of stewardship over the resources and talents entrusted to them by God. Ultimately, faith as a successful person in a Christian context means living out their values, serving others, and glorifying God through their actions and accomplishments.

Defined: Fear is an emotional response to a perceived threat, danger, or harm. It is a natural and instinctual reaction that triggers feelings of anxiety, worry, or unease in order to protect oneself from potential risks. Fear can be triggered by real or imagined threats, past experiences, or uncertainty about the future. It can manifest as physical sensations such as increased heart rate, sweating, or trembling, as well as cognitive responses like racing thoughts or difficulty concentrating. Fear can influence behavior, decision-making, and overall well-being, sometimes leading to avoidance, stress, or negative impacts on mental and emotional health.

“Faith over fear” is a mindset or approach that prioritizes belief, trust, and confidence over doubt, worry, or hesitation. It suggests choosing to have faith in oneself, in others, or in a higher power rather than succumbing to fear or anxiety. By focusing on faith, individuals can overcome obstacles, take risks, and pursue their goals with courage and optimism. This concept encourages stepping out of one’s comfort zone, embracing challenges, and believing in the possibilities of success, growth, and positive outcomes even in the face of uncertainty or adversity.

Courage is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is having faith to perform the action required despite the odds of the circumstance. It requires a Godly perspective that supersedes what can be seen and counted. It musters strength and perseverance to overcome by holding a supernatural faith that rules.

2. Loves takes action

Love is feeling and true love is also thinking and doing. Love always seeks the best interest of others. It serves selflessly; not that self is squashed but that it isn’t puffed up high and mighty. It is meek (power under control). Bottom line: love God, love people (others and self – you are third).

3. Trust needs verified

Trust and verify

Defined: Trust is the reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, and surety of a person or thing. It involves having confidence in someone’s reliability, honesty, and intentions, as well as believing that they will act in a way that is consistent with your expectations. Trust is a fundamental aspect of relationships, both personal and professional, and is built over time through consistent behavior and mutual respect.

Defined: To verify means to confirm, establish the truth, accuracy, or validity of something. It involves checking or testing to make sure that a statement, fact, or claim is true or correct. Verification can be done through various methods such as research, investigation, examination, or comparison with reliable sources.

When you meet someone new, give them the benefit of doubt. If you want to develop a relationship, start with an A grade. True trust takes time to build but only a moment to break. Build trust with grace that will support the weight of trust.

4. Sorry requires change

Defined: Being sorry means feeling regret, remorse, or sorrow for a mistake, offense, or wrongdoing that one has committed. It involves acknowledging one’s responsibility for their actions, expressing genuine remorse, and often seeking forgiveness from those who have been affected. Being sorry is an important step towards making amends and repairing relationships that may have been damaged by one’s behavior.

Saying (and truly meaning), “I was wrong and I am sorry” takes introspection. Bear in mind, another person’s perspective is their reality. Being truly sorry requires repentance. Its being remorseful and willing to change for the better. Forgiveness is always required upon repentance. It doesn’t require forgetting but not holding a grudge. Perfection is impossible but be a peace as far as possible.

5. Honesty seeks integrity

Honesty is the best policy

Defined: Honesty is the quality of being truthful, sincere, and straightforward in one’s words, actions, and interactions with others. It involves being genuine and transparent, as well as avoiding deceit, falsehoods, or misleading statements. Honesty is an essential virtue that promotes trust, integrity, and authenticity in relationships and communications.

Defined: Integrity is the quality of being honest, having strong moral principles, and adhering to ethical standards. It involves consistency in one’s actions, values, methods, measures, principles, expectations, and outcomes.

Honesty is essential to integrity. Honest with God, others and self. Your character is based on your integrity.

6. Purpose based commitment

Defined: Purpose refers to the reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists. It is the underlying goal or intention that drives a person’s actions, decisions, and choices. Having a sense of purpose provides meaning and direction in one’s life, guiding them towards fulfilling their unique roles and potential.

Defined: Commitment is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, goal, or relationship. It involves making a firm decision to follow through with a particular course of action despite challenges or obstacles that may arise. Commitment often requires perseverance, loyalty, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Every but decision, every important endeavor, every strategic move should have a compelling purpose. Once the commitment is made, all your effort should be given until sufficient new information is revealed.

7. Respect begets respect

Defined: Respecting another person means acknowledging their inherent worth, dignity, and rights as an individual. It involves showing consideration, kindness, and courtesy towards them, regardless of differences in opinions, beliefs, or backgrounds. Respecting others also means valuing their feelings, boundaries, and autonomy, and treating them with fairness, empathy, and compassion in all interactions.

If we expect respect we need to give it first. We should respect people’s position but that doesn’t necessarily mean we agree nor endorse another’s behavior. Its okay to disagree but not gossip and personally attack a person rather the error.

8. Be quick but not hurried is being proficient

Defined: Proficiency refers to a high level of skill, expertise, or competence in a particular subject, activity, or field. It indicates the ability to perform tasks effectively, accurately, and with ease due to a deep understanding and mastery of the relevant knowledge and techniques. Proficiency often comes from practice, experience, and continuous learning, leading to a high level of performance and quality in one’s work or endeavors.

