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Monday, October 6, 2014

It takes investment...

If there is one thing I have learned lately is that there is no such thing as a get rich quick scheme.  Okay, sure there may be a few exceptions, but this is the general rule.  Becoming successful, making an impact usually takes time and resources.  
Think about it this way, to get most jobs nowadays, you have to have a four year college degree.  That is four years of your life and four years of tuition to land one job.  And to reach your next job or the next level it takes years of hard work and experience. 
I think about blogging.  This is embarrassing to admit, but at the beginning I just thought I would write and my blog would automatically grow a following (humble right?). Growing a blog took more than just the writing time investment, it took pondering why I blog and connecting… aka lots of time.  But now, after some time of really investing I am seeing serious growth and impact.
Then I ponder my little cloth diapering side business.  I thought, "I love cloth diapering, and everyone comes to me with their questions… obviously I will be successful right away."  But that was not the reality.  I have spent time answering peoples questions and showing them how cloth diapers work, just to see them go buy the same diapers I have shown them off of Amazon.  Using my experience and willingness to help, and then just dropping me!  But after time and networking, I am also starting to see growth in my business.  It did not just happen, it took nine months of work and some financial investment.
And you know, this goes more than just for jobs, blogging and business. It is true in ministry and community as well.
As many of you know, our family just moved to a new city about two months ago. And we are still waiting to feel really connected again.  To find our places of community and support.  I think back to New Orleans and how much I LOVED our community there.  I honestly long for it back.  Then I remind myself that we lived there for three years.  I remind myself that the first six months I cried often, longing for community and routine and stability.  And it came, eventually, with time and effort.  
So now I must take time to invest in people and places here before I feel that kind of connection again!
Or even from a ministry stand point.  My husband has been working really hard in a new ministry position and I really want to work beside him in it.  But it is new, and we are still not exactly sure what this looks like.  We pray for growth and invest.  But ultimately change and growth in the ministry will only happen in God's time, not ours- so we must work and wait.

It takes investment to make an impact! (Tweet this)

So, if you are in that beginning stage.  The one with tons of investment and little payoff.  I want to encourage you today!  Things generally don't just happen over night.  They take hard work and investment.  They take commitment.  They take releasing the project/goal to God, understanding that it is His will and timing on your life, not yours!  
So keep working, pushing and most of all trust God, His timing is perfect and you are probably already making more of an impact than you know!
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12 comments:

  1. Great advice for any endeavor. Thanks for sharing your experience!

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    1. You are welcome… thank you for coming by :)!

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  2. I just stumbled across your blog from the Turn It Up Tuesdays link up. This post was very timely for me. I've been blogging for a month (woohoo!) and I have to keep reminding myself that it's a marathon, not a sprint. I'm seeing results, but I need to remember that God will bless it in His time and as I continue to make the investment in what He's called me to do. Thanks for the post -- new follower!

    Erin
    www.itallmattersmom.com

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    1. Thank you for coming by, I am so glad the post is timely. That is so fun that you are just starting out with blogging! Checked out your blog and it looks so good! Very clear and professional. Hoping for lots of growth for you soon :)

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    2. Aw thanks! It's not exactly how I want it to look, but hopefully in the near future I'll be able to afford someone to make it how I envision it. I do graphic design, not Web design -- Wordpress is a whole new ballgame! Glad to have found your site and thanks for the encouragement!

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  3. As much as I know blogging takes time to be successful, I definitely want to experience success right away! I keep having to remind myself that I can't be everywhere at once, and that I need to focus on the things that do matter instead of trying to do every little thing!

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    1. Me too! But it takes time and hard work! And not trying to do everything :)

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  4. Very true Stasia! Thanks for the encouragement and for sharing at the Art of Home-Making Mondays this week :)

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    1. Thank you for the wonderful link up! I love coming by!

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  5. Thank you for this encouragement, we live in an instantaneous, get it quick world where we want everything yesterday. Like with good food, those things that have taken time to simmer and build always taste the best and are worth the wait :)

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  6. Wonderful point and so true! We often want instant results... we live in a culture that perpetuates that thinking (need a recipe, Google it... want a book, order a digital copy, etc.)

    Fabulous point and a great reminder!

    Thanks for sharing and linking up to the #SHINEbloghop.

    Wishing you a lovely weekend.
    xoxo

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  7. My husband and I often talk about this, the whole concept of investing the most in what we want the biggest returns in. That's a big motivator for how we spend our time and other resources! Invest in what's more worthwhile to you--for me, that's relationships!

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