Growing your Marriage


What a busy few days I have had! First, this past Thursday I had the opportunity to meet up with some fellow friends and Life Purpose Coaches in Tampa. Kelly, Diane, and Phyllis were in Tampa hosting a Life Purpose Training for women who are wanting to become certified as Life Purpose Coaches through Life Purpose Coaching Centers, International. It has been nearly 2 years since I have seen each of these women, so needless to say, it was wonderful seeing them!

Second, my husband and I left for Charleston, South Carolina on Saturday. We LOVE it here! The historic downtown area is absolutely wonderful. We are here visiting with his parents and are staying at the Residence Inn Marriott which is also wonderful! This is our second trip here to Charleston and I imagine, it will not be our last. We just like it here too much! One of our favorite restaurants to eat at while we are here is Hyman's Seafood. They have the absolute best, Fried Green Tomatoes which I love. Another thing I love about this restaurant is the tidbits of knowledge they share with each of their guests. On each table, you can find cards that contain words of knowledge that I would like to share with you for the next few days. Here's the first one:

Test Your Spouse And See How They're Doing
Promises for Marriage by Steve Stephens

Start each day with a kiss
Wear your wedding ring at all times
Date once a week
Accept differences
Be polite
Be gentle
Give gifts
Smile often
Talk about dreams
Select a song that can be "your" song
Give back rubs
Laugh together
Send a card for no reason
Do what the other person wants before he or she asks
Listen
Encourage
Do it his or her way
Know his or her needs
Fix the other person's breakfast
Compliment twice a day
Call during the day
Slow down
Hold hands
Cuddle
Ask for each other's opinion
Show respect
Welcome the other person home
Look your best
Wink at each other
Celebrate birthdays in a big way
Apologize
Forgive
Set up a romantic getaway
Ask, "What can I do to make you happier?"
Be positive
Be kind
Be vulnerable
Respond quickly to the other person's request
Talk about your love
Reminisce about your favorite times together
Treat each other's friends and relatives with courtesy
Send flowers on every Valentine's Day and anniversary
Admit when wrong
Pray for each other daily
Watch sunsets together
Say "I love you" frequently
End the day with a hug
Seek outside help when needed

So here's my question for you-what can you specifically do this week to show your husband that you love him and desire nothing else than to be the wife that you were created to be?

Take some time this week to really build up and encourage your husband. Not only will your marriage grow stronger, but your husband will be encouraged!

Until next time!

Jen

Heavy Heart


I must admit, I have a heavy heart. Last night, I decided to listen in on Oprah's online web class based on Eckart Tolle's book, A New Earth: Awakening to your Life's Purpose.

Every so often, I listen in to what Oprah has to say because the truth of the matter is, she has quite a following. Many people (women in particular) tune into what she has to say and in turn, take it as truth. Dear friends, can I be honest with you? Guard your hearts. It truly saddens me to see the amount of people, even those who call themselves Christians (including Oprah), who not only take to heart what Oprah says, but in turn, take it as truth. Oprah is so far from the truth, that is scares me as to what we are allowing ourselves to believe in.

As I listened in on the first session, one of the things that Oprah states is that she is a Christian. She states that when she was in her twenties she was attending a Bible believing Baptist church that was all about rules, beliefs, and doctrines. During that service, she said that the pastor said something that struck a cord with her. The pastor said that our God is a jealous God. When she heard that, she commented that it did not sit well with her and that this was the time when the doctrine of the church really got to her. She could not believe that God was a jealous God-that God was jealous of her. She continued by stating that God is love, not jealousy.

Of course when I heard this, my heart sunk because the truth of the matter is, our God is a jealous God. He's not jealous of us, but rather, He wants our total devotion. He clearly states in Exodus 20:4-5:

"You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God..."

"During this time period, the Israelites had just come from Egypt, a land of many idols and many Gods. Because each god represented a different aspect of life, it was common to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. When God told his people to worship and believe in Him, that wasn't so hard for them-He was just one more god to add to the list. But when He said, You shall have no other gods before me, that was difficult for the people to accept. But if they didn't learn that the God who led them out of Egypt was the only true God, they could not be His people, no matter how faithfully they kept the other nine commandments" (Life Application Study Bible).

