RESOURCES from 4word
Fail With Style (& Other Things I’d Tell My Past Self)
Seven years ago, I left the college chapter of my life (arguably one of the best times of my life!), and embarked on the much-longer chapter of my career. There have been many plot twists throughout the journey so far, but each has brought its own flavor to… Read More
The Business of Being Married
My husband and I consider financial planning a prime date night activity. We sit close together at the kitchen table sharing our favorite take-out meal, desserts, and coffee. We pray together, then start working through the papers we each have spread out in front of us. We laugh,… Read More
When God and Amy Grant showed up at the 4word Gala
Have you ever woken the day after a big event and pinched yourself, hoping it wasn’t all a dream? Maybe after your wedding day, college graduation or a wonderful vacation? The morning after 4word’s second annual Gala I woke up knowing that the wonderful weekend couldn’t have been… Read More
Feel God’s Love
Last month, I was honored to share with you one of the short devotionals I share with my kids, Annie and Opie, each morning. At the beginning of January 2016, I resolved to summarize my morning Bible study and share them first with Annie, and then with Opie… Read More
In a World of “Dwights,” Be a “Pam”
How many of you loved the show, The Office? I think that was one of the first TV shows I ever binge-watched. The comedy never fails, and the characters all represent at least one person you've met before (personally or professionally). I lament its departure from television all… Read More
I Don’t Understand, God
I wanted today's blog to be a little different. As many of you know, my daughter, Annie, has been suffering a debilitating battle. This has been one of the hardest, darkest times for my family. In the midst of all the pain and appointments and struggles to see… Read More
You CAN Do the Impossible
My life is always a bit hectic, but there have been times when things just seemed to flow. When my family was basically happy and healthy, when my relationships were strong and my career was comfortably challenging. The past few months have not been one of those times. Life has… Read More
No, Resolutions Aren’t Necessary
"New Year, New You" I swear I've heard or read that phrase at least ten times a day since 2017 kicked off. It's not a bad mantra, but it's also not one I've really felt lately. Why do I need to be "new?" Is it bad that I kind… Read More
How to Have Foolproof Mentoring
Effective mentoring is a powerful thing, but not all mentoring works the way it should. Some pairings simply never get off the ground while others go wrong over time. The reasons vary widely, but the two main culprits are a lack of shared values and a lack… Read More
Jesus and You: Where Credit is Due
Over the past two and a half years, I have experienced the toughest challenge I have ever faced in my life. My daughter, Annie, had an entrapped sciatic nerve that caused pain every hour of every day. After three surgeries she is beginning to heal, but she continues… Read More
Mentoring Made Easy
You need mentors. If you have any doubt, pick up almost any career guidance book or magazine. According to Catalyst, a nonprofit that researches and advocates for women in the workplace, employees with mentors tend to earn more, advance further, stress less, and experience higher rates of job satisfaction. And… Read More
The Gift of Giving
"Give" is the word of the season. We give thanks in November, and we give presents in December. While "getting" is a very enjoyable part of the end of the year, I also believe that "giving" can be just as enjoyable, if not more so. "Every man shall… Read More
When Christmas Changes
When it comes to Christmas, I challenge you to find a more diehard fan than myself. Growing up, I often "joked" (not really a joke) that I wanted to dedicate an entire room in my future house to year-round Christmas decorations. My parents gave each Mechling child a small… Read More
Your Career Path Isn’t Set In Stone
Over the years I’ve seen many smart and talented women (and men for that matter) “burn out” of their professional careers. They leave their jobs not because they feel called to something else, but because they are tired and fed up. A job that once seemed exciting has… Read More
Do You Believe in Miracles? … A Thanksgiving Message
In September, we celebrated 4word’s fifth birthday. Reflecting back on our journey over the past five years, I can say that I’ve seen God’s hand clearly providing in a way that I never would have predicted or thought possible. I was honored to share these 4word miracles with… Read More
The Beauty Behind the Bad Times
"I'm so thankful I got that cancer diagnosis." "I could not be any happier that my car got totaled." "I have to clean out my savings account to make ends meet this month? What a blessing!" If you heard any of those statements in real life, you'd probably… Read More
Be Thankful For YOU
Is it time for a self-assessment? Though mentors, coaches, and sponsors can help guide your life and career, it’s also critically important not to overlook what may be your most valuable assessment resource: yourself. Jack Zenger and Joseph Folkman are management consultants who specialize in 360-degree reviews. The… Read More
Make Church Work For You
In our face-paced, high-tech, 24/7 world, is it important to make time in our schedules to go to church? How does going to church, and more importantly, being connected, involved, and serving, benefit us and our families? How does our presence and involvement benefit the church, too? These… Read More
Image Isn’t Everything
If you want an interesting cultural study, look at what "going to church" looked like throughout the decades. When our grandparents went to church, it was usually a very somber occasion filled with hats, dresses, and suits and ties. Our parents' Sunday mornings might not have looked as… Read More
Leading: It’s All About Character
This election season has prompted many of us to think carefully about what we want in a leader. There are voices shouting from so many different directions, it gets confusing, and it would be easy to lose hope. I’m extremely thankful God is on the throne, and as… Read More