Make the Valley Full of Ditches
Building up your business during a dry season in the industry can be a huge challenge. It can feel like digging ditches in the desert and waiting for them to fill with water. I currently find myself in a season of digging ditches. (See ditches video below) Putting in the hard, dry work, obeying God’s direction and waiting for the water to flow. This season in our industry is hard for so many, but it can also be such a huge blessing if we embrace it. The greatest blessings often come from the driest places.
We are now exactly halfway through the year. Some of us are exactly where we thought we would be, and others of us may be looking for a reset. Either way today, is a great time to take a few minutes to reflect on where you want this year to end, where you are today, and begin to mind the gap. What would your ideal second half of the year look like? Where do you need to spend more time? Fast forward and take a quantum leap to six months from now…. what do you need to have accomplished to feel like your year was well spent, intentional and you didn’t waste your time? What ditches do you need to dig so they can be filled with water? What are the habits you need to start doing today consistently to make it there?
resource for mid-year reset: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXPd...
video on how to use it: https://youtu.be/31k6O2nQgHg
Notes that Resonated:
Not every day is good but there is good in everyday.
What is God calling me to do today?
When you see a blessing in someone’s life. Remember what they had to dig through to get there.
A challenge is not your breaking, it's your break through.
Are you doing what you need to do today to be second to none tomorrow?
You won’t see wind and you won’t see rain and then all of the sudden, your valley of ditches will be filled with water.
Small but consistent changes or actions repeated over time create exponential results (compound effect)
Consistency is what transforms the average to the exceptional.
"Life rewards action, not intelligence." -James Clear. (You can’t win if you’re not in the game)
The enemy is after your consistency.
The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want for anything : https://lectio365.24-7prayer.com/share/devotional/2023-06-29/day?locale=en
“Innovation is seeing what everybody has seen and thinking what nobody has thought.” –Dr. Albert Szent- Györgyi
Life is about what you create.
What will you do until God does? The attitude and effort during a dry spell will always dictate the outcome… Keep digging until God does. (Adapted from Pastor Steven Furtick)
“No” is just “now” waiting for “what’s next” (Steven Furtick)
Videos to watch:
How to handle the dry times- Digging Ditches
https://youtu.be/-CaoJXHmryE (the story behind digging ditches and having them filled with water) also see: https://youtu.be/m0OoGuaQ-VM
If you are in a dry or a slow time in your life -- dig some ditches… put in the hard dirty work. Our job is to dig the ditches and trust God that he will fill them exactly when he is supposed to.
Have Faith with Action
Action comes before reward
Put in the hard work ahead of the good times or they will flow by
Consistency before you see it
Your level of effort will be directly correlated to your return
It’s not will God it’s when God
It will always flow exactly when it’s supposed to
“Make the valley full of ditches!” 2 Kings 3:16-19
Productivity:
Mind Mapping to do lists & Goals Funnel:
https://youtu.be/B9Y1ps6Se8M (good productivity habits and tips)
Everyday Carry Organization:
Why belt bags and travel slings are so useful for EDC : https://youtu.be/C7oSmQZslzA
Sling bags: https://alpakagear.com/products/elements-tech-case
Pocket everyday carry organizers https://youtu.be/YlFhsCuJYrs
Top Quotes:
“People do not decide their futures, they decide their habits and their habits decide their futures.” -F.M. Alexander
“Better to jump and make a mistake than sit there too frightened to make a move.” -Richard Templar
“The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.” -J.P. Morgan
Things to Discover:
Traveler’s Journal and a commonplace journal
https://youtu.be/awqtypemcR0 (how to use a travelers notebook)
https://youtu.be/bq0wud7wJi4 (basics of a travelers notebook)
https://youtube.com/shorts/0KijVDiRt4M?feature=share (quick set-up)
Food & Drink
Yummy summer salads and home made dressings : https://youtu.be/lO2WWK1nGSA
Cool Stuff:
This notebook is great for journaling, gifts, ≠≠branding gifts (using a custom branding iron or stamp):
https://www.jetpens.com/blog/TRAVELER-S-COMPANY-TRAVELER-S-notebook-A-Comprehensive-Guide/pt/726
2 Kings 3:16-19 King James Version (KJV)
And he said, thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches. For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts.