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THE BENEFIT OF SMALL BEGINNINGS

 

the benefits of small beginingsNot many people want to identify with a small thing. The art of beginning small is what they probably have not learnt. We all know that “though your beginning was small, your latter end should greatly increase,” but to commit to the days of small beginnings seem awkward because of the scorn that most times follow it.

Consider with me for a moment the dreams, desires, goals and visions you’ve always had in your heart yet accomplished. Who is stopping you, if I may ask?

Living Letters, as my own story, started in my room back in 2009 while I was on campus in Akure. The first edition of just 25 copies were printed from my desktop and shared with my friends. Today, we are sending about 2000 free copies around Nigeria plus the numerous downloads online. The gap between where it started and where it is now is big, but I know there is more.[more…]

Though very obvious and simple, most times small beginnings are overlooked. But I have found that they are almost the most important part of any venture. Here below are some of the benefits of small beginnings:

1. You have Time to Plan Well

When you are contemplating business ownership, for example, it tends to be exhilarating. However, it is common to experience uncertainty as well. Am I willing to invest the time it takes to start and run a business? Can I deal with the emotions that come with running a business? Will enough people use my services or buy my products? Will I make enough money to sustain the business and my desired lifestyle? Am I mentally prepared to give up my current salary and accept the financial uncertainties that come with running my own business? Will I be able to support my family?

As you sit down to draw out answers to this in the beginning stage, you find that you have a plan you can work with in the long run unlike if you kick-start a big business without a workable plan. There is nothing bad about starting big, but statistics have shown that most businesses started within five years fold up because the starter of the business never really had a plan.

Guy Kawasaki says, “Great companies. Great divisions. Great schools. Great churches. Great not-for-profits. When it comes to the fundamentals of starting up, they are more alike than they are different. The key to their success is to survive the microscope tasks [of planning and forecasting] while bringing the future closer.”

At this stage, you have a whole lot of opportunity to set things in motion that can last a long time. Asides allowing you to re-discover your talents, strengths and weaknesses, small beginnings offer you the opportunity to develop your built-to-last ability. Like I once told my friend, Olowojoba Ademulegun, “Planned ending right from the beginning.”

2. You learn the dynamics of failing.

However discouraging circumstances may be, there is always something God wants to accomplish with every new venture. Failing at this early stage helps you develop your staying power. When we look carefully at the path that leads to personal success, we often realise that it began with a modest step forward and then some failings, and then some movement forward. “You win or you learn,” is what John Maxwell says.

Failing on a bigger scale can be disastrous if you have not learnt to handle failure while growing big. On the other hand, if you fail when there are no neon lights, no crowd to yab and yell, you find it easier to pick up and run again. It may seem daunting but you are up to the task.

Maybe because of the apparent insignificance of your task or venture, you tend to want to give up and walk away completely. I want you to remember that a small beginning is sometimes the very open door to God’s abundant provision, if you look at it as a journey of faith.

Note this:

Start out hopeful. Someone said, “The man who commences an undertaking with a foreboding that it will fail, is likely by his fears to ensure the fulfilment of his prediction; while, on the other hand, the hope of success is among the subordinate means of obtaining it.” Hope is good expectation, mine it.

Value your potential. In many instances, the most wonderful impacts have resulted from causes apparently very small. Matt 13:31-32 reads, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and perch in its branches.” Great things begin small, even the kingdom of God did. Don’t despise these days of small beginnings, because the power of God can still render the feeblest instruments productive of the greatest results. There is within you the potential to end up big.

I am your friend,
Dayo Samuel Ayodele

Dayo Samuel is the Lead Facilitator of Young & Strong, a leadership development organization. He provides leadership development trainings to ministries, organizations and individuals. Follow him on Twitter @DayoSamuelA or connect with him on BBM: 265561A9 or on Whatsapp: 08030814854

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