Ever heard a professional athlete say “I will wait 6 years before winning the championship”? Nope!

How about an entrepreneur saying “I will wait 10 years for this business to be successful”. Never!

If you start with WAIT you never start. You must start with NOW.

Even though it might take 6 years to finally win or 10 years to launch the IPO. Success is achieved on day one with an attitude and a willingness to do whatever it takes. Sometimes it takes time and you have to accept that as part of the process.

And it came to pass at the end of two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed: and, behold, he stood by the river. (14) Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they brought him hastily out of the dungeon: and he shaved himself, and changed his raiment, and came in unto Pharaoh.

Genesis 41:1,14 KJV

Bad outcomes are inevitable. How we handle them makes all the difference.

There are several problem solving techniques scattered through the pages of books and across the internet that can help. Search for “The 5 Whys” and “First Principles”. Both of these methods can help us deep dive into an issue and discover the root of the problem.

What happens when you find the root is a moral problem and not a systematic one? 

We cannot see the future but we can study the past. We will never go wrong, regardless of the immediate consequences, by doing what is morally right.

And it came to pass, when his master heard the words of his wife, which she spake unto him, saying, After this manner did thy servant to me; that his wrath was kindled. [20] And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound: and he was there in the prison.

Genesis 39:19-20 KJV

You should not hate anybody. TRUE.
You should not hate anything. FALSE.

Hate drugs; they destroy people and families.
Hate lies; they destroy relationships.
Hate pride; it leads to destruction.
Hate wicked thoughts; they lead to wicked actions.
Hate cheating; it destroys trust.

Is it possible to hate actions and not hate the person doing them? Is it possible to forgive and repair where evil has destroyed? Yes and yes. God demonstrated his perfect hate for sin and his perfect love for us when he sacrificed his only son so we could be forgiven.

The only way to hate effectively is to love unconditionally.

And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

Genesis 37:4 KJV

Choosing which soap to use is pretty easy.
Choosing which computer to buy is a little more difficult.
Choosing which car to buy is pretty tough.

Content labels and reviews point out the advantages and disadvantages; we compare and choose. Comparisons are a great way to choose products and services, but terribly insufficient to choose how you should feel about your life. A quick look at your social media feeds can make you feel like your life is on track or it can make you feel like your life stinks! Reality check… your life didn’t actually change at all.

Some of the greatest authors and podcasters don’t read the comments. Why? Because they know that opinions are based on comparisons. People are not comparable. Let that sink in and stop comparing yourself to a “filtered 59 seconds of perfection”. 

Do you. Do your best work and don’t read the comments.

And God said unto him, Thy name is Jacob: thy name shall not be called any more Jacob, but Israel shall be thy name: and he called his name Israel.

Genesis 35:10 KJV

Time and mental energy are wasted by revisiting questions that shouldn’t be up for discussion.

Should I work out today? If yes, how long? 
Should I eat that cheeseburger for lunch?
Should I write a blog post today?
Should I discipline my son when he forgets to take out the trash?
Should I address an employee about this issue?
Should I have a date night with my wife this week?

Simple, clear expectations are invaluable.

This heap be witness, and this pillar be witness, that I will not pass over this heap to thee, and that thou shalt not pass over this heap and this pillar unto me, for harm.

Genesis 31:52 KJV

It’s easy to measure wrong for wrong. An eye for an eye… Right?

Better to measure right for wrong. To treat others as we would like to be treated.

If you’ve been here long, you know life is tough. But, you don’t know the circumstances of the guy that just cut you off in traffic. Let’s show some mercy and give each other the benefit of the doubt.

And it came to pass, that in the morning, behold, it was Leah: and he said to Laban, What is this thou hast done unto me? did not I serve with thee for Rachel? wherefore then hast thou beguiled me?

Genesis 29:25 KJV

Why do I have freedom to worship God?
Why do I have freedom of speech?
Why do I have freedom to gather with my friends?
Why do I have freedom to write this blog?
Why do I have freedom to own a gun?

The reason is simple. Someone before me cared about me even though they did not know me. In principle, they determined the right things to do to preserve freedom for generations to come.

Will my children and grandchildren have the same rights and freedoms I have?

If you listen to news outlets and political pundits, it almost seems hopeless. The level of shortsighted dealings and corruption is off the charts. But it’s not hopeless…it’s never hopeless! Each of us has a small space between before and after, a window of time and an opportunity. Are we willing to be uncomfortable? Can we sacrifice now for later? We better.

And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

Genesis 26:24 KJV

Every “overnight success” has a story. Often a story of years of hard work, blood, sweat and tears. Do we want to hear the story or just see the results?

Without a story, there’s nothing to believe in and nothing gets done. What story are you telling yourself about yourself? About your relationships? About your health? About your future?

Stories are built by showing up every day to do the work.

And he said, Blessed be the Lord God of my master Abraham, who hath not left destitute my master of his mercy and his truth: I being in the way, the Lord led me to the house of my master’s brethren.

Genesis 24:27 KJV

Keeping a balanced ledger for our bank accounts is pretty easy if we follow generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The same holds true for keeping a balanced ledger with each other if we follow Biblical principles (The Golden Rule).

Ever met a crooked used car salesman?
Ever met a power hungry politician?
Ever worked for an ambitious jerk?

Each brings to mind someone who tips the balance so far in their favor that you almost feel like you were cheated. There’s nothing wrong with ambition, or sales, or even being a politician. There is however something wrong with stepping on others to get where you want to go. Don’t believe the lie that someone else must lose in order for you to win. It’s true for sports and competitions but not for life. Always look for the win-win. Genuinely care for the people you are dealing with and find the balance.

My lord, hearken unto me: the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver; what is that betwixt me and thee? bury therefore thy dead.

Genesis 23:15 KJV