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professional speaking

Blog, Business, Coaching, Ebooks, Faith, prayer, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Writers’ avoidance

woman writing

woman writing

Writers love to write, but sometimes they avoid writing. They do everything under the sun but write. 

For example, I have a looming deadline from my writing/business coach Shelley Hitz in her Beta Author Audience Academy‘s coaching program.

I have to FINISH my new eBook by the end of THIS week! I knew it was coming up fast, but didn’t realize the deadline was so soon!

Yesterday, I was a little freaked out about this and so not inspired to write. So what did I do? I winded up watching an action movie on Netflix. (I don’t even like action movies!)

See what I mean? Writers’ avoidance. And I’m not even a procrastinator-I hate procrastination!

This morning I awoke extra early, very determined to get it done, and posted this on Facebook: “Up and at ’em early. Much to do today! Let’s see how much I can knock out before noon with God’s help, guidance, and anointing.”

Facebook post - at 'em

Facebook post – at ’em

It started out fast. Cooked an egg and the bacon in the Foreman’s Grill, went by the bank, paid a small debt OFF (Praise God!), mailed letters, wrote a speaking presentation, and then I went to Mexican lunch with our daughter Leah. (Mexican food seems to resolve most problems!) Now I’m back home, and trying NOT to slow down -or to avoid writing again!

Staying busy, spending too much time on social media, reworking your website pages, and web surfing are other ways writers avoid writing. Here’s some starting ideas to help you with writing avoidance.

I can’t wait to share the eBook with you, though (once it’s written and published!) I took an informal survey on my Facebook page offering a couple of book topics, and it was unanimous from my friends/peeps.  Shoes won! The eBook will be on my signature talk topic: The Cinderella Story: The Power of Shoes. 

Based on the beloved fairy tale of Cinderella (whose story I relate to a lot), it’s about God not creating you to fit in, but to stand out.

God set you apart and made you to be a woman of influence and impact! Just as the Prince chose Cinderella to be his beautiful, radiant bride, Jesus your Prince has chosen you to be His. Walk in your own unique glass slippers – your Divine purpose and calling. 

Okay, now to finish this eBook!

 

Blog, Business, Coaching, Faith, Speaking, Spiritual Gifts, Writing

Speakers’ resource list

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Today is Day 15 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge. The recommended blog post was to create a resource list.

I am an International Speaker. Here are some of the inspiring people I follow and some excellent resources I use as a speaker, which may help you, too:

  • Sheila Wray Gregoire, Canadian author/speaker/blogger. Sheila has excellent, professional, and Biblically-based speakers’ training that I’ve taken and loved. 
  • Rochelle Valasek aka “Shelley” is my precious friend and speaking coach. Shelley has been speaking professionally for over 15 years, and is one of the most anointed speakers I’ve ever heard. I’ve attended her webinars and she was one of the speakers for my Released women’s conference. She is an anointed woman of God with the Father’s huge heart of love. Her testimony is amazing and powerful. You’ll love her and learn so much from her! 
  • Ibloom. Kelly Thorne Gore and her team’s mission is to inspire and empower women to live a life they love which honors God. With every webinar, telecall, and book of Ibloom’s, I learn something and come away refreshed and encouraged.
  • Join NACWE Now! * I was first drawn to NACWE’s CEO and founder Diane Cunningham on Facebook by her beautiful face and how she was so on fire for God and was all over the place, marketing and networking. She inspired me, and I wanted to learn to succeed like she was doing. For the last 2 years, I’ve received incredible business training through NACWE. I highly recommend you join this organization for Christian women with an online business to go to the next level in your biz.
  • Instant Teleseminar. I’ve tried LOTS of webinar programs online. None are perfect. Techie problems happen sometimes with all of them. So far, I’ve found Instant Teleseminar to be the best. You can use webinars and teleseminars for your online speaking.
  • Talkshoe. Talkshoe is a free platform you can use as a speaker to share your heart-burning messages or to invite guest speakers on the show with you as host. There’s a chat room for guests to ask you questions, comment, and connect with each other. Some speakers prefer Blog Talk Radio, but I think Talkshoe is less tech-challenging. I have 44 recorded episodes on a variety of topics, that you can listen to at no charge by clicking here.
  • WordPress. My first website made me cry a lot. It was totally stressful trying to add an article, blog, or picture to my site. Then I hired a professional WordPress website designer and I fell in love with WordPress! I LOVE it! I can’t say enough good things about WordPress (great for SEO, attracts Google robots and search engines, you can easily add pics, videos, and blogs, integrates with social media, saves money from hiring designer to make changes on your site)….and these things are why I only recommend WordPress to my coaching clients. Read what Michael Hyatt has to say about why you need a self-hosted WordPress site here.
  • Toastmasters. Some professional speakers are not fans of Toastmasters. I haven’t been to a meeting in awhile for various reasons. But I won a first place humorous speech award at Toastmasters, networked with wonderful speakers, and became much more self-aware in my presentations about NOT using filler words like “um,” “you know,” and “so” at Toastmasters. They offer great training.
  • Michael Port. Right now I’m watching his new video series, which is educational and entertaining. He’s a top-ranking speaker and best-selling author. His book, Book Yourself Solid, is excellent. 

This is just a partial list of resources. I hope they encourage and help you. If you have any questions, email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com.

If you’d like to book me as a speaker for your women’s conference or event, email me at elizabethdjones@gmail.com. You can see clips of my videos and hear radio interviews of me by clicking here.

*This email contains an affiliate link. This means if you buy something/sign up, I may get paid a commission. But I also share links on this post that are not affiliate links which offer valuable content/help that I think you’ll love!

