TUNE IN: APPLE PODCASTS | SPOTIFY | PANDORA | AMAZON MUSIC
In today’s podcast episode, I’m sharing a clip from my beta group coaching program where we have been discussing how to intentionally set yourself up for success and how to step into the overflow, the abundant life that God has for you.
In this clip, we were talking about the difference between energy drainers and bucket fillers. Go with me for a second and think of your life in terms of being a literal bucket. What does the bucket of your life look like? Is it full or empty? Is it cracked and leaking? Or is it abundant and overflowing?
This is a powerful visual as you come to understand the energy drainers and bucket fillers in your life…these can be people, places, beliefs and thoughts. And the important thing to remember is that surrounding yourself with a solid support system is what will help you as you continue to grow into the person that God created you to be. We’re always to be seeking the Lord and His truth and wisdom as we step into all that He has for us and for our family. So this concept of our lives being a literal bucket, will help us to begin to strategically set ourselves up for success and growth.
Let’s talk about energy drainers…or joy suckers as I like to call them. These are things that drain the life and energy out of us. They eat up our time and attention, distract our focus and consume our thoughts. They weigh heavy on our hearts and minds and can keep us awake at night. These things leave us feeling empty and don’t allow us to live our best life. They don’t help us to grow forward and truthfully, they don’t serve any good purpose at all other than that they can sometimes become part of our testimony. These energy drainers are poking holes in your bucket. They’re making cracks down the sides of your bucket so that all of the goodness and joy inside begins to leak or gush out.
Bucket fillers…these are good things. The people, places, things, beliefs, and thoughts that refill the bucket of your life. They serve you well and bring joy to your life. They top off your bucket until it’s overflowing and you’re in a place where you can breathe, love and serve and live your life whole. Who are the people, places and things, beliefs and thoughts that help fill your bucket?
When it comes to the people in your life, in your circle, think about this…are they draining your energy or filling your bucket? In the Bible, we see examples of companionship with other people and seeking wise counsel and how that’s a good thing. When God created the first man, He knew it wasn’t good to be alone and so…He created woman. Jesus had an inner circle with his disciples and a deep relationship with God. His disciples always set out as two instead of alone. No one was created to go it alone. No one should be all about me, me, me. It is not holy or wise. Scripture tells us to listen to advice and accept instruction, to not walk in the counsel of the wicked but walk with the wise.
This all points to a simple success strategy: Building a tribe, an inner circle of people offering love and support, who bring out the best in us and speak light and truth and correction over us. These people love us too much to let us stay stuck where we are. Building your tribe takes intention and discernment and I always say to try to limit it to 5…your 5 tribe. These are the 5 people you spend the most time with or the people who speak into your life the most. These 5 people will have massive influence in your life and that’s why it’s so important that we choose them intentionally.
You must build your 5 tribe with people who genuinely want the best for you. They will fill your bucket, bring life and light, energy, and joy into your life. They will cheer you on and help you move towards success. And they’ll encourage you to grow into who God created you to be and to live out His plan for your life.
We’ll always reap what we sow so when you fill the buckets of others, your bucket will be filled as well. Who can you support? Whose life can you speak into? Whose bucket can you fill and how?
It’s time to stop getting distracted by things that have nothing to do with your goals and what God has for you. Often times, we are consuming them or they are consuming us…these people, places, thoughts, and beliefs, they are either keeping us stuck and standing still or they are propelling us towards growth.
Where are you hanging out, what situations are you putting yourself in? Stop putting yourself in situations where your growth could be compromised. You prosper where you are planted and God wants to change your heart and work in your life right here and right now, right where you are. He wants to help you grow forward. Fixate your eyes on Him and the plan He has for your life. God created us to be fruitful, to take action and to bear fruit. It’s time to tell yourself the true story about your future and exchange the energy drainers in your life for bucket fillers. Setting yourself up for success comes down to devotion versus distraction…which will you choose?
Think about when and how you grow in your relationship with the Lord. You have to intentionally choose to spend time with Him when there are other things that are trying to distract you, stealing away your time and attention. It’s time to ditch the distractions, the excuses and energy drainers and choose devotion to people, places, beliefs and thoughts that fill our bucket…the things and people who will point us towards God’s plan for our life.
You don’t have to have it all figured out but you do need to be devoted and obedient in every area of your life…spiritually, emotionally, mentally physically. God has a plan and it is good. He believes that you’re worth it…do you believe that you’re worth it? His plan for you is so awesome, better than you can even fathom, that you haven’t even seen yet because the energy drainers and distractions have kept you looking back when you should be looking forward. Those things having a hold on you is a choice, sweet friend.
So, what are you allowing to drain your energy and suck your joy, to poke holes in your bucket? Ask yourself…where is God in all of this? What and who has He put in my life and what does He want me to work through to help fill my bucket? How does He fill my bucket and am I devoted or distracted in my relationship with God?
Now is the time to set yourself up for success by gaining awareness of your energy drainers and bucket fillers. God wants to fill your bucket to overflow. I want some of that overflow in my life! Don’t you? It’s time to intentionally step into that, sister!