Ladies, the truth of the matter is that our God is a jealous God and that He wants us to have no other gods before Him. Unfortunately, today's thought process (which Oprah helps to deliver) is that there are many ways to God. That it's OK to worship many gods in order to get the maximum number of blessings. This is so far from the truth. God's word clearly states:

"Jesus answered, I am the way and the the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

There is no other way to God, it's only through Jesus Christ. Oprah went on to state that so many times, we as Christians tend to put God in this box, that we make God too narrow. "Jesus says He is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, Thank-you God, for providing a sure way to get to you" (Life Application Study Bible)! Oprah clearly stated that she believes that she is a Christian and that there are many other paths to God rather than just Christianity. She is far from the truth.

What amazes me is that the Bible clearly states that there is only one way to God the Father, and that it is through Jesus Christ. But yet, she refuses to acknowledge this truth all the while, accepting other truths that are within the Bible. It's more of a let me pick and choose what I want to believe and whatever it is I disagree with, then so be it.

The truth of the matter is, you are either for God or against Him. There's no picking or choosing.

Oprah also stated a book (that she subscribes to) that describes old spiritual thinking and new spiritual thinking. She states that old spiritual thinking is thinking that includes believing that there is only one path to God and that the path to God and to worship Him has already been set.

New spiritual thinking (which is what Oprah believes in) states that you are your own authority and that there are many paths to spiritual freedom. She along with Tolle goes on to state that the problem today is that we tend to deny other people's belief systems when the reality is, that we should accept those.

You know, I just can't accept this when I know that Jesus clearly stated the only way to the Father is through Him. And here's my point-many people claim to believe in Jesus and in turn, state that He was a great man-honest, full of integrity, kind, compassionate, etc. They believe all of these characteristics of Him, but yet, choose to believe that He is not the Son of God-that He is not the Savior of the world and that He is not the only way to God the Father. Well, how can you believe that He was an honest, kind, compassionate man, and yet, believe that He is not the Savior of the world? That would in turn make Him out to be a liar and thus, you have no grounds to stand on when you state that He was an honest man. Instead, you would have to call him a liar and a lunatic.

With this thought in mind, Oprah states that she believes that Jesus came to earth to show us His heart-to show us how to live. Again, if you believe this, then how can you not believe anything else about Him? She clearly states that Jesus did not come to start Christianity.

"Therefore Jesus said again, I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:7-10).

"In the sheep pen, the shepherd functioned as a gate, letting the sheep in and protecting them. Jesus is the gate to God's salvation for us. He offers access to safety and security. Christ is our protector" (Life Application Study Bible).

Jesus came so that we may have life and have it to the fullest-being able to spend not only time with Him now, but for all of eternity. He didn't just come to show us how to live lives of honesty, integrity, etc. He came to not only show us those things, but to give us life!

Ladies, guard your hearts. After hearing all of this crazy talk from Oprah and the "spiritual advisor", my heart sank because I know the world is falling for these lies. What broke my heart is that much of what I have listed came from the mouth of Oprah as she was answering a young women's question about aligning her Christian beliefs with what Tolle's book is all about.

Ladies, the truth is found in God's word and God's word alone. You either believe it whole heartedly, or you don't.

When you are searching for answers and guidance, seek God, not Oprah. God will not lead you astray. God will awaken your purpose for you life if you will give Him the opportunity to do so. Don't depend on Tolle's book or "The Secret" for answers. Turn to God-He'll give you what you need.

Fear


Fear-It's something we all face at some point in our life. For some odd reason, fear has smacked me right in the face this week. I don't know about you, but it seems like the older I get, the more fears I acquire. Let me explain. When I was in my twenties, I was ready to conquer the world. Nothing scared me (except maybe the occasional roller coaster). I was OK with dying. I knew who I belonged to and really felt that when it was my time to go, it would just be my time.

Well, as I've gotten older, I have to admit, death scares me a bit. I still know who I belong to, but I still tend to have a little fear of death. I not only fear death at times, but getting on a plane also scares me a tad bit. I used to never be afraid of flying and now, I always get a little nervous when I know I'm getting ready to get on a plane. Cancer, sickness, etc., used to never scare me either. Now, if I hear numerous stories on TV about cancer, I have to turn it off or else I become a little fearful.

