The Proverbs Business Woman

“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight; for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young.” (Proverbs 1: 1-5)

Did you know the book of Proverbs has wisdom, instruction, and knowledge that can be applied to all aspects of work? In fact, as there are 31 chapters in Proverbs, many people read a chapter each day of the month to be able to readily apply these truths in their business. This is a wonderful way to learn how to apply God’s wisdom in the workplace, every day.

We are clearly told in the first Chapter that the Proverbs are given to us to:

1. Gain wisdom

2. Gain instruction

3. Gain understanding

4. Understand prudent behavior

5. Do what is right, just, and fair

6. Gain prudence, knowledge, and discretion

Proverbs is rich with wisdom, flowing with instruction to give us knowledge regarding how to work, how to balance our work & personal lives, and how to glorify God in both these areas.

With studying Proverbs, we can learn specific principles regarding how to treat others, how to manage our time, how to make decisions and how to demonstrate God at work. Proverbs often put words to our heart’s understanding on what is right and what is wrong. These verses also provide very practical advice on the day to day operations of our businesses.

The business woman who reads Proverbs will see direct and wise application to questions, struggles and opportunities which arise.

Like you, I have favorite verses from God’s Word. And many of them are found in Proverbs! These verses help to keep me grounded in what is right and wrong and give me direction on things I should do (and not do) and what I should say (and not say).

The following verses are just some of the ones which have been very meaningful to me in their wisdom and direction:

“Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22)

Over the years, I have developed an appreciation of the role of advisors. Having a trusted person’s perspective, sharing of experiences and encouragement are all invaluable in operating a successful business.

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you, bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” (Proverbs 3:3-4)

Consistency in how people are treated is crucial in any business as it fosters confidence, moral, and an enjoyable work environment. The words, “let love and faithfulness never leave you” has been a source of encouragement to me as I believe very strongly about trying to demonstrate my loyalty and appreciation to all staff at all times.

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act.” (Proverbs 3:27)

This verse often stirs my heart as I think about my staff. This does not just mean in a monetary fashion but also relates to helping them with work life balance, acknowledging their work to others and understanding what is important to them.

“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse .” (Proverbs 9:7)

This verse has a very practical side to it. Often, when we are in a conflict situation we may want to retaliate. This is a good reminder to wisely consider what to say and not to say.

“Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” (Proverbs 10:19)

This is a very good reminder of the danger of talking too much. Perhaps it is because you are excited about something or perhaps a conversation is starting to head into an argument. Sometimes, it is best to stop talking for a bit and listen well.

This week, consider starting to read one Chapter of Proverbs per day. Pay attention to what you are drawn to in the words. Allow its wisdom, instruction and knowledge to enter your heart and mind and then be applied in a practical way at work.

May God richly bless you as you apply this Colossians Prayer to your workplace decisions.

Have a great week!

Bonny, Christian Women at Work

Nine (Plus One) Ways to Be Lavish with Encouragement! (5 min read)

Encouragement is very powerful.

• It can give you the confidence you need to open a business.

• It can give you the support to make a needed change.

• It can give you the hope that a difficult situation will improve.

In fact, the definition of encouragement is “the action of giving someone support, confidence or hope.”

Does someone come to mind who has been that person for you? Is there someone you can think of who needs encouragement from you?

I had a very special teacher in high school who holds a very special place in my heart. I admired her faith, her professionalism, and her family values. She lived and modeled a life which inspired me. She was a great source of encouragement as she took time to personally mentor me. She encouraged me by her example, her words and how she made me feel I was important. I realize now how special she made me feel and how that was important in my confidence building to do what was right. I will be forever thankful to her for the time we spent together. Her encouraging words and her example of blending her faith into her everyday life gave me the support and confidence that I, too, could successfully blend my professional, family and personal dreams. She was a strong encourager.

Did someone come to mind who was a source of encouragement in your life, either in your childhood or during a difficult time? If it is possible, make time to write them a note as a source of encouragement to them. Years after I graduated from high school and had a family and business of my own, I bought my teacher a book I thought she would like and wrote a note in it how thankful I was for her. She has since passed away but my memories of her are still a source of joy.

If you work with a group of people, every one of them will need encouragement. They may not show it, but they do.

• Encouragement to do something

• Encouragement to get through a hard season

• Encouragement to try something new

• Encouragement to change something about what they are doing.

• Encouragement to deal with a person who has different opinions or views.

Everyone is in the right place to give encouragement to others. We just need to have it on our radar and do it.

In the workplace, there are ample opportunities to demonstrate God at work through acts of encouragement. It is important that encouragement be an integral part of your culture at work. Encouragement is contagious and builds others up, while its opposite is harmful and tears others down. Encouragement is best given when it is both personal to the person and to the situation.

Consider the following nine ways you can lavish encouragement at work:

1. Encourage with words of affirmation. Is someone working on a difficult project? Let them know you have confidence in them that they will do a great job. Ask them if there is any assistance they need. In that way, you affirm them but also help to set them up for success.

