Tuesday, August 26, 2008
The River of HealthTM
At the source of a river there is sparkling, crystal clear water that has vitality. The plant and animal life is thriving and there is a balance in nature. Further along the river, the water begins to change. It starts to become a little murky and the plant and animal life becomes less evident. The changing plant and animal life is an early warning sign that is all too often not recognized or perhaps ignored. As one continues further down the river, it is now evident that the water is becoming contaminated and polluted. The vitality of the living system is declining. Near the bottom of the river, the plant and animal life has become choked off and may become virtually nonexistent. It is going to take a great deal of work, direction, and assistance to clean it up. At this point, help is very expensive, as well as very time consuming.
Our entrepreneurship journey is very much like a river. Where do you want to be in the river? Where are you now? Why are you there? When our bodies become polluted, viruses, parasites, bacteria, and fungus thrive. The same principle applies to any venture. Unfortunately, when this happens there is no harmony and disease sets in. In business, crises occur, goals are not attained, and dreams die. In this condition, there is no clarity in the river and it becomes increasingly difficult to know what to do, even where to look for help. When the body is physically unhealthy, our mental, emotional and spiritual conditions are also affected. At this point, negative cycles accelerate. We exercise less, we consume junk food, we take on the habit of blame, and we adopt addictions. In business we go deeper in debt, blame others, refinance, and try to “wing” solutions. All of this occurs because we subconsciously know our energy level is low and we seek a fast pickup. But this leads to quick crashes and we are left deeper in the polluted waters where the cycles continue. In business, this is what leads to bankruptcy.
Some businesses do attempt random solutions. However, not knowing what is actually needed, the course taken is very similar to that of the shotgun approach. Most in business don’t understand the problem so they often can’t address the solutions effectively. This is not unlike looking for direction, a way out of the polluted water; and it is done without the slightest sense or inkling as to which way to go. When clarity is not accessible or there is no map to guide you, the situation becomes frustrating, depressing, and exhausting.
It is at this time when the lighthouses, lifeguards and coaches come in. What is so badly needed is the guidance of people who know the river, someone who knows where the undertows and rocks are and who knows the direction, the path that will lead back upstream to the clear and healthy waters. As in health, your business is on the river and how you address your challenges will define the business journey.