I'm the best ever at what I do.
“Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
- Genesis 1:28 (New King James Version)
Holy Spirit has been ministering to me on the word “subdue” lately. It first caught my attention a few weeks ago when I was listening to an old Dr. Myles Munroe sermon where he was preaching about discovering your gifts that will bring you success. In reference to Genesis 1:28, he said the word “subdue” means “to control the market.” He then gave an example of how he was the first person Bishop TD Jakes thought of when it came to a major leadership conference he was planning because Dr. Myles had made such a name for himself in the realm of business leadership.
Then, in one of her recent trainings, my coach, Maya Elious asked us: “What industry do you want your name to be associated with?” She even went as far as to say if her name isn’t always brought up when people discuss personal branding, she’s not satisfied with that. I was so fired up by her mindset! Then, yesterday my pastor was in Genesis 1 (no coincidence) and he gave me another definition for the word “subdue”: “to bring into bondage, to conquer”. All this messaging on “subdue” got me feeling like:
We are supposed to OWN our area of the market!
But what do you do when you feel stuck working on something you don’t even want to own though? 😬 That happened to me. I started developing a product for an industry I wasn’t even passionate about because people advised that I should, and I honestly felt led in that direction. Now as I look back, I believe God led me that way to build from it and ultimately warn you from my mistake. Even though it was a great product, as I looked ahead at what it would take to scale it, the thought alone sapped all my energy. When it came down to it, I wasn’t willing to do the work required to be great in this area. That’s why, now that I’m clear on the area I actually want to be great in, I can say this with full confidence:
Don’t put your hands to something if you’re not willing to be the best ever at it. PERIOD.
Do you honestly want to “be fruitful and multiply” in that thing you’re building? Do you want your name to be the first one people think about in that industry? Are you going to feel some type of way if your name isn’t brought up when people mention that area? If your answer is no, don’t do it! It’s simple. But ohhhhh if your answer is yes? Go out there and DOMINATE that thang!
We’re supposed to be building domination-sized businesses. Your competition is supposed to be under. your. feet. If you’re already working in your area but aren’t yet dominating at the level you’re supposed to be, pick it up! You know where you’ve been slacking. Get it together. You are the best, so be the best. But if you’re feeling stuck right now doing work that you’re not willing to be great at, let this be the clarity moment you’ve been waiting for. It’s time to shift in the direction you’re called to subdue. Don’t know how to navigate that pivot? It’s cool, God does. Ask Him to help you see what next step to take. Then take it. Boldly.
Still hungry? Eat some more //
Genesis 12:2→ Do the work of obeying God and watch Him do the work of making your name great.