Top Management Story

Writen by Don Monteith

Nothing has changed. Your ancestors lived by faith. Some planted crops and waited for the harvest. Others worked for the "boss" and by faith expected pay for their labor.

Every venture, business or otherwise, is an act of faith. You ride in an airplane believing that you will reach your destination without consequence. Lost luggage is a given.

IN THE BEGINNING

Life is lived "one-step" at a time. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step and then another. Drive to the West Coast from the East. None of us can know in advance the "end" or the "between" experiences we will encounter.

My brother spent 4 years in the Air Force and "found" his first business partner. Salesmen are "waiting" at the discharge gate after you receive "mustering out" money. Buy a "few" vending machines and you're in business is the pitch.

Everything was great "until"…. the "partner" lived in Idaho and the business was in North Carolina. He went home and never came back. Now, the "between" stage has arrived.

Both young men took a step of faith. Nothing ventured equals nothing gained. Did the car really break down on the way back from Idaho? Did the "partner" get cold feet? We don't know. I'm thinking a "sweetie" showed up.

Was it a good decision? Maybe. The business ran successfully for 4 years and was sold at a profit. Could it have been better? Maybe. Life interacts through a series of journeys down many curvy roads.

FAITH IS A DECISION

You and I live by "faith" or we don't have a life. Nothing comes without a degree of risk. Everything we do requires that we take a step of faith and then another and another.

Faith believes in that which is unseen. If you have a spouse then you took a step of faith. You believed that what you "saw" was your gift to happiness. Children? No need to go there!

Huge mountains are moved by faith or we let the "little" stuff cause us to fall. Every business executive "fails" and gets back up to face the next challenge. None of us make a sale to every prospect or run our business without a few "hiccups".

DOUBT and FEAR

Let these two "robbers" control your life and nothing good is coming your way. All of us have doubts. Sometimes we fear the worst is about to happen to us.

Be an "overcomer". Kick doubt into eternity along with your fears that hold you down. Get up and face the future with confidence.

Faith is imperative to achieve success. You have to believe in your abilities and talents. Use them with confidence, energy, and patience with persistence.

Each of us gets up in the morning believing (by faith) in a good God who has a plan for our lives. Trusting that today we'll have another good experience as we travel through this life which has been given to us.

MISTAKES HAPPEN

Did you break your toe when you "accidentally" kicked the cat? A "dumb" reaction to an irritation. Was it worth the pain or the verbal abuse from your spouse? Are you the unfortunate guy who encountered the wasps nest when cleaning the gutters?

Unfortunately, you can't undo the injury. In a few weeks you'll be as good as new, but the price for the "bad" decision gave you a pain in the foot and the pocketbook.

An easy response to a new challenge is "I can't do that" and hope it sticks. Is it because of doubt that we back away from those opportunities that cross our path? Is it fear of failure? Some folks simply get lazy.

Accept the challenge. Face the doubts and fears head-on with determination to succeed. If you make a mistake, so be it. Get up and try again.

TEMPORARY FAILURE

Failure is only PERMANENT when you refuse to get up and take another crack at the obstacles you encounter.

An old saying is…"just do it!" and let the chips fall. One of the great "butterfly" anxieties comes most often when you stand up to make a speech. Instantaneously, the brain "sits" down.

Toastmasters is the answer. Learning the "secret" to standing on your own two feet and making a speech. How? Practice! Just DO IT! No secret at all. A great experience for me and I highly recommend it to you.

Action Tip: Increase FAITH by action. Just do it! Each journey in life and business begins with the first step. Begin with small bites and build your confidence level. Think for yourself. Kick doubt and fear into the past. Know that with God ALL THINGS are possible.

Don Monteith spent 32 years as co-owner of several franchises and a personnel/staffing business. Every year, his firm placed hundreds of job candidates in their dream job. Today, Don shares his business and career expertise through his newest websites on the Internet. Lots of FREE ideas - suggestions - ready for your perusal and study.

http://www.Career-Coaching-Central.com
http://www.HowToGetYourDreamJob.com