These past two days, I have had quite a few fears creep in. This Sunday, I'm flying out to South Carolina. Honestly, I'm a little nervous about the flight. Also, in the near future, I will be alone at home one night-this scares me. I prefer my husband to be with me. So, needless to say, I've been thinking about that.

I also found out this week that I am going on the senior trip to Tennessee in May. Well, one of the activities we will be taking part in is white water rafting. Even though I've done this multiple times, I am still a little fearful. The last thing I want to do is fall out of the raft!! Lastly, today I became aware that in order to get to the cabin in Tennessee, we will have to take the charter bus all the way up the mountain! Yes, this scares me! I'm a Florida girl, not a mountain girl! So, in the past two days, I've had 4 fears smack me down.

What do you do when you become fearful?
Who do you turn to?
What fears are holding you back from doing and being who it is that God has called you to be?


Take some time this week to really think about those fears that have creeped in. Spend some time giving those fears over to the Lord. Think about all of the people in the Bible who I'm sure were fearful at times, but yet, they did not allow that fear to keep them from being who God called them to be and doing what God called them to do:

* David (David and Goliath)
* Daniel (Daniel and the Lions)
* Moses (Moses and public speaking)
* Esther (Esther helping to set her people free)

Psalm 34:4
God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.

Psalm 46:1
God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.

Psalm 49:5
So why should I fear in bad times, hemmed in by enemy malice, Shoved around by bullies, demeaned by the arrogant rich?

Really take some time to give God your fears. Rest assured, I'll be doing the same thing this week!! Feel free to drop me a comment and let me know how I can pray for you and if you get a moment, feel free to throw in a prayer for me too!!

Blessings,
Jen

The Day that True Love Died

I'm a day late, but still, this is a powerful video. Make sure to take some time this weekend in not only praising God and who He is, but also thanking Him for allowing His Son to die on the cross so that we may be Saved! Praise God-Jesus Lives!

10 Simple Steps to Living a Life of Purpose


10 Simple Steps to Begin Living a Life of Purpose!

Be Still-Make it a priority to spend time with your Maker on a daily basis; be still and know that He is God. The more time you spend with Him and the more time you spend getting to know Him, the more He gives you. Make Him a priority and in turn, He will begin showing you how He wants to specifically use you and how He has uniquely created you!

Love God, Love others-Give God everything you have. Love Him like you’ve never loved Him before. Love others. Be a servant leader. Take time each day to love on those that the Lord has surrounded you with. When you love God and others, God pours out an abundance of blessings upon you!

Be You-Be yourself; be the person that God has created you to be. Don’t compare yourself to others and what it is that God is doing in their life, be you. God has created you with specific gifts, skills, and talents. Allow Him to begin showing you your uniqueness. When you spend time comparing yourself to others, you miss out on who God has created YOU to be!

Learn to say no-So many times we allow ourselves to do everything, which in turn, causes us to be tired, moody, and exhausted. Before saying yes to anything, give it over to God and ask Him if this is something that He would have you be a part of. If you ask, He will answer.

Simplify-Simplify your life. If you have a cluttered house and/or office, not only will you be stressed, but you will fail to create an environment that inspires you to be who God has created you to be.

Invite Inspiration-Make your home and/or office a place of inspiration. Surround yourself with those things that inspire you to not only spend time with God, but also those things that inspire you to dream and set goals. Display words of encouragement around you, light candles, keep your journal nearby, display fresh flowers throughout the house, and get outside. Allow yourself to be inspired!

Get Connected-Surround yourself with positive people. Allow yourself to connect with those people who not only inspire you, but people who will cause you to grow emotionally, academically, and spiritually. Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable in regards to your goals and what it is that you hope to accomplish.

Do Something Different-Allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone at least once a month. Allow yourself to take a step. Maybe that means attending a meeting, signing up for a college course, attending a writer’s conference, inviting someone to dinner, etc. Do whatever it takes to allow yourself to get out of your comfort zone at least once a month.

Write, Write, and Write-Take time each day to write your thoughts, dreams, goals, hopes, passions, etc. Not only will you be inspired, but you will also begin discovering YOU!

Visit Jen’s Blog-Be sure to check-out Jen’s blog on a daily basis. Many times you will find questions that will help you discover who you are, what you are dreaming about, and what it is that is holding you back! http://www.coachjenniferbennett.blogspot.com/


PS-A printable version of these 10 simple steps will be available on Jen's website in a couple of weeks. Make sure to check out her website!

