BIG Business Lessons in a Hurricane
by Paula Seymour
I boarded a plane for Orlando, Florida last year with the usual pre-conference excitement and anticipation. This would be my second attendance at Rhea's EntrepreneurDays and the line-up of speakers promised new material that was sure to improve my business goals.
Never one to "waste" a flight across country, I began my usual reflection about what it was I wanted to learn and come away with from this business conference.
What would be important for me in moving forward in my goals? What could I learn that would support the mission statement that I've constructed for my life?
I've learned to make a plan, and then be willing to expect the unexpected!
Hurricane Jeanne blasted through Orlando and I returned to my home in California with ten new BIG Business lessons learned in a hurricane.
*LESSON 1: Know where you are.
As I watched the Weather Channel pre-Hurricane Jeanne, I realized that I didn't know exactly where I was on that map. I knew roughly where Orlando was in relation to the swirling mass, but when the weather person began talking about counties and evacuations through-out Florida, I needed some clarity.
BIG Business begins with knowing exactly where you are. Living your life on purpose is about taking a deep breath and evaluating your present circumstances.
BIG Business is about moving forward in life. Knowing where you are is not about dwelling on past mistakes, but rather, it's about planting your feet firmly on the path to personal fulfillment and success.
Find your location on the map. Buckle up and get ready to enjoy the journey.
WooHoo! Here we go!
*LESSON 2: Be willing to take calculated risks.
When the reality of Hurricane Jeanne became evident, I felt a moment of panic. Coming from California, I felt out of my comfort zone a bit. Earthquakes I have dealt with, but there is something very unsettling about preparing for a natural disaster. Earthquakes, obviously, do not afford the luxury of preparation before they occur.
In Orlando, some attendees had chosen to leave the conference. Others felt complete peace about staying, as the event would continue. I needed to weigh the risks for myself, so I began to ask questions about the hotel and the realities of previous hurricanes from others who lived in Florida.
BIG Business is about the willingness to take risks. There are risks involved when we decide to accept the challenge of discovering our true purpose in life.
Sometimes we risk rejection by those in our lives that don't know how to support us on our journey to success. We take risks when we decide that part of our genuine purpose is to reach out to others in the world.
On our quest for education and continual improvement, we take calculated financial risks as we invest in teachers, mentors, and the products that have the information we need to help us grow and change.
Your willingness to accept risks as you discover and become exactly who you were meant to be will catapult you on the road to success. You will develop greater courage and as you risk and then enjoy successes, each will build upon the other until eventually your self-confidence will soar and you will truly feel unstoppable.
*LESSON 3: Assess your resources.
I learned that in preparing for a hurricane, it is very important to know what supplies you have and what you need. In our hotel, we knew what the hotel would be providing if the power went out...things like minimal food service, main area lighting, and cold water for showers.
Some additional supplies and resources were definitely needed for maximum efficiency during this time. People needed full gas tanks, additional food and water, flashlights and extra batteries. Cell phones were charged and resources were strategically placed for easy access in our rooms.
BIG Business involves assessing your resources. My friend, this is such an exciting part of the process of discovering your purpose! As you begin to acknowledge the strengths, talents, desires, dreams and passions deep within you...your heart will beat faster with the knowledge of knowing that deeper inner truth that gives you a rush of excitement and a hunger for new possibilities.
All these unique gifts are pieces of your personal design that will enable you to do that great and impactful thing that will complete your destiny. Do not limit yourself as you go deep to discover everything that leads to your unique greatness. I promise...this is only going to get better and better!
*LESSON 4: The power of your team.
Going through the hurricane with my mastermind team was amazing. Until Orlando, the five of us had only been able to support and encourage one another via email and our weekly conference call.
During the hurricane, the very same team of partners and friends that encourage me and help me with weekly challenges calmed my fears through prayer and honest assessment of the risks. We also had some amazing late night brainstorming/product creation sessions over snacks and candle-light.
BIG Business is about utilizing the power of a team. This has had a huge impact in my life. As a single woman, I am very used to being independent and getting things done by myself.
Did you know that real effectiveness becomes possible when you combine strengths, talents, and resources? I'm talking turbo-momentum here!
Discovering and living your life on purpose is as much about discovering the team that will support and encourage you along the way.
Imagine that huge list of resources you came up with earlier multiplied by 2, 3, 4 or more. In my mastermind group of five, I am continually amazed to discover more and more talents, skills, and contacts that we have available within our group.
We've been so completely blown away by the momentum that's been happening within our group, that we feel compelled to share all the information that we've put together with others.
Click the link to find out more about MasterMindMatrix
*LESSON 5: Know the power source.
