Have you ever had an idea or thought about an opportunity that might work? It was something you would really like to do. Then all the "what ifs" started creeping in your mind and you sighed and thought, oh well, I'd better just stay in my comfort zone where I'm safe. Last week we talked about about how we tend to be reactive to challenges and opportunities. This week I'm going to challenge you to take a risk and be proactive this year.
Take a risk and do something you enjoy this year. It might be an activity. It might be a trip. It might be by yourself. It might be with others. I'm well aware that it takes a paycheck to live and believe me, I know the value of work however one of these days we are going to get old or at least high mileage or sick or lose someone and end up wishing we had done something when we had the chance.
I think taking a calculated risk in business for the most part brings opportunities. Of course things could go south. But hey, I live south and if something doesn't work you get up, dust yourself off, and try again. Karl and Kristin took a risk. After their "would like to" process, God allowed people and things to fall into place to make it happen.
There are times when you are working that you just need to be brave and tackle something. Yesterday we were tiling. Our main string was a 12 inch tile that had to start at the river 10 feet deep and was 3300 feet long with very little grade. We had never done this before and when Cassia brought us out lunch we were wondering if we should have even tried. But with a lot of help from his brothers and a little help from his dad, BJ pulled it off. When we left the job in the dark we were totally wore out working in the mud with heavy tile but felt a sense of accomplishment.
There are plenty of risk in growing a family business, especially a large family. Most folks say it can't be done. Younger siblings have the risk of investment, fitting in, and bringing something to the table. Older siblings have the risk of moving over, figuring a way to make the pie bigger, or ending up with a smaller piece. A father thinks about the risk of enough work and income to go around, are things fair, is fair possible, and how do you work together and still give your kids as much independence as they need and deserve for their own families? I'd like to quote Mark from an article I read in the Ottumwa Courier when he was being interviewed for a farming award he and Stacy received from Farm Bureau. "We can accomplish more together, build off each others strengths and grow our businesses. Family is important."
Because we're in the custom work business we work for a number of retailers and crop input suppliers. One of these suppliers for which we had worked for 11 years made some decisions that cost them a lot of business and most of their help. We are taking a risk and are going to stick with them. Our goal is to help make them a respected supplier they once were.
Help your kids take a risk. You can do that by example as well as advice and affirmation.
Believe me, encouragement makes things happen.
Take the time to include your children and grand children in your lives. Give them responsibility and reward them for their help.
Take the time to be a friend. Sometimes relationships are risky but you never know, you might just end up with a five foot loaf of bread, right Mike?
Gideon is wore out after a hard day of helping his dad tile. Finally take a risk and ask God what He would like you to do for Him this year. Asking Him that is a little scary. He might just put you to work.
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