Today, I want to write something a little bit different but still in line with starting a business and business development. Most individuals and even writers sometimes write on the characteristics or traits of successful entrepreneurs.
But of all entrepreneurial and business write ups I have read with respect to starting a business and building a successful business, there seem to be one important element they fail to mention and that is “FAITH.”
“Go farther than you can see, and when you get there, you will see further.” – Anonymous
What has faith got to do with building a business? I know that will be the question popping up in your mind and I will try to answer it the best way I can. Though trying my best not to sound too religious, I think faith is the missing link; the unseen difference between the successful entrepreneur and the mediocre.
What is faith? I don’t know how to define faith but the Oxford dictionary defines faith as complete trust or confidence. Of all I have heard about faith, I think the best is this; “Faith is the ability to act, the ability to go forward despite tremendous doubts.” I don’t know who made the statement above but I think the author has said it all.
“I can’t do it, never yet accomplished anything; “I will try” has performed wonders.” – George P. Burnham
The Power of Faith in Starting a Business
Faith is very important if you must build a successful business. In fact, I don’t how best to stress its importance but what I do know that every great business venture is preceded by an undying faith on the part of the entrepreneur. Without faith it is impossible to go beyond mediocrity.
Now why is faith so important to the cause of building a business? Faith is probably one of the most important keys to starting a business. Well that’s my own point of view, I don’t know about you? I decided to bring the issue of faith to you for this reason; I have seen men achieve the impossible, just because they had little faith.
“With faith, you can move mountains.” – The Holy Bible
“Fear is faith that it won’t work.” – Mary Kay Ash
Sometimes when I study the life of great entrepreneurs, inventors and drop out billionaires; I marvel at their level of faith and self belief. Below are examples of men who achieve greatness because they had little faith.
“Whatever happens, do not lose hold on the two main ropes of life – hope and faith.” – Anonymous
Men Who Achieved Greatness Because They Had Faith
1. What made Thomas Edison go on with the light bulb experiment even in the face of 10,000 failures? The answer is simple; he had faith that the incandescent bulb experiment will yield positive result. And did he achieve his goal? The answer is yes.
2. People cursed the Wright Brothers for imagining the possibility of a flying machine. But the brothers had faith in their dream and the airplane became a reality.
3. With faith, David was able to defeat Goliath the Giant.
4. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Michael Dell, Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of college because they had faith in their business venture and today, they are the most celebrated entrepreneurs who became billionaires in their youth.
“You are nuts and you should be proud of it. Stick with what you believe in.” – Trip Hawkins
“Optimism is the determination to see more in something than there is.” – Anonymous
These are just few of the many individuals who have reached the pinnacle of success, just because they had little faith. I wonder what a little faith will do in your life and business. Faith can see you through business challenges and storms; faith can see you through business failures. A little faith can break you through obstacles.
“Without faith, it’s impossible to please God.”
How to Develop Faith to Build a Business
I don’t know how to teach you to develop faith but I will take a clue from the Holy Bible that says “Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.” Hearing also implies studying and learning; as an entrepreneur, you must be an avid learner. By studying the bible and lives of successful entrepreneurs such as Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, you are building your faith that nothing is impossible.
In conclusion, I think faith is a divine key because it has the ability to attract divine assistance. Even the Bible stated clearly that “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” and the same Bible says that “With faith, you can move mountains.“
As a final note, I leave you with this quote:
“Some people intertwine self belief and faith but I stand to say they are not the same. Faith is not self belief. While faith says it can be done, self belief says ‘I can do it.’ While faith says there is possibility, Self belief says ‘I am the possibility.’ Faith without self belief is vain.” – Ajaero Tony Martins