Top 10 Life Lessons for Dreamers (Conclusion)

Lesson 10: He finished strong!

The story did not end when Joseph was promoted because that would have been only part of his dream coming true. In his dream, his family members bowed down before him. Isn’t it interesting that unless he was successful in his new position, that part of the dream wouldn’t have happened?

When you are promoted, there is a time to rejoice but realize that you are only at the beginning of your journey. The greater testimony would be performing the task in front of you successfully in order to achieve the fullness of what’s in store for you – otherwise, what good is it to get a new job or promotion only to lose it soon afterwards because you don’t have what it takes to maintain it? That doesn’t glorify God!

Many celebrate too soon and give testimonies at the beginning of their journey without paying much attention to finishing strong, but not Joseph. He got the job done. He delivered the goods. We are told that he administered his role so well, that not only did the entire country have more than enough food during the seven years of famine but they also had enough to sell to people from neighboring countries too. That was, in fact, what brought his family into town who then bowed before him, fulfilling his destiny and his dream.

When God opens a door of opportunity for you, prepare to perform! Put plans in place and get the right help, as needed, in order to finish strong and glorify God through your professional achievements.

Happy Holidays and see you next year… remember, 2010 isn’t over yet. Finish STRONG!

Tags: business effectiveness, Christian businesses, Dreamers, Dreams, Joseph, Life Lessons, success, successful
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Top 10 Life Lessons for Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 9: He built a good team.

Once appointed to the second highest office in the land, Joseph got the right people together to implement his plans. Remember God only showed him what the dream meant and what could be done about it, we are not told that he went to Management School to gain the necessary skills and expertise needed to put those plans into place.

Who is helping you implement your ideas? Every successful person you can think of, in any sphere of life, has a team behind them. Some people are blessed enough to find some support in their families but not many; majority have to hire them. The best athletes have their coaches, nutritionists, etc; leaders and public figures have a team of people watching everything they do from the way they use their hand gestures when speaking publicly to the tone of their voices. Everything that looks good and seamless on the outside has a lot of work going on behind the scenes and it’s a wise person that realizes this early enough and surrounds themselves with a good team.

If you think you can do it alone then you’re probably not dreaming big enough! Get the right people around you and build the right foundation for your business success.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Up Next… the final and probably most important one… Lesson 10.

Tags: business effectiveness, Business Leaders, Christian businesses, discipline, Dreamers, Dreams, Joseph, Life Lessons, skills, team building
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Top 10 Life Lessons for Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 8. He didn’t doubt himself!

When promoted suddenly – while still in his prison clothes – Joseph did not second-guess or doubt himself. He never said: oh are you sure, I mean I’ve been locked up so long I’m going to need a couple days to re-adjust.  

That wasn’t the time for self doubt or false modesty. Promotion comes from God (Ps 75:6-7) and when your time of promotion comes do not entertain a word of doubt in your head because that is your time! Did you notice how quickly things moved that day? The same day he left prison he stood in the highest office of the land and spoke face to face with the king. That day he interpreted the most important dream of his time. That same day he was appointed to the second highest office of the land. He was given a signet ring by the king and covered in royal linen. Then he rode around the city, being proclaimed as the newly appointed officer of the king with people bowing to him. He was even given a wife! Talk about a vision hastening to its fulfillment – his life literally turned around that day and everything became the exact opposite of what he had previously experienced. What a day!

Do you think he may have been a little unsure of himself? Of course he was, anyone would be; but did he say so out loud? No!

Up Next… Lesson 9

Tags: Business Leaders, Dreams, gifts, Joseph, Life Lessons, Top ten
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Top 10 Life Lessons for Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 7: He recognized his appointed time.

We are told in the scriptures to be ready both in season and out of season (2 Tim 4:2), but are you really? If the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of all your life comes knocking today, can you literally step right up and start?

I often come across people in my line of work who’d say things like, ‘in God’s time’ or ‘if it’s God’s will’, and my response is always: surely if you’ve been dreaming of this idea all your life and you are now speaking to a business coach who can help you get there, that has to be a big clue that this may just be ‘God’s time’ for you?

Joseph found himself in a similar situation. He was called up from the prison, with barely enough time to wash and shave, then brought straight to the palace before he could catch his breath, and immediately put on the spot! I imagine the room would have gone quiet after the king relayed his dream and waited for it to be interpreted. All eyes would have been on Joseph; you probably could have heard a pin drop…

A less-ready person would have been flustered, maybe distracted or intimidated by their surroundings and all the VIP’s in the room, but not Joseph. He was focused on the task at hand. He knew this was his golden opportunity. He didn’t dwell on the whirlwind of it all, or ask to go and pray or fast about it – which would have been understandable under the circumstances, but no, he had no need for that, he’d done enough praying in prison! He was ready to deliver right there and then because he recognized that this was his appointed time. The opportunity he’d waited all his life for!

