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Amy Marks, Chris Brady, Dave Chatmon, George Guzzardo, Jill Guzzardo, Laurie Woodward, LIFE Leadership, Orrin Woodward, Terri Brady, Tim Marks
Sometimes a personal testimony is the most powerful form of belief we can offer people. I have been thinking about this topic for quite some time in anticipation to share how incredibly valuable my involvement with LIFE leadership has been over the years. I often get asked by critics that have known me a while why I am still involved with this company; somehow they still seem to think that this is just a business to me. I pray that this post clears up any confusion for those people.
Anyone who has been involved for any length of time (whether it was during company changes and transitions or the launch in 2011) would probably agree that it’s rather challenging to put into words the impact this organization can have on your life over time. In fact, it’s been such a challenge to formulate this piece of writing because the real blessings are so intangible and hard to express in written form.
I wanted to stay away from any sort of financial discussion because one of the misconceptions critics believe is that because LIFE leadership is a business, “money must be all they care about.” That couldn’t be further from the truth. While it is a very lucrative, successful company with hundreds and even thousands of members experiencing incredible financial success due to their influence in the lives of others, making money is certainly not the companies purpose. But, for those members who treat it and build it as a business they will achieve business results. But I digress. All you have to do is read Orrin Woodward’s highly popular blog or best-selling leadership books like The Leadership Train to understand the incredible business formula and system for LIFE leadership.
The idea behind this article was not to talk about a business but to talk about a purpose. I believe the purpose of LIFE Leadership was organically developed years ago when a group of men and women bonded their convictions through years of struggle trying to create a better life for themselves in less-fulfilling projects, eventually realizing that the real meaning of their struggle came from serving others and helping people grow.
Orrin recently tweeted, “A great life is the reward received when you give your life in service to others.” Now that sounds like a worthy cause and purpose! But even still, I have to wonder if Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady planned to create a company 20 years ago that might otherwise save people’s lives in the future? It’s not like we have the cure for cancer here – our products are books, CD’s, meetings and people! How could that type of commodity actually save lives? And yet, it has.
Let me explain:
LIFE Leadership is built on a foundation of four important categories of development. Without these four components, a member will not experience the full value that someone like myself and many others have been able to experience over the years. Even the absence of one of these components can be detrimental to ones personal journey. Actually, because these are so important I thought that the most effective way to organize my writing would be to break down specifically through these categories how my involvement with LIFE Leadership has actually saved my life.
1) READ
Back in 2006 I picked up a book at a leadership convention titled The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. I was young (about 20 years old), naive, a non-believer and very lost. No one had known at the time that I was struggling with an eating disorder, family challenges and other risky behaviors. I had always heard since day one of my involvement that reading was an important habit to develop if I ever wanted to be successful someday. I must admit, I was not a reader. In fact, it took me 2 years after getting involved to read a book from start to finish. This happened to be that book. The title of it caught my attention because at the time I had no sense of purpose. So what better way to discover something that was absent in my life than to gain wisdom from an author who may be able to help me. It did help me. In fact, I didn’t realize at the time that the first book I would ever read on my personal development journey would someday lead to my salvation in Jesus Christ.
Over the years I have read hundreds of books across multiple categories of personal and professional development genres. LIFE Leadership prides itself on delivering some of the best published content in the market so that people like myself can foster the necessary skills to develop internally so we can help other people externally. I could probably write a book just on the impact habitual reading has had on my life. It is one of the most powerful but under-utilized tools to success. In fact, it is so powerful that the information in books can actually save your life. I know it did for me.
2) Listen
Having always struggled with self-worth and control issues, I realized that the thoughts I constructed in my own mind were the most lethal form of self-destruction on my personal success journey. I knew that I would never become successful in anything if it was left up to my own thinking. I needed to change my thought process dramatically (not with the use of medication therapy, but through CD therapy). I became an audio-aholic listening to several CD’s a day just to keep myself out of my own head. Over the years that habit has created a hunger in me to want to share this information with everyone I meet. When people see stacks of audios in my front and back seats and in bins scattered everywhere throughout my car I am no longer embarrassed but proud of these resources. It is because of listening to these audios that I am still here today. In fact, my own bad thinking almost cost me my life; and listening was a direct path to saving it.
3) Associate
When I first got involved with the community building industry that has now become LIFE leadership, I completely fell in love with the people. There is just something different about hanging around with people who have a passion to grow personally and who want to make a difference. As hard as it is to believe, there are a lot of people in the world who don’t care about these things. I learned very early that who I hung around with would directly reflect the results I would have someday. I have always wanted to become like the people I respect so I have made it a priority in my life to surround myself with people like that. Even today, the association is my favorite part of all four of these components. Why? Because it’s about relationships. It’s about bonding. It’s about developing lifelong friendships. It’s about community.
