As many of my readers know, I am an Orthodox Jew.
But – I teach Success at the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) and the students are Women and men who are Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Jewish. There are also people who don’t practice anything. So while, we are of different and sometimes radically different faiths, we have things in common. One of them is the goal to be successful.
I have many friends who are of different faiths – some religious and some totally secular.
In many answers to my previous Success Questions, people mention their faith as helping them achieve success.
So lets bring it out into the open.
My short answer-
Some of the ways my faith helps is that it forces me to be aware of Time, provides me family time, teaches me to be careful of how I present myself, and provides a supportive community.
Click here to find the original question and answer on LinkedIn Answers
The Success Stories series provides case studies from people about what it takes to become successful. Each of us is unique in our goals and aspirations, but we have things in common with others. Through the 10,000,000 people in my LinkedIn network we can share ideas and solutions that will help you achieve your goals. While I don’t always agree with all the comments I receive, I include all that are presented coherently and could help at least one of my readers.
The questions have been slightly edited for grammar and presentation. Comments and Kudos, while always appreciated, have been edited out.
President & CEO at Jewish Federation of Greater Houston
My faith is the anchor of my decision making and my commitment to my people and community are the essence of my approach to my work.
There have been several times in my life that I have taken a “leap of faith“. Mostly, they have occurred in the professional arena. I’m not sure when I actually realized that my faith in the universe was strong, in that, I really felt as if everything would be “ok”. Here’s an example. I had an opportunity for the job of a lifetime…with a company that was just what I was looking for. I knew that it was a perfect fit…but I declined the job because the salary was not what I felt I “needed”. The minute I declined the job…I regretted it, in my gut. Not many days later, I called the hiring manager and asked to be reconsidered…I was given a second chance! I would make it work…I knew that the universe would provide for me the additional revenue. Suddenly, odd opportunities presented themselves…and I found that I really didn’t have anything to worry about.
I’m very grateful for all of the opportunities and second chances that I’ve gotten. All I can say is…Let go and let the universe take care of things.
Oracle Performance Consultant. Author: “Snappy Interviews” & “The Art & Science of Oracle Performance Tuning.”
I like what Lee said above. I think “Anchor of my decision making” is a good way to describe my approach. But it also tempers my understanding of what “successful” means. As tempting as it is, I don’t equate success with money or possessions–rather, using my gifts and abilities to their best effect. In some cases, that may mean LESS for me.
I try to organize my entire life around my God-given gifts. It seems to me that is what I am called to do.
Educator – Reading Coach – Business
My faith has helped me to be successful because I am reminded at least 5 times a day that this life is only temporary. My faith is helping me find more rewarding work for now and for the second half of life’s journey.
It has helped lead me to exciting new people and challenges in a rather difficult country, where I had never planned to reside. My faith is helping me feel connected to others, new and old acquaintances, where I had previously felt alien. Without faith, any ‘success’ in life all for naught.
Principal of Alvalyn Creative. Designing Influence: Graphic and Web Design, Illustration, Photography
My faith is the reason for my decisions. If I didn’t believe what I believe, my decisions would probably be very different. My faith reminds me to keep the bigger picture in mind and so the little things are not so bothersome; they’re more like challenges than roadblocks. It also reminds me that I’m not in this alone, and I’m here for a reason. I have purpose and that helps me focus on the essentials and let go of things that don’t matter.
Daybreak Counseling Service- Anger Management Classes
My faith was the launching point for my business. It muted the echoes of fear and insecurity. My faith has sustained me when critics and creditors spewed a paralysing venom. My faith constrains me when I am tempted to abandon integrity for the lure of profit. My faith humbles me in seasons of great prosperity.
Head of legal department, Vice President
I don’t really know, because it’s the deep spiritual question and I’m just the ordinary human being. It just happens, but how…it’s hard to explain. Faith is something you can’t explain by the reason.
Learning Technologies Specialist, Sr. Software Engineer at Mission Aviation Fellowship
I’ve worked in IT since 1990, including running my own business for about 10 years. I have been successful at least from a financial perspective. But is that really success?
We just became missionaries with Mission Aviation Fellowship, Learning Technologies. I’ve taken more than a 50% pay cut, but now the actual work I’ll be doing will matter. For a long time, I thought running a successful business was what I really wanted; that was success. But here I am—a missionary—with a wonderful marriage and great kids. God has truly given me the “desires of my heart” ( Psalm 37:4).
It took a lot of faith to make this change. But now I’m pursuing true success.
Author, Artist, Director of Business Development (byorum@netzero.net)
I put my faith in the people I interact with. I have faith that they are good, honest people with positive intentions. In most cases, this has led to successful engagements and results. In turn, I find those that I have faith in also have faith in me. In some instances, my faith has been taken advantage of and squandered. It has hurt, but it’s ok, because it tells me who should not belong in my life.
Pre-Sales Engineering Consultant for IP Performance Ltd
I appointed Faith as my Management Agent. Never combine business with pleasure. After I became successful, I didn’t need Faith anymore, so I fired her (and she divorced me). Cleaned out, I found solace in Hope, but that didn’t work out either. After a recent recruitment drive in Bangkok, I now rely on Wing and a prayer, but I’m not holding my breath…
Owner, 31 corp
Faith has become my total life. I have been blessed in so many ways after living a self centered life for over forty five years, now ever day is wonderful because my life is now about serving others. I have started a company to help others and It has be one of the greatest joys of my life. I never lost faith that something good was going to come into my life but I destroyed two marriages because it was all about me. Being sixty 66 and having a son that is eight has brought new meaning to my life plus my wonderful wife of twenty five years has been the support that I needed. You can read about what Gods plans are for me at www.31corp.com
Get a Free Listing in Our Directory onlinebizdirect.com. Helping Businesses Do Business Online.