To be quick but not hurried means being proficient is a combination of efficiency and effectiveness in your actions without being rushed or overly stressed. Here are some tips to achieve this balance:

1. Plan Ahead: Take the time to plan your tasks and priorities in advance. Having a clear plan can help you work quickly without feeling overwhelmed.
2. Stay Focused: Minimize distractions and stay focused on the task at hand. This can help you work efficiently without losing time on unnecessary activities.
3. Practice Time Management: Allocate specific time blocks for each task and try to stick to them. Time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique can help you work quickly in short, focused bursts.
4. Avoid Multitasking when focus is required: Instead of trying to do multiple things at once, focus on one task at a time. This can help you work quickly and maintain quality without feeling hurried.
5. Multitask during routine: when you can be unconsciously competent during routine tasks this is a great time to multitask Ex: Driving and talking, Mowing the grass while listening to an audiobook and getting exercise by pushing the motor, exercising while listening to music.
6. Take Breaks: Remember to take short breaks in between tasks to recharge and avoid burnout. This can help you maintain a quick pace without feeling overwhelmed. Play games and give yourself rewards by chunking tasks in to small sections.
7. Prioritize Self-Care: Make sure to prioritize your well-being by getting enough rest, eating well, and engaging in activities that help you relax. When you feel balanced and energized, you can work quickly without feeling rushed. Realize the difference between good pain and bad pain.

9. Service sells best

Actions speak louder than words

Our reputation is our future

Defined: “service” refers to providing assistance, support, or help to meet the needs of individuals, organizations, or communities. It involves dedicating time, effort, and skills towards serving others with the intention of improving their well-being or addressing their challenges. Service-oriented work often focuses on delivering value, creating positive impact, and fostering meaningful connections with those being served. Whether in a professional role, volunteer capacity, or personal capacity, serving others involves empathy, compassion, and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others.

In servant leadership, the term “service” refers to the leader’s focus on serving the needs of others, such as their team members or the community, before their own needs. This approach emphasizes empathy, listening, and supporting others in order to help them grow and succeed. Servant leaders prioritize the well-being and development of their followers, ultimately aiming to create a more inclusive and empowered environment.

Defined: Reputation refers to the overall perception or estimation of a person, organization, or entity based on their actions, behavior, and characteristics. It reflects how others view and judge the trustworthiness, credibility, and reliability of that individual or entity. A good reputation is built on positive experiences, consistent behavior, and ethical practices, while a bad reputation may arise from negative incidents, dishonesty, or unethical behavior. Reputation plays a significant role in shaping relationships, influencing decisions, and determining success in various aspects of life.

10. Begin with the end (Visualization)

“Begin with the end in mind” – Stephen Covey from his book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.”

Defined: This principle encourages individuals to start any task, project, or goal by first envisioning the desired outcome or end goal. By clarifying what success looks like and setting clear objectives from the beginning, one can align their actions, decisions, and efforts towards achieving that ultimate vision. This habit emphasizes the importance of having a clear sense of purpose, direction, and vision to guide one’s actions and choices effectively.

Visualization is a mental technique where individuals create detailed mental images or scenarios of their desired goals, outcomes, or experiences. It involves using all the senses to imagine achieving a specific objective or living a desired reality as vividly as possible. Effective visualization goes beyond just seeing images in the mind; it also involves feeling the emotions, hearing the sounds, and experiencing the sensations associated with the desired outcome. By engaging the mind in this way, individuals can increase motivation, focus, and belief in their ability to achieve their goals. This technique is often used in goal setting, sports performance, personal development, and stress reduction to enhance mental rehearsal, boost confidence, and improve overall performance.

Its wise to visualize your desired outcome and work your ways backwards. Identify key milestones and write down your goals, requirements and key objectives to accomplish it.

The key steps to effective visualization include:

1. Set Clear Goals: Begin with the end in mind and define what you want to achieve or experience through visualization. Be specific about your objectives to focus your thoughts.
2. Create a Relaxing Environment: Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can relax and concentrate without distractions.
3. Visualize in Detail: Close your eyes and create a vivid mental image of your desired outcome. Engage all your senses to make the visualization as realistic as possible. Ardently imagine yourself succeeding.
4. Engage Emotions: Feel the emotions associated with achieving your goal. Connect with the joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment you would experience.
5. Practice Regularly: Make visualization a consistent practice. Set aside time each day to visualize your goals and immerse yourself in the experience.
6. Stay Positive: Focus on the positive aspects of your visualization. Visualize success, growth, and positive outcomes to maintain a constructive mindset. Yet, keep it real. Avoid ‘LaLa Land’.
7. Believe in Yourself: Cultivate a sense of belief and confidence in your ability to achieve your goals. Visualize yourself succeeding and trust in your potential.
8. Count on God: keep your ideas in sync with good and Godly principles. Know that God has your best interest in mind and loves you. He is already there in the future.
9. Take Action: Use visualization as a tool to inspire and motivate yourself to take concrete steps towards your goals. Visualization should complement your actions and efforts in achieving success.

By following these key steps, you can enhance the effectiveness of your visualization practice and harness its power to manifest your desired outcomes.