Introduction: Living a Life of Purpose through Stewardship
In this week’s Business Story of the Week, Scott Mater joins us to dive deep into the concept of stewardship. From navigating career pivots to overcoming financial challenges, Scott and his wife found their calling by living intentionally through inspired stewardship. This post unpacks Scott’s life journey and his advice on becoming a better steward of time, talent, and finances to live a fulfilling life.

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1. Scott’s Journey: From Biochemistry to Life Coaching

Scott began his career studying biochemistry and genetics, dreaming of becoming a doctor. But working in labs made him realize that medical research was more about chasing grants than helping people. Eventually, Scott shifted to teaching, where he found joy in mentoring students—a passion that would shape his future coaching business.

💡 “I loved teaching, but what I really cherished was coaching students and helping them grow.”

Later, Scott transitioned into executive roles, developing leaders within companies. During this time, he and his wife launched a coaching business on the side, which grew into their full-time calling by 2017.

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2. Navigating Financial Struggles: A Journey to Debt Freedom

Like many couples, Scott and his wife struggled with finances early on, accumulating debt and facing personal crises. Their turning point came when they chose to either separate or fix their financial situation together.

💬 “We paid off $88,532.32 in 2 years and 11 months—while making $55,000 a year. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.”

By eliminating distractions and focusing on their shared goals, they managed to pay off debt while maintaining a simple lifestyle. This experience taught Scott that stewardship is about more than just money—it’s about managing every aspect of your life wisely.

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3. Expanding Stewardship: Managing Time, Talent, and Treasures

Scott explains that stewardship isn’t just about financial responsibility. It extends to time and talent management. Many of the same principles that apply to budgeting money also apply to managing time and personal energy.

🕰️ “You need to be intentional with how you use your time, talent, and treasures—because what you manage well will multiply.”

Through their coaching, Scott and his wife help clients create systems to align their time and actions with their core values, ensuring sustainable personal and professional growth.

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4. Building Intentional Habits for Success

Scott emphasizes the importance of developing mindful habits. Whether it’s journaling daily or scheduling “white space” to rest, these practices can rewire your brain to focus on what matters most.

📓 “Every day, I write in a gratitude journal to remind myself of life’s blessings, even on the hardest days.”

The goal is to be fully present—whether you’re working or spending time with family. Scott advises setting boundaries to prevent distractions and choosing when and how to engage with emails and notifications.

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5. Final Thoughts: Living Your Calling with Intentionality

Stewardship is a lifelong journey of aligning your values with your actions. Scott encourages readers to work closely with partners to grow together rather than apart.

🎁 Free Resources: Visit InspiredStewardship.com/story for free resources on building better habits and managing your time, talent, and treasures effectively.

If you found value in this post, share your thoughts in the comments. What areas of your life could benefit from better stewardship? Let us know! 👇

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