Be an Entrepreneur with GUMPTION!
It takes great gumption to start, build and grow a successful business. It is not for sissies or the faint of heart. It is an extreme adventure with various ups and downs.
The best moments in your business journey are when the ideas are coming, the product is selling, and the customers are happy. The best times are when the progress you are making is apparent and measurable.
Then there are the other times. In real life, it gets terribly tough. There are times when the progress is not what you want it to be – or there is no evident progress at all. Setbacks come and your plan doesn’t work out like you hoped. It is so easy to become discouraged and give up.
Fight discouragement and despair with these tips:
GET GUMPTION! DON’T GIVE UP
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 ESV
It’s been said that building a business is a lesson in personal growth as much as it is about business. Every entrepreneur knows the frightening and exciting truth of this statement. Part of that personal growth involves not allowing discouragement to take root and become despair. Discouragement can be a first step toward giving up.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
Do not be frightened! Do not be dismayed!
You must stir up courage and strengthen by reminding yourself that the Lord is with you wherever you go. God is always with you. So, whether you succeed or fail, you have not lost that which matters the most, blessed fellowship with God. It is that fellowship which strengthens your faith and renews your spirit and brings you out of discouragement.
GET GUMPTION! DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR PLAN
Sometimes the reason you aren’t seeing progress is because you have drifted off the purposed path.
I set two big purpose-filled goals at the beginning of the year. I break them down into monthly steps or tasks. I diligently review them daily. However, even with all the good-intentioned review, I often find myself easily distracted.
There are times when divinely inspired ideas come. Those ideas are important for my business development, but they are for later. In those times when I am not seeing progress, I revisit my major goals and passions. I also check my motivation and to-do list with these questions:
- Is this task in line with my principal passions?
- Is this task relevant to my primary overarching goals?
- Is this something pressing that needs to be done right now?
- Am I allowing this task to distract me from that purpose-filled task, that “something” I need to do, but I just don’t want to do? (Yikes! I live in this statement way too often! I can find lots of reasons to procrastinate!)
We all get off track at times, but don’t lose heart!
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
GET GUMPTION! PRAY THROUGH PROGRESS
In those times when progress is slow or not evident – pray. In the times when progress is moderate and things are falling into place – pray. In the times when progress is swift and business is growing speedily – pray!
Prayer is what keeps your fire lit. It is the foundation of perseverance and strength. Prayer is the secret to banishing doubt.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Proverbs 3:5-8
Part of not leaning on your own understanding is praying about everything instead of worrying (Philippians 4:6-7). Part of getting your path straight is acknowledging God in all you do through prayer, worship and giving thanks.
As Christian business leaders, God cannot be absent from your business. Having God as part of your business involves including Him fully in the everyday decision making as well as the big goals.
So when the going gets tough and the progress gets slow, keep going and build yourself up in faith and in the strength of the Lord.
What are some of the ways you handle slow progress in your business? Where do you Get Gumption?
I want to hear from you!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com