With the advancements in technology, there's no wonder as to why: "Shape Up or Ship Out", can be easily applied to the tech industry. The market aside, it's all about consumption and being up to snuff providing what people want. Some whizzbang product can literally be here today (i.e. relevant) and gone tomorrow (e.g. Desktop PCs). Even with the "Internet of Things", we have quickly gone from being merely consumers (of what's provided by Internet companies) to more heavily geared toward being producers of content for consumption (i.e. Everybody wants to be the next YouTube star).
Why do companies fail? Is it the increased competition? Could it be a lack of innovation? Perhaps they don't have what it takes. RIM (Research In Motion) the makers of BlackBerry have learned this the hard way. They've finally decided to make adjustments to get back in the game, but it may be too late. Even having contracts with large customer bases such as the Department of Defense, RIM's chances of survival are slim-to-none.
Update: DoD Widens RIM's Original Stronghold
What does RIM, the consumer market, and in particular cell phones have to do with anything? Absolutely everything. At one point BlackBerry was on top in the mobile market. A king if ever there was one. So popular the platform and hardware devices were, they became known as Crackberries, alluding to the addiction. It's presence infused an increased need to have access to email, after all the original purpose was for it to provide a way of reading electronic mail as well as staying in touch and doing other things like games. Of course in today's world we have drastically surpassed what once was. RIM rode the wave as long as they could until the new kids on the block (i.e. Android and Apple's iPhone) came into play. RIM didn't have a response and thought they could continue "business as usual" without any consequences or repercussions to their bottom line. And so the story went that they suffered and continue to do so in some aspects. Windows has now entered into the fray to try and carve some of the market share out for Microsoft.
Let's turn this situation on its head for a second. We know that RIM stayed with a model and business plan that eventually cost them greatly, and depending on how the future plays out, could be the proverbial nail in the coffin. They "went hard" and it wasn't the best choice for them*. Now, in place of RIM let's think of ministry and our willingness to go hard (i.e. Grind, be fully focused, etc.). Ministry in this context, in its basic form, is service. Continuing on this journey of changing thought, how about we say that RIM now stands for Reckless in Ministry. To this effect I'd like to briefly share with you:
Reckless in Ministry: What Going Hard is Not
*To go hard is a colloquialism for putting in a lot of effort/time/resources/energy
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 (NIV) #VerseofReflection16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
There's something refreshing about boasting in your weaknesses, because of what God has done and continues to do through you. So, we know I had a myriad of health issues (which turned out to actually be few in number). There was also growing in understanding of what makes for healthy lifestyle choices such as sleep, proper stress control/reduction, and setting boundaries for one's self. Lastly, taking the opportunity to address any imbalances as soon as possible rather then later has been an important concept as well.
For many younger people...I'd say mostly those in the millennial generation, we've been submerged with this idea of grinding, going hard, puttin in work, and the list goes on. Sometimes it's in an effort to outdo other people. In many cases it's as simple as the paper chase. There's the notion of "sleeping when you die" all the way to risking whatever it takes to be on top. All of these are similar themes touched on up to this point.
What happens when we approach everyday life like this? How about if it's something as simple as being a personal care giver to someone? (Oddly enough many care givers don't properly take care of themselves) Maybe we constantly find ourselves as that "friend" who is always giving counsel and advice to others. We're always there for others. Giving others what they need, without necessarily taking into consideration what we need. It's all in the name of helping, hoping, and having these people's backs. The sad part is, in some cases, as rare as they may be...we'll go home, to a quiet place, take a break; no one has our backs. Can you blame them? Look at how hard we go in ministry. Who would willingly subject themselves to that type of pain and suffering.
There are times in life when we will have periods of overwork, lack of sleep, and really grind it out due to the circumstances which surround us, goals that we have set, and deadlines fast approaching. The key is to make sure that we have people around who will keep us accountable. Folks who will call us up, sit us down, and say, "Have you rested today?" See, the recklessness in ministry comes from constantly going, always doing, and never stopping. Even worse not having a clue of when to stop. When I was younger it was about putting as much into the 24 hours as possible. Now that I've gained wisdom and understanding, it's about doing as much as I can and only that which is necessary. It really is that simple.
And for simplicity sake I'm going to stop right here. It's okay to go hard, but don't do it recklessly. Set a goal, have people hold you accountable, and continue to minister. People say, "Like mother like daughter", "Like father like son." Well, unfortunately for me, I'm like both my parents. My father a somewhat former workaholic (although I don't have "enough" evidence, so it's just a premise at this point) and my mother...well, one who learned the hard way of what "going hard" in ministry is not. I too have learned this lesson, partially because I needed to suffer and partly because I need to prevent you from going too hard.
Wishin' you well in your ministry and service to others. Praying you don't get reckless.
GraceNPeace,
liMitz
P.S. If you find this helpful share it with a friend (or two). No use being the only one who isn't reckless. You'll still be by your lonesome :-p
Sumthn2Ponder (s2p):
- Do I engage in forms of ministry?
- Have I been going hard in service to others?
- Are there ways I can curb my "recklessness"?
In case you need it
Ooh Aah (Grits ft. Toby Mac) Lyrics
Slow it Down (Sho Baraka ft. Trip Lee)
