In a recent conversation with a colleague, he said “my life is determined by the places I go, the books I read and the people I meet. Each of these are impacting my life.” Jim Rohn said this another way: “To solve any problem, here are three questions to ask yourself: First, what could I do? Second, what could I read? And third, who could I ask?”
We live in a world where we are assailed with information from every side. In our ‘always on’ society, we have access to so much information, whether this be from television, the internet, social media or email. It is so tempting to step into this information stream and just to be swept along.
Look at the Bicycle
The bicycle in the photo speaks into this truth. We are all going somewhere. Every one of us have to make a decision to climb on the bicycle and move forward, rather than just being swept along by what is happening around us. Some of us need to get uncomfortable and ride into new horizons.
Whatever stage of life we are in, we need to make an intentional decision about where we are going and how we are going to get there —and then start moving in that direction.
Consider the Window
The window is covered with graffiti and one can’t see clearly through it. Some of us have allowed other business people to write their stories on the windows of our company. What is currently influencing you and directing your thoughts?
Someone once commented that in the US, the difference between a $230,000 home and a $1,000,000 home is that the latter has a library. Those who are really successful, have learnt the discipline of reading and of feeding their mind with ideas that take them to new levels of understanding.
Contemplate the Door
Finally, the door in this photo represents who we are allowing into our lives. Continuing to entertain a business relationship with the wrong Company will have a destructive influence on your business affairs. Go from their presence, for there will be no good to be gotten by them, but rather danger of getting hurt by the relationship.
Sometimes the only way we have of reproving a destructive treatise is by ceasing the relationship and going out of the hearing of it. Our family business ceased a long standing relationship with a cruel bank, and our profits jumped immediately thereafter. Our mistake, we entertained the relationship too long hoping it would improve – it cost us dearly.
Sowing the Right Seeds
In the Bible we are repeatedly reminded to consider what seeds we are sowing into our lives. In Galatians 6:6 we read: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” Elsewhere in the Bible we see the benefits of sowing the right seeds: “The one who sows righteousness reaps a sure reward” (Proverbs 11:18b). We also see the danger of sowing the wrong seeds: “whoever sows injustice reaps calamity” (Proverbs 22:8a).
This biblical principle of sowing and reaping also speaks to the need for us to patiently wait for the harvest. You cannot reap a harvest without sowing seeds. We, also, cannot expect to see the seeds bear fruit right away. A farmer will nurture the seed and watch over the small plant as it grows. We need to do the same and exercise care on who and what we allow into our business life.
About the Author: Dr Alan Louis is a third generation entrepreneur in a family with a 100-year business history. He devoted his life to Christianity as a child. Awarded a PhD in Commerce, is an Ultra Ironman Triathlete Gold medallist and was inducted in the IBC Hall of Fame for entrepreneurship. Internationally he has served on more than 100 private corporate boards, and has experienced the trials and successes of commerce for 3 decades.
