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š Hard pill to swallow: Your business is a reflection of your character
(3.5 min read) 3 Concepts, 2 Frameworks, 1 Proverb Pic
Erick Vargas
April 16, 2023
Happy Sunday! This is the Christian Entrepreneur, the weekly newsletter that helps Christian entrepreneurs see the truth, like the Matrix. Do you want the blue pill, and continue in your illusions or do you want the red pill and know the truth?
Let's dive into this week's email and dive into the matrix
3 Growth concepts
Concept #1
"No success in the professional realm can compensate for failure in the home."
My Takeaway: Many workaholics claim that their excessive work is "for the family," yet their home life suffers as a result. The family is often aware that the person isn't truly working so hard for them, but rather to satisfy a personal ambition. When our priorities are misaligned, the consequences become apparent. There may be times when periods of intense work are necessary to support the family, but it's important to recognize the trade-offs being made in the process. But know that you are sacrificing them for gains in the professional realm, and they know it no matter what you say. So this is your sign to get your priorities straight. At the end of our lives we're not going to say that we worked more, we will say that we wish we spent more time with the people we love.
Concept #2
Scaling pre-product market fit is the number 1 killer of startups - in other words - the fastest path for your investment to be worth nothing.
My Takeaway: People think growth is the goal. That is the mentality that sets you up for the mistake that Michael Siebel states. Growing too fast without solving a real problem for your customer, for most founders, is a result of ego and greed. They want growth and a big company without the hard work of solving the customerās problem. The result is wasting time and resources which causes the death of the organization. Growth happens to you because there is so much demand for your product or service because it solves a great problem.
Concept #3
Youāre not passionate about anything enough to get you āmotivatedā. So? You have other things that motivate you: pain, fear, shame, anger, etc. First rule of entrepreneurship: Use what youāve got.
My Takeaway: Motivation is not a consistent driving force that one can always rely on. There are times when you feel motivated to go to the gym, and other times you don't. In fact, other emotions might be more effective in promoting consistency and longevity. In the beginning, as Alex suggests, you have to utilize whatever resources you have to get started. Everyone has been dealt a unique hand in life, and occasionally, you must go all in with a modest pair of 6's. It's important to remember that there are people in the world who have been dealt a more challenging hand than you, yet have managed to play their cards in such a way that they win.
2 Personal frameworks
1. In life, we get what we deserve. That's what makes the gospel shocking. We don't get what we deserve.
The wise Christian lives in both of these realities at the same time. There is a cause-and-effect relationship to life yet as Christians we have been given grace. In my day-to-day life, if there is anything I'm not happy with, it is a result of something I have done or left undone. This allows me to take responsibility for myself and my world. But at the same time, this sets the stage for the gospel to be good news to my ears.
2. Chaotic people are surprisingly predictable. It only feels chaotic to them.
Life is chaotic, but it doesn't mean that you have to be chaotic. Most of the chaos I see results from competing desires, unclear thinking, lack of planning, and emotional avoidance. These three blind spots are a recipe for a chaotic life. Conversely, consider how knowing what you want, clarity in thought, planning for multiple scenarios, and emotional intelligence can produce peace in your life. You can plan for the chaos and be a source of peace for the people around you.
1 Proverb Pic
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.
Proverbs 12:25
My takeaway: Anxiety is just the opposite of peace. Peace is āconfidence and trust in Godās wise and good control over your lifeā. So this means that my anxiety is really a lack of confidence in God. Iāve never thought of my worrying habit this wayā that when I do it, Iām pretty much telling God Iām not confident in His plan and control over my life.
This was the real ah-ha moment for me: understanding the recipe for what makes us feel hopeless and full of anxiousness: 1. the mindset that only whatās here and now matters 2. the desire for control in our lives, and 3. the voice of condemnation.
The Hebrew word for anxiety refers to the emotional distress that arises when something crucial in our lives is at risk. To cope with anxiety, we should examine our heart's attitude towards the thing being threatened. There are numerous aspects considered essential for a high quality of life in this world. However, if we depend on God the most, it makes everything else less critical, thus making our lives less vulnerable.
While anxiety cannot be completely eradicated, we can mitigate it. Paul, for example, was anxious for his young churches due to his love for them (2 Corinthians 11:28), but he advises us to reduce crippling anxiety by intentionally resting our hearts in God rather than anything else (Philippians 4:6-9). This proverb also suggests that we shouldn't try to handle anxiety independently. We require a kind word from others. We need people to support us, share their own experiences, guide us towards God, or simply be there to alleviate our sense of isolation.
When you feel anxious, here are a few kind words to remember that will bring you peace.
God does all things well, and nothing can stop His plans
Jesus is at the center of everything, and He'll have supremacy in all things
God works in all aspects of our lives, for His glory and our good
He is making everything new and beautiful through Jesus, in His perfect timing
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Entrepnueship is creating as God createsāsomething out of nothing. Thanks for being a part of my journey and this community!
ā¤ļø Erick Vargas
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