The 8 Pillars for Success Part 1

The 8 Pillars for Success Part 1

By Steve Backlund

“Then you will make your way prosperous and be of good success” (Joshua 1:8). 

Joshua is told in Joshua 1:8 that if he keeps speaking and meditating on truth, he will be propelled to being prosperous and successful. Here is the whole verse. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Success is not a goal to be achieved, but it is a state of being. God’s plan to mature us is to make us successful on the inside when we don’t seem successful on the outside (in our circumstances and feelings). Even so, outward success (manifest blessings) is the ultimate result when we “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).

The online Backlund Leadership Academy (BLA) is built on my eight pillars of leadership. (BLA starts again in September.) These pillars are foundational for greater success in our leadership, but also in every area of life. In this blog, I share the first four of these pillars - Inspiring and Leading Yourself, Transformational Beliefs, Intentionality, and Healthy Relationships. I have shared scripture verses to support these, plus added beliefs to declare after each one. 

1. Inspiring and Leading Yourself - “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control” (Proverbs 25:28). “David strengthened himself in the Lord” (1 Samuel 30:6). “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13).

   • The most important person I lead and prophesy to is myself. 

   • I am a thermostat, not a thermometer. I think, act, and talk higher than every environment I am in. 

   • Great leaders break off losing cultures off themselves, their family, and everywhere they go. I am a great leader. 

   • You’re crazy if you don’t talk to yourself.
     

2. Transformational Beliefs - “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). “​​For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). “‘’But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘‘If you can’?’ said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.’ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”’ Mark 9:22-24).

   • What I believe is more important than what I do. (Certainly, what we do is important, but right living comes from right believing.) 

   • I can choose what I am going to believe. 

   • Because there is no limit to how much I can renew my mind, there is no limit to how much I can be transformed 

   • Repentance means “to change the way you think.” It is a lifestyle, not an event. I don’t repent primarily from things, but, more importantly, to things (to God’s promises, our biblical identity, and our prophetic words).
     

3. Intentionality - “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15-17). “Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest” (Proverbs 6:6-8). “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

   • Both successful and non-successful people do not feel like doing important things, but successful people find ways to do what they don’t feel like doing. I am a successful person. 

   • I am proactive, not reactive. I have an investment mindset, instead of a debt mindset. 

   • I am overcoming and defeating four major enemies to success - procrastination, passivity, perfectionism, and poverty-mindsets.

   • I live primarily in the important and non-urgent time quadrant, and I have an unusual ability to stay away from the urgent and non-important time quadrant.
     

4. Healthy Relationships - “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful” (1 Corinthians 13:3-5).  “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

   • If I attempt great things for God but treat people poorly, it profits me nothing. 

   • I am known as a person whom people consider trustworthy and safe. 

   • I prioritize and invest in my most important relationships. 

   • I bring healing to relational dysfunction in every environment I am in.
     

You are empowered by God to make your way prosperous and to experience good success. These four pillars provide the ingredients to experience it.