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People generally want to make a difference when confronted with a crisis or tragedy. Devastating storms, earthquakes, and floods are all great causes in which to donate time and money. These opportunities are reactive in nature because they respond after the fact.

Today’s podcast will focus upon being proactive before any devastating storm arises. This reaction that I want to focus upon is based upon anticipation. Anticipation and intentionality are words for seeking significance. People with anticipation plan to be significant. They expect to live a life everyday that matters. They prepare for significant acts. They position themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally and financially to make a difference in the lives of other people. Their sense of anticipation draws them forward.

What does this sense of anticipation do for us. Let’s examine five things

Anticipation Causes Us to Value Today – Wen you live with a sense of intentionality, you know and understand that every day is your time to make a difference. It is not someday, one day, maybe tomorrow. It is TODAY! There is a big difference between numbering your days versus assuming your days. People who have experienced near death trauma understand the importance of living fully in the moment and taking nothing for granted. A fresh sense of urgency begins to drive these people. What about you? What has awakened you to a second chance on life?

Anticipation Prompts Us To Prepare – When you have a strong sense of anticipation you view everything differently and you prepare differently. Your daily habit changes, your short-term goals are precise, your family plans are laser focused, and your yearly goals are power packed. Think about it this way; what is the one word that describes your anticipation for this year? Focus on that word fully and completely. Exhaust the questions about this word as it applies to your life and the world around. I.e.. Transformation, Miracles, Hope.

Anticipation Helps Us Generate Good Ideas – When you possess an attitude of anticipation you expect tom come up with good ideas. This is not about hoarding good ideas for yourself. It is about a mind set that believes good ideas are to be shared and accessible. This challenges our attitude of sharing. Are you willing to share your ideas that will benefit others?

Anticipation Prompts Us To Look for Ways to Help Others – The question in this point is who do you want to help? Surely we are impressed to make a difference on a select group or class of people? Is children, special needs, elderly, married couples, single parents, and on the list could go. Who or whom motivates you to make a difference?

Anticipation Helps Us Possess an Abundance Mindset – The previous point leads to this point – abundance mindset! People live in one of two worlds. One world is about scarcity. You cannot give what you do not have. Scarcity thinking has nothing to give – it is preoccupied with receiving. Scarcity thinking focuses upon ME! It says there is not enough to go around so I need to get mine now before it is gone.

Abundance mindset has nothing to do with how much you have. These people may not be wealthy and live in the best of environments, but they are always willing to give and share what they have. They live with a belief tat more will be provided at the right time. Anticipation is the key that unlocks the door of abundance thinking.

Understand there is not one door of opportunity. There is not one door of significance. There are multiple doors. Finding and going through one door is an event. Going through many doors is a lifestyle. That requires an abundance mindset. With repeated success over time you develop a sense of significance in your DNA!

When you woke up this morning, what was your mindset related to making a difference? Did you believe that you could make a difference. Did you expect to make a difference? Or did you even think about it at all?

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!