The Right Support You Need

My desire as I have gotten older is to help others, share wisdom and lead according to Biblical teachings. Over my 22 year career, I have looked forward to the opportunities to mentor and guide individuals, help them find their next step and grow aligned to their values and beliefs. Now I will say I am biased, as a born again Christian, there is no better counsel and direction then God himself. Over and over as I have read countless business books, the same wisdom is found throughout the Bible. Nothing new, just presented in a different way.

I’ve written before about surrounding yourself with the right people and no doubt this echos true each and every day. Recently I’ve pulled together a group of people that I know that are interested in coaching in different capacities. Each of us brings a special knowledge, special capability that the others do not have.

Right now, I’m part of a group of men as we search for the man of God to continue the leadership in our church as our Pastor is stepping down. Last night as we gathered our Assistant Pastor opened up with Proverbs 11:14.

14 Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.

This was fitting and rings true in my mind as I sat here today. I would also add to this diversity of thought that it is critical to look at things from different perspectives. If everyone around you is pointing in the same direction, then that begs the question if I’m heading in the right direction or is there something missing. The Bible teaches a multitude of counselors!

I write all this to challenge you on who your support group is. Where are people leading you and what help do you need. Where is an outside opinion maybe helpful to help you to meet your goals.

As a financial coach, I will openly admit that some of my ways people think are crazy, not for them, too extreme. But I ask the question, what ideas do you have? Are you making progress towards your goals, are those around you helping you to progress towards those goals. If my “friends” are eating out regularly, going on grand vacations, carrying a bill on their credit card, etc. all while I’m trying to get out of debt, are they the ones that you should go to for advice on what to do when your car breaks down, or whether you should buy the latest watch that just came out? That is a where an outside opinion comes in, that is where a coach or a counselor comes in to help.

A coach or a counselor is looking to help you achieve your goals, meet your objectives and align to a plan. They are the ones that can help bring the perspective that you need to keep you on track.

Surround yourself with the multitude of counselors and make sure to bring in different points of view. Then for me, I make sure to pray about it “without ceasing” till I have clarity of thought. God will bring clarity through the fog, but we have to stay focused on this. Do what it requires to focus your prayers. Fasting will help you zero in on your walk with God, taking a quiet walk with him to gather your focus on his direction and clear out the noise that so easily distracts us.

So why get a coach or a counselor? To help you achieve your goals, get an outside opinion from someone that knows the way, knows success and can help you to stay on track. Keep focused and put in the work.