Up Next… Lesson 8

Tags: business effectiveness, Dreamers, Dreams, Faith and business, gifts, Joseph, life, Life Lessons, palace, prison, success
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Top 10 Life Lessons for Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 6: Delay is NOT denial – never lose hope.

When you’ve done everything right but results aren’t forthcoming as quickly as you expect, don’t give up because your time is surely coming.

It took two years before Joseph’s efforts in the prison produced a result, but when it did, what a result!

Though his former cellmate promptly forgot all about him when he was released and restored to his old position, it was for a reason and Joseph did not lose hope.

Let’s imagine for a minute that the king’s butler did not forget about Joseph and told the king about him immediately. The best thing that could have happened from that scenario would be that Joseph would also be restored to his former position – as a slave – because the king didn’t need him yet! Isn’t that interesting? God waited until Joseph was needed at the very highest level in the land before allowing his former cellmate to remember him. By that time, the king was troubled by his own dream – not just worried, but troubled! I love it! He was desperate for a solution and would give anything to get it.

Do you think Joseph could have asked for that level of compensation had he been asked to ‘name his price’? Don’t you think the reward the king gave for the translation of his dream was ‘very generous’ to say the least?

God never forgets and even when it looks like nothing is happening, He continues to orchestrate things in the background so that at the right time, the outcome will be super abundantly above what you could have imagined! (Eph 3:20)

Up Next… Lesson 7

Tags: accountability, Bible, business effectiveness, Business Leaders, delay, denial, Dreamers, Dreams, generosity, gifts
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Top 10 Life Lessons For Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 5: Never settle in a bad place.

Many are called to greater things but they settle at the first taste of comfort. Not Joseph. Though he was made a leader and may have enjoyed some perks of his position in prison, he didn’t settle there. He actively looked for a way out.

How did he do so?

1. He made himself relevant where he was.
2. He showed interest in the people around him, and
3. He kept up-to-date with daily developments.

Joseph noticed that the king’s servants were sad that morning, he went one step further and asked them why they were sad, and then went one more step further by offering a solution.

Making yourself useful to the people around you automatically puts you in a place of influence – you become indispensable to them. I mentioned this in Lesson 4 from last week – how using your gifts open doors to the places you’re trying to get to; for example, David used his musical gift to help King Saul through his demonic attacks and became indispensable to him, gaining access to the palace in the process.

Once Joseph realized what the imminent fate of his inmate was, he made a direct request: “make mention of me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house” (Gen 40:14). I’ll equate that to asking for a referral from someone who has used your product or service, or giving your business card to someone at a business or networking event today. Being proactive and going after the result you desire. But he wouldn’t have had the opportunity had he not made himself available to this man; had he not been interested enough in him to notice that he was unusually sad that day and gaining his confidence enough for him to share his dream. Think about it, a dream can be a very private and intimate thing. How many people have you told your dreams to lately? That’s a very big deal!

Are you making yourself relevant to the people around you? Are you keeping current and up-to-date with new developments in your business or genre? Are you aware of the latest ‘buzz’ in your industry? Joseph remained proactive, keeping up to date with what was going on among his inmates and offering his gift when needed. He did so, even in the very limited environment of the prison, because knew he was not yet at his destination and refused to settle.

Up Next… Lesson 6

Tags: Bible, Business Leaders, Dreamers, Dreams, gifts, Joseph, palace, place, prison, settle, success
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Top 10 Life Lessons For Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 4: Use your gifts wherever you may be.

Even in prison, Joseph interpreted dreams.

Many wait for the ‘right time’ or the ‘right people’ before showcasing their gifts but not Joseph. Although he was with felons in prison and had no way of knowing their fate until he heard their dreams, yet he offered his service.

Where your gifts are concerned, your current location is just as important. To get to the top of the ladder you must step on each rung; otherwise you will remain firmly at the bottom. Wherever you may be, your gifts are just as potent and alive! Use them; don’t wait till the circumstances are perfect. Your gifts are for you to use because they will make room i.e. open doors for you and bring you before great men (Prov. 18:16). In the case of Joseph, it literally did just that – he never would have had the opportunity to interpret the kings dreams had he not interpreted his fellow prisoners’ first.

How else will people know about your gifts if you never use them?

Though we may not know or fully understand why God takes us through certain paths in life, we are assured that He is at work regardless making sure that all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28). He is in control of our lives, each step of the way even when it doesn’t look or feel like it.

Have you ever wondered why Joseph was put in the prison “where the kings own prisoners were kept” (Gen 39:20)? God even chose the right prison… Awesome!

Up Next… Lesson 5

Tags: Business Leaders, Dreamers, generosity, gifts, Top ten
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Top 10 Life Lessons For Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 3: A change in season is NOT a change in status.

Though your season may change, it has no bearing whatsoever on your gifts and you mustn’t allow it to adversely affect your dreams.

