How To Turn Your Hopes Into Reality (Easy guide to SMART goals)
Everything starts with an idea, but some of the best ideas never grow to become real. Having ideas is a great and important first step. Making quality goals changes outcomes and ultimately transforms lives.
It has been said that if you aren’t sure where you are going you will surely get there (nowhere) or if you fail to aim you aim to fail!
In order to have a step-by-step plan or leading from God you need to have steps. You can always change them as He leads, but having them keeps in motion. It is always easier to turn a moving ship, car, bike, skateboard... whatever.
To quote American philanthropist Elbert Hubbard,
"Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage, but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal."
Dreams are unrefined hope and cost-free aspirations that we might do someday. Converting a dream into a goal is a decision to take tangible steps to pursue it. Goals are specific future targets that we are commit...
3 Ways To Keep That One Holiday Conversation From Getting Highjacked!
Not looking forward to certain conversations over the holidays? Let's talk about that friend or family member who is stuck. They have been thinking about doing something new or moving toward a goal, but they've been hovering around the idea or stuck in the hurt or habit for months, or maybe even years...
What if that holiday conversation could be something you looked forward to?
What if you could reframe that tricky topic as an opportunity to connect with God by sharing His deep love for that person?
What if you could slow down and feel Him close, for yourself, during this season?
The possibilities for engaging with the Light during this season are more available than you may realize. If you seek Him, He can be found! Here are 3 simple tips that could make all the difference!
1- Release control!
What?! I hear it. You don't think you want to control others, that sounds so.... controlling. What you really want is for them to "get unstuck", find traction and be able to move from wh...
Life Changing Gift Idea? (for your gift list or wish list)
Wish you could give a gift that would truly make a difference in someone's life?
Want to ask for something that could actually make next year THE year you moved forward?
"Traction" could be your answer.
This interactive workbook is a self-coaching step-by-step guide that walks you down the pathway called the coaching ROAD. Filled with inspirational photos and quotes, this book is designed to be used by an individual, a couple, or even a team.
Who do you know that could use some Traction? (Someone in a transition, or considering a new next step- a pastor or leader who could use these tools for helping others?)
Or maybe that person is you? Put this book on your list! (if you have been secretly considering coach training this would be a good first step!)
Check out our other product options for additional meaningful gifts*!
This Christmas could be the beginning of something life-changing!
Merry Merry!
*If you decide on a personal retreat, video course, or any item that requires a...
Four Flavors of People Who Benefit Coach Training [You probably are at least one of them]
Coach Training isn't only for those who want to become professional coaches. Almost everyone can benefit.
Have you ever wanted to help someone but were not sure what to say or do?
Wish you could have more meaningful conversations?
Tired of hearing the same ol,' same ol', from a coworker or family member?
Most people who take Bridges Coach training are NOT looking to become professional coaches. (But they CAN move in that direction if they so choose.)
Here are four actual people groups who have benefited from coach training!
Parents - of kids still at home, but also of adult children.
Learning to craft questions that help children make wise choices is incredibly valuable and empowering! IT takes the strain off the relationship and actually brings hope. One father of an adult child said, "I used to dread our weekly phone calls. I felt compelled to try and keep him in line and that wasn't fun for either of us. Now, I ask him questions that help him make his own choices and I actual...
Shawn Asked - I Answered [6 distinct items to look for in good coach training!]
Shawn's email was an honest inquiry about coach training. He wondered what he should be looking for in coach training and asked if I could chat. So we did.
I reviewed the coach training organization he was interested in and noted a few things he should ask. If you are considering coach training, you should ask these questions, too!
1- How many certifications, programs, or tracks do you need to take in order to actually coach people?
This was a problem for me when I took my initial coach training. I'd finish one certification and they would hold out the next as a "must-do" before coaching. After your first coach training with Bridges, you will be fully prepared to offer an actual coaching session.
2- Will all your training be with a facilitator, or are you ever left on your own?
Many coach training orgs have you "practice" coaching with a peer or fellow trainee. If your sessions are not observed or supervised this can actually be a harmful way to learn as you could be practicing po...
