Monday, October 11, 2010

The Biggest Hindrance to Being Efficient

The biggest hindrance to being efficient is interuption.  Surprisingly, one of the most serial and most well known interupters is you.  As efficient, dedicated, and focused as you think you might be, there is still one major obstacle that stands between you and the completion of your goals: Asking for permission instead of forgiveness.

Let me give you an analogy.  Visualize someone standing at the top of a tall mountain with a 100 lb. ball in their hands.  This person is on a mission to drop the ball down the mountain and let it roll.  Now, if this person asks for permission before dropping the ball, his mission is easily thwarted.  But if this person drops the ball first and apologizes later, who can stop the ball from rolling once it picks up momentum?  This is because people are slow to allow projects before they begin, but quick to move out of the way once the project has already begun.

Let's make this analogy hit home.  If you are on  your own personal mission and you make the mistake of asking permission before you've begun, you've just wasted time, money, planning, and mental energy when the person you ask says no.  But if you begin first and ask for forgiveness later, it's rare that anyone can stop your progress.

As long as you have a thoughtful, prayerful, and good intentioned plan, there is no need to ask permission of anyone.  If you make a mistake along the way, as many times we do, just apologize quickly for your errors and move on.  People may find fault with you for your errors, but they can never find fault with your diligence.  People who try are more respected and loved than people who don't.


One last caveat: If you are a minor, yes, you still have to respect your parents authority.  So don't do anything that you know they would never allow you to do.  And the same thing goes for adults too.  Don't do anything you know your boss, pastor, husband, wife , judge, or doctor would strictly forbid.  But in all cases, as long as you are operating within the  confines of the freedom you have been given, there is no need to hesitate.  And the only one you need to ask permission of is God and God alone.  Now get the ball rolling!


Aarin Elizabeth is the founder of iVi Scents | Nontoxic Bath and Body
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Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sunday's Sermon Summary 8/10/10

Today is Sunday, so I get to talk a little bit about what I learned in church today!  The sermon was on the importance of holiness.  The bible says that we are commanded to be holy because God is holy.  I really liked this message.  

Being holy means being set apart and devoted to God. I know it isn't always easy to set yourself apart, because it is much easier to try to blend in.  Blending in causes little controversy and avoids lots of tough decisions and confrontations.  But I think setting yourself apart is a good thing to practice, because being unique gives us the opportunity to stand out. 

The second part of being holy - my devotion to God - is a little more difficult for me to grasp.  I try my hardest to live a devoted life, but sometimes I get distracted by all of life's duties, responsibilities, and grandeurs.  This becomes especially hard in light of entrepreneurship.  I guess I just have to remember that devotion leads to direction, so without it I am lost.  Putting it into perspective like this helps me to realize that there is nothing more important that I can do for my business than to devote my life to God.

Happy Sunday!  I hope you have a fantastic week!
 
Aarin Elizabeth is the founder of iVi Scents | Nontoxic Bath and Body
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