Live Only True Stories

Need the cooperation of others to accomplish a project?

Heard the phrase, "Don't judge a book by its cover?"

Nehemiah chapter 3 is a lesson in both. At first glance, it seems to be nothing more than a historical record of little (no?) relevance to today. Yet it provides four guidelines in how to gain the cooperation of others to accomplish a project that depends on others.

We'll see the value of:

• Giving credit and recognition
• Preparing for "This work is below me" attitudes
• Not overlooking potential workers because of specialization bias
• Tapping into intrinsic motivation

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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Anything in shambles in your home? Maybe it feels like “everything?”

Or maybe dinnertime is a constant state of chaos.

The longer something is in a state of disarray, the more “normal” it becomes. But how do you change it?

First, recognize it takes a while to see a problem has become a pattern. Ditch the guilt for not recognizing an ongoing problem in the making the first time it occurs!

Then apply four principles to help transform chaos into calm.

1. Cast a vision

2. Make an emotional appeal

3. Address fears

4. Have a strategy that invites action

Even long-term problems can be turned around!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

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Ever need someone’s cooperation to achieve what you have a passion for?

How can you do that effectively without resorting to manipulation, bribery, or threats?

Nehemiah models this beautifully! Learn from his example by:

• Understanding the difference between goals and desires

• Recognizing the importance of having a strategy before sharing your vision

• Appealing to emotions and addressing fears

• Capitalizing on people’s energy

• Dealing with criticism

Whether you need cooperation at home, in business, at church, or in your community, these principles fuel success!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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They're never too young, and it's never too late to teach kids how to set -- and achieve -- goals! But does it make any real difference?

Yes! Specifically, goals empower kids in two key areas:

1. Self-awareness. When a person sets a goal, they become more attuned to their desires, fears, beliefs about themselves and others, and their character.
2. Intentionality. Rather than living by default, having goals teaches a person to live with intentionality -- to ponder and plan.

Sounds pretty good, huh?!

Today we dive into not only setting goals but -- and this is often overlooked -- developing strategies to achieve goals!

Learn how to apply the principles Nehemiah models whether it's to engage kids in

• making dinner time less chaotic
• creating a party or vacation or family event that is enjoyable for everyone
• making decisions about college & career

Whether you're in the throes of college visits or toddler trials, training your kids to use goals is worthwhile! The principles apply to toddlers saving money or earning stickers and to teens deciding what direction they want to take after high school.

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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Have any goals -- especially big ones?

Projects that require other people's cooperation?

Nehemiah is the role model for you! He demonstrates three practices necessary to pull off a major achievement. Ignore these and imperil your success!

We "flip" Nehemiah's to-do's and look at what not-to-do's in today's episode.

What not to do?

1. Rely on second-hand information.
2. Invite lots of people into the planning stage.
3. Tell a lot of people about your goal.

Discover the difference not applying these three practices make!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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You can raise empowered-mindset kids by teaching them three practices modeled by Nehemiah 2,500 years ago. If they don’t learn these when they’re young, they’ll pay a cost when they’re adults.

See why it’s important to:

1. Require they have an area of life they need someone else’s help – even when they don’t think they need it.

2. Role-play to teach effective communication when you need or want someone else’s cooperation. This practice can start when they’re young and continue through adulthood.

3. Prepare for opposition when setting out to accomplish a task.

It’s not just what you say that shapes a child. What you allow you also teach. Parent with wisdom by following Nehemiah’s example!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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When you want to change the status quo, three practices are critical. Nehemiah modeled these, and they’re as relevant today as 2,500 years ago. Whether you desire change in a personal relationship or an organization, success depends on three practices.

1. Preparing for conversations with those whose approval, support, or assistance you need.

2. Accepting help.

3. Preparing for resistance.

More people are committed to keeping the status quo intact than changing it. Don’t expect everyone to be happy when you want to help others.

Everyone is not going to be your cheerleader when you set out to accomplish what God puts in your heart.

See how Nehemiah perseveres in rebuilding and what you can learn from him as you move towards your God-given goal!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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Kids need to learn how to ask for what they want – with boldness.

But how does this differ from making incessant demands?

What about those who ask for little?

Gain insights on why and how to empower kids with a bold asking ability!

Empower yourself and your family to engage fully in God’s grand story. Subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie Presents for insights, encouragement, and practical resources!

Check out speaking engagements for women's gatherings, parenting conferences, and Christian education events.

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How would you answer, “What do you want?” if asked on a moment’s notice?

Would you be prepared to give a ready reply? Or would you ask for more time or say, “I have no idea!”

Do you have a goal worth risking your job for? Your life?

Nehemiah did – and he was ready to answer when asked, “What do you want?”

He models the power of clear, concise, and bold communication as he presents King Artaxerxes with his BHAG – Big, Hairy, Audacious Goal. (Although I don’t know how popular acronyms were in ancient Persia.)

Whether our bold ask is from a friend, spouse, boss, or someone else whose cooperation we need, Nehemiah models the importance of communication that’s:

• Clear
• Concise      
• Bold

Hints are great for crossword puzzles; they don’t work well in personal communication. Save your energy for life’s hard stuff. Be clear, concise, and bold whether you’re asking for a BHAG or to go out to dinner instead of cooking at home.

As a bonus, learn what exam even fewer people pass than becoming a Navy Seal!

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Invite Stephanie to speak at your women, moms', or parents’ event. Email [email protected] or visit the website for more information.

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Here’s a model of prayer you can teach kids whether they’re toddlers or teens (and everything in between). It comes from Nehemiah 1:5-11 where his empathy leads to fasting and prayer. Not just a “toss up a few words and hope they land” prayer, but a powerful model.

In seven verses Nehemiah incorporates six steps:

1. Recall God’s goodness.
2. Request God’s attention.
3. Repent of wrongdoing.
4. Remind God of his promises.
5. Remind God of his relationship.
6. Request God’s favor for others and yourself.

Download a beautiful PDF for yourself and your kids to learn and use this model of

prayer! Visit the website and subscribe to Hi(Impact) at Stephanie

Presents for this and other free resources.

Invite Stephanie to speak at your women, mom, or parents’ event. Email [email protected] or visit the website for more information!

Together, we can build spiritually strong, emotionally healthy, and relationally smart

generations!

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