It was somewhat comforting to know that if Hurricane Jeanne wiped out the power at the Hotel, a generator would kick in...all power would not be out. There would still be lights to see by and fire to cook with.
BIG Business is about knowing your power source. It is my complete belief and privilege to acknowledge Jesus as my true source of power. Discovering your purpose is really about knowing deep within you what God had intended when He created you. He will take such joy in watching this wonderful discovery take place in you.
If your beliefs differ from mine, please know that it is not my intention to offend you, but it is my prayer that if you don't know the reality of having a very real and personal relationship with Christ your heart and spirit will leap with longing within you as you seek this truth for yourself. I promise you with all my heart that you will not be disappointed or regret taking that step of faith.
BIG Business is about allowing God to be that source of light and burning fire within you shining out to the world.
*LESSON 6: Be willing to be in the dark.
During the hurricane, the power did go out for a few days and there were times that I couldn't see. My flashlight was across the room and I had to "feel my way", knowing that it would shortly be within reach.
BIG Business is about being willing to be in the dark sometimes. We can't always see the bigger picture or know for certain the next step we should take before it is the right time. But we can know and rely on God and His Word to guide us.
Sometimes in the journey of discovering and living our purpose, steps of complete faith will be required. We can be assured that the one who gives us the vision to know our calling will be there when we reach out in the dark for guidance.
*LESSON 7: Be willing to go with the flow.
At Entrepreneurdays, when a speaker couldn't fly in, another stepped in with great material to teach. When the power in the conference room did go out, the speakers taught in the dim light of flashlights. This conference was all about going with the flow, and I don't think anyone would say that they did not receive the valuable information that they had come for.
BIG Business is about going with the flow. Sometimes, after we get clear about our purpose and we see the vision, we can become very focused on a plan of action. Things will come up and happen that can alter that plan.
It's never really ours to begin with. The same God that created you with intention and purpose, is actively involved with your plans and decisions every day. Ultimately, it is always His vision that we long to complete...His purposes to fulfill.
Help us Lord to go with the flow...to be in the flow of the Holy Spirit as we set our hearts and minds to living out your purpose for our life.
*LESSON 8: Connect with others.
The day after the conference as I was talking with some new friends, I recognized a strong sense of bonding that I felt with many new acquaintances. Going through the hurricane together made the experience so much bigger and more powerful.
BIG Business is about connecting with others. I don't know the exact thing that God is calling you to be and do, but I do know this: God calls us to people and to relationships. His purposes for your life will affect other people and you can be assured that nothing you do will bring you greater satisfaction.
God has designed you in such a unique way, that your very purpose...the thing that brings you the greatest pleasure, will also bring greatness and joy into the world. If we are truly walking the path that God has designed for us, He alone will connect us with the people he has intended for us to meet.
*LESSON 9: Be willing to rejoice in the storm.
The most amazing hour of Hurricane Jeanne for me, was 10 am, Sunday Morning. The conference room doors were wide open to the main hallway of the hotel. Directly across from the room were wall-to-wall windows. The floor was wet from the rain of the storm that had seeped in under the windows.
As that hurricane was raging outside at the height of its Orlando appearance, we were inside praising God with hands and voices raised! I believe that everyone was filled with the peace that only God can give during the raging of a storm.
BIG Business is being willing to rejoice in the storm. We CAN be confident in the storms of our lives....during the times that appear as setbacks, failures, and dreams unfulfilled.
When we are truly seeking God and His purposes, no storm will be felt for nothing. It is about learning and seeking the next step along the way. Through our willingness to trust and be where God places us, we will find intimate blessings and so many reasons for rejoicing, because we can be assured that we are still living our purpose if we are seeking God's will.
*LESSON 10: Seek to know why you're here.
When I prepare for a conference, I like to gain clarity about my purposes for attending...
Why am I going? What do I want to learn? Who do I want to meet? What questions do I need answers to?
It has always made these events so much more effective to begin with a plan and a purpose, for without either, what's the point in attending?
BIG Business is all about seeking...about asking the questions that lead to the truth of who you are and where you are meant to be going.
BIG Business is all about the point of you attending this wondrous thing called life.
My heart races with excitement for you at the possibilities that will unfold and the wonders you will discover as you begin to ask yourself these questions...
It is my prayer that you will discover a passion within yourself that burns to really know-
Why am I here?
What is my purpose?
Where am I going?
What do I need to learn?
Who do I need to meet?
What questions do I need to ask?
How can I seek to know and trust God more for the answers?
Enjoy the journey!
Your Partner in BIG Business,
Paula Seymour