In Joseph’s dreams, everything and everyone around him bowed down to him; therefore he knew from an early age that he was called to be a leader. Throughout all the changing seasons of his life, that never changed. Wherever he went, he was placed in a position of leadership. Was there ‘something’ about him? Absolutely! Think about it, if you truly believe that you are a leader you will walk differently and speak differently. Something will mark you apart from the people around you wherever you may be. Similarly, if you believe in your gifts it will be reflected in your attitude for all to see because as a man thinks in his heart, so is he (Prov. 23:7).

Such an attitude or character will never go unnoticed in the workplace and it certainly didn’t in Joseph’s case. Even after he was unceremoniously removed from his position in Potiphar’s house and put in jail, it was only a matter of time before he was noticed by the jail keepers and made a leader of his fellow prisoners. Throughout all of the turbulence in his life, one thing remained constant – he was a leader!

A change in season – for better or worse – shouldn’t stop you from being who you are; who you were called to be. It doesn’t diminish your gifts. Never doubt your gifts because if you do, you doubt the very essence of who you are.

Remember, just like Joseph, whatever your current season, God is with you – His gifts and calling are irrevocable (Rom 11:29); and He will show you mercy and give you favor, even in ‘prison’.

Up Next… Lesson 4

Tags: Dreamers, Dreams, gifts, Joseph, seasons, Top 10, Top ten
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Top 10 Life Lessons For Dreamers (Cont’d)

Lesson 2: Pay close attention to your journey – it’s your training ground

Everything that happens on the way to your destiny is significant. You have to be ready for your assignment as there may be little or no time for an on-the-job training.

Many people get frustrated when they assume that they are not reaching their goals quickly enough, but ask any successful person and they will tell you that they probably wouldn’t be where they are without the vital lessons learnt during their ‘tough times’.

The very place you can’t wait to leave may hold the key to where you’re going. You may be in training without realizing it.

When Joseph was sold as a slave into Potiphar’s house, he probably thought his bad fortune was continuing unabated, but that was where he gained some of the crucial training needed for where he was going. Here are my favorites:

1. Leadership. Prior to that point in his life, he’d only ever been a ‘daddy’s boy’ who never had to make a decision on his own. But at Potiphar’s, he was made to be the overseer of the entire household; in charge of all that his master had. Talk about responsibility! He needed leadership skills for where God was taking him.
2. Accountability. Many young men in his position would have fallen into temptation with their master’s wife. Who knows, it may have even enhanced his status at work and he certainly would have avoided prison altogether. But he didn’t.  He said to her: ‘how can I do this wickedness and sin against God’!
3. Integrity. In the face of adversity Joseph maintained his integrity. Did you notice that even when his master’s wife lied and had him jailed, he never said a bad word against her? He could have sown a seed of doubt in their relationship and tarnished her image among their staff by telling his side of the story, but he didn’t. How mature! The young boy had grown up.

Joseph was called to be a leader and these three ingredients would be vital in the position that God was grooming him for. Where else could he have learnt them but on his journey there?

Even as a slave, he knew that his circumstances did not define him. Others may not have known it but he knew the dream that God gave him and behaved accordingly, knowing that he was accountable to God.

Don’t let your current situation dictate how you behave. Always see yourself as whom God has called you to be and act like it. Remember, God calls those things that do not exist as though they did (Rom 4:17).

Up Next… Lesson 3

Tags: accountability, Dreamers, integrity, Joseph, leadership, Life Lessons, successful, Top 10
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Top 10 Life Lessons For Dreamers

Do you have a dream? You may already know, especially if you’ve read my book, that one of my favorite characters in the bible is the dreamer himself – Joseph. Here are my top ten lessons to be learnt from his story… Enjoy!

Lesson 1: Know the right time to share your news – good or bad.

In the business world, any good leader will tell you that if you release news, even good news, at the wrong time the result may not be all good. Similarly, your God-given dreams and visions have their set or appointed times.

The moment you receive your dream isn’t always the right time to share it. Don’t confuse that with a ‘faith confession’. Learn to incubate your dream. Let it mature. Allow God to show you where He’s taking you with it – and that may take a while.

Remember Hab. 2:3, at the appointed time the vision will speak – and boy, does it ever! My favorite version of that scripture verse says it “hastens to its fulfillment”. Think you’re in a hurry? Well, wait for your appointed time and then see if you can keep up! In the meantime, exercise self control (it’s a fruit of the Spirit, you know – Gal 5:22-23) and be patient. Just wait for it. It will surely come. It won’t delay.

Did you notice that after Joseph shared his news at the wrong time (and with the wrong people) he never made that mistake again? Once he was sold by his brothers, he never said a word about that particular dream again – he just waited for it!

Up Next… Lesson 2

Tags: Bible, Business Leaders, Dreamers, Dreams, Life Lessons, Patience, Self Control, Top ten, Visions
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