5 Ways Struggling Married Entrepreneurs Can Still Win

My friends all know that I love launching businesses. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into starting a business. I write a plan, register the company, get a bank account, set up a merchant processor, build a system for operating, create the branding materials, and hire the right people.

When I set out to launch a business, I EXPECT it to be a success, so I put all the preparation together in anticipation of the clients coming in. Preparing reduces my worry and also increases my excitement for the success of the venture.

But I’ve consulted many entrepreneurs who WANT to start a business, but because they don’t put in the preparation necessary for launching, they never launch. Their brains are in launch-mode, but the lack of confidence due to low expectations prevent them from going “all in” on the idea.

Many times when we entrepreneurs set out to launch new ventures with dreams, aspirations and hopes we may all start at the same place called “Idea Land,” but only a selected few launches because of quietly preparing in advance.

In the same way, if we want a breakthrough in our business and marriage, we have to EXPECT that it’s going to happen. But we can’t just expect without doing the prep work. Whatever we are hoping or expecting must come with physical and mental preparation.

In Matthew 25:6-10, Jesus tells a story of 10 women who were expecting to be part of a night-time ceremonial wedding procession, but only a few of them had enough oil in their lamps to participate. When the groom finally arrived (without notice), just a few enjoyed the night while the others missed out.

The bible says:

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ “Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’ “ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’ “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut. (Matthew 25:6‭-‬10 NIV)