Episode Transcript
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Al Ware (00:01):
Hello and welcome to
another episode of Tech Almighty
, exploring the fusion of God,technology and business, the
show where faith meetsinnovation.
I'm Al Ware, your host.
Today's episode the long roadto success embracing
perseverance in a world ofinstant gratification.
Let's dive in.
I want to start with a personalstory that epitomizes this
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journey of persistence.
It's about a time when I foundit Voxbox.
I want you to picture this I'msitting on my living room couch,
struck by a vision for a newventure.
Within three days, I had Voxboxup and running.
It might sound like a quicksuccess, but here's the catch I
started with $0, no clearroadmap for acquiring clients
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and no concrete plan fortransforming Voxbox into a
leading design studio.
What I did have was anundeniable faith in my abilities
and in God's plan for me.
This wasn't about overnightsuccess.
For me, it was about beingfully committed to a long
journey full of uncertainty.
That journey has taken me toplaces and positions I could
never have imagined back whenVoxbox was just a concept on my
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living room couch.
It's proof of the power ofperseverance, a virtue that's
increasingly rare in our worldtoday.
Our modern culture is dominatedby a desire for instant
gratification.
This is evident in every aspectof our lives.
However, this pursuit ofimmediate gratification often
leads to a host of problems.
It can result in a shallowunderstanding of success,
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overlooking the deepsatisfaction that comes from
enduring challenges and growingover time.
In the worst cases, it can leadto burnout and a sense of
disappointment when the expectedquick wins don't materialize.
As Christians, we are taughtthe value of perseverance.
Romans 5-3-4 says not only so,but we also glory in our
sufferings, because we know thatsuffering produces perseverance
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, perseverance, character andcharacter, hope.
This perspective viewschallenges as opportunities for
growth and deepening your faith.
In my entrepreneur path withVoxbox, there are moments of
uncertainty and challenge.
There were times when my pathforward was unclear, when
clients were few and when thevision seemed distant.
But it was my faith, both in myGod-given abilities and in the
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plan God had for me, that keptme anchored.
This journey with Voxbox taughtme an invaluable lesson about
success.
It's not about reaching thedestination as fast as possible.
It's about the growth, learningand experiences gained along
the way.
Present day, we live in an erawhere technology can give us
what we want almost instantly,whether it's same-day deliveries
or an instant communicationacross the globe.
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The world is at our fingertips.
But while technology make ourlives easier and more efficient,
it also nurture an unhealthydesire for immediate results in
an area of life where patienceand perseverance are key.
In business, especially in thetech industry, there's often a
rush to be the first to market,to outpace competitors or to
show rapid growth to investors.
This rush can lead to cuttingcorners, prioritizing quantity
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over quality or overlooking theimportance of building a solid
foundation.
But true, lasting success inbusiness, much like our own
personal lives, often requirestime, patience and consistent
effort.
As Christians, we understandthat our timeframes are not
always aligned with God's.
We learn to be patient, topreserve through trials and to
trust in God's timing.
This doesn't mean we're passive.
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It means we work diligently, weplan carefully and we remain
steadfast in our faith, evenwhen immediate results aren't
visible.
As we dive into the biblicalfoundation of our discussion on
perseverance, I find myselfdrawn to a powerful verse from
James 1.4, which states Letperseverance finish its work so
that you may be mature andcomplete, not lacking anything.
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This verse holds so much wisdom, especially in the context of
our journey in technology,entrepreneurship and faith.
Let's unpack this versetogether.
The phrase let perseverancefinish its work suggests a
journey that is not immediatebut requires time and dedication
.
This verse reminds us that truematurity and completeness in
our personal and professionallives are the result of
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perseverance.
When it comes to technologicalbreakthroughs or successful
businesses, we often don't hearabout the countless hours of
work, the failures, the setbacksand the slow and steady
progress that is perseverance atwork.
This verse also speaks tomaturity and completeness.
In the tech world, a matureproduct is one that has been
tested, refined and improvedover time.