2. Encourage with public acknowledgement. This is always really fun. Share people’s successes and joys with others. Share your group successes as well. Perhaps you have customer surveys: share the ratings. Perhaps someone has done something unique: acknowledge the person and what they have done in a staff meeting. Make a point that you acknowledge everyone for their work, dedication, initiative and/or team spirit.

3. Encourage with personalized gifts: Gifts do not always need to be expensive. They can be as simple as picking up someone’s favorite coffee because they are not having a great day. It could be giving them a relevant book based on a conversation you had.

4. Encourage with specific thank you’s. Sometimes, people have gone above and beyond their work performance and have done it with a terrific attitude and spirit. This is where it is fun to be very specific. It could be treating them to a massage at their favorite spa at the completion of a project. It could be a bonus after exceptional dedication that will help pay for a trip they want to take. The key is that you know what is important to them and show that in the gift.

5. Encourage with your time: Everyone knows that time is valuable and workplaces are busy. However, taking a few moments to check in with how someone is doing with a project can be exactly what is needed to give encouragement to continue on. This is also the time when you may determine a meeting is needed to address either an issue with the project and/or any stress associated with it. And, an honest culture of “you can always contact me” is crucial for everyone you work with. They may not contact you but knowing they can, is a great source of on-going encouragement.

6. Encourage with hand-written notes. A past staff member loved hand-written notes. She had mentioned to me that we seem to have lost this art. I would tend to agree. Texts and emails are wonderful ways to encourage others. Perhaps, this is what our next generation will benefit from. However, an appropriate card, on their desk, with a note of encouragement is always lovely. Do try it!

7. Encouragement with calmness. Sometimes things just come up in business that can cause unsettledness. It could be a difficult customer. It could be a new software system. It could be all the changes seen with COVID-19 that has affected business and personal lives. Calmness in the workplace can be a great source of encouragement as it does not allow its opposite (discouragement) to take hold.

8. Encouragement with “check-ins”. Difficulties, whether at work or in personal lives, are not usually a one conversation occurrence. Although someone may not indicate they are still struggling, assume that there is still some difficulty. Check in with the person and ask them specifically how they are doing. They may be in a bit of a slump and your concern for them will be the encouragement they need to keep going.

9. Encouragement with prayer: In your prayers for your business, ask God to help you discern if someone needs a touch of His encouragement. In this way, you can demonstrate God at Work. Ask God to also give you the ability to be lavish with your encouragement with your everyday business activities as well as with the specific needs of your staff and colleagues.

10. Encouragement with ________________. Often at times, we read posts which discuss “10 ways to Do Something.” Today, I have listed 9 and left the 10th one for you. What is another way that you can show encouragement to someone this week? God made us all uniquely different, with different gifts and opportunities. He also made us very creative. Think of at least one way to encourage someone this week which will be personal to them.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I would like to encourage each of you this week to practice encouragement in your workplace as this will demonstrate God at work, be a blessing to others and bless you too!

Have a fabulous week!

Work Hard and Be Nice – 4 min read

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” (Psalm 32:8)

As I look back on my childhood, I am reminded of values my parents instilled in me. Values which I have carried into my professional life. “Work hard” and “be nice” are principles they modeled as I was growing up that I try to bring with me to work. “Work hard” is not about being perfect, it is about doing my best. “Be nice” is not about being superficial. It is about caring for others in a sincere, gracious, and respectful manner. Just as I bring principles to work I have learned from my father and mother, I also strive to bring principles to work I have learned from my Heavenly Father.

To learn how to conduct myself in a way which honors my parents and blesses others, I needed to spend time with them and learn from them. I saw in them what they hoped to develop in me. It is the same as I strive to live God’s principles at work.

I see the values in God that He wants to help me develop. However, I need to spend time with Him to learn what they are, why they are important, and how to apply them. This only comes from time in His Presence and in His Word. There is no other way to have God’s values instilled in us than by learning more about Him, watching His faithfulness and love in all situations, and putting these principles in place. This is how we bring our faith to work.

Today, many people believe they cannot bring their faith to work. But I would say, “How can we not bring our faith to work?” Our faith involves what we say and do, how we make decisions, how we treat others, how we spend our time, and how we handle tough situations. Our reactions and actions are always based upon something. As Christian Women in the workplace, we want these to be based on our faith, what we believe.

There is no better way to know what to do than to learn from the One who knows what is right and what is best for us and others.

“Work hard” is a biblical principle. Working hard is one way of bringing your faith to work. Consider what the Lord says in His Word about how to work:

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Colossians 3:23) “And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12) “Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8)

“Be nice” is also a biblical principle and another way of bringing your faith to work. Consider what the Lord says in His Word on how to treat others:

“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6: 31) “The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31) “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19)

As you see the above verses, be confident that these are only a few of the principles God shares in His Word about how to work and how to treat others. The more we spend time in His Presence and the more we read His Word, the more we will see His love, direction, wisdom, and encouragement on how we can live His principles at work. In this way, we bring our faith to work in a way that blesses others and honors God.

This week, as you read His Word, consider the beauty, wisdom, and applicability at work. Take at least one of those principles to work. Perhaps it is about communication, decision making or dealing with a conflict. Whatever you anticipate dealing with, take your Heavenly Father, and His principles, to work.

Have a blessed week!