Today's Business Lessons
Information is power?
Do you remember these catchphrases of ’70s and ’80s? Information is Power, and Think Again?
Those were the days of the late ’70s when the two “Steves” proposed the future of personal computers.
Information was power because not too many people had access to information, and those who do, ruled.
Educational institutions ruled the world.
Governments ruled the world.
Religions ruled the world as these institutions possessed vital information that the ordinary “lay people” could never have.
Today, information is everywhere. You can access almost any information you want as long as you can satisfy two requirements:
1. A machine capable of accessing the Internet.
2. Internet.
You and I are not starving for more information; we are actually
overloaded with it. And this is the sad part, some data aren’t useful.
A critical skill is needed in order to sift through the tonnage of
data that fills our brains, our hard discs and our cloud services. This
critical skill I am talking about is judgment.
Judgment comes from thinking, and this is where the challenge comes up.
Helen Keller says, “People don’t like to think. If one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.”
This is true. However, this quote presupposes that people have the
capability to think but refuse to. This may not be the case today.
Many young people are not thinking but ‘feeling’ their way through
life. This isn’t exactly a good thing. Technology has equipped us to
churn out more results and, in turn, has created an environment wherein
we are expected to produce more at faster speed. The thing about this is
that we may develop a bad habit of reacting without careful thinking.
The traffic conditions in our country do not help either. Life
becomes stressful as we suffer inside our vehicles mindlessly listening
to music, answering SMS, and playing digital games or watching digital
movies instead of studying things that enrich the mind and spirit.
We are busy almost all the time. I do more than 300 talks a year. As
of this writing, I am near the 300th mark. Oftentimes I have to travel
out of town and out of country for engagements. How do I manage all
these?
My key is to simply set aside a time to properly start the day. I do
it by doing Scripture meditation and reading books. I also strictly
adhere to my yearly sabbatical study and I do serious reflection on
business and life issues.
I do all these to fill my mind and soul with inspiration so I can pass it on to others.
You might be thinking that you are trapped in a cubicle prison, stuck
with the everyday work routine, and that your boss does not allow you
the freedom to leave your work station. Take a quick walk around the
office, find a quiet place or step outside for a few minutes. Taking a
regular break from your work provides a fresh perspective for your mind
and enables you to deal with your issues.
Judgment today is a very vital skill; it comes from discipline and careful thinking.
This year, I sent my three kids to Oxford University and enrolled
them in RZIM’s summer course on apologetics under the tutorship of Dr.
Ravi Zacharias. The investment certainly paid off in handsome dividends
as all three of them became more engaged in serious book reading,
critical thinking and careful analysis of issues that pertain to life
and spirituality. The experience sharpened their minds and helped them
through their personal lives as well as their businesses.
Do not live life based on emotions. Knowledge and wisdom are
important. Fill your daily existence with careful reflection and
skillful thinking about your work and life. This is how you develop
creativity.
Playing digital games, watching digital movies or bombarding your ears with loud music will not make you wise.
Read books. Meditate on Scriptures. Be intentional in finding quiet
time for reflection and careful thinking. This is no longer ideal, this
is essential.
No comments:
Post a Comment