In business, a mature leader orcompany is one that has learned
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to experience, adapt it andgrown.
This maturity and completenessdon't just happen overnight.
They are fruits of perseverance.
Let's apply this to our ownlives.
When we start a new project ora new business, we probably
won't see immediate success.
We may encounter technicalchallenges, market resistance or
even personal doubt.
This is where James 1-4 becomesa guiding light.
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It teaches us that thesechallenges are not the end, but
part of a process that is makingus mature and complete.
Now, when it comes to faith,it's more than just a belief.
It's a trust in God's plan forour own lives, even when the
path is unclear.
This faith inherently demandspatience and a willingness to
wait for God's timing.
Let's look at some real-lifeexamples of Christian
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entrepreneurs and techinnovators who have exemplified
perseverance through faith andpatience.
Truett Cathy, the founder ofChick-fil-A, was far from
immediate success.
He faced numerous setbacks andchallenges, including the
destruction of his firstrestaurant.
Yet he remained steadfast inhis faith and his commitment to
his business principles.
This decision, rooted in hisChristian beliefs, might have
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seemed like a commercialdisadvantage.
However, his patience and faithin God paid off.
Today, chick-fil-a is not onlya successful business, but also
a symbol of the impact ofintegrating faith with business
ethics.
Another inspiring figure isDavid Green, the founder of
Hobby Lobby.
Starting as a small-homebusiness, hobby Lobby grew into
a massive chain of art and craftstores.
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Green's journey was marked byhis strong faith and commitment
to his Christian values,including generosity and
stewardship.
He made bold decisions guidedby his faith, like raising the
minimum wage for his employeeswell above the industry standard
.
His patience and trust in God'sguidance were fundamental to
his success.
As someone deeply immersed inthe tech industry for decades,
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I've witnessed firsthand howtechnology has evolved to
deliver increasingly rapidresults.
This pace of innovation hasaccelerated and shifted our
expectations, and while theseadvancements have brought
numerous benefits, they havealso brought significant
downsides.
One of the primary issues isthe compromise on quality and
sustainability.
In the race to be the fastest,companies often push products to
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the market before they arefully ready, resulting in a
compromise on quality.
As a tech entrepreneur, I'veseen how this rush can lead to a
poorly designed product thatfailed to meet the user needs
effectively.
When the focus is on speed,there's little time for
reflection, iteration and deepunderstanding of the long-term
impact of these technologies.
Another downside to this trendis the impact on our personal
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lives and relationships.
The expectation of instantresponses and constant
availability has led to a worldwhere work-life boundaries are
increasingly blurred.
As someone who's experiencedthe pressure of running a
business, I understand howchallenging it can be to
disconnect and give yourself thetime needed to recharge and
reflect.
The quality of ourrelationships can suffer in this
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environment of instantgratification.
Deep, meaningful connectionsrequire time, patience and
nurturing, which are oftensacrificed in the rush of our
daily lives.
We may find ourselves engagingin more surface-level
interactions, missing out on thedepth and richness that truly
come from investing inrelationships.
Right now, I would like toshare some advice on how we can
cultivate patience andperseverance in our daily lives,
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both personally andprofessionally, and how we can
use technology mindfully tosupport our long-term goals,
rather than falling into thetraps of seek and instant
gratification.
1.
Set Realistic Goals.
In my own journey with Voxbox,setting achievable, realistic
goals was important.
You have to break your biggoals into smaller, manageable
tasks.
This makes the process lessdaunting and provides a clear
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roadmap to follow.
Also, always celebrate yoursmall wins along the way,
because they are the buildingblocks to your bigger wins.
2.
Practice patience actively.
Patience is like a muscle thatneeds to be exercised.
Challenge yourself to take ontasks that require a longer
commitment.
This could be a long-termproject at work or a personal
goal like learning a new skill.
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The key is to stick with it,even when the progress seems
slow.
3.
Embrace challenges.
Challenges are oftenopportunities for growth.