Throughout this (already) two-year brain tumor battle if I didn’t have the LIFE leadership community I know for certain I would not be here today. Even through the most painful and challenging days I have looked forward to my Tuesday night meetings, monthly LIFE live seminars and quarterly leadership conventions. I believe having hope is about having something to look forward to even amidst the most difficult days of our lives. Not only do I have eternal hope in a life with Jesus someday but I have hope here on earth every time I get to associate with this incredible community of people. I always have something to look forward to. The relationships I have been able to foster among this organization has led me down paths medically I would have never had the opportunity to navigate. For those reasons alone, LIFE leadership has saved my life. However, all medical aside, the association has also allowed me to discover a purpose that I never knew existed – offering people hope (in a Savior) while pursuing real lasting friendships with other believers as we all journey toward Heaven together someday. To think, this crazy community and association of leaders is influencing people for Jesus – and saving lives for eternity!
4) Mentor
The final component and I could argue the most important! Since I was a freshman in high school (15 yrs old) I have been blessed to have a mentor – someone who has been able to guide me not only in basketball (at the time) but also in life. His name is Dave Chatmon and he is the direct reason I am involved with LIFE leadership today. He somehow convinced a very stubborn, shy but competitive girl to get involved in this industry at 18 years old that I would have never joined in a million years if it wasn’t for the trust I had in him. Today, I get to call him a business partner, a mentor and a friend.
The wonderful mentors I have been fortunate enough to work with over the years in this company are a true blessing from God – specifically speaking in regards to Dave Chatmon, George and Jill Guzzardo and Orrin and Laurie Woodward. There is absolutely no way I would still be here today if it wasn’t for these men and women and their servant hearts. Mentors help behind the scenes in ways that friends are not even qualified to do – they take on some of the heaviest loads of pressure in our lives but offer love, support and constructive direction towards better decision making in all aspects of our life. If you have a mentor, never ever take them for granted. Your mentors are some of the most selfless, loving and wise people you will ever meet. These mentors that I have mentioned above have directly, in their own specific way, saved my life and I am forever grateful for them every day of my life.
So there you have it. LIFE leadership may not the cure for cancer but it certainly is the cure for hopelessness. This is not just a business to me, this is my purpose – to lead people to truth and hope. It’s why I still do it. It’s why I will never quit until God calls me Home! It’s saved my life a countless number of times and I pray that it saves millions of lives (for Jesus) as we continue to share the message of leadership and truth across the world.
How has LIFE leadership affected your life? Feel free to share in the comments section below.
“It’s not just a business with a purpose, it’s a purpose… with a business.” Orrin Woodward
God Bless,
Kristen
Kristen, this is so powerful and true. To explain to someone the tangible things I take from being a part of LIFE leadership is virtually impossible. But, the intangible things are what have helped me continue to grow each an every day as an individual. Never in a million years would I have agreed with someone when they would tell me how important reading, listening, associating, and mentorship was in the growth of the individuals mind, body, and spirit. But since I’ve been a part of LIFE it has opened my eyes up to truth! Always show others grace and forgiveness for we are all children of God and will make mistakes.
God bless,
Josh
Kristen, I could not agree with you more! Yes, hard to explain , you just have to be apart of the LIFE community. Keep up the good work. I truly enjoy reading your blogs.
Take care. David
Thanks David! Yes people really just have to experience it! God Bless
Exactly Josh! I am so proud of you and your journey so far! The future is bright my friend and I am thankful to run this race with you.
My dear friend Kristen: Once again you amaze me. You are so wise beyond your years. I wish more people will come to realize that LIFE LEADERSHIP is so much more then a “business” I have come to know it is more a way of life. I been on this planet a bit longer then you and have experienced much more than I have time to share I too was not much of a reader. Since being a part of the Life community I have read many more books then ever did in school. Self directed education is awesome thanks to Life I continue to learn daily. Just remember this “If you don’t see a piece of God’s Kingdom here on earth you won’t recognize it when you get there”
Peace, Love, and Joy. “He lives so we can face tomorrow.”
Amen Bill! I always love reading your comments. You are such a blessing to so many people including me and I always appreciate the wisdom you bring to each post 🙂
Excellent testimony. ..I hope you don’t mind I would like to share it on my blog as well.. As a true testimony to LIFE and life! You are such an inspiration to so many! Praising God for your healing and allowing you to continue your purpose here on earth… love ya girl! Stay strong!
Awe thanks Brenda! Sure, of course you can share. I hope it helps someone else! Love ya!
Wow! So well said Kristen. I too can say this business has been a life saver for me. When I look at the thin threads that came together for this opportunity to reach me, I can only say it was a divine appointment. The lessons, knowledge I’ve gained through each one of the areas you’ve described, read, listen, associate and mentoring, are priceless. Reading, a few of my favorites: Personality Plus, The Magic of Thinking Big, Turn the Page, A Month of Italy, Voyage of a Viking, The Confidence of a Champion, Love and Respect. Each one filled with so many lessons, stories and insights. Meeting team mates at our Tuesday open is all I need sometimes to make it through a rough patch during my week. Knowing that I will be surrounded by a group of people with the same purpose fills me with hope and energy to keep going. Listening to the stories of struggle/victory and the training audios filled with nuggets of knowledge that can be applied in real life because it is from the experience of real people with real struggles is just great. Last but not least, having a mentor is a blessing, words are not enough to describe the benefit this has brought to my life, it is FANTASTIC!
