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I'm excited to share this!  It really captivates what the Excel Still More journey is all about for me. Firstly, this is about optimism, redemption and hope EVERY single morning!  Every day we are new, God's mercies are new, opportunities refresh and we can make that day great.  You guys know what a great week is, right?  It's seven great days, each one lived and utilized to the fullest.  You can do this!  To help, we have designed a journal:  The ESM 3-Month Journal.  The second half of the episode walks you through the pieces of the journal and how I have personally used them.  Whether you have the journal or have never heard of it, you will hopefully be encouraged by this potential tool to assist in a morning ritual of prayer, Bible reading and essentialism planning!

- How to enjoy every morning of your life

- How to embrace the mercies of Jesus which are new every morning

- How to find joy in remembering the past but holding zero guilt about it!

- How to use the ESM Journal to set a great day in motion

- How to use the Journal to stay updated on goals throughout the week

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We should always make the most out of any situation.  If this is where you are now, then make the most out of this.  This applies directly to location.  Wherever you work, work well. Wherever you worship, worship well.  Wherever you life, live well.  With whomever you spend your time, use it well.  And so on.  However, sometimes things aren't going well.  Sometimes things have gotten to a point where they keep you from getting better.  Well, it may be time to ask a tough question: Do I need to move?  Is a change in geography the answer - a fresh start - a new beginning.  This may mean a different job, church, or town. We aren't talking about running away, we are talking about breaking free. 

- How to know when it is time to move

- How to make sure you have done all you can

- How to pray your way to big changes

- How to get past the shackles of "the comfort zone"

- How to consider others before doing something major

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Well, we all have to grow up sometime, right?  I turned 40 last December and made the decision to make some fairly dramatic life changes.  Maybe dramatic isn't the right word, but there were some internal struggles I'd been very hit or miss about.  It was time to say, "Hey, I'm 40. I'm done with that inconsistency.  I will give myself wholly to Christ.  And I will live with abiding daily peace."  Let me tell you:  it's been awesome! I can't wait to share with you what some of those things are and how you too can finally decide to take in what Christ has laid out for you, and never look back.   Whether you are a teen, 40, or well beyond, I have some incredibly encouraging news for you:  today could be your 40th birthday.  And it will be amazing!

- How to face inner issues that have maybe plagued you for years

- How to choose today as your birthday into a new life of peace

- How to boldly proclaim a life of stress free living through simple steps

- How to take things you already know and give them the power they deserve

- How to find your own voice to say, "Hey, I'm 40!"

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Every parents wants obedient kids.  This is a challenge, since all kids are different and they change quite frequently as they grow.  Parents who try the same approach, no matter the child, or the age, or the outcome desired... well, they don't get great results.  But if parents learn to work backwards: to analyze the effect desired and then study the situation to implement the cause that brings that about... it will make a world of difference!  Now, this means mom and dad have to own up to everything that hasn't gone well so far.  It is not the child's fault.  We have to coach it better.  This means parents may have to reevaluate the way they discipline and admit that they are being insane (trying the same thing over and over and expecting different results).  Fact:  if we as parents get better at parenting, the kids will get better at being awesome.  Take a listen!

- How to identify the change you want to see in your children

- How to identify the cause that will bring about that effect

- How to own up to past mistakes as a parent and stop blaming the kids

- How to base successful parenting on effects produced, not just on the act of discipline

- How to realize the awesome equation: early + often = less

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Self centered living is lonely.  Some may be successful.  Some may make a mess of things.  But all wonder, "Is this what it is all about?" I just focus on me.  Everybody else just focuses on themselves?  And somehow our life has value, meaning?  When we learn to be second to Christ, we instantly learn the purpose of life.  We still take care of ourselves, but we become about His majesty first, His glory, and our future with Him. That relationship becomes our passion.  And... this extends into friendship and marriage and everyone.  When I can look at a person and think, "I am second," and be about them first, I'm not neglecting myself as meaningly, I'm just prioritizing them as worthy of my service.  And the result of this is a purpose:  to serve.  And the reward for that: amazing relationships!  