My faith is in God alone. He’s not my coach to help me achieve my next goal, my magic genie when things get tough or my line of credit when I’m in need. Success for me goes way beyond salary, career or estate. It is simply to complete His plan for me. He is my ultimate goal – my reason. All of my decisions, life and business, need to reflect that.
Experienced Manager and Professional Sales Executive
I am in the Sales Business and I find myself constantly having to tell my self “You Can Do IT” It helps to believe that you will succeed.
Sourcing Guru & Recruiting Consultant
Faith has helped me in many ways I think the most important thing has been the gift of perspective.
I often ask myself, ‘when I stand on the edge of eternity what will matter?’ This has both allowed me to stay calm in extremely stressful situations where others around me were panicked, and also helped me to realize what the true measure of success is in life.
My relationship with God has enabled me to take things in stride, live free from fear/stress, and have the foresight to put others first. This has really helped me make good decisions in my life and career and made me the person others seek out when they are in need.
This attitude has also brought me many promotions and accolades. I didn’t have to go out and fight to climb the ladder of success, it came to me as a result of doing the right thing for the right reasons… even if no one notices.
Project Manager at Avantica Technologies
I think having faith is a way of always being positive, so if you have faith that you are going to succeed than you will, because you are believing in yourself and believing that everything is going to be OK, because there is someone up there helping achieve what you want the most.
Also, when you are positive you are clearing your mind of bad thoughts that would only get in your way.
So, have faith, be positive and work hard to succeed!
Marketing Coordinator at GVA, Inc.
My faith in God grounds me, gives me a foundation and a framework within which to work, and a set of rules in order to play well with others. It helps me to determine what I will and will not do to be successful. It helps me to extend mercy and grace to others – as I have been extended much, much more grace and mercy than I could ever hope to deserve. It helps me to look for the good in others even when (much) digging is required. It demands that I take my eyes off of myself and focus on others – and in helping others to be successful I then become successful in my own endeavours. My faith in God isn’t a guarantee that everything will go right for me and mine, but it does guarantee that whatever He brings me to, He’ll bring me through.
Executive Assistant at NORDAM
My faith helps me on a daily basis because it helps to keep me centered and balanced. There are still bad days, but because I can reach for my faith, I am able to bounce back more quickly.
In the workplace, your faith can help you deal better with difficult personalities and helps you to treat others with kindness. It enables me to see good in others and to forgive transgressions that I might otherwise take personally and as a result, hold a grudge. My faith keeps me from making morally bad decisions and reminds me to be honest in my dealings with people.
Especially, if there is a mistake made on my part. Rather than try to blame it on another or deny it, I am able to pray and then, face up to it. My faith gives me courage. Courage I might otherwise lack. Anyone in the workforce knows that we need courage on most days.
Results Oriented Executive
If one follows the Golden Rule, based upon a certain faith, one can always succeed:
“Due unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
[ZT - Napoleon Hill makes the Golden Rule on of his 16 Lessons in the Law of Success]
Owner, Swisher Enterprises (Landscape Design and Build)
Some of what my faith has taught me that has helped my business is:
- to work hard and not get involved in others’ business and gossip.
- to be wise with my finances and resources
- to be humble
- to be honest
- to believe in myself
I always press on knowing that if I am honest, humble, and wise then I can believe in myself, believe in my service, and people will be helped by what I do. If I stay involved in my area of passion and keep focused on the passion (not the money), then I will be rewarded for what I do.
Owner, Kelly Serrano Communications
My faith reminds me that I am working not for people, but for God, so that I must at least try to hold a higher standard in all my work and maintain integrity in not only my business, but in my personal life. I believe my clients, though they may not know where it comes from, see that difference in me and how I conduct business. My faith also sustains me when business is slow and I’m wondering where the funds will come from to pay the bills; though I consider my business as a success, because I’m still in it and surviving, others may not. But somehow He always takes care of my family, sometimes through an unexpected job; sometimes through a whole rash of them; and sometimes through my husband’s work. Most of all, my faith gives me peace, because I never have to worry (not that I don’t), whatever may happen in my business or life, because His plans for me are for His ultimate good and, therefore, my good, as well. If that means my business will succeed, great! If not, I know He’s got other and better plans for me.
I am also blessed to read how faith impacts the lives and businesses of others. I have learned so much from their answers and hope that my life and business reflect my faith as theirs do.
GM – IT
Faith is like a plant that grows where good deeds act as soil, trust god acts as water, trust in mankind acts as air, trust in self acts as sunlight and “I Can” attitude act as the fertilizer.
Energy expert, educator, award winning sculptor
I have faith in me and what I can accomplish. I have faith in what others can accomplish when mentored and supported. I have faith in civilization and the core instinct for survival that pulls us from the brink of disaster and has for millennia. I have faith in great cup of coffee and a nice piece of brisket. I have faith in the future and the evolution of cultures over time.
I have faith in love, family and friends. And most of all I have faith the great equalizer of all……..natural laws.
Consultancy Microsoft Dynamics