The Future Of Business - Are You Taking Or Giving?
I was sitting on my deck yesterday, thinking about my Blog and what I write about. Does it really matter? I ask myself that regularly, why? My wife & I have been dealing with death a lot lately, not ours that’s obvious, but people around us. And I just learned of a friend who committed suicide (Trey Pennington), probably because he couldn’t see any other way to ease his pain. How did we miss this, there are so many questions.
We hang out here online with all these how to books, videos and webinars, but we don’t have answers to depression and other mental illnesses. We fancy ourselves as thought-leaders on so many topics, and think we are so powerful because we think we know something and have to share it. Now I’m not saying that it’s not valuable, but is truly important.
I have another friend who goes to bed every night with only a 20% chance he’ll wakeup in the morning, can you imagine that, how would you sleep? I find it interesting how we never combine death and what we share online, it’s too negative isn’t it, and it wouldn’t sell. Or would it?
I can’t remember a time when I have been so heartbroken, not even the death of my Father and soon my Father-In-Law (less than 8 months to live), have I felt such a loss for words. You may have noticed I haven’t written in a while (August 24th). With all that is good in my world, there is much pain, some days are heavy lifting, and others are light. What’s interesting about this, no one seems to notice we are going through difficult times. Aren’t we supposed to be watching out for each other, be our brother’s keeper so to speak? Oh wait, that’s a Biblical thing…people don’t believe that do they. You should, there is value in living according to the 10 Commandments, what’s the worst thing that could happen to you if you did? You would be a loving, caring person, you would treat your family and friends with respect, and you would help your neighbour without looking for some return on your investment from them.
I talk about the Future of Business here like there is a future, what if I die before I get to reach all my goals, what if I don’t reach every business owner in the world with my message. Does it matter, and why should you pay attention to me if it doesn’t?
Yes I’m way off topic today, but life is pretty real in our house these days, and I tend to value people over business and tasks. That’s what I love of about Chris Brogan, he makes business and life very human, very much real. Most of us go about our business working our to-do lists without give a thought about how someone is feeling or how they are doing. So why are we here, what’s our purpose, it’s simple really. Live a purpose driven life, one that loves people and trusts God, look out for each other, and more importantly, encourage and lift up those around you. Imagine what the Future of your Business would be like, imagine the quality of your relationships, and the richness your life would bring to others. It’s not all about you, it’s about a higher calling, something much, much bigger than yourself.
90/10 Rule
I have said it before, and I’m saying it again, use the 90/10 rule, give away 90% and ask to be paid on 10%. Give yourself away more than you don’t, you will change the world, and you will have an amazing life, a life of service and great reward.
I don’t mean to preach but, I believe you are valuable, you matter, and we all have something to offer, no matter what abilities we may have. Live your life this way: How Many People Are Better Off Because You Lived.
