The Corporate Ladder - way to Go??

What is your strategy for succeeding in life?

I know what mine USED to be.

I was the expert in organisation; had all the business catchphrases down pat; was up and rearing to go with my Key Point Indicators/ flow charts/ Timecel NSS/ Industrial and Organisational Analysis and behaviour definitions and also my Document Revision History.

Not only that I was a whizz at all things Human resources From Workforce Training to Remuneration to Organisational Communication - you name it - I was your man.

The books I read and the people I looked up to as my mentors were second to none and I rose quickly, confidently and quite easily to the top WOOHOO!

I could quote jargon with the best of 'em eg " The theory and proactive liasions between employers, employees, union and government, as well as the management of people within an organisation is vital, including recruitment, selection, remuneration, appraisal and training and development. These provide a critical and in-depth analysis of the human resource management theories, paying particular attention to the concept of strategy, people management and organisational performance."

Now you did understand that didn't you???  I hope you are impressed???? very impressed!!

I used to be - that was my goal; to impress; how I made my living and what a saw as the very very best way to achieve.

I lived by Warren G. Bennis's code of "How to be a  good leader and his strategy for success."  And here it is..... DaaaDaa!!

"Good leaders make people feel that they are at the very heart of things, not at the periphery. Everyone feels that he or she makes a difference to the success of the organisation. When that happens people feel centred and that gives their work meaning"

Well there you go - that was my working life all wrapped up in a few short sentences - a success!! I did it!! and I did it on my own!!! Climbed the good old Corporate Ladder - well done... slap on the back!!

Oh the business world!! - what a mess and so so contrary to what God is saying to us throughout the whole of the Bible.

While reading Psalms the other day especially Psalms 37 & 38 I came across some real gems.

What is your strategies for succeeding in life?

If you are a fan of self-help or, like I was, getting ahead in the business world there are heaps of books that will be able to help you along the way.

There are questions and answers to the most detailed problems; what to do in a crisis and what not to do; how to motivate your team; how to relax and communicate to your inner self; How to rise to the top and discard those who don't come up to the standard.

There is certainly something to be said for visualisation; net working, entrepreneurial confidence etc etc but here in Psalms, David offers a much simpler approach to finding fulfilment in life.

In Psalm 37 David tells us not to fret about what others are doing; don't get envious about those who do wrong: take delight in the Lord.

In other words make Him No 1 in your life. Focus on pleasing Him. Living your life according to His Word and pay attention to His leading.

David goes on:- Commit your ways to the Lord and trust in Him; Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him; refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret - it only leads to evil.

Amazing words, so true; so simple and yet so earth shattering.

If I had only taken that road instead of trying to climb the corporate ladder; what a different life I would have had.

God wants to give you the kind of success that doesn't come from self-improvement books, or crash courses in Management and Organisational Ethics.

He wants you; your life; your time; your love. As David says in the Psalm "The Lord wants to help you and deliver you if you take refuge in Him."

Psalm 38 continues along a similar line but this time David points out to the reader that God is all so ready to help us in all sorts of situations in which we get ourselves.

He pleads with God not to forsake him in the hour of trial and temptation of which we all suffer.

The evil one is so entrenched in our lives that he will never be truly driven out while we still live here on earth.

But even though we are often tempted and tried, with God as our captain; at the helm of our boat; in charge of our salvation; we can be more than conquerors. Now that deserves a WOOHOO!!

But it is not only in times of trial that we should ask God not to forsake us, but we should use this prayer all the time.

It is also through the joys in life - Don't forsake me Lord unless through pure joy I forget you and rely on me and me alone.

Don't forsake me Lord when I am in grieving and have almost given up in case I get angry with you.

Don't forsake me when I am feeling weak because I know with you I can be strong.

God is so willing to help us - He will never forsake us - so model your strategies for living on Jesus - He and He alone can give us the kind of success the world can't possibly offer.

Do an about face today - forget the corporate ladder and how to climb it - I know I wish I had.