Jennifer Bennett
Life Purpose Coach, Life Plan Facilitator, Educator, Writer, and Speaker
http://www.coachjenniferbennett.com/

All rights Reserved, Copyright by Jennifer Bennett, 2008

What Inspires You?


What inspires you? What gets your creative juices going? What kind of environment causes you to dream, set goals, and in turn, envision who you can become?


I LOVE being inspired! And what's funny is that I don't really know how to explain the feelings I encounter when I am inspired. Let me share some personal examples with you.


As a high school teacher, not only do I want to inspire my students, but I want and need to be inspired throughout the day-especially on those days where my precious students are determined to drive me crazy! :) To help inspire me, I have purchased a few things that I have placed throughout my classroom.


First, I have two pictures hanging right above my desk that truly inspire me. I LOVE pictures of outside cafes. There is just something about those kinds of pictures that get me dreaming. So, needless to say, right above my desk I have two pictures of outside cafes. One in particular has the word Shakespeare written across it which of course I love being that I am an English teacher.


Another piece of inspiration is a small photo of Walt Disney which is hanging from my white board. In this picture you have Walt Disney walking on the undeveloped land where Walt Disney World currently stands. In the background, very faintly, you see Cinderella's castle. At the bottom of the picture it states, "It's fun to dream the impossible." Every time I see that picture I can't help but be inspired. To think about this incredible man whose dream started with a mouse and to see what has come from that, is just absolutely inspiring to me.


Lastly, I have a wood carving that sits on my white board that states, "Believe-with God all things are possible." Seeing these things on a daily basis inspire me to do the absolute best that I can and in turn, to give God all I've got.



Another place of inspiration for me is my home. I LOVE candles, so needless to say, my house has candles everywhere. The sweet aroma inspire me to read, write, and dream. Additionally, I also have a picture of an outside cafe on the wall that is adjacent from our living room. And then, right across from the couch I sit on, I have another wood carving that states, "God is Faithful" which reminds me on a daily basis that God will do what He has promised to do in my life.



So, what inspires you? Is it being able to take a walk, going to the bookstore, eating at an outside cafe, getting together with like minded girlfriends, or just cuddling up on the couch with a great book in hand?



Take some time to think about those things that inspire you. As you think of these things, write them down and then see what you can do to not only make your home a place of inspiration, but also your work environment. You'll be surprised how your attitude will change when you allow yourself to be surrounded by those things that get you dreaming!

Discovering YOU!


I hope you have had the opportunity to spend some time really thinking about the questions that I posed on Sunday:


* Why are you alive?

* What are you most proud of having accomplished at this point in your life?

* If you were financially able to retire one year from today, what would you begin working on to prepare for that?


As you went through the questions and answered them honestly, what thoughts were running through your head? Do you know why you are alive? Do you truly believe that you have a purpose and that no matter what you have been through or are currently going through, that God does indeed want to do a mighty work through you?


What were you thinking when you started pondering what it is that you are most proud of having accomplished at this point in your life? Maybe it was losing those last 10 pounds you've been holding onto. Maybe it was being consistent in your quiet time. Or maybe, you went back to school and started pursuing what you have always dreamed about pursuing. What is it that you are most proud of right now in your life?


When I ponder this question, I have to admit-What makes me most proud is that I am currently working on my doctorate. Granted, I don't like all the school work, but getting a doctorate is something I have always thought about, but honestly, many times I felt as though I could never do it. I had those same doubts that many of you encounter when you begin thinking about those things your heart longs for. Those thoughts of, "you can't do this, you're not smart enough, no one will listen, no one will believe that you can do it, etc." But you know what? I decided to not allow those thoughts to stop me from pursuing a dream that I have always had and believe it or not, I actually have a 4.0 grade point average. Hard for me to believe-but not so hard for God-He, once again showing me that His dreams are bigger than mine.


Lastly, if you were financially able to retire one year from today, what would you begin working on to prepare for that? Personally, I think I would be doing exactly what I'm doing-going to school, being actively involved within my church, continuing my writing, etc. I would be doing exactly what it is that I am currently doing. Can you say the same thing? Or are you continuing to hold off on pursuing those things that you want to pursue because you feel like it's just something that will have to wait?