4 Steps To Shift An Aspirational Goal To An Actual Pathway!
I desire to retire well, to be self-supporting and not a burden on my children.
I also want to write a book about pendulums that will help people discern how God is guiding them.
I'm hoping to lose 4 inches in my middle (just keeping it real).
And I dream of being close with my children and grandchildren as we all grow older.
These are all genuine goals for me. I really desire them all. But they will most likely remain dreams if don't add a pathway of intentional action steps toward the goals.
Sometimes churches have aspirational goals too.
We will break the 200-person attendance ceiling, or we will get to 1000 or whatever number...
More than 50% of our people will be in small groups.
Giving will increase by 20% in the next year.
Here's the thing. Clarifying a goal is good, but it is only a first step. Drilling down on a desire gives you something to shoot for, but it's like setting up a target and then not shooting any arrows. No matter how descriptive with g...
Beware The Drift...
Our church has been doing a series called, "Beware of the drift" on the book of Colossians. It's really got me thinking.
Likely, no one plans in advance to gain 20 pounds in 10 years.
Most people don't set out to become distant from family members.
We're not intentional about building a habit of anxiety.
We don't hope and dream to neglect our faith.
And yet, we drift toward all kinds of unintentional behaviors and unwanted habits.
Psalm 141:4a says,
"Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness"
What if "wickedness" doesn't only means violence or intentionally hurting another person? Could it also include neglecting priorities or not pursuing what God has for you?
God offers believers so much - as a people group and personally. Let me explain.
As part of God's family, we are all offered forgiveness for whenever and however we miss the mark of living how He wants us to live. There is a peace available to us that the world does not ...
Coaching a 2 Year Old? And Adult Relationships and Restorative Justice
My young grandson Booker is exceptionally verbal. Recently I overheard him trying to reason with his dad saying, "But it IS appropriate."
His parents are doing more than teaching him to talk, they are teaching him to think for himself. Okay, truth be told he was about a week from being 3 when this all happened, but still - a two-year saying "appropriate" and knowing what it means is pretty entertaining.
But there's more - I have to share this funny, and insightful, story.
On our last visit, Booker was being a kid and in some sort of mood. His parents gave him some time to cool off and then his dad asked him, "Okay so what happened?" and he said in a sheepish voice, "I had an attitude."
"And who did that hurt?"
"Everyone..."
And here's the great part. "What do you need to fix it?"
Of course, we're all expecting him to say he needs to apologize, but he takes a few ponderous moments and says, "I think we're going to need tape and a screwdriver."
I had to look away not to laugh...
What's Next? I AM
[Personal Practices]
Did Moses always kind of know he was called to be a deliverer? I'm not sure, but God certainly led him to do a great work.
How about Joshua? His path led him to step in as a successor.
Rahab was led to do a one-time courageous act.
Anna waited till old age to receive a promise she felt God gave her.
The Bible is filled with pathway stories. They are written as testimonies of faith.
Hebrews 12:1a says, "We are surrounded by a great cloud of people whose lives tell us what faith means. So let us run the race that is before us and never give up."
What is the race that is before you?!
That's our quest!
We need to answer that question! YOU need to have an answer to that question!
God built us for destiny and discovery. We are all a part of the ongoing roll-out of the kingdom of heaven on earth as we participate in the plans He has for us personally.
Proverbs 4:11 is one of my favorite verses, it say...
3 Instances When Coaching Is NOT The Best Option
Surprised?
It's true. Sometimes coaching is not the best option.
Of course, I'm a big fan, and coaching is likely best more often than we all use it, but there are times when it is not the best or right tool to use.
1- When someone needs to be taught something.
Recently one of our Next Level Coach trainees was talking about how his coachee didn't know what a SMART goal was. (If you are not sure check out our blog Demystifying SMART goals.) It's hard to help a client set a good goal when they are not sure of the parameters. In this case, it would be appropriate to "take off your coach's hat" for a time, give a brief explanation, and then ask clarifying questions that would help someone make a SMART goal.
Or maybe the teaching would be more in the form of a story. Many people deal with lies or limiting beliefs that hold them back from moving forward in all God has for them. In fact, I would go so far as to say most people deal with these. If someone is unclear on this concept, it...