But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. -Matthew 7:14

Yesterday I talked about the necessity of boundaries. Today, I want to focus on how I’m implementing them in my life.

Here is the Progression I’ve found of healthy boundaries:

Decide on Your Values -> Set Boundaries -> Get Accountability

Values - the ideal way I want to live a certain area of my life!

Boundaries – What I’m going to establish in my life to make sure that value is carried out. These are uncompromisable!

Accountability - Intentionally putting someone in my life to make sure I’m not just all talk

Example:

Value - I want to be physically fit, look great with my shirt off, and be athletic enough to do what I want.

Boundary - I’m going to work out for an hour a day, 6 days a week. I’ll also only consume between 2,000-2,500 calories per day, while maintaining a healthy diet.

Accountability - Me and a friend check in with each other at least once or twice a week to make sure we’re on track. I also record calories in an app so I can show anyone at anytime what I’ve been eating.

I’ve gone through this process in every area of my life:

1. Personal Growth
2. Spiritual
3. Family
4. Career
5. Physical Fitness
6. Financial
7. Social

I encourage you to take these 7 areas in your life, decide what you want your values to be in those areas, set-up boundaries, and meet with someone to look over your list with you. Have them make sure it’s sustainable, and have them hold you to it.

It will be a pain in the butt for a while, but after a few months, you’ll see changes start to take place, your life will seem more balanced, you’ll be getting more done, and most important, getting the results you want in life!

Thoughts?

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. -Matthew 7:14

Boundaries. Limitations. Restrictions. Rules. When I hear those words, I cringe. All I hear is, “I can’t have fun”. I’ve heard over and over again in my life that I need boundaries. I read the book, Boundaries, at someones recommendation, I thought it was dumb. (Since then, I’ve changed that opinion!)

A few months ago, I had dinner with a mentor. It was a tough dinner. I got called out. I got challenged. I got a reality check.

The reality check was: I’ve never had boundaries in my life. As a result my life is getting out of control. If I don’t learn to establish healthy boundaries, I’ll never go anywhere worth going in life!

I’ve heard it said if you want to be successful, look at what successful people do on a daily basis, and do that.

When I look into the lives of leaders I respect and want to be like, I recognize that they have all established healthy boundaries to live in.

Over the past few months since that dinner, I’ve been working hard to establish healthy boundaries in my life. It’s been difficult, uphill process, but it’s been life changing. I’m nowhere near where I should be, but the changes I have made, have made a significant difference in my life.

Tomorrow I’ll share about the journey I’ve been on over the past few months. I hope they encourage you to recognize that boundaries aren’t stupid, they are the key to a successful life.

Thoughts?

God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.⁷ If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. ⁸ If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.   -Romans 12:6-8

I read a book called The Element by Ken Robinson (the speaker in the video below).  The subtitle of the book is: “How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything”. I’d highly recommend reading it.  It’s about people who are extremely successful because they chose to do what they love to do. I know a lot of  people who never pursue what they love for a whole slew of reasons:

Fear of not making enough money, fear of what people will think if you go after it, fear of failure. Fear of _____. (You fill in the blank.)

Take the time to watch this 20 minute TED talk by Ken Robinson:

My question to you is: Why aren’t you doing what you love?

If you’re not pursuing the passions, gifts, and purposes God’s put in your heart, you’re robbing the world of something wonderful.

You could be the next best selling author, the next Joel Osteen, Donald Trump, the next President of the United States, the next Mother Theresa, the next . . . you name it.

I don’t know what you love and what you’re good at, but I know the world could benefit from it greatly. I know that it can make an incredible impact in people’s lives. I know the pursuit of it would change your life forever.

Stop letting fear hold you back from doing what God’s put in your heart to do.

Why not start doing what you love today? Start blogging, start writing, start speaking, start recording, start applying for the job of your dreams. Don’t look back. Life is to short to not do what you love.

“You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough” -Fred Allen

Thoughts?

Here is another TED talk by Ken Robinson – I promise you it’s worth the time to watch it.