When you're faced with adifficult situation, take a step
back and evaluate what thatchallenge is trying to teach you
.
This mindset has helped menavigate the toughest times in
my own business.
4.
Seek supporting guidance.
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Remember perseverance doesn'tmean you have to be alone.
I advise you to seek guidanceand support from mentors,
colleagues or even friends whoshare your values.
Their perspective andencouragement can be helpful
when your patient is tested.
5.
Reflect and meditate.
Regular reflection helps inunderstanding the journey you're
on as a Christian.
Prayer and meditation on thesescriptures have been my source
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of strength and patience.
Study practice that helps youreflect on your progress and
realign with your long-termgoals.
6.
Conscious use of technology.
Technology is a tool and, likeany tool, how we use it matters.
Always be cautious of howtechnology affects your daily
routine.
Does it help you achieve yourgoals or does it distract you?
Make deliberate choices abouthow and when you use technology.
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7.
Limit distractions.
A step I've taken into accountis to limit notifications on my
devices.
This simple action reducesconstant interruptions and
allows me to focus on the taskat hand, creating a deeper level
of concentration and patience.
8.
Use technology to trackprogress.
There are numerous apps andtools designed to help with goal
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setting and tracking progress.
Use these tools to setlong-term goals and monitor your
steps towards achieving them.
9.
Educate yourself continuously.
Use technology to learn andgrow.
Listen to podcasts, take onlinecourses or join webinars that
align with your goals.
10.
Digital detox Regular digitaldetox can be very refreshing and
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offer a new perspective.
It helps you reconnecting withthe real world and gives a break
from the fast-paced digitallife, allowing you to reflect on
your goals.
Incorporating these practicesinto our daily lives can help in
developing patience andperseverance as we navigate this
world of instant gratification.
Let's remember the mostrewarding achievements come from
a journey marked by patience,persistence and mindful use of
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tools at our disposal.
As we draw to a close on today'sepisode, I want to leave you
with some words of encouragementand motivation, especially for
those of you who are navigatingthe challenging waters of
technology, entrepreneurship andfaith in a world that's
obsessed with the idea ofinstant gratification.
Throughout my journey withVoxbox, there have been
countless moments of doubt,uncertainty and impatience, but
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each of those moments taught meto trust in God's timing and
plan.
Remember God's timing isperfect, even when it doesn't
align with our expectations ordesires.
There's a plan for each one ofus, and sometimes that plan
requires us to wait, endure andpreserve.
So when you find yourselfgrowing impatient or discouraged
by the pace of your progress,remember to take a moment to
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pause, reflect and realignyourself with this truth.
Now let's end this episode witha prayer.
If you're in a place where youcan close your eyes and focus, I
invite you to join me.
Heavenly Father, we come beforeyou today grateful for your
blessings you have bestowed uponus and the journey you have set
on us.
In a world that often rushes usto demand instant results, we
ask for the strength and graceto embrace the virtue of
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perseverance.
Lord, help us to remember thatour path and success are not
defined by the speed of ourachievements, but by the depth
and integrity of our journey.
Teach us to value the process,to learn from our experiences
and to grow through ourchallenges.
Grant us the patience to waitfor your timing, to trust your
plan and to understand thatsometimes the best things
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require time to unfold.
Help us to remain steadfast inour faith even when the road
ahead seems uncertain ordifficult.
Guide us in using the tools andtechnology around us mindfully
and purposefully, not as meansfor instant gratification, but
as instruments to achievelasting and meaningful outcomes.
And finally, lord, fill us withyour peace and perseverance.
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Let us be the light in thisworld, reflecting your love,
patience and strength in allthat we do.
In Jesus' name, we pray Amen.
Thank you for tuning in to TechAlmighty.
I'm Al Ware and it's been ablessing to discuss this
critical aspect of embracingperseverance in a world of
instant gratification.
Join me next time for moreinsights where technology,
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business and Christianityconverge.
Until then, keep striving forexcellence in all you do.
God in my faith.