- How to move emphasis away from "I am First."

- How to embrace the "I am Second" life of faith.

- What does "I am Second" look like in everyday life?

- How to apply this principle in your friendships.

- How to apply this principle in your home.

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Okay, first of all, this episode is NOT about 30 days without food.  I've never done that and don't plan on trying it any time soon.  However, it is about two important ideas. 1) 30 days.  It is the decision to commit to something for 30 days.  After you have "Tried Three Times" and determined that something is doable and valuable to you, it's time to go for it!  And hey, ESM people can do just about anything for 30 days! 2) Fasting.  Fasting in the Bible is the giving up of something comfortable (food) to replace it with something important (prayer). So, when we talk about fasting, we are talking about eliminating something non essential from your day, and instead replacing it with something more important... for 30 days!  

- How to understand fasting in Bible times

- How to fast today in many ways, not just with food

- Why it is important to give something up to make room for something else.

- How to take the 30 day challenge in your ESM journey

- Why is 30 days an important amount of time for proving discipline in your life

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No tricks, illustrations, or planning here:  just Be An Encourager! The best way to make even day worth while, and to grow as a person, is to uplift the people God puts in your life! We have to get over our own issues, and certainly pop the me-bubble, in order to fulfill our purpose of brightening other peoples' day.  But when we do... life gets instantly better! To learn about a precious woman named Sarah who brightened my day during her worst day, tune in today.  And we'll leave you with 4 practical tips for encouragement from good old Barnabas in the book of Acts!

- How to encourage people you come in contact with

- Why is being an encourager so important to personal growth

- How to consider others ahead of yourself

- How to be more like Barnabas, renamed for how encouraging he was!

- How to practically implement a plan to encourage people today

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There is an awesome secret to daily peace! If you master this one thing, then you will have much less strife in the day.  And if you repeat it day after day, boom, anxiety will disappear from your life!  There is a strategy of planning your day: eliminating non essential plans, spreading out essential elements, and journalling for success, that will change everything!  So much stress comes from too many options.  We have so many possible things to do today, that we either do none of them, or try to do too many. But there is a better way. We'll talk about how a game called "Stress Free Chess" helped me unlock a stress free day!

- How to play Stress Free Chess

- How to eliminate non essential plans from the day

- How to properly space essential elements into your day

- How to use the morning journal as the key to a stress free life

- How to courageously put off things that often clutter the schedule.

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Everyone is interested in a stress free life.  No one wants to live with worry, anxiety and mental exhaustion.  There are some great daily practices that can eliminate most worries, and we'll discuss that in the next episode.  But first, let's talk about 4 big things that have got to go if we want to see the stress go away.  Sometimes there are big ticket stress items that we hang on to, and they foster lots of unnecessary mental strain.  So, by forfeiting those pesky things, we can experience freedom in thought and attitude that will change everything!

- How to eliminate unnecessary stress from your life

- How to forfeit all deception from your daily circle

- How to find freedom from stress outside your comfort zone

- How to eliminate the fear of money from your daily concerns

- How to reevaluate your inner circle of friends and shrink worries

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James Clear wrote an article titled:  "The Science of Mental Toughness: Talent is overrated, mental strength is critical."  It includes research proving that success is based more on grit than inherent ability or intellect.  People who are passionate about something and persistent accomplish more.  People who are committed to something in which they believe, and consistent in pursuing it, excel in it.  Being strong or smart or both is helpful in the beginning, but is nearly always out paced by those who have grit, who test well on "the grit scale."  This means daily routine, unwavering progress, and a "never quit" attitude.  This is something we can work on.  We can't all get stronger or smarter, at least not quickly.  But we can max out out "Grit Scale" today by making a decision and building a routine that supports it.  To learn how, check out today's episode.