Christian Latina Leadership Blog

By Marcela Ordaz

Para leer la versión en español haga clic aquí. 

“Show me a life hack that you randomly saw one day, that is now an unconscious standard practice in your life.” This phrase challenged me for many days. It comes from a viral TikTok video where thousands of people shared hacks of all kinds, from how to peel a potato to how to fall asleep faster.

As human beings we constantly look for ways to grow in the different areas of our lives.

Among the best practices that I have worked on recently to have a more balanced life is listening to audiobooks, including the Bible, which works wonderfully because it allows me to get ahead faster. Additionally, listening to podcasts, interviews, biographies, courses, and webinars allow me to absorb a lot of content that has made me reflect on how to be a better person.

Other practices that I have developed alongside my husband is constant learning and transformation. I recognize that my husband, Diego, is a key piece in this. Ten years ago, we began the adventure of becoming a team that no one can defeat, because we have become a 3-strand cord (Ecclesiastes 4:12) where we invited God to become the spine of our marriage. It has been the best decision we have made. Bringing together his skills and mine allow us to grow and discover both our strengths and weaknesses and refine each other to become the best version ourselves. We would not be who we are or where we are, without each other.

A capacity for wonder is another practice that has helped me. I first heard about this in an interview with the author of  the book, The Wow Effect, by MariCarmen Obregón. She highlights how important it is to maintain this capacity for wonder. Furthermore, she presents the idea that everything you do should be a “WOW”, or it should cause an amazement in other people. This implies that you give an extra portion, one that the other party in the relationship does not expect, and without looking for anything in return. This will give you “extra points” in whatever your activity is. For me this conversation reinforced the need to exercise emotional maturity, as well as the capacity to let go and to the development of selflessness.

I have also learned a lot from the book, The Negotiator, by the great business shark, Arturo Elías Ayub, known for his famous Shark Tank program. In summary the phrase that I have recorded is, “You can be an intrapreneur, you can be an entrepreneur even working within an organization. You can make a big difference by undertaking a project that achieves a before and after.”

Additionally I have also learned from the famous Mexican golfer, Lorena Ochoa. She narrates that in her professional experience she had to forego a mental training, and with the help of her coaches, she became aware of all the specific details of the sport that allowed her to make or miss each shot. At the end of each round, this allowed her to take a hard look at which areas to work on: mental, physical, technique, routine, and concentration. Among Ochoa’s routines, beginning each morning with gratitude is one of them. She writes notes for the things she is grateful for.

Where am I going with this?

What is my life hack that will allow me to achieve my goals?

What do I have in common with all these authors and characters?

They are influencing me to shape what I want to do right now. In addition, they mention in their interviews that in their daily routines or rituals they are thankful for life. They share about the positive things.

These routines of gratefulness, to some extent, are not new to me. My mother taught me as a child that no matter what you are living through, you have to “Give Thanks to God.”

Holding to the wisdom we find in Deuteronomy 6: 5-8, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Engrave in your heart these words that I have told you today. Instill them in your children; talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the way, when you go to bed and when you get up; tie them to your wrist as a sign; wear them on your forehead as a sign; write them on the jambs of your house and on your doors,” My mother taught me to love God and to be grateful.

My dad and mom also taught me as the Apostle Paul did, who shared with the Church of Thessalonians: “In everything give thanks, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

I think I have the upper hand in this. Since I was born, I have learned to thank God in everything.

In light of all this, my life hack is:

Be thankful:

that you have life

that you can breathe

that you can you read

that you can hear

that you have family

that you have friends

that you have a church

for love

for peace

for grace

for blessings

for trials

for what you have

for what you no longer have

As I turn 40, in 2021, I am grateful for the certainty that this year I will do great things. I am even embracing many new things that are being presented to me, which I gratefully accept. One of them is CLLI, this incredible organization that I was introduced to 7 years ago and that I knew from that moment that I was going to become a part of it, and I believe that you, the reader, can have a better quality of life, better opportunities, great experiences and new learnings opportunities.

What is your life hack? Whatever it is, I invite you to experience mine too. Count your blessings, write them down, document them and share them. Someone else needs to hear these from you today.