This is part 2 of a 5-part series on Recession Proofing Your Business by Chip Robinson one of our partners and mentors here at DeliberateU.
Are you feeling challenged in your mindset and struggling with resilience? When you think about recession-proofing your business, the biggest factor determining how you will navigate your way through challenging times and lead effectively is your mindset.
Given the vicious onslaught of 2020 and 2021 (let’s just call it what it was) most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2021… frazzled, spent, running on adrenaline fumes… COVID, lockdowns, isolation, division and polarizations, and changing economic labor shortages have all combined to create a perfect storm guaranteed to challenge your mindset and personal resilience. No one I know began 2022 on a full tank.
As a result, let's pause and do a check-up. In the words of Zig Ziglar, “what y’all need is a check-up from the neck up” because it is your mindset, that will have the biggest impact on your personal and business effectiveness.
Here’s the question for you today… Have you drifted into a mindset and a way of operating that is less than God‘s best for you?
You may have started with great intentions and passion, but somewhere along the way, the cares and troubles of the world have squeezed and shaped your mindset to reflect what you have experienced. As a result, your thoughts may reflect more on the disappointments, challenges, and hurdles than on God’s promises.
- ASSESS YOUR CURRENT STATE: EVEN A SMALL ADJUSTMENT WILL REIGNITE
In case you think, "I’m not burnt out or in an extreme situation, so this isn’t for me…" let me assure you that even a small adjustment in your mindset will pay off dramatically. As one simple example, a revisit of your purpose and values will reignite your passion, energy, and enthusiasm, which, in turn, can reignite your team!
As a result of our current circumstances, many of us are worn out and have lost passion, energy, and enthusiasm. We are now simply going through the motions, somehow hoping for a different or better result. Others may have found themselves rushing from task to task, stressed, unsure of their direction and focus but feeling like they have no choice.
- TAKE REGULAR TIME TO RECALIBRATE AND MEDITATE ON HIS PROMISES
- we are called as children of the King to experience life on God's terms.
- God has invited us who are weary and heavy laden, burdened with a load of care to take his yoke upon us because His burden is light.
- the smallness of life that we often experience doesn’t come from God: that fear hopelessness and despair, that feeling like things are never going to get any better doesn’t come from Him. That’s not what He’s designed you for.
- LIVE INTO YOUR INHERITANCE: GOD’S LEGACY AND BIRTHRIGHT
God has instead given us a legacy and a birthright of hope and encouragement that we would,
“run and not grow weary, that we would walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31)
and let’s not forget, that he has ‘equipped us for every good work’ (2 Timothy 3:17) that He has for us to do. God has called us to live lives that make a difference; to live lives that are a reflection of Him and His glory.
We are called to step out into that wide-open spacious life and invite others to fully engage and experience life on God's terms.
A SHORT STORY ABOUT CHAINSAWS
This reminds me of a story of a new person who moves into town, he’s selling chainsaws to a group of people who have only ever used an axe to cut wood. He sells a lumberjack a chainsaw with the promise that he will be able to cut down much more wood than he could ever cut with the axe.
So the lumberjack goes out and uses the chainsaw but day after day he’s never able to cut down more wood than he could with an axe. Finally, in frustration, he comes back to the storekeeper and says, “this chainsaw is no good! It doesn’t work!” The storekeeper responds “what do you mean it doesn’t work?” The lumberjack replies, “well I can’t cut down more wood with the chainsaw than I can by hand with the axe.” The shopkeeper replies, “give me a minute. let’s just take a look at this.” Then, he starts up the chainsaw. Upon hearing the noise, the lumberjack declares, “WHAT’S THAT NOISE?” The lumberjack had been using the chainsaw not knowing how to start it.
What a tale of lost opportunity and ineffectiveness. No wonder he was not convinced!
May I suggest that many of us are caught in a similar situation? Our mindset is keeping us imprisoned in life, in the way of living, that is way less than God’s best for us!
TAKE THE QUIZ
If this is resonating with you, take this quick quiz to examine your mindset on how well it is serving you.
Review the following 4 statements and assess your mindset on a scale of 1-7, with 1 being not yet and 7 always.
- Are you operating from a clear vision and purpose, one that motivates and excites you to get up in the morning?
- Do you regularly monitor your energy levels and pay attention to what feeds your passion and enthusiasm?
- Have you taken time to incorporate unforced rhythms of Grace into your life? Those things restore your soul: abiding, connecting with Jesus, connecting with other believers, taking time to be still to know that He is God to experience his presence and power.
- Do you actively cultivate a lifestyle of thankfulness and gratitude?
WHERE ARE YOU AT?
If you scored a 7 on all 4 of the indicators please email me so I can take lessons and learn from you!
I am sure we have uncovered some opportunities for growth and learning for the rest of us. Let me encourage you to resist the urge to play it safe, and to stay within your comfort zone. Don’t let fear hold you back from trying something new or from reaching out and asking for help.
STEPPING IN
The real danger here is not in trying something and not being successful but rather in doing nothing and continuing to slide to a mediocre mindset and a compromised life.
If this message resonates with you and you are feeling it stirring in your heart, I would encourage you to press into experience life on God's terms. It’s challenging, even overwhelming at times. But, it's also an incredibly fulfilling exciting journey to press into and say,
“What's next Papa?!”
Join us on January 18, 2023 at the Burlington Art Gallery
where we will dive deeper into your mindset and 4 other keys to building your own blueprint to thrive during challenging times. 
