With only two months left into the year, we focus on what we did, didn’t do, and still have left to do as we assess our successes and challenges. Personal development is a lifelong process. It provides a road map for us to assess our skills, strengths, challenges, abilities and desires as a foundation for setting our life goals, maximizing our potential and optimizing the many opportunities we encounter. During a recent I-GROW Group Coaching session on a similar topic, clients were asked several questions on how they have optimized opportunities throughout the seasons of their life. They were also asked how they identified a situation as being an opportunity. This was intuitive since they defined an opportunity as a situation that helped them to achieve their greatest intentions which often aligned with their goals. They indicated they disciplined themselves to get out of their own way and they focused on what would be best for them.

We included two scriptures to launch us into an incredible topic of personal growth – with purpose and power.

Galatians 6:10:  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Hebrews 4:12:  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

We then analyzed the opportunities they identified as life changing and they rated the outcome of seizing these opportunities as good, not so good or still a work in progress. We recognized that some opportunities were actually distractions and should have been ignored or let go along the way, while most opportunities were right on target. Overall, we recognize that in order to outrageously optimize our opportunities, risk must be taken, we must be focused, be intentional, dream big dreams, make plans, repeat what works well, let go of what does not work well, pray and keep pressing on to see the true harvest of our actions. This what makes our lives rich with opportunities and challenges. When you consider the alternative, where would you rather be and what would you rather be doing?  Recognize, we have choices as we lean into our faith walk and fulfill our destiny.

Seizing opportunities gives us a remarkable chance to grow our lives personally, professionally, spiritually, emotionally, physically, mentally, relationally, financially, socially and generally how we enjoy our life’s journey each day. We are empowered to persist through change, connect with others, and manifest our intentions. Allow me to encourage you to give this life all that you have and live outrageously aware of your opportunities.        – Dr. Sandra Sessoms-Penny -