The results are in…Now What?

As I begin to write this blog post, I realize I may cross the line and offend some of my followers and readers. But my discussions today with many business owners compels me to write this – no matter what response I get.

Today has been a particularly difficult day for many business owners. While the past couple of years has been difficult with the economy, uncertainty and anti-business regulations and policies, there was always hope that a change would come soon. Many expected that change to happen on November 6.

But now today, on November 7, the difficulty has been replaced for many with confusion, frustration, disbelief and the certainty of challenging times ahead for the small business owner.

I cashed it in early on election night – as soon as the results for Ohio were called. And I made a commitment that I was not going to watch the news or look at twitter posts, or listen to talk radio today. I needed to process the election decisions.

But every business owner I met with today shared their feelings with me – many of which were leading signs of depression if not offset with hope. So this article is intended to share a bit of hope and an answer to the question “Now What?”

Hope for me came from Steve Farrar, Men’s Ministry leader at Stonebriar Church. I attended our men’s bible study this evening and was I ever glad I did! Steve helped me put the election results in perspective. And he helped me get focused on the “Now What” question.

Please allow me to share this with you.

Steve addressed this issue straight up tonight. He used the bible as the source of wisdom and knowledge since nothing that is happening today is new to this world. Much of it has been written about before. We just need to be reminded of a few things – such as:

– In Steve’s words, “God leads leaders like Buffalo Bob led Howdy Doody!” In other words, everything that happens is part of God’s plan – he is the one in control. And,

– God always works in strange ways. In fact, he saiys “My ways are not your ways.” And there are several places in the bible where that is clear and obvious, but in the end, God knows what he is doing.

Steve reminded us that God stirs up a crisis on purpose. While we don’t know what his purpose is at the moment it is happening, he tests us so that we will walk from crisis to crisis by faith.

Somehow just being reminded of these truths settled many of us down. But the question of “Now What” still lingered.

So Steve reminded us of Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans that I have for you. Plans for your welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” (This just happens to be the plaque which I have in the lobby of my office and is the basis for my being in Texas.) How easily we can get distracted when things don’t go as we had planned!

And the last thought on “Now What” was Steve’s sharing several bible verses where God tells his people to go about living their daily lives – to build homes, strengthen their marriage, raise their children, plan a garden and walk confidently with him. That is our “Now What”!

So, as a business owner, while there may be confusion and frustration, the right thing for you to do is to PLAN your future. And what better time to focus on putting a plan in place? With 2013 right around the corner, NOW is the time to be planning for your success rather than lamenting or worrying about the election.

I’m not sure about you, but this energizes me. This puts a hop in my step. This makes me more determined than ever to put plans in place to grow my business like never before. God will take care of the rest.

And, if you’re ready to get moving ahead, I’d like to lend you a hand. Last week I hosted a very successful planning workshop for several business owners. So I’ve already created a template to use to build a plan to grow your business. And I’m willing to share it with you!

Just drop me a note and I will send you a PDF file with the planning workbook we used last week and you can use it to structure your thoughts and put some discipline into your plans for 2013.

No, there’s no catch – no hook, no obligation. My gift to you.

Because by now you’re either going to unsubscribe from my blog posts or you understand why this is such an important subject.

So go ahead. Either hit the unsubscribe button or ask for my planning workbook PDF. Either way you’ll be taking action – and that is what is most critical to success in business.

Thanks for reading!

Ride Hard!

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