You arrive at work on schedule, your mind is already thinking through your plans for the day: meetings, deadlines, specific tasks or projects that you want to work on or finally complete. You feel in complete control. Until you realize that you don't. One of the definitions of life and work is how uncertain things can be. Scottish poet Robert Burns […]
Job. Some people like to work constantly and are insatiable at it. Many of them can be called workaholics. For others, work is a necessary evil, a means to provide food, shelter, clothing, pay bills, and participate in activities that bring happiness. But have you ever wondered what work life looks like?
Even in the so-called secular business and professional world, the Bible has much to teach us. For example, Matthew 14 talks about Jesus walking on water while His disciples were in a boat during a storm. One of them, Peter, an enthusiast by nature, wanted to join Him. So Jesus […]
Over the course of my career, there have been many people whom I have sometimes referred to as “bosses.” These are the people I reported to, who hired me, and if I did not do my job conscientiously, they would have the right to fire me. Luckily, in most cases, my “bosses” were also good leaders. But in the business and professional world, this is not […]
In my career, I have sometimes started a business without God and sometimes with God. That is, in some cases, I determined what kind of business to start and decided all the details on my own, without consulting God. For others, I have taken time to pray, seeking God's wisdom and direction and His leading to deal with all the details […]
How would you rate your work? Is she one of the best you've ever had? Perhaps it suits you now, but serves as a stepping stone to where you would really like to take your career in the future? Are you actively seeking out better opportunities? Or are you in a situation where you feel stuck and have to […]
Do you want to achieve social success? There are a number of possible approaches to achieving this goal, but one of the most tried and true strategies is to focus on leadership. In other words, learn how to convince others to do what you want. They do most of the work and you get most of the praise. However, what if you decide instead […]
The aging workforce has become a key issue for business and professional leaders in many countries. In some, including the United States, the average age of working people is increasing. Individual companies set age limits for retirement, but should people's right to extend their careers be limited to arbitrary deadlines? My experience has taught me that a person's age is not always an objective way of assessing [...]
More than 26 years ago, Tim Philpot, then president of CBMC International, conceived of a weekly workplace reflection called “Manna for Monday.” At first, “manna” was faxed every Monday morning to those who requested the service, with the goal of inspiring readers to look at their roles and responsibilities in the marketplace from a biblical perspective. Since then, the influence […]
As millions of Microsoft people use its software, valuable information about work habits is revealed. For example, employees surveyed spend an average of 57 percent of their time interacting and meeting using office software. And about two-thirds of them express difficulty in finding time and energy for real, meaningful work. Initially, technology served as a means [...]
As we look forward to the start of a new calendar year, many of us usually want to look back and appreciate the past. How was 2023 for you? Was it a time of excitement, success and achievement, a difficult year full of challenges and adversity, or a combination of both? Over the years, I have been in the habit of reflecting on the past year, noting the highs and […]
Ready or not, the calendar year is quickly coming to an end. This means it's time to once again celebrate two holidays that many of us consider very significant - Christmas and New Year. This week we focus on the annual celebration of Christmas. Next week we'll look at what the start of a new year might mean. For many businesses, Christmas is marked [...]
It doesn't matter what's wrong. Whether you have a fever, a broken arm, or a missing limb, a visit to the doctor always starts the same. After waiting, you are ushered into an empty room and asked to sit on a couch covered with what appears to be the world's loudest tissue paper. Then the examination begins. Regardless of your symptoms, the nurse will always check one […]
Dr. Richard Blackaby spoke to a group of business and professional leaders in Iowa about the time his father Henry was invited to speak to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. He was surprised to see such high-ranking corporate executives gathered together, especially given the scope of their responsibilities and influence. Dr. Blackaby Sr., well known for his books Knowing God and […]
What comes to your mind when you hear the term “disciplined life”? Does it have a positive or negative meaning for you? Disciplined living has always attracted my attention, especially since I noticed that proponents of the theory of cause and effect tend to be very organized and strive for excellence in achieving their intended goals. They are filled with the desire to become the best they can […]
This week marks the annual Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Similar holidays are celebrated on different days in other countries: Canada, Germany, Japan, Austria, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, as well as unofficially in Brazil and the Philippines. A study of special thanksgiving days found that celebrations are also held in the Dutch city of Leiden and the Australian territory of Norfolk Island. […]
Sometimes we hear people talk about the importance of finding a job you love. This may be a bit of an overstatement, but it's important to do things that don't ruin your joy, your sense of fulfillment and meaning. You may be doing physical labor all day, which is not very happy, but when you return home tired, you know that you have done useful work. And this very understanding can be a reward. […]
We live in very economically unstable times. This has probably always been the case, but for a number of reasons economic conditions now seem especially unpredictable. The question is not why this is so, but how we should respond. Are we taking a defensive stance or should we take a proactive approach? When recessions are likely, there are usually two types of leaders: visionaries (strategists) […]
