All-In Paragon: Living a Life by God's Design

By Carole L. Mendoza

Every day we make decisions that are primarily based on what we believe, have learned, or accept as truth from our personal experiences. At birth we begin to develop independent, problem-solving skills. Making decisions and taking control of things is normal and expected. No wonder God becomes more of a “resource” than “The Source” in our lives.

Most positions I held required me to be “all-in”, in both tangible and emotional ways. I accepted the advice and direction of my worldly mentors and coaches without ever considering God’s opinion. This attitude and action rarely created the success I desired. In fact, I took risks that turned into disasters personally, financially, and professionally. For years I jumped at every program, book or idea that promised I would be able to “manifest my desires”.

What I discovered is:

*I never quite succeeded the way I wanted and had a false sense of success

*I questioned and doubted every decision and often created more problems than solutions

*I was always left searching for my purpose and my “something more”

As I reflected on these experiences, I started to look at my relationship with God differently. I did not notice anything unusual until one morning God asked me if I was “all-in” with Him. “All-in” with God? Was I? As I began to pray for wisdom, God began to reveal to me various places where I was, in fact, not “all-in”.

By addressing these areas, getting obsessed with God and His opinion, and being obedient to His word, my life completely changed. This experience produced the “All-In Paragon”. A step-by-step strategy for making a faith-based paradigm shift resulting in quantum leap success and unstoppable flow.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jul 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9781664239173

Carole L. Mendoza

After more than 20 years of accomplishments in sales and education, Carole Mendoza realized that her passion is helping others to achieve their goals and discover their purpose. She founded IPD Coaching, LLC in 2019. Her focus is to serve God, serve others, make an impact and change lives. Her writing is easy to understand and will inspire so many to have a stronger relationship with God. Carole, who is also a wife, mother and grandmother, provides workshops for the All-In Paragon, as well as individual and group coaching from her home in Pooler, Ga. Carole has a Masters Degree in Education, completed coursework for a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and has recently added to her Christian Coaching certifications as a member of the John Maxwell Team. What Carole initially thought was a personal experience between herself and God, has turned into the All-In Paragon; a transformational process that not only changed her life, but is impacting the lives of others. Carole says, “Your success, or lack thereof, is dependent on your obedience to the One who created you”.

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Copyright © 2021 Carole L. Mendoza.

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This book is a work of non-fiction. Unless otherwise noted, the author and the publisher make no explicit guarantees as to the accuracy of the information contained in this book and in some cases, names of people and places have been altered to protect their privacy.

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Connect with me @ www.ipdcoaching.com

Interior artwork by Unsplash.

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3912-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3913-5 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-6642-3917-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021913293

WestBow Press rev. date: 7/23/2021

Unless otherwise stated, all scripture is taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, represented by Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®

Scripture quotations marked (CEV) are from the Contemporary English Version Copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

CONTENTS

Dedication

Introduction

Are You Living by the World’s Design or God’s Design?

Distractions

The Struggle Is Real

Growth Requires Attachment

How All In Came About

Intuition versus Ideas

The Elijah Factor

Feel the Weirdness and Do It Anyway!

Serving Must Be the Main Thing

Out of Alignment

Trying to Fit In

Forgiveness

Bargaining with God

Hearing God above the Noise

SMART Goals

Affirmations and Motivational Sayings

Making the Shift

Assess the Situation and Ask God’s Opinion

Listen to the Holy Spirit

Lean into God and Those Who Build You Up

Invest in Yourself

Never Stop This Process

References

DEDICATION

To my mother, who not only gave me life, but who taught me the importance of having God in my life. Thank you for sharing in all my joys, trials, failures, and accomplishments. Your love for me is undeniable and your courage and strength (no matter the situation) have allowed me to take risks and stretch to become all who God intends me to be. I love you with everything I am.

INTRODUCTION

I did it again. Even as I was writing this, I fell into the trap of listening to someone else’s opinion and accepting it as truth. I started to put this book on hold because I felt I needed to research grammar and editing so that everything I write is appropriate and correct. You see, someone whom I love told me that my book was telling people what they should do and that no one likes to be told what to do. They strongly suggested that I change it. I do get it, but I must decide whether I am writing it to please God or people.

I tell the clients that I coach to ask themselves two questions before making any decision: Why am I doing this and whom does it serve? For a minute, I forgot my own answers to these questions. I am writing this book because I can’t keep the things that God showed me a secret. I am writing this book because God has called me to do it. I am writing this book because I realized that if I struggle with reading the Bible and applying the biblical principles I was taught, I bet others do too.

Most of us are searching for the one thing that will bring us wealth and happiness, striving for wealth and happiness, or opting out of dreaming and settling for the status quo. We say we are all in regarding our faith, our careers, and our relationships, but if we truly are, why do we feel a lack of purpose and direction? Where is the peace that comes from purposeful living?

That was I. I am realizing that it still is me. I start to doubt the things that God says and then my actions. The difference now is that I realize when I am not in alignment with God and the things that He wants for me. The uneasiness and anxiety that I feel are signals to seek Him and not to retreat.

Whether you consider yourself spiritual, faith filled, religious, agnostic, or an atheist, I believe that at some point, we all wonder what purpose our lives serve. You can say there is no God. I am not here to try to convince you of it. You get to choose the things that you believe. I am only sharing my perspective.

I ask myself, Isn’t the development of a baby from conception to birth extraordinary? Were the laws of physics different at some point in history? Does saying that we spontaneously came into existence align with scientific proof?

Consider what you have been doing up until now. Is it giving you the peace and prosperity that you desire? If information regarding manifestation of wealth, success, and happiness hasn’t provided you with a perfect solution, wouldn’t it make sense to consider something new?