running well and finishing strong: healthy family tips for academics presented by pastor (mrs.)...

COVENANT UNIVERSITY:EXECUTIVE ADVANCE

AUGUST, 2015

RUNNING WELL AND FINISHING STRONG: HEALTHY FAMILY TIPS FOR ACADEMICS

Presented By

PASTOR (MRS.) FAITH OYEDEPOVICE PRESIDENT (EDUCATION)

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“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain - 1 Corinthians 9:24.

Anchor Scripture 1

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“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” - Hebrews 12:1

Anchor Scripture 2

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Life is a race!Everyone in life, whether in

academics of not, is on the line for a race!

What is a race? “The act of running.”

INTRODUCTION

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In every race, how well you run it, determines how you finish.

In athletics, not all that run a race receives the prize; so also in life, not all that run finish well.

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How you finish any race is of uttermost importance.

It is God’s will for you to finish strong!

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As academics, to run well and finish strong require a healthy family life.

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Please understand: Your career and your home are equally important.

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Countless studies point to the need for balancing home and work-life to reduce stress and increase personal and professional satisfaction and effectiveness.

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The good news is: Attaining a steady and successful career while maintaining a healthy and happy family life is achievable.

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“Don’t confuse having a career with having a life.” Hillary Clinton.

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The foundation for a healthy family life is love (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

The Foundation for a Healthy Family Life

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To have a loving family, share your dreams, hopes, memories, possessions, successes, etc., with your family members.

A loving family provides shelter from the storm – a friendly port from the waves of life.

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Truth is: Loving connections between family members are critical building blocks for running well to finish strong, even in academia.

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“The light that shines farthest shines brightest nearest home.” – C. T. Studd

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To attain a successful career and maintain a healthy family require the following:

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What is commitment? Commitment is giving your time, energy and resources to something that you believe in, or a firm decision to see to its success.

1. COMMITMENT

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The Oxford dictionary defines commitment as “an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action.”

There are some things that you would not do by reason of your commitment.

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All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians 6:12).

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Commitment makes you choose the “expedient” above the “lawful”.

Whatever you are not committed to, you cannot excel in – family and career inclusive!

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What the spinal cord is to the body is what commitment is to a successful career and a healthy family life.

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a. Commitment to GodWithout God, all your effort will amount to nothing!

Three Levels of Commitment

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For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God (Hebrews 3:4).

I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5).

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For Example:“Sailing under sealed order.” – 1976

“Christ is either Lord of all or not Lord at all...”

Canaanland, a miracle ground: take advantage of it!

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b. Commitment to your family

Marriage is not a temporary arrangement, but a commitment for life!

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Commitment is the framework on which a marriage is built.

One man and one woman, in one life–time relationship.

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Commitment brings security, compels love and triggers submission.

If committed, you will not deprive your family members of the basic necessities of life.

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c. Commitment to your career

Until you are committed in your career, you cannot be successful in it.

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Time, energy and resources are required.

Question: How committed are you in the above three levels?

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2. COMMUNICATION

Effective communication is vital to running well to finish strong.

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The basis of any fruitful and lasting relationship (career, family) is effective communication.

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I would like to define “Communication” as “Communion-in-action”

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“Poor communication is the reason behind brutality in many Christian marriages today” - Chancellor

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Beware of assumption! (Genesis 3:1-2).

Words, the vehicle for effective communication.

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Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers (Ephesians 4:29).

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Aim at ministering grace to your hearers!

Beware of words that tear down and destroy.

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Learn to be a good listener (James 1:19).

Be faithful (Proverbs 28:20).

Effective Communication requires that you:

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Be truthful and open (Genesis 2:25).

Recognize your need for wisdom and understanding.

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Question: How successful can you be at work without communication?

So also you can’t enjoy a healthy family without effective communication.

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Make use of every opportunity at your disposal, to be closely connected to your family members, young or old; i.e. intercom, telephone, internet, intra-net etc.

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3) COUNSELWhere no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14).

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Counsel: “Advice given especially as a result of consultation.”

To finish strong, you must be opened to godly counsel

Exodus 18:19 (Moses/Jethro).

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a. From God via His Word (Psalm 16:7)

b. Testimonies

c. Observations (Proverbs 6:6; Proverbs 24:32)

Different Levels of Counsel

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d. Resource materials of proven authors in printed or electronic forms i.e. books, tapes etc.

e. Contact with persons with proofs

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Be humble enough to seek for godly counsel when required.

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Remember: “A problem shared is a problem solved” - Anonymous

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4) CREATIVITYTo finish strong, you must be creative.

There are always better ways of doing things.

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Creativity is the ability to think of new ideas to ensuring balancing family with career; i.e.

Put people before things.

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Look for ways to make routine tasks easier.

Learn to delegateOpen up yourself to inspiration from the Holy Spirit.

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Develop, keep and use your sense of humour

Plan to organise ahead of time

Use “to do” list or set priorities.

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Remember:“You don’t have to make yourself miserable to be successful.” Wise man

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5).CONDUCT (1 Timothy 3:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:10)

This is the way a person behaves in a particular place or situation.

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Your behavior both at home and at work is equally important!

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Question: Is your behavior at home as good as it is at work or vice versa?

Your conduct determines how your life will conclude!

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It is not enough to run well, you must finish strong!

CONCLUSION

Always remember the five Cs: Commitment, Communication,

Counsel, Creativity and Conduct.

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But: The most important successes and sources of happiness will always be rooted in your positive focus on family.

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To finish strong, you must do your part and trust God to do the rest.

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Remember: “Other things may change us, but we start and end with family” - Wiseman

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You shall finish

strong!

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Thank You For Listening!

&Mega Blessings!