Let me encourage you to really make it your prayer to seek the heart of God and in turn, to allow Him to reveal to you why he has created you for such a time as this. Allow Him to show you what makes his heart soar-what in your life has just made Him smile like never before. Allow Him to make it absolutely clear as to what He wants to do in your life. He'll show you, I promise. Just give Him the time and He'll come through!


Are you ready for you new set of questions? Here they are:


* What would you most like the people at your funeral to say about you, specifically?


* Who in history do you admire most and why?


* If you could solve a world problem, what would it be? Be VERY specific.


I would LOVE to hear your thoughts in regards to the last question-what world problem would you solve?


Enjoy your time of discovery!


Your Purpose Partner,

Jen


Your Online Life Purpose Coach



It has been such a pleasure reading your responses to the online poll-What keeps you from working with a Life Purpose Coach? It doesn't surprise me that the majority of responses centered on finances. This is not uncommon. Hiring a Life Purpose Coach is and can be a costly commitment-anywhere from $50-$250 an hour.


Here's some food for thought-


In life, we must choose those things that are important to us. Due to the fact that my husband and I want to spend our money a little more wisely and in turn, save up for those things that we really desire, we have decided to cut back on our eating out. In 2007 we came to realize just how much money we spent on eating out-so much that we could have easily afforded those things that we really wanted. I say all of this because if you truly desire to work with a Life Purpose Coach, think of some ways you can cut back:

-maybe cutting back on that morning coffee that you purchase at Starbucks everyday. At $3.00 a cup for 365 days a year-you would save $1095.00

-cutting back on eating out

-getting rid of cable and instead, spend that TV watching time working with a coach-
Cable costs vary but most likely it's approximately $50 a month-you would save $600 a year if you turned off your cable

-Cutting back on manicures and/or pedicures (this one is so hard for me!!)

-What other extras do you have in your life that you could get rid of (lawn service, cell phone plan, switch to some generic products instead of name brands, etc.)?

While cutting back is good, maybe you still can't afford a Life Purpose Coach because you have debt to pay off. Well, here's the good news-be sure to check this blog often. Consider me your online Life Purpose Coach! I will pose questions that we would work on and speak about if you were to hire me as your Life Purpose Coach. Questions that deal with dreams, purpose, fears, anxieties, goals, mission, vision, etc. As I pose questions, feel free to respond to them both at home in your journal and with me online. If you have a comment or question, let me know. I'll be happy to communicate with you via the blog and email.

So, are you ready for the journey? If so, here are some things you need to do:

1) If you don't have a journal, go purchase one! Designate this journal as your Life Purpose Journal where you will respond to the questions that I will pose on this blog.

2) Set aside time on a daily basis to not only work through the questions, but to also dig into the Word of God and in turn, making sure that you spend consistent time with Him on a daily basis. Talk with him about the questions and your responses. Ask Him to guide you-He will!

3) Check out Coach Jennifer Bennett's blog on a consistent basis! Leave a comment, post a question.

4) Get some of your girlfriends to join in-then, set up some time to meet and discuss your responses together. Hold each other accountable, encourage one another, etc.

Are you ready to begin? If so, here we go! Here are your first set of questions which directly deal with Life Purpose:

* Why are you alive?

* What are you most proud of having accomplished at this point in your life?

* If you were financially able to retire one year from today, what would you begin working on to prepare for that?

I look forward to hearing from you!

When Your Kid Isn't College Bound

Today, I came across a couple of interesting articles that deal directly with students and college. Take some time to read them and let me know your thoughts:

“My dad wants me to go to college — he’s a very 'education-is-the-greatest-aspect-of-life' kind of guy,” Marchioni says. But despite the lectures from his father and the taunts of his classmates, he has no regrets about his decision. “I’ll be doing something better,” he says confidently. Read More

Also, take some time to read the thoughts of those who have reflected about their past decisions in regards to attending or not attending college, and the thoughts, concerns, and fears that parents face regarding their children and college:

"Looking back now at age 46, I could kick myself in the behind for not sticking with it. I, as a teenager, definitely did not know what was good for me or my future," writes Heidi. "There are so many roads that have been blocked because I did not pursue higher education during those early years." Read More

What are your thoughts in regards to college? Did you go? If so, why? If not, why not? Do you feel as though you were ready to attend college at the age of 18? Did you have a clear understanding of who you were and what you wanted to study? Do you expect your children to attend college? Why or why not?

