Another key component to us living the "crown life" is the importance of having "VISION".  This word has many definitions, but I want to focus on the "foresight" connotation for clarity and understanding.  I've found a way to go deeper into the comprehension of the word "vision" by viewing the word in 3 ways: 1. VISION, 2. VIS-ION, and 3. VIS-I-ON.  The first way of viewing it speaks more to the traditional understanding regarding the "foresight" or “the ability to see forward”; The second way is "VIS-ION":  The Latin prefix "vis" means "to see" and the suffix "ion" means "action, to act, or process".  This speaks more to the necessity of seeing ourselves actually "acting or carrying out" exactly what we have envisioned; lastly, the third way is "VIS-I-ON": (or to see....myself....onward!)  This speaks to us realizing that we do have "a bright future", and the best is yet to come for us!  These 3 perspectives will keep us striving to become all we were purposed to be in life.  "CROWN LIFE!"   

In life, there will be challenges that you have to encounter on the road towards your destiny.  The key to success during these seasons of trial is to have a "strong resolve".  Having your RESOLVE strong will help you remain consistent when things seem unstable or uncomfortable.  There is a quote by Denis Waitley that says, "Determination gives you the resolve to keep going in spite of the roadblocks that lay before you." Another way to understand the power of resolve is to break down the word itself.  The prefix "re" simply means "to do again" and the word "solve" means...."to answer".  So, this gives us a clear message that resolve means "to provide the same answer.....again and again."  It means that nothing will move you from what you've purposed in your heart to achieve or accomplish.  It's wise to have a strong resolve because we know not always what life will send our way; but, you should know how you will respond.......regardless.  Even in tough times, it's possible to remain at peace and in control when your resolve is strong.  Remember:  Resolve is something that you must have before you go into the fight, so that you will know the "outcome" even before the "end comes"!  "CROWN LIFE!" 

One of the first lessons in time management that you should learn is that time.....must be respected.  We MUST respect time; and, the understanding of this should remind us all that we don't have time to waste!  Before we can ever respect other people's time, we must first respect our own.  We must understand that our time here on earth is LIMITED.  We don't have the liberty to procrastinate in life.  We have to manage our time well, and we can do this by actually doing what we're supposed to do....when we're supposed to do it!  If you are supposed to be working, you actually need to be WORKING!  If you are supposed to be resting, you need to be RESTING during that time.  If you're scheduled to be in a meeting, be punctual, alert, and prompt.  It's a waste of time if you're not maximizing each moment you have by being productive and/or "truly" PRESENT.  When we have a healthy respect for our own time, we then can do likewise in regards to respecting the time of others.  Remember:  Not one of us can get even "one minute" of our lives back once it's spent; so let's use each one wisely. "CROWN LIFE!"

I have resolved that there are 4 levels in life that lead to leaving a LEGACY on this earth, beyond our lifetime.  The first level is SURVIVAL (which is when you are struggling just to make it each day; not knowing if you will even make it through to see another day, week, month, or year.) The second level is STABILITY (which is when our necessary needs are met, and we have our lives in a comfortable cycle; You are stable, but yet still living in mediocrity.) The third level is SUCCESS (which is when you have begun to move in your purpose, and are experiencing the bountiful rewards and returns from your work or labor.) Finally, the fourth level is SIGNIFICANCE (which is when your life no longer solely benefits you and your family, but also the lives of others.)  This level is when you begin to leave lasting contributions to this world which live far beyond your time here to see it.  It's the level where people like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mother Teresa, Thomas Edison, Harriet Tubman, and Jesus Christ reached.  The question is this:  "What legacy will you leave?"  No one can answer that question for you.  Only time.....will tell.  "CROWN LIFE!"

Over the years, I've found out that a major hindrance to our effectiveness and productivity is the lack of proper rest and "refreshing" periods.  On one end, the problem is too much rest, slothfulness, and procrastination:  On the other end, the problem is the result of not "sharpening the saw" as best-selling author & international speaker, Stephen Covey, likes to emphasize.  It is critically important for us to learn how to place ourselves in a cycle that allows us to "refresh" during our pursuit of greatness and destiny.  The worst thing that could happen is for your body to shut down because it was not properly cared for.  When was the last time you "really" took a vacation or got the "proper" amount of sleep or had a quiet moment alone to think?  These are all necessary to be truly effective in life, especially if we plan on being here for the long haul.  Even our computers have a "shut down", a "restart", and a "refresh" function.  How much more should we pattern our lives with that type of cycle to keep us functioning at our best?  You really don't know how much stress and excess strain is being caused due to not taking time to refresh.  Don't allow your best not to come forth because you simply are not.......refreshed!  "CROWN LIFE!"

In life, you should not ever make the lethal mistake of thinking that your failures or setbacks are permanent.  Failure is not a person, it's an event.  This means that we should NEVER count ourselves or others out because of misfortune or challenges encountered.  I want to encourage you to dream again; To pull out that business plan again; To start writing again; To start planning again; And, to start believing again.  Believe WHAT?  Believe that it's possible to live the life that you once were expecting to live.  It's not OVER, unless YOU say it's over!  Just because you get knocked down, does that mean that you should stay there?  I'm very fond of watching movies with "comeback stories".  I absolutely love to see a person fight to rise above the woes and vicissitudes of life by their unwavering determination to WIN.  Never give up and never give in.  It's NOT wise to bury someone that's NOT dead!  So, don't bury your potential.  "CROWN LIFE!"       

I've observed a common trend in the lives of people who are NOT using their gifts, talents, and creative ability; I've noticed how their lives lacked ENTHUSIASM.  People who do not use their God-given abilities to produce will also develop dry and mundane lives.  Truth is:  God has given us gifts and talents that are OMNIFICENT (meaning: unlimited in creative power).  Your gift is made to produce and create with an infinite flow of ingenuity.  The problem is the fact that you often don't become enthusiastic WITHOUT creative projects (i.e. writing a book, starting a business, building an invention, etc.) and you also can't PRODUCE anything great without ENTHUSIASM.  The answer lies within the issue itself.  You need creative projects FOR enthusiasm and you need enthusiasm for GREAT creative projects.  So, what is the solution then?  The solution is that there must be a change in thinking or mindset in regards to using our gifts, talents, and creative ability on a regular basis.  We have to DECIDE to do it before the ENTHUSIASM can drive us to it.  In life, be creative....or simply....be bored.  It's your choice.  "CROWN LIFE!"

There's a commonly known idiom that says, "Actions speak louder than words."  I would like to alter that statement a little by swapping out the word, "Actions" for the word, "Results."  I like to say it this way, "RESULTS speak louder than WORDS."  This reminds us why we should make it our purpose in life to live and produce at the level of what we preach.  Many people can TALK, but few people actually WALK out their confession.  I've heard a simple, but powerful statement which says, "Your AUDIO.....needs to match your VIDEO!"  That truth speaks volumes about the necessity of having good character and practicing what "we preach".  Our results will be the "tell all"; Doesn't matter if we're talking about job performance, business performance, academic performance, or personal performance; The results will "tell no tales".  People are persuaded more by what you do, rather than what you say.  Why?  Because their perception is their reality, and that perception is based off of your RESULTS.  Let's make sure we do more than just "talk the walk"; Let's actually "walk the talk".  "CROWN LIFE!"  

One of the keys to success in life is having a clear understanding of the importance of setting goals.  You have to realize that if it is NOT actually written, it is usually.....NOT real.  Writing your goals down gives you direction, and it clarifies the path you should take.  We've all heard the statement that says, "The shortest distance between two points is a straight line."  We should take this approach when is comes to setting goals in our lives as well.  Why would you waste time in life wondering around, hoping to end at your destination?  You don't have to HOPE to get there; you just have to PLAN to get there and move FORWARD!  I have developed an acrostic that I believe will help you understand the correlation between goal setting and success.  Just think of it this way:  G.O.A.L.S. (Growth Objectives Attracting Life's Success)   If you write down your goals and follow your plan accordingly, SUCCESS will become attracted.....to YOU!  "CROWN LIFE!"

One of the dangers of experiencing success in life is the subsequent threat of becoming so fixed on our past victories, that we fail to realize we have much more things to accomplish or achieve.  There is an inclination for us to become comfortable with our past results; And, this type of behavior should not be tolerated of ourselves, nor of those around us!  We must challenge ourselves and others to continually grow and progress as long as we live.  Just think of an Olympic hurdler:  How foolish it would be for the hurdler to "look back & admire" how they gracefully surmounted the last hurdle?  The problem is this:  THAT'S NOT THE LAST HURDLE!  The hurdler has to remain focused and ready to leap the next obstacle on the course successfully, and we must do likewise.  Remember:  Don't let your past success.....be your last success. "CROWN LIFE!"