We grow the most through tough times

ByDoug Buma

This is true for us personally and professionally.

People learn in different ways. In a classroom setting, we may be a visual learner, an auditory learner, or a written or reading learner. When we personally experience challenges, we become an experiential-learner. We may be living the consequences of our own or other’s bad decisions, or we may be caught in a whirlwind of circumstances beyond our control. We never forget these experiences.

My wife and I are blessed with two sons, who are both married, and we have 7 grandchildren. We have had many experiences in our family that challenged us. Through them all, we’ve learned as husband and wife, mom and dad, to seek wise counsel, to come together as a team, that prayer changes things, and that we are not in control and need God’s grace, love, and mercy to succeed in life.

Professionally, I’ve had my share of tough times…….recessions, the great recession, questioning if I’ll be able to make payroll, having a client on the verge of bankruptcy, significant downturns, personnel decisions run amok, loss of a job. My current wisdom is thanks, in many respects, to these and other challenges and successes that I have encountered on my journey.

Here’s what I’ve learned from tough times:

  1. Put first things first. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your path straight.”
  1. Confront the brutal facts (Good to Great, Jim Collins). It is vital that we have all the necessary data in front of us to make informed decisions.
  1. Seek wise counsel. Look for others who have gone through a similar experience and succeeded.
  1. We succeed when we focus attention on what is most important. Daily, targeted sessions may be required to work through your current challenge.
  1. Tough times may require tough or drastic action. Moving quickly may be appropriate.
  1. Our collective genius is so much greater than any one individual’s thoughts. Get your best people together and leverage their strengths.

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