Martin Luther King Words of Wisdom
Six Business Lessons from MLK
Although Martin Luther King was well known as an activist and civil rights leader, there are many of his words of wisdom and truth that we can apply to ALL aspects of our life. Here are 5 quotes that I encourage you to apply to your business today!
Words of Wisdom and Business Lessons from MLK
1. Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’
Run your business by focusing on serving others, rather than just thinking about your sales sheets, revenue goals and making more and more. Think about how your clients must feel whilst lying in bed at night and dreaming about how you will help them reach their goals or fulfill their needs. When we focus on our clients needs and put ourselves in their shoes magic starts to happen.
All of a sudden sales, revenues and profits take care of themselves and our business grows organically.
2. Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.
Stop trying to control everything. Set your vision at the outset of what you want your life to look like in 3-5 years, and then just take the first step. You will never see the whole journey mapped out in front of you. Release the fear and take that initial step.
Trying to control everything leads to you becoming stressed and frustrated – that kills creativity and you will miss opportunities along the way.
Take the first step!
3. The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
As a business owner you will have plenty of trial and tribulations – sometimes you will think you should just pack it all in and go get a job! But it is in those challenging times that you grow. You grow only if you take note and pay attention.
You won’t grow if you are complaining and being negative though, so look at each challenge as an opportunity to grow as a business owner.
4. Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.
This follows on from #3 above and highlights the importance of you as a business owner to the forward progression of yourself and this world. No matter how small or insignificant you may seem, you have a purpose here and you are adding value, whilst growing as a person and business owner. Be grateful!
5. We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear.
Fear comes in many forms and can crush us. As a business owner we require a lot of courage in order to navigate the challenges and obstacles presented to us along our journey to success.
Taking the first step requires an enormous amount of courage, so you know you already have it. You cannot conquer fear if you don’t know it or face it.
6. Everything that we see is a shadow cast by that which we do not see.
I love this one and is so important. Everything starts with a vision in your mind. Your mind and thoughts are creative. Every business you see, product or service was once in someones mind before it could become something physical.
So make sure your thoughts are filled with positive thoughts and creative thoughts, rather than negative thoughts such as worry, fear and doubt.
Let the creative genius within you shine!
I hope 2015 is your best year ever!
Kenneth