Imagine for a moment that a top manager calls a special meeting and, bringing a sink and towel, begins to wash the feet of his employees. Such a scene at a corporate party would be considered very strange at best, or even incredible. Yet, when we read the stories of the life of Jesus Christ in the Bible, this is exactly what He did. And then it was […]
I recently participated in a fascinating discussion with members of our CBMC group in another city. I produced an episode of Manna for Monday about the importance of leaving an estate, and they were curious to know the difference between four seemingly similar terms: probate, inheritance, bequest, and bequest. There are some similarities between these four terms, but they are all very different. […]
A few years ago, a high school football team in Michigan, USA, had its final five games of the season canceled after going 0–4 and scoring no points to start the season. The lack of wins and points hurts, but it hurts my heart even more to think that someone gave up on this group of athletes. Think about the possible wins […]
Back in the mid-1800s, essayist, poet, and philosopher Henry David Thoreau made a statement that has become familiar to many of us: “The majority of people lead their lives in quiet desperation.” In an extended quotation, Thoreau said, “What is called resignation is confirmed despair... A stereotypical but unconscious despair lurks even under what are called the games and amusements of mankind.” Really, […]
The business world involves stressful situations: deadlines must be met, quotas met, goals met, profit margins maintained. These demands create unhealthy working conditions that are potentially harmful to the physical, mental and emotional well-being of employees. One issue of the Harvard Business Review, which has been considered a renowned business publication for many years, offered management advice. These […]
Growing up on a farm contributed to my successful career in real estate over the years. And this is obvious. My family still owns a ranch in Pierre, South Dakota, USA, and I go back there often. In this relatively tranquil agricultural setting, among cows, bulls, horses and other livestock, I learned many important […]
I recently re-read Spencer Johnson, M.D.'s classic book, Who Stole My Cheese? First published in 1998, this allegory still resonates with many of us today. As the rate of change in our world seems to increase every day - perhaps more in the marketplace than anywhere else - this little book continues to live up to its […]
Among the secondary effects of the global COVID-19 pandemic, “collateral damage” includes a sharp increase in the number of people of all ages experiencing feelings of hopelessness. During the pandemic, many did not know who to turn to. Hopelessness and despair became constant companions. For some, this caused a return to addiction. Others suffered from irreversible thoughts of suicide to avoid fear and pain. I will never forget [...]
The global pandemic has affected virtually all of us, and although the dire warnings about the disease had ended, the effects of the pandemic were still being felt many months after public health officials declared the crisis over. All this affected the labor market. At the peak of the pandemic, many restaurants and retail stores were forced to close. At enterprises that continued […]
My son's basketball coach said simply: “Don't let high school basketball be the best or worst thing that ever happened to you in your life. If this is the case, then we have failed as coaches." In other words, enjoy every minute, but make sure your worth, security, and success in life are greater than those 1-3 years of running around […]
In the job market, we hear terms like “business leaders,” “corporate executives,” and entrepreneurs when talking about people in positions of influence and authority. But how often do we hear people call themselves "servants" except when they are complaining? The term "servant" can be seen as derogatory for someone seemingly less valuable. Some may even consider it […]
My family consisted of people who worked for themselves, owning their own businesses. I always knew I wanted to do the same thing. My overall plan was to develop a skill or craft that would allow me to be creative, set my own schedule, and be financially successful enough that I wouldn't have to spend a lot […]
I recently interviewed Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne's Pretzels, about the pitfalls of success. She had completed eight years of school and was a stay-at-home mom in the Amish community when she decided to help support her family by starting a pretzel business. From humble beginnings at a farmer's market, Ann grew the business to over 900 stores worldwide before […]
Perhaps more than ever, companies are faced with enormous pressure to build their “brands.” We hear a lot about “brand identity” and product recognition, the importance of creating advertising for ever-growing ranges and services. And all this with the aim of increasing sales and strengthening market shares. This can be a challenging task, especially when consumers are given a wide range of choices. Whether it's selling cars [...]
As a longtime investment advisor, I often hear the question, “What is the number one financial mistake many investors make?” My answer is always the same: they ignore biblical wisdom when managing their money and instead follow secular wisdom. Do you believe it? Have you ever thought that by being guided by God's protecting biblical principles, you will be more wise and prudent […]
As an insurance agent, I deal with death more than anyone else. During the height of COVID-19, four of my clients died from the virus and twelve died from various other illnesses. Some passed away suddenly, while others suffered from lingering illnesses. Confronting the ominous shadow of death is never easy. A biblical passage often used in funeral services is […]
More often than we would like, we hear sad and sometimes scandalous stories about prominent leaders found guilty of immoral or unethical misconduct. Someone had built an impeccable reputation and earned respect and admiration in his professional life, but when evil deeds were discovered, everything suddenly came crashing down. How could this happen? We are perplexed and shake our heads, perhaps remembering the sorrowful […]
The vision of the organization I lead, Unconventional Business Network, is to see a million business leaders model biblical principles in their workplaces. Trust in the authority and reliability of the Bible is therefore fundamental. Recently, while interviewing a job applicant, I asked her about her relationship with the Bible. She said: “I believe the Bible is inspired, but of course […]
