— by Chris Paliska

Hi, I'm Chris Paliska. In my early 20s, I landed my dream corporate promotion, the one I'd been grinding my whole career for. But the euphoria lasted all of 15 seconds. That fleeting moment led me to some uncomfortable truths: I was distant from God, emotionally unavailable to my family, physically unfit at 312 pounds, and mentally on the brink with stress and anxiety. I realized then that success in business meant nothing if I was failing in every other aspect of my life which lead me on my entrepreneurial journey to start Total Quality Lending. I want to share with you the five key areas that every Christian entrepreneur should focus on for what I call The Total Quality Life.

Remember as an entrepreneur, living a total quality life has to start with YOU to have an impact in your business. You are massively in control. You are in the driver’s seat based on your actions. Everybody follows the example of the leader.

1. Faith: Implementing Spiritual Growth

Personal Action Steps:

Daily Prayer and Reflection: Start each day by aligning yourself with God's will.
Active Church Community: Don't just go to church; be a part of the church. Join small groups or volunteer to serve.

Workplace Implementation:

Incorporate Faith into Company Values: Let faith guide your company’s mission and decisions. Lead with faith-based energy that is contagious for the environment you are influencing.
Community Service: Allow employees to take paid time off for charity work or organize team community projects.

2. Family: Cultivating Relationships

Personal Action Steps:

Scheduled Family Time: Block out time on your calendar solely for family activities.
Open Communication: Keep an open line with your family about your work schedule and commitments. Bring them in on the mission with you.

Workplace Implementation:

Family Integration in the workplace: Implement flexible qualities that allow a welcoming environment for families of all shapes and sizes. We have a kid’s room if employees need to bring their kids into the office. We harness and encourage families in similar stages of life to band together, sharing childcare, doing family events together, children’s sports teams, etc.
Our company core value & definition of Family: Our culture is based on this definition of family. What do YOU stand for? Who can you count on when times get tough? Who believes in you? Who holds you accountable? Who is going to push you to press on? Those are the things that define our work family.
Family Events: Host family-friendly company events to help integrate work and family life.

3. Fitness: Honoring God with Your Body

Personal Action Steps:

Regular Exercise: Plan a workout regimen and stick to it. For me, it's hitting the gym every day at 5 a.m.
Nutritional Plan: Eat balanced meals that give your body the fuel it needs without sacrificing health.

Workplace Implementation:

Fitness Challenges: Start a fitness challenge and invite all employees to participate. (Example: Spartan Races, 75 Hard, etc.)
Healthy Office Snacks: Replace the vending machine snacks with healthier alternatives.
Challenge & Check in: If people tell you they want to improve challenge and check in with them to make sure their eating healthy and exercising

4. Wellness: Mind, Body, and Soul

Personal Action Steps:

Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate practices like meditation or breathwork into your daily routine.
Mental Breaks: It’s important to take time off to relax and reset.

Workplace Implementation:

Wellness Room: Create a space in the office where employees can take a mental break.
Productivity Breaks: Encourage small, regular breaks for employees to recharge.

5. Business: Faith-Driven Success

Personal Action Steps:

Ethical Business Practices: Make sure your business operations align with your Christian values.
Financial Goals: Set realistic financial objectives aligned with personal and spiritual growth.

Workplace Implementation:

Holistic Goal Setting: Require employees to set goals in faith, family, fitness, wellness, and business.

Financial Literacy & Growth: We are dedicated to the financial growth of our employees. We share knowledge and resources that have helped us, such as tax-saving tips and wealth-building opportunities. Employees are also held accountable for their financial goals, creating a culture that fosters both personal and professional growth.

This approach to integrating faith, family, fitness, wellness, and business into the fabric of your business leads to a unique company culture and business model. The dedication to these five key areas doesn't just make for a successful business but enriches the lives of those who are part of it. While the world often presents a zero-sum game between personal happiness and professional success, Chris’s journey demonstrates that when you nurture all aspects of life, not only do they co-exist, but they also complement and enhance each other.

It’s hard to live a full life alone. We need other people to some alongside us and support us. That’s partly why we’ve created Faith Driven Entrepreneur Groups. Meet local entrepreneurs and share your faith journey.

YOU'RE INVITED TO JOIN AN ENTREPRENEUR GROUP