The Weekly Encourager – July 12, 2013 – You Can Do Anything?

When speaking of future careers, parents are often told to inspire their kids by telling them, “you can do anything you want.” Is this for real? Here are some interesting thoughts excerpted from the Linked In web site.

Martha Stewart: “The best advice I’ve ever received was from my father when I was 12 years old and willing to listen. He told me that with my personal characteristics, I could, if I set my mind to it, do anything I chose. This advice instilled in me a great sense of confidence, and despite the fact that sometimes I was a little nervous, I stepped out and did what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. I think it really often is up to the parents to help build confidence in their children. It is a very necessary part of growing up.

“Armed mainly with my father’s encouragement that I could do anything I put my mind to, I considered my options. I had no capital to start my own business. I did, however, have a great desire to work hard and learn....

“If you want to begin the journey to discover your entrepreneurial passion, you must first analyze your own interests, strengths, weaknesses, and desires; and then you must consider carefully how hard you want to work....I have the same passion for both [my life and my work]. Simply stated, my life is my work and my work is my life. As a result, I consider myself one of the lucky ones because I am excited every day: I love waking up; I love getting to work; I love focusing on a new initiative. There are many, many people who have inspired, taught, influenced, and supported me during the years that I have been visualizing, creating, building, and managing my own entrepreneurial venture — but I’ll never forget the favor my father did me when he instilled in me the tenacity I needed to build a career based on what I love most.” - Martha Stewart, American business magnate, author, magazine publisher, and television personality

Response by Bill Hendricks: “It's good advice that, 'with my personal characteristics, I could, if I set my mind to it, do anything I chose.' But the key phrase in that advice is, 'with my personal characteristics.' Unfortunately, most people ignore that part. Instead, they focus on the idea that 'you can do/become anything you want to do/become.' Without an understanding of one's core strengths, that's simply not true. Perhaps more unfortunately—most people don't actually know what their real strengths are. What I call their giftedness. You were indeed fortunate that, by trial and error and a lot of persistence, you managed to gain a sense of your strengths and end up in work that fits your giftedness. Most people don't. You were also fortunate that you had an encouraging father. Again, in my experience, most people don't. Thanks for encouraging people to examine their strengths and interests. That's where the real truth lies!”- Bill Hendricks, President of The Giftedness Center, specializing in organizational effectiveness and individual career guidance

And now, a few words from our Sponsor: “No longer will the ground yield good crops for you, no matter how hard you work! From now on you will be a homeless wanderer on the earth.” - Genesis 4:12 NLT

“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going.” - Ecclesiastes 9:10 NASB

“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” - Proverbs 13:4 NLT

“Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.” - Romans 12:11 NLT

“use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.” - Ephesians 4:28 NLT

“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men; knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” - Colossians 3:23-24 NASB

So far, I have not found anything in the Bible that says you can do anything you want, but there's a lot about doing all that you can. As parents, we hope to help our children discover their God-given gifts, so that they may serve the Lord and serve others, always looking more to the heavenly rewards than the earthly ones.

God is faithful,

Article on Linked In “Best Advice: You Can Do Anything You Choose" April 2013. www.LinkedIn.com