Where Faith Meets Entrepreneurship & BusinessSample

TIME TO PREPARE

ENVIRONMENT- As a business owner, your excitement for starting something new may cause you to invite everyone to be a part of your journey. That would not be the wisest thing to do, as everyone may not understand the journey ahead. Pray and ask God to show you who should join you on this journey and who you should connect with for advice. During such a sacred time, you want your environment to be one of positivity and full of faith. Your environment is critical to the health of your business. Set a positive tone from the beginning, especially if you have employees. The morale of your company depends on the culture you cultivate. Pray over your space, create an employee handbook with specific expectations for your staff and yourself, and host weekly meetings to provide an open forum for concerns/requests.

TIME- Time is of the essence as a business owner. Better yet, time is money. Create a daily schedule from the very beginning, no matter the size of your business. It will help you see the flow of the day and better prioritize. You don't become a Fortune 500 company the day you hit a billion dollars, but by starting with a Fortune 500 company mindset on day one. Create a list of priorities for your business, including check-in times for your team, and windows for advertising and marketing, especially if you're a new business owner. Prioritizing your day will allow you to make the most of your morning hours, leaving time for brainstorming meetings and creative projects later in the day.

STEWARDSHIP- How we spend the time God has allotted us is vital, as He will return to see what we did with the time and gifts He gave us. In the parable of the talents, God entrusted a specific amount to each servant, but it was up to them to determine what they would do with it. As we read, the man who received one talent hid it in the ground until the return of the master. Unfortunately, He did not use what was freely given to him, and it was taken away and given to another. I hope that even the little you feel you have will be invested wisely so that God will be proud of what you did and bless you with more. Ask yourself, am I making the most of what God has given me? If you are not, start today.

I challenge you to do these three things as you begin this journey.

1. Pray- Say the prayer written on day one of this plan and sit in silence to hear God's response.

2. Plan- Write a plan, even if it's just a draft, and submit it to God. Be open to hearing from Him on what steps to take next.

3. Prepare- Take note of your environment and how much time you will devote to your new business. Ask God how you can make the most of your time and the talents He has given you.

For more information or help on starting your new journey learn more through our Free Business Checklist.