Please, feel free to share any thoughts in regards to attending or not attending college and any other thoughts you may have on the subject. I look forward to reading your responses.

Teenagers Searching for Purpose and Significance

One of the joys of a Doctoral program is having the opportunity to write a dissertation, which can be defined as an extended research paper that incorporates the practical. One of my passions is working with not only students, but also teachers. Within this passion is my desire to see students discover who they are, what their gifts, skills, and talents are, and what it is that they are passionate about. I long to see students step foot on a college campus knowing not only who they are, but who God has called them to be and with that, what direction He wants them to walk in. This is what the focus of my dissertation will be on.

Research is showing that anywhere between 20%-50% of students end up entering their freshman year of college undecided about their major and future career. With that, between 50% and 70% of all undergraduates will change their major and career plans at least once during college (Lepre, 2007). What does all of this mean for students? Well, students who postpone declaring a major tend to have lower grade point averages, they take fewer courses, and they tend to be less academically motivated (Lepre, 2007).

With all of these statistics, Lepre (2007) goes on to state that many students have a difficult time just knowing where to begin when it comes to the whole college process/declaring a major. And in addition to this, when students feel pressured to make a decision, they in turn, decide on a major/college that does not fit them and many times these students become discouraged due to lack of direction. This breaks my heart because this is such a critical time in a student's life and so many students are not only trying to make some big decisions, but they are searching for purpose and when they feel discouraged, they begin to really question and wonder whether or not God does indeed have a plan for their life.

It is vital that students begin the process of self-discovery by their freshman year of high school. Students need the opportunity to begin exploring who they are: their values, their passions, their skills, talents, gifts, beliefs, fears, etc. Students not only need to explore these areas, but they must also begin to see and realize the relevance behind their current studies. Many students tend to see school as a waste of time. If students can begin exploring who they are and what it is that they want to accomplish in the future, in turn, they will begin to see the relevance behind their current studies.

I recently had some of my high school students write a paper titled, "My plans after graduation". Students had to write about what they wanted to do after they graduate from high school. Many of them expressed that they planned on attending a four-year university. As they spent some time researching the colleges and careers they hope to pursue, their eyes were opened. Many of them had not realized:


* how much college costs

* grade point averages needed in order to be admitted into a college

* SAT and ACT scores needed in order to be admitted into a college

* that the majority of colleges accept students who have taken classes filled with rigor (honors, AP, dual enrollment, etc.)

* that being involved on your school campus along with being involved in the community is something that colleges look highly upon

* that their intended major required specific multiple courses in one academic area and unfortunately, many of these students are failing those courses at the high school level


The students were a little surprised. I say all of this because if you have a child, you need to begin working with them in helping them discover who they are. You need to take some time each day to reassure them that God does have a purpose for them and that He wants to use them in some incredible ways. Here are some ideas that you can take and start using with your kids today:


1) Have your child create a collage by using magazine pictures. Have them answer the following question through pictures-Who am I? This will give you LOTS of insight as to who they think they are.


2) Talk to them about what they like to do in their free time.


3) Talk to them about their favorite subjects in school and have them explain why those are their favorite subjects


4) Talk to them about their hopes and goals for the future


5) Take some time to help them explore colleges and the requirements that those colleges have


6) Take some time to help them explore careers that they have thought about pursuing


7) Set up an appointment where they will have the opportunity to meet and talk with someone who is working within the career they are thinking about pursuing


The goal is to get your child thinking about all of this before their high school graduation day. If you do this, not only will it save you tons of money (no changing majors multiple times thus extending their college years), but you will have a child who will hold their head up high knowing who they are and that they were created with a specific purpose that God wants to work within them!


Feel free to send me any questions, thoughts, or concerns that you may have. This is my calling-working with adults and students as they seek out to discover who God has uniquely created them to be.


Lepre, C. (2007). Getting through to them: Reaching students who need career counseling. The Career Development Quarterly, 56(1), 74-84.


Part Two-Keys to Time Management

Here's Part Two to Keys to Time Management:

7) Simplify your environment
Clutter in your office or home environment can create stress. It can actually make you feel like you have more work than you really do.