Blog, Faith, prayer, Spiritual Gifts, Travel

Lord, Order My Steps

Amber Welton, Beth Jones, and Sue Wilt

Amber Welton, me, and Sue Wilt
Archie Baptist Church ladies’ tea

Yesterday, I spoke at the ladies’ tea at the Archie Baptist Church in Archie, MO. The theme and my speaking topic were Lord, Order My Steps. God surprised me there!

Archie is a small, rural town so I thought not many women would attend. I’d only made 15 handouts (figuring only 15 to 25 at the most would show up), and to my shock and delight, the room was FILLED with women!

God spoke to me through this:

  • Stop thinking small
  • Dream big because He’s a big God
  • Raise your expectations!

The ladies made me feel so welcome and were so friendly, especially Amber, Tracey, and Sue Wilt who was hilarious. Sue was, I found out later, one of my friend’s aunts! Small world. I was so grateful to my daughter Heather’s friend, Amber Welton, who thought of me as a speaker and invited me to speak there!

Sue commented that she noticed Leah was “taking notes” as I spoke. What Leah was actually doing was drawing/doodling on her handout. 🙂

Leah's drawing and doodling

Leah’s drawing and doodling

Below is a pic I snapped before we began. Our daughter Leah (in blue top, center) is checking her phone, of course!

Archie Baptist Church ladies' tea

Archie Baptist Church ladies’ tea

Here were more women standing in line to register before we began.

Ladies in line, Archie Baptist Church

Ladies in line, Archie Baptist Church

Linda Bogart did a beautiful job decorating the tables with cloth yellow or white tablecloths, with shoes centerpieces draped with jewelry, and with programs whose colorful shoes cover had been drawn by one of the artistic women in the church. I love seeing God’s creative gifts in His people. Each shoes centerpiece was unique, just as God made every one of us “wonderfully and fearfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)

Shoes centerpieces and crystal plates & cups

Shoes centerpieces and crystal plates & cups

The tables had crystal glass plates and cups for the yummy hors-d’oeuvres and delicious punch.

Yummy hors d'oeuvres and punch at ladies' tea

Yummy hors d’oeuvres and punch at ladies’ tea

Gwen Knibb sang the precious solo, “Via Dolorosa” (God knows I love Israel!) and the “Tea Time Singers” beautifully sang “Footsteps of Jesus.” Are you walking in all God has planned for your life?

"Tea Time Singers" Vicki Williams, Amber Welton and others singing "Footsteps of Jesus"

“Tea Time Singers” Vicki Williams, Amber Welton and others singing “Footsteps of Jesus”

Christina McGinnis offered the blessing and gave us a poignant reminder, through the shoes she wore that she said weren’t her most comfortable pair: our “shoes” won’t always be so comfortable. God often calls us out of our comfort zones to obey Him. When we do, we’ll experience His blessing.

One of the beautiful, precious women who talked with me before we started was Victoria, who’s in the marketing business for speakers, writers, and other business owners. She shared with me that she’d love to start publicly speaking, teaching women what she has learned in her life about God’s unconditional love (no matter what you’ve done wrong!) and about the beautiful relationship she has with Jesus Christ.

I encouraged her that God gives us the desires of our hearts, and as she seeks Him and walks in obedience, He will open doors and give an outlet for her to speak ~ just like He has with me! God is the DREAM GIVER and the DREAM FULFILLER! Amen. Selah.

Another woman I spoke with, Donna, shared about a friend of hers, who has visited Israel numerous times and she had visited Israel herself. I’d mentioned during my presentation time that Ray and I visited Israel several years ago. This little tidbit was something that connected me with a woman in the audience. I hadn’t planned to talk about Israel, but do you know that God will put His right-on time word in your mouth?

One woman told me after I spoke that what I shared “was exactly what I needed today.” 🙂

At the tea, I shared 5 tips for God ordering your steps, using the acronym STEPS, and here they are to encourage you:

S- Spend time with God daily in prayer, reading the Bible, and worship. This is basic Christianity 101, but do we faithfully do it? The first step for God ordering your steps is to have a relationship with Jesus Christ.  All you have to do to be saved is call on the name of Jesus Christ. (Romans 10:13) Spend time with God every day, even if it’s just a few minutes a day. As you pray, your hunger and thirst for God’s presence and His word will grow and you’ll want to spend even more time with Him.

T – Time Management. Learn to manage your time wisely. Don’t waste your time or your spiritual gifts. Are you on Facebook or Pinterest all day long? Sometimes God wants us to just relax and have fun; at other times, He wants us focused solely on Him and His purpose for your life. Are you procrastinating or holding back in fear from doing what God has called you to do? Take your calling seriously.

E – Examine Your Life and Heart. What is going well? What needs to change? Do you need transformation in your life? If so, pray about coming to the Released Women’s Conference on April 27 just outside Kansas City, MO. (Click here to find out more.) How are your relationships? Are you being all God designed you to be? Are you using your gifts for Him?

P – Priorities and Planning. Remember that Mary chose the best part which wouldn’t be taken from her – sitting at Jesus’ feet, learning from Him. We women are like “Octo-mom” – an octopus with many arms, doing many things at once, great at multi-tasking. But even though we can do lots of things at once, that doesn’t mean it’s best. Usually there are one or two important tasks that God wants us to do each day. He may want you to spend more time with your husband, child, or a friend. He may want you to speak somewhere or to work on writing your book. What is your next step? What steps are God telling you to do right now to fulfill your life purpose?

S – Stay The Course. Don’t get distracted or let your faith be shipwrecked. Don’t doubt but trust God. Like Jesus told Peter after the resurrection, don’t worry about anyone else or compare yourself to him or her. You follow Jesus. Fulfill the God-given calling that is on your life.