This Blog was written by Colt Charlebois
How a Leader can deal with news from the Accountant?
Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and. be happy in their toil – this is a gift of God.
Ecclesiastes 5: 19 NIV
As a business performance coach, I’m afforded a rather delicate vantage point. I hear the inner thoughts that faith-based business owners have as they navigate various aspects of the leadership life.
One which has been most debilitating is the tense year-end visit with the accountant.
This visit is often loaded with a cocktail of anxiety and anticipation. “How did I do? Am I profitable? Was it worth the effort?” All of which are deeply entangled with our identity. It seems, no matter the outcome, we rarely celebrate the visit.
Best case scenario, you’re in the black, congratulations! Nope. Wait. No time to hoorah. You have a new year ahead to worry about. And with it, all the pressures of “How am I supposed to do this again?”
Worst case scenario, you’re in the red, which immediately translates to, “I’ve just wasted a year of my life?” Or worse, “I’m not sure I’m capable of keeping this up.”
Why is it that we put so much weight into this meeting with the accountant? Why do these numbers become the scorecard on our progress? Are they truly the sole indicator of performance? As if bad numbers mean I’m a terrible leader or something.
I don’t know about you but, in some way these meetings have even led me to lose sight of the totality of what’s taken place. Every single soul I’ve conversed with. Lives I’ve spoken into. Every seed planted. The long term-projects I’ve begun. Especially the team I’ve discipled in the craft. All which were afforded because of the position I held at the time. Should I really toss out the witness I’ve lived each day all because of how the bank score fell?
After many years of having my own books marked up in red, I was forced to consider, on a deeper level, why I did what I did. What metrics would be the determining factors of my progress? Certainly, the numbers are part of it, but not the whole. Where I found comfort was Ecclesiastes 5:19
“Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God.”
When I invited Jesus to join the year end, it was that little line He used to turn it all around—“To accept your lot and be happy in your toil.” It was something I’d struggled with greatly until then. You see, I’d never really felt worthy so success in business was something I needed to prove. I was valuable and capable as an individual. In saying that, I’m not even sure who I was trying to prove it to.
Like my friend Lorne Jackson from CNCF says, “How much is enough, Colt?”
Now, I’m learning that by answering that question, I can be clear about the boundaries of my “lot.” With those mapped out, I’m able to plan a schedule that allows time for rest, play, and relationship—and that keeps me “happy in my toil!”
Maybe the need for MORE, MORE, MORE, isn’t the issue driving your expense overruns, but there is a business (and life) coach that would certainly help you spot what is. His name is Jesus, and if you’ve given your life to Him, I bring this great news to you: He’s happy to join you this year before, during, and after you visit with the accountant. And, regardless of what the numbers are, I’m sure you’ll walk a little lighter knowing that your purpose in Christ far surpasses what the books say.
Whether you own a business or measure your “success” with other metrics, consider these reflection questions:
Reflections:
After a bad year:
– Have I invited Jesus to sit with me in the discouragement of a disappointing year?
– What have I raced towards to distract me from the let down? (purchases, substance, alternate validation?)
After a good year:
– Did I praise God for the success I enjoyed? Or, did I receive the glory when others acknowledged me?
– How did I celebrate my gratitude for what He did in and through me?
