Finding Me
I'm 34 years old and have two beautiful children. The last 15 years life has been everything but easy. Somewhere along the way I got lost. Well, to be honest I don't think I ever really found myself. For the longest time, I would bounce from one idea/dream to the next; never really completing anything. Most of these ideas I never even spoke out loud, due to the lack of confidence in myself as well as being afraid of what others thought. I eventually quit dreaming. I became very comfortable with whatever stage of life I was in at the time. There is nothing wrong with being comfortable where you are if: A) It's where God wants you to be, and B) You are continuing to learn and grow.
We can all have dry seasons...that's not what I am referencing here; I was in a rut and didn't even know it. I wasn't where God wanted me to be "emotionally". I was comfortable and complacent; I needed something to help light the fire back in my life. Working with Willie at G Farms has ignited a fire deep within me to continually become a better person and continue to strive for daily growth.
I'm reading a book by John C Maxwell, "Great Leaders Ask Great Questions". If you haven't read this book you need to pick it up. In one of the chapters he discusses asking this question: What have you learned?
I want to take some moments to share with you what I have learned about myself working alongside Willie at G Farms.
I AM capable of doing anything even if it is COMPLETELY out of my comfort zone. If you would have told me, this time last year, that the Summer of 2019, I would be approaching my one year anniversary working for a farm, selling grass fed beef and training/mentoring people younger than me, I would have laughed in your face. Not that working for a farm would have been too far-fetched for me but I have never been a fan of "sales". I have had ideas or thoughts about mentoring others but never knew how to go about it and lacked the confidence that I could make a difference in someone's else's life.
I am currently doing all off it! On paper its sales; money is being transferred for a product. A fabulous product I might add but it's so much more. I am building some of the greatest relationships with people I have ever met. This is all because I decided to take a leap of faith out of my comfort zone. I have had customers pray over me and I have been given the privilege to pray for them.
I have also learned that nothing compares to the value of hard work and a strong work ethic. Working on a farm requires blood, sweat and if you are a bit emotional like myself, maybe some tears. Hard work, persistence, and grit is required to succeed in anything you do in life. I have never been afraid to work hard. I have struggled with persistence in certain areas of my life but I feel that gap has began to shrink. I have definitely found grit while working with G farms. I am no longer afraid to go after something new or set goals. I WILL reach them. I focus on being 1% better each day and asking myself the tough questions. By asking yourself the tough questions you are better equipped to find the answer. It is also a fantastic way to prevent mental laziness and moving ourselves out of ruts. Willie has been a wonderful mentor and an example of what diligence and ambition looks like in all circumstances. His investment and encouragement in me is something that has forever changed my life.
One of the most important things I have learned is to invest in myself. I have some big dreams for my self and my family. For the first time, I have faith in this area of my life and believe these things can come true. John C Maxwell says "The size of your dream determines the size of your investment." If I'm not dreaming, I'm not investing. If I'm not investing, I'm not growing. If I'm not growing, I'm not going anywhere. For years I have worked hard to invest in my marriage, my kids, ministry, and the lives of others. I am ready to invest in me. I have a lot of growing to do but I look forward to breaking down the walls and re-building them to find me.