Wow! Thank you so much for this great input Imelda! You are truly a blessing in my life and I am grateful God aligned our paths using this amazing vehicle. Love ya!
Very well put explanation of what LIFE Leadership is about. You and your blogs are an inspiration to many. You and your personal results are a great example of how the information and association can increase the value we can have in our life.
Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
Thanks Charlie for your comments. You are influencing a lot of lives and I am so proud of you!
Kristen this is amazing. You are such an inspiration to do many …including me. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. Love in Christ, Lori
Thanks Lori for the kind words but YOU, my friend, are the inspiration! Thank you for your leadership and influence in the lives of so many! 🙂
Kristen as always I am blessed and inspired by your candor!
I was an ornery skeptic when I heeded the advice of Tom McBride and attended my first Tuesday workshop. Dan Hawkins had me convinced that I wanted no bigger part of the 45 year plan than absolutely necessary. While I remained a skeptic for months, I explored every critique I could find on Life Leadership’s founders. Eventually through auditing countless audios, The Business of Life book, The Life Team Builder’s Textbook, and the Top 5 recommended books, I realized that leaders willing to admit their flaws as teaching points are invaluable compared to critics using screen-names. I became a member to become debt-free and help my parents receive the best palliative care when eventual needs arise. Personally I’ve wrestled with hopelessness and apathy since puberty. Building Compensated Communities is the most rewarding work one can imagine and I know I would have committed suicide were it not for Life Leadership association. Today I recognize that all community groups, churches, and people are unlikely to gain a better education than that afforded through Life Leadership. Through reading What is A Healthy Church and Just Do Something, I realized my purpose is to leverage our life-changing information into the lives of those searching for greater meaning. Absolute Truth is very real and Christ will qualify the called. I am blessed to credit leaders like Mark & Lori Maas, Dan & Lisa Hawkins, and Tom & Sharon McBride for showing me Christ’s love in action when I was unlovable by anyone’s standards. Attend a Life Live event for yourself to see how you also may begin to Live The Life You’ve Always Wanted. God Bless!
WOW Blaine! Thank you so much for sharing. Your story is very inspiring and you are being led by an amazing organization with the Hawkins! Keep charging forward my friend!
Very Powerful. Encompasses perspectives on a business that is a paradigm shift few people outside of LIFE Leadership would understand.
Exactly the point George! It’s so much more than what people think. Thank you for everything you do for me!
Thank you Kristen for such an amazing testimony! The comments are very moving and show the true power of community. God bless you and your journey.
Thanks Georgia, yes I love reading the comments on how LIFE leadership has affected other people’s lives. So powerful!
I intended to leave how Life Leadership has impacted me but had bit of sanguine moment( I am a work in progress). So many areas of my life have impacted but first and foremost my relationship with my Lord and Savior. I am continually working on the other 7 f’s but see progress and baby steps being made. Most recently our family has been able to apply principles we have learned from Life Leadership and I resigned my job and am dedicating my time homeschooling my children( age 11 & 14). Life Leadership is a part of our everyday learning. Yesterday was a true testimony of how much children are sponges. My daughter and I had listened to a cd by Laurie Woodward called “The Weight of your words”. My husband and I were having a “discussion” in the evening and my 11 year old came up and reminded me what we learned on the cd … As I said I am a work in progress. I am so thankful for moments like this to learn from our mistakes and course correct. I also have had some impactful testimonies from customers that have had financial & parenting triumphs that makes the ripple effect so evident.. Onto a million!!!
Thata girl Georgia!! LOVE it 🙂 You are creating a leadership culture right in your home. Thank you so much for sharing!!
Kristen, your words are so powerful and helpful to so many. I am so proud of you and it is so awesome to see the your growth and how you have brought the power from within to the outside so that you can courageously bring more people to this amazing life changing community.
I also love reading the posts on your articles because it is just more proof that each person in this world can influence others if they serve in love and Christ.
Love ya, Dave
Thanks Dave for your kind words. I appreciate everything you have done for me!
Reblogged this on Danny Michael's Blog and commented:
Awesome explanation of how LIFE Leadership makes a difference in people’s lives especially an eternal one!
Kristen,
You hit the nail on the head. How does one measure the value of a saved marriage to a suicidal spouse who may not be here had that marriage failed. Or the strength and mental toughness to continue to love and serve throughout all the issues that brings. To have coaches and mentors who listen and love you and encourage you to grow and keep pressing forward no matter what life throws at you. It’s the reason when I was recently asked, “When are you finally going to quit that business?” My immediate response was, “When I die.” We’ve all been led here for a reason, of this I am convicted.
God bless you as you continue to teach and inspire your cross line cousins through this amazing blog. And by the way, loved the picture of your passenger seat full of CDs. Mine looks just the same most of the time.