8) Simplify your tasks
This may involve over-responding and/or under-responding. For example, when receiving a fax, which needs only a quick response or a confirmation, write your answer on the faxed document and fax it right back. Or, if someone asks you for something specific, and you know that by offering more help than was originally asked you can avoid the form of a problem, then isn't it worth it to do more? Make a point of over-responding to any situation in which there is an opportunity to solve more than one problem in the process.

9) Really listen to others
When you are preoccupied with other thoughts, you actually create anxiety for yourself about what you are listening to and what you allow to intrude into your thoughts. This anxiety is created because you can not act immediately on either. You are left feeling incomplete with both.

10) Decide what you can give up in order to get what you want
One day has only twenty-four hours in it, and yet, how many times have you borrowed from the next day to finish a project thereby losing valuable sleep, or borrowed from your relationships to pursue a goal, or borrowed from your personal time to work on a project? When we choose among multiple possibilities how we will spend our work and/or personal time, we are almost always asked to choose what we will give up in order to have more. Much pain and suffering around "managing time" could be avoided if this process were respected.

11) Find some time each day for quiet reflection
When you commit to spending some time each day suspending your thoughts and judgments and creating inner stillness, you'll train your body and mind what awareness feels like and you can transform how you experience the flow of time.

Take some time this week to really think about how you can improve your time management skills! You'll be happy that you did!

* These "Keys" to Time Management have been taken from The Coaching Starter Kit by Coachville.com, published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Part one - Keys to Time Management

Time Management-something we all struggle with at different points in our life. This past week I had the opportunity to meet with a variety of parents and students who are thinking about enrolling (students) in my AP Literature course for next year. As many of you know, AP Literature is a college level course that is offered to high school students who want to get college credit. Within this course, there is LOTS of reading and writing. The point I kept making clear to all students and parents is that this course requires time management skills. If a student is going to succeed, the student must have good time management skills.

Time management is something I have really had to work on being that my life is non-stop. In addition to working full-time as a high school teacher, I am also a Life Purpose Coach and a Doctoral student; I have had to learn to prioritize my time.

So, what are some time management skills you can apply to your life? Read on!

1) Start with giving your calendar over to God

There is only so much you can handle before it becomes a mess. Believe me, I know. If you really want to prioritize your time management skills, start off by giving your calendar to God. Truly seek Him and ask Him to show you what your calendar should consist of. When you do this, I promise, He will show you.

2) Make God the Priority in Your Life

I don't know how He does this, but every time that I have made God the priority in my life and in turn, have spent time with Him on a daily basis, not only am I able to accomplish everything that I needed to accomplish, but my day goes by much more smoothly. It's like God showing me that when I place Him first, He in turn will indeed take care of my every need. Try this and watch how God will bless your day.

3) Prioritize your efforts

Make the distinction between things that are important and things that are urgent. Most of the time, doing the things that are important, rather than urgent, results in greater effectiveness. In other words, don't major in minor things.

4) Do less to get more

Economize your efforts. For example, when you're boiling a pot of water, let it come to a boil while you do something else, or you can "watch the pot."

5) Reduce excess sources of adrenaline

These are substances, activities, relationships, situations, or attitudes that result in your feeling "charged up". Too much adrenaline can distract you from the focus needed to complete a project, increase feelings of anxiety, and intensify the feeling that time is flying. Over time, excessive adrenaline can have negative health consequences as well.

6) Eliminate time and energy-taxing elements

These are situations, attitudes, or behaviors that you're putting up with in your personal or work life, which don't serve you or your larger purpose but consumer physical, mental, and/or emotional energy. Eliminating them results in an increase in available energy for people and projects, an overall feeling of calm, and more time to get things done.

If you are having trouble with time management, take some time this week to implement some of the "keys" listed above. Also, if you have any time management ideas that you have implemented within your life, please, share those with us! Looking forward to reading your comments and be on the lookout for Part Two of "Keys to Time Management".


* Some of these "Keys" to Time Management have been taken from The Coaching Starter Kit by Coachville.com, published by W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.

And the winner is.....

Dolores!! Congratulations Dolores on being our giveaway winner! Be on the look out for an email from Jen and a package in the mail! Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did!!