How I Failed from Going Too Fast – And How I Recovered

Something I choose to work on a lot in my personal development is the art of patience – waiting for the right time to launch a new product or service, or waiting on the best time to hire someone.

I have such big visions, I want to grow so fast! It’s likely tied to my need/want for success. It probably has roots in pride as well, since I want to be the first and only one doing what I do. I could even trace a bit of ego because I want to prove to others that I can create a big business that has tons of momentum and buzz.

I’ve been down the road a handful of times, and each time I’ve LOST IT ALL. Yup, my pride, greed, and ego all got in the way of the ONE THING that entrepreneurs need when growing a business: patience to wait on God.

I’m better every day and with every new venture because of the truth of Proverbs 6:1-5:

"My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,  you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.  So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighborʼs hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!  Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.  Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler." Proverbs 6:1‭-‬5 NIV

Just a couple of years back I had gone too fast, tried to run too far ahead of the plans, and I found myself in debt and having to make deals with contractors and vendors to reduce the amounts I owed them.

A huge blow to my ego.

Godpreneurs, it is never too late to throw our life into reverse if we detect that we are on the wrong road. Have courage today. Be honest with yourself and ask God to help you develop the patience you need to wait on Him and not create your own success.

When we see a door of opportunity, there is nothing wrong with turning the door’s handle to see if it will open but a lot of heartaches can follow if we break down a door that is locked. I have learned some bitter lessons when I have done this. Creating my own success also places a burden on me to sustain that which I have created. On the other hand, when God allows me to go through a door, it is He who keeps the door open and I can rest in that partnership.

Godpreneur Rule: Patiently wait on God for your business success and He will give you results greater than you could engineer on your own.