How LIT is your faith, life & business, valued, amazing, lady?

black and white image of business woman with pen and journal thinking with quote from deana farrell's blog post

Before you go thinking, “L.I.T.? What’s that?”—let me break it down for you in a way that’s gonna shine a light on your path to success. L.I.T. stands for Leadership, Integrity, and Testimony.

Not just an acronym, LIT could be your ticket to taking charge, staying true, and leaving a mark that speaks for itself.

#prioritizedfocus

Striving to infuse your faith into your everyday life as an entrepreneur, ministry leader, owner, founder, creative, or whatever your solopreneurship role or title may be…can be challenging in the midst of the dynamic demands of the business world. If you lose your focus.

This journey, where Leadership, Integrity, and Testimony intertwine, calls for an unwavering commitment to authenticity and intentional decision-making.

Because it’s not just about finding balance; it’s about creating a symphony that harmonizes your faith with the strategic decisions you make. Doing so blazes a trail of inspiration and success for both yourself and those watching you. Remember, people do business with those they learn to know, come to like and have earned their trust.

Lighting the Flame of Leadership

Defining who you are beyond your titles, roles, labels or even your history is going to be your first step in effective leadership.

After all, the first person you lead is you, and you want to be the best leader for her as you possibly can, right?

photo of deana farrell's book You're A Beautiful MESSterpiece on a rattan background

However, aligning your own internal leadership compass while navigating the external demands of everyday life and a growing business, well, that requires a deep understanding of who you are and where you’re headed.

*You’ll want to pick up a copy of my book and dive into Chapter 3 for giving yourself the push you need to answer this question once and for all.

You need to make decisions that not only drive your business forward but also resonate with the person you’re becoming.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Romans 12:2 NIV

Finding your leadership style, one that authentically reflects your personality and values becomes a transformative act of empowerment.

To lead authentically is to step into a renewal of thought, daring to stand apart from the norm.

The essence of leadership finds its roots in not only how you follow, but Who. Just as Christ led with humility and love, your leadership should reflect those virtues too.

Your style of leadership, shaped by your values and personality, becomes a beacon to light the way for others. And leading as the authentic YOU is an act of reflecting God’s handiwork in your journey. (see Ephesians 2:10)

In a world of noise, your leadership should be a symphony of authenticity and faith, resonating with the melody of your Creator’s plan.

As you step into the spotlight of your life and business, remember that your leadership journey is about more than business success—it’s a divine partnership where your faith and leadership intertwine, guiding you to shine your light and lead others with the heart of Christ.

That’s leadership! Now let’s look at what else is going to keep us LIT.

Embracing the Power of Integrity

Integrity, another cornerstone of the LIT framework, mirrors your heart’s alignment with God’s truth. Proverbs 11:3a says, “The integrity of the upright guides them”. As women entrepreneurs, your integrity isn’t just seen; it’s who you are even when unseen.

In the middle of potential compromise, it’s integrity that anchors you. Uphold your word, echoing Jesus’ teaching, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No'” (Matthew 5:37).

Integrity, along with your leadership empowers you to align your choices with your faith. It’s your legacy, reflecting the Bible’s call to focus on what’s true, noble, right, and pure (Philippians 4:8).

In business, it’s those rooted in integrity who truly shine. Like a lighthouse. Integrity is your legacy and a testament to your faith; standing tall and lighting the path for others to safely follow.

Along with leadership and integrity, the next part of our LIT framework is about your testimony.

Amplifying Your Unique Testimony

Finally, let’s look into the heart of what sets you apart—your Testimony. This isn’t just about sharing stories; it’s about weaving your journey into a compelling narrative that resonates with those you’ve been divinely assigned to impact.

Imagine a modern-day Deborah, the fearless judge and prophetess. Her Testimony wasn’t just personal—it inspired a nation and sparked change. Similarly, your journey holds the power to ignite transformation in the lives of others you’ve been entrusted to lead.

In the realm of entrepreneurship, authenticity is gold. Your Testimony is your secret weapon for building connections and community. (read about the power of story here)

woman at microphone with the caption of power of story

As you embrace your Testimony pillar within this LIT framework, envision your story as a tapestry interwoven with faith, struggle, triumph, and growth. By sharing your pieces of the messy story, road, experiences that got you to where you are…still standing, is what will connect and resonate with those meant to be transformed by those very messes.

See testimony is less about pretty, and linear, and easy, and more about what really happened and how you’re better for it. You’ll know what details matter and how to share them when you learn to own your testimony.

Want to build your brand? Well, this is how you build more than a brand; you create a movement—a community that’s uplifted and inspired by your journey.

The L.I.T. Blueprint: Integrating Strategies

Alright, my Valued, Amazing Ladies, let’s roll up our sleeves and get down to the nitty-gritty of infusing Leadership, Integrity, and your Testimony into your everyday life and business.

Leadership: Leading Your Pack and Your Path

Leadership isn’t just about big speeches and grand gestures; it’s about guiding yourself and your team with intention. Start by outlining your personal leadership principles—those values that’ll steer your decisions. Then, apply these principles both in your business strategies and the choices you make in your daily life. Remember, your actions speak louder than words. (try this if you need a quick starter)

Integrity: Walking the Talk, Unapologetically

Integrity is your non-negotiable GPS. It’s about sticking to your values even when the spotlight’s off. Practical tip: create an “Integrity Manifesto” that outlines your unwavering principles. When faced with a decision, consult your manifesto—it’s like having a sit-down with your own integrity coach. Let your actions echo your core beliefs, and watch the impact ripple. (trouble with decision-making? try this!)

Testimony: Weaving Your Walk and Talk Alignment

This is where your journey gets seriously transformative. Your Testimony is the bridge between your walk and talk. Break it down: identify moments in your journey where your actions mirrored your values, creating authenticity. These moments are your Testimony gems. Now, strategically share these gems in your business communications, letting your journey speak for itself. As you align your walk and talk, watch your influence soar.

My beautiful VALs, it’s not about planning the perfect day or business, this about helping you make Leadership, Integrity, and Testimony part of your daily toolkit. Break it down, practice it, and watch it transform your journey. You’ve got this—ignite that fire within, embrace LIT, and show the world what a powerhouse you truly are!

Leadership isn’t a mere role.

Basically, leadership is a guiding force. Now whether that force propels you in the direction you want to go or not us up to you.

Integrity isn’t just a value.

Living with integrity is going to be your unshakable foundation, ensuring every step reflects who you are at your very core..

Testimony isn’t just a tale.

Certainly not least or to be ignored is the dynamic link between your walk and talk. Doing so will inspire others to learn where your light comes from.

Remember, this isn’t a passive plan—it’s an active choice to live and lead authentically.

Ladies, it’s time to seize the power of the LIT and infuse it into every fiber of your journey. Just as a masterful artist combines colors to create a masterpiece, you’re combining Leadership, Integrity, and Testimony to craft your unique success story. And you know what I call that? A Beautiful MESSterpiece!

focusing on the LIT life right there with ya,

name signature Deana
Deana Farrell signing copies of her book Beautiful Messterpiece

Here are three ways can help you live LIT!

  1. Get the Book: Dive into the transformative pages of “You’re A Beautiful MESSterpiece.” Practical strategies, humor, and tough love to empower you to align Leadership, Integrity, and Testimony in your journey.
  2. Visit the Focus Shop: Explore the resources that align with your journey for where you are now. From planners to workbooks, these tools are designed to keep you on track and focused.
  3. Book a Strategy Call: Not sure what you need right now? Book a strategy call with me and we’ll figure out your next best step!

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