Category Archives: Uncategorized

May:  The Middle, Mama and Memories

May is here!!  Yes, I am a little late and it is almost the 10^th of the month but May is still a wonderful month to me.  Why?  It’s my birthday on the 29^th, so many people graduate and start new chapters in their life, it’s Mother’s Day and Memorial Day.  But first, it’s the middle month of the second quarter of the year.  Never thought of that did you?  God did and reminded me that the middle or the half way or the in between of life can be just as important as how you start and how you finish.  The middle will help you get to the finish.  It’s that difficult middle that pushes you and produces fortitude and tenacity.  It’s the middle that determines whether you keep going or just stop altogether.  Why?  The middle is where the challenges start, the obstacles appear and the first signs of discouragement arise.  Some of you, it happened before you even started but for others, you had no sign that there would be a problem.  You notice that there is a common phrase, “Girl, I’m in the middle of a storm or in the middle of a mess.”  The middle.  But take courage that no matter what is going on, in the middle of a storm, mess, test or blessing, God is with you.  That’s enough right there to keep going knowing that God is with you.  Enjoy the rest of the month no matter when you read this.  Because the middle is where God shows up and shows out for His children.  Keep going.

Whether you have your mama still with you or she is resting in your heart and mind, celebrate Mother’s Day!  Even with tears in your eyes, remember the good stuff, laugh out loud, repeat some of her sayings and walk proud knowing that she taught you well.  My mother is still alive, I call her everyday and seek to honor and celebrate her by the life that I live each and every day.  Happy Mother’s Day!

Memorial Day is always special because we are primarily remembering those who fought in wars, battles and skirmishes for our country.  This Memorial Day remember all of the wars, battles and skirmishes you survived whether in military service or the fights for your family, sanity and life.  Remember always to be thankful for life, liberty and the Lord!

If we need to have a conversation, let’s talk at www.talkwithroyston.com. 

Julia

#bookbusinessboss

#Maythemiddle

The April Assignment

Welcome to the ‘April Assignment!’  Yes it’s National Poetry Month Too and many other celebrations and recognitions but what is your assignment for this month? We just finished the first quarter of 2024.  It’s gone.  It’s over.  Whatever you got done or didn’t get done, that won’t happen in the first quarter of 2024.  It’s now time for the assignments of the next quarter and beyond.  I realize that this may be a little uncomfortable and maybe too churchy in parts but bear with me.   Easter was the last Sunday in March and Jesus completed His assignment but what about your assignment?  Are you working on it?  Do you even know what your assignment is?  Do you need clarity, courage or consistency to complete?  OR Do you feel like there is a new assignment coming and you need to tie up loose ends as the previous assignment is coming to a close?  I don’t know where you are specifically but know that I’m right there with you.  God has promised me that I won’t die until my assignment is finished.  Just like Jesus said on the cross, “It is Finished”, you and I will declare that too. Until then, what do you need for your assignment no matter what that is?  God.  He is the giver of the assignment, the provider of the plan, positioning, provision and path for the completion of your assignment.  Ask Him for Clarity.  Seek Him daily.  Move upon His Prompting.  Let’s go!

Julia

#bookbusinessboss

In March, March for a purpose and March on…

I have a political opinion but have never use my social media, email list or blogs to talk about anything political.  I participate in the process but I have more to talk about than politics.  I’m not going to start today so keep reading.  Lol.  But I recently participated in a vending event in Selma Alabama of the 59th Annual Selma Bridge Crossing Jubilee which is the commemoration of the March for Voting Rights culminating on March 7, 1965 which is now known as Bloody Sunday because protestors who walked more than 50 miles from Montgomery Alabama to Selma to face being beaten crossing the Edmund Pettus Bridge into town.  I’ve known about this incident but didn’t really fully connect with it because I’m not from Alabama.  I was born and raised in Kentucky.  When we exited the major highway of Interstate 65 to the State highway of 80 West, I felt it.   I knew I was on historical grounds.  It was no longer just on Google or in the memories of the older generation of Alabama because so much is being left out of the history books but it was now in my eyes, ears and nose.  We were on highway 80 West in a car but through my mind’s eye I saw feet, marching, walking, tired, hungry definitely, having to use the bathroom outside on the side of the road, weak, maybe scared with a horrific expectation ahead but still moving, marching for a purpose and forward.  They had been warned by the Sheriff there to not cross the bridge but they did anyway.  At the commemoration, they actually had people there who were still alive who marched that day and spoke about how the Marching, Moving and Movement must go on for the next generation to understand and continue to fight.  They marched for something that I have to often remind myself to do every election which is to go to the polls.  No matter if it is a Presidential, local or primary election, I vote.  Since being married to Brian Royston, I vote now more than ever.  

It’s March.  Not a time for madness but mindfulness of our history, present and what God has for the future.  Are you marching, moving and have a mindset for a purpose?  March on…

If you need me, let’s talk by visiting www.talkwithroyston.com.  Let’s go!

Julia

#bookbusinessboss

Love.  Passionately. Internally. Liberally.

It’s February.  We’ve all watched a movie and depending on how good the actors were in the film, could actually feel the love.  That’s fiction, a movie and they were paid well.  In everyday life, we can feel and see love or the lack of love throughout the world.  Not just romantically but how you feel about your family, friends, hobbies, philanthropy and vocation.  How passionate are you about how you spend your energy and your time?  Do you love or are you just going through the motions?  We can tell the difference.  You work hard and give it all that you’ve got but your heart is definitely not in it.  There are some people that go so far as to downgrade or diminish themselves, their looks and their abilities without any prompting or outside influence.  It’s all inside and an internal fight.  No love for self.  On the other hand, there are people that can spread love to a stranger.  They can’t help it. It’s not only inside but spills out because they are overflowing with love, kindness and joy.  So throughout the remainder of this shorter month, take a love examination of yourself.  Are you loving passionately?  Do you have love internally?  Are you actively spreading love liberally?  God is love.  He desires love in return and for you to love others as you love yourself.  If you hate yourself, it’s hard to spread love, so love yourself.  

For a conversation, visit www.talkwithroyston.com.  Let’s go!

Hello January

In 2023, I received three words from God, “Be Strategic and Scale. I was strategic but at the writing of this article, I scaled alright. I scaled some walls, hurdles, disappointments, unrealized goals and expectations. I had fun along the way too. Brian Royston is going to make sure of it but more importantly, I realized that there are some things that I should be doing and other things that I shouldn’t be doing. Surprisingly to me, I’m a risk taker. “Nothing ventured, nothing gained’ is the old saying but right now, I’m learning from being older that I must focus, be intentional and be even more strategic than I ever have before.

So for 2024, just in case I missed it, God gave me a whole phrase. Ready? Strategic Essential Brand Positioning. Yes sir and ma’am, God gave me a whole strategy.  Then He added, just in case I missed it, also give it a Litmus Test before saying yes or no. Is it essential for my brand? Do I have the budget to be there? If I don’t go, will it make or break the brand? Is it a win/win situation or only a win for the host or promoter? Ouch! I know that last one hurt me too but tough times, serious entrepreneurs have to ask, research and respond to the hard questions. Even more so, they have to plan and execute a strategy, take action, owe up to any mistakes or errors, make corrections quickly and celebrate the victories with everything you can muster! It’s not time to quit, figure out what’s left, where you need to be, get your money together and let’s go!  

Have you been asking yourself some hard questions?  What are the answers?  Are you still waiting on God to give you the answer or are you waiting on Him to change His mind with the answer, command, direction or assignment that He already gave you that you have done yet?  Ouch!  I know that hurts but time is short and we’ve learned from the last three years that you don’t have to be old or sick to die. Are you ready now or need more time? 

If you need to talk, you know how to find me.  www.talkwithroyston.com  Let’s go!

Julia Royston

#bookbusinessboss