church office, I listened to Crown Financial Ministries interview a career coach on their radio broadcast. Dan Miller was promoting his book, 48 Days to the Work You Love. As I listened, it was like this man was speaking directly to me. He was speaking my language, like he had been reading my mail.
For several
years, I’d wrestled with vocational angst. I gradually realized numerous
desires shouted within me to use my gifts and pursue interests outside of the
scope of what we consider traditional church ministry. And, I wanted to find
ways to make money and prosper outside of the limitations of depending on a fulltime
church salary to provide for my growing family.
In the years
since then, I’ve come to realize many pastors and ministry leaders wade through
similar struggles. My friends Les Hughes and Jon Sanders, both pastors, have an
entire business, EntrePastors,
dedicated to helping pastors realize that following God's calling into ministry
doesn't mean you have to live a life of scarcity and meagerness. They share, “We
believe God is a God of abundance who gave you multiple talents to build and
serve His Kingdom. By using ALL of your God-given talents, you take better care
of yourself and your family, and become a better pastor in the process.”
But at the time
I was wading through those questions alone, learning to work through the needed
mindset changes, personal assessment, and exploration of possibilities.
Dan
Miller was the first person I heard – outside of my own head and heart – that affirmed
my struggle and gave me hope that there was a positive path forward.
Understanding
Divine Calling
Remembering
the happiest times in your life and the times when you felt most fulfilled are
better indicators of your calling than just knowing what you have the ability
to do.
You can have different careers at different points in your life. Conversely, two or three different careers can all support one’s calling.
The word
vocation comes from the Latin word vocare, which means “to call.” It suggests
that you are listening for something that is calling out to you – something that
is particular for you. A Calling is something you have to listen for, attuning
yourself to the message. Vocation then is not so much pursuing a goal as it is
listening for a voice.
Never
separate your work from your worship. See what you do during the week as a form
of worship. Remember, you are in full-time service, doing what God has called
you to do if you’ve engaged your unique skills, your personality and your
dreams and passions.
 |
In 2022 I sent Dan this eagle carving I found at Dollywood. He posted this picture in the Eagles Community and said, "Thanks so much for this awesome Eagle, Rhett Wilson, Sr. I love the natural wood colors and the kind expression of the eagle. I'll find a prime place in my office for this new addition!" |
Mastering
Motivation
It’s tough
to make good choices at eighteen that will be meaningful at forty-five.
Your only
security is knowing what you do well. Knowing your areas of competence will give
you freedom amid corporate politics and unexpected layoffs.
Our culture
glamorizes being under time pressure.
Work doesn’t
have to drain the energy from your life. You can have work that resonates with
your soul and draws you into a deeper, more intimate relationship with God.
Learn from
any failure. See it as a stepping stone toward the success you ultimately want.
Exploring
Opportunities
Your best
opportunity may not look like your last job.
The
opportunities in today’s work environment are endless. You can change course
several times in a lifetime without feeling like you’re derailed or starting
over, if you have a sense of calling to act as a consistent compass.
Many people
are finding that it makes more sense to use this model [of nontraditional work]
than to attempt to find the one right job that provides all their needs. One of
the hottest terms for creating a work life today is “multiple streams of income.”
You may have two or three things that are creating income for you, rather than
only one all-important job.
Taking
Action
Putting yourself
in the driver’s seat requires creating a clear sense of where you want to go.
A clear plan
of action will separate you from 97 percent of the people you meet. Everyone
has dreams, but very few ever turn those into goals.
If you are
in a negative environment – one that causes you pain and anguish - maybe its
time to take a fresh look at yourself, define where you want to be, and develop
a clear plan of action to get there.
In the years
following that introduction to Dan Miller, I would read and re-read and re-read
his books, 48
Days to the Work You Love, No More Dreaded
Mondays, and An Understanding
Heart. Hours of my time were invested listening to his podcast, consistently
rated in the top ½ percent of the top 1% of all business podcasts, and his
audio course from NightingaleConant, Dream Job, which was rated their #3
most popular audio course.
He opened the door for me to explore and benefit from the world of motivational speakers, authors, and coaches in the business and motivational world. Today, people like Zig Ziglar, Brian Tracy, Napolean Hill, Earl Nightengale, Og Mandino, Andy Andrews, Jim Rohn, Bob Proctor, and Russell Conwell line my shelves and audio library.
Dan
introduced me to the world of modern entrepreneurs, guys in the mid-stream of
life learning to pivot and create multiple streams of income in this rapidly
changing world and economy. He knew remote work was cool years before COVID. He
assured me my questions were valid, my desires to experience more, good, and
that challenging my mindset in some traditional areas was wise.
Success
if More than a Job
Miller
modeled for many businesspeople how important it is to balance your life with
both faith in God and making deep deposits in your family relationships. As he
often said, “Success is more than a job.”
It was a
long time before I’d realize how many other people he had helped in similar
journeys. The more I became familiar with this world of new entrepreneurs, or
eagles as he called them, the more I heard stories like my own.
.jpeg)
I considered it quite an honor when Dan endorsed my first solo book last year, The 7 Ps of Prayer: A Simple Method to Pray for Your Family. Here was a man who considers Dave Ramsey his best friend and participated in a men’s small group for more than a decade with high-achievers Ramsey and Michael Hyatt. Yet Dan always saw value in the person standing in front of him.
Many people in the entrepreneurial world were shocked, saddened, and grieved over this
news. Dan had the ability and warmth to make you feel loved, appreciated, and
valued. And his life and teachings helped so many of us pursue and create work
that is fulfilling, meaningful, and profitable. Dan challenged us to “plan our
work around our life, rather than planning our life around our work.” He taught
us to find the sweet spot where work and play become indistinguishable.
The Eagles Community received word last week that Dan passed away from this earth on Sunday night, January 21. He had shared with his followers that he was looking forward to his spiritual transformation.
The Eagle
has flown. Thank you, Dan. You will be missed.
Excellent article! He helped so many.
ReplyDeleteA well written tribute!
ReplyDelete