I do not mind making decisions when they do not affect other people. I find two types of decisions that I take very seriously: 1) When it involves my family and faith, 2) When it involves my relationship with other people.

At work recently, I have been faced with a couple of major decisions that I do not like to make, because they involve making decisions that will end or cut back certain business relationships. I had to interview three marketing companies this past week and make a decision on who I would hire while ending my current marketing relationship with a company back in Boston. They have done a very good job for me, but I realized that I need a local marketing firm to help grow our business. The company currently working for us is more creative and full of good ideas. However, their weakness is probably in the area of executing the plan and staying on target. Long story short, I did NOT want to “fire” the Boston company, because I have really enjoyed most of my experience with them. They are great people…but just not the best fit. So, that is a decision I have made and now I need to execute my plan! I have also made a final decision on the company I am going to hire which was also a very difficult situation. Why? Because of the companies I really felt would be decent is new in the business. She is just starting out, and she is in my peer business development group: Vistage International. So I see her every month for our business training, and now when I tell her I am hiring someone else, I will feel weird talking in our group each month about my marketing and growth knowing she did not get the job.

I came to my conclusion by much prayer and pleading with God that He would help me do what is best for the company and that I would not have the fear of man. I think it really came down to that sin of pride. I hate thinking in my mind what people think about me. Being in business with my Dad, I have to act like a business owner and take the lead. A good leader, I am learning, will make decisions that are not always liked by those around him but in the end…it is right! I’m still building the “guts” to tell the lady from Vistage, who is very excited to work with us, that I have hired another company!

The other area in my life I have really struggled with at times is trusting God. God is so good and so faithful. Our company right now is struggling with getting qualified leads, and I have not had a very good sales month once again. We are behind in our goals and I care a lot of that load on my shoulders. I am praying that God would keep me leaning on Him, trusting in His sovereign will in all things and knowing that He knows all that we need. I am reminded of the verse on Matthew 6 that tells us to not take any thought for our lives what we will eat or drink or what we will wear because our Heavenly Father knows what we need before we ask. He has ALWAYS been faithful to provide for our needs and bless our business. So, I will go to sleep tonight and wake up trusting in the goodness of God: Oh Taste and See that the Lord is Good! He is my hope! He is my strong tower, and I will praise Him for blessing me with such amazing grace!