Blue Elevator Blog

Hard Work

In one of our Membership articles, we provided our Member clients one of Blue Elevator™’s secret formulas for success in business.  Whereas we won’t spill those beans here, we do want to provide you with another secret.

It is the secret of hard work.  And that being: hard work is a limiting reagent.

I learned the concept of a limiting reagent from my high school chemistry teacher (i.e., thank you, Mrs. Connie Grosse).  I will summarize it here.  A limiting reagent is something that, if reduced, used up, or is non-existent, prevents the synthesis of the desired outcome.

Hard work is often a limiting reagent.

Advisory Is Key

Being that Blue Elevator™ is a business advisory firm, you might expect us to tell you that obtaining skilled and trusted advisory could be the difference between success or failure – or, the difference between good results and great results.

And, it might.  But, that’s not the half of it.

Digging For Gold

Let’s say you had the title deed to a section of land: acreage that was believed to possess untold amounts of gold hidden somewhere in its cracks and crevices.  Would you hire an experienced prospector, geologist, or other expert?

You might.  It would take you a lifetime to turn over every shovel of dirt on the acreage.  So, it makes sense to hire a skilled and trusted expert to help you focus your efforts.

Let’s say your expert read your map containing your section of land (e.g., 640 acres) and identified three areas that would probably be the best sources of gold.  If each of these areas were about 20 acres, your expert might have helped you narrow your focus from 100% to the best 10%.

Now, go start digging for gold.  And that’s the crux of the matter.

Work smart, but you also need to work hard at hard work!

The Best And Brightest

It is true that Blue Elevator™ looks for business owners, C-level executives, and organizations that are among the best and the brightest.  But, that is only one of many attributes that we look for when identifying potential Member clients.

And being that Blue Elevator™’s engagement is by “invitation only,”  it is imperative that we get it right.  We want to identify those that we feel will benefit the most from our work together.

It is no secret, then, that we will give away this secret.  Our secret.  And, one of the most important secrets to success: hard work.

You Have To Work Hard

Here are some great proverbs that help prove this point:

“A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.” – Proverbs 13:4

“All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.” – Proverbs 14:23

“Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in forced labor.” – Proverbs 12:24

“Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways, and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.” – Proverbs 6:6-8

“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.” – Proverbs 6:10-11

“Those who work their land will have abundant food, but those who chase fantasies have no sense.” – Proverbs 12:11

“One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.” – Proverbs 18:9

“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox come abundant harvests.” – Proverbs 14:4

If you are a large Fortune 500 company, you can afford to hire your own oxen.  If you are a solo-preneur, you are the ox.

Be encouraged to go and do likewise.  Work hard at being a hard worker.

Lessons Learned

Early in our existence, we signed up everyone that had an interest in working with us.  Why not?  Our business was helping people.  And when business owners, organizations, and C-level executives wanted help, it seemed only natural to begin work.

And we did.  We went to work.  But sometimes, those we were helping didn’t.

They didn’t implement the advisory.  They didn’t put boots on the ground.  They didn’t apply the principles.  They didn’t use the techniques and apply the mechanisms we advised.  Mind you, we aren’t just cheerleaders.  Blue Elevator™ provides “actionable advisory,” which is specific advisory for a specific purpose for specific results.

Ideas must be implemented.  And if not, there is no “business to the next level™.”

Alas, be it from us or elsewhere, the best advice in the world is worth nothing unless it is put into action.

Hard Work Abounds

It was about then that we made an experiential shift in our engagement protocol.  We morphed somewhat into an “invitation only” firm.

We recognized this.  It is our belief that someone’s volition to work hard has more to do with their internal fabric and upbringing.  It can be taught and learned.  And probably with some exception, more likely learned at a young age.

Accordingly, we don’t instill this ingredient or reagent.  It is either there, or it isn’t.  People either have it, or they don’t.  And thankfully, our Member clients have it.

Be Encouraged

In making a fire, you need oxygen and fuel.  And, you can have an abundance of both – even the best and driest kindling, but with no spark, there is no fire.

You are the spark.  You need to supply the “elbow grease.”

So, as this trustworthy saying suggests …

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, ….” – Ecclesiastes 9:10

If you are a hard worker and, God willing, you would like some help getting your “business to the next level™,” we’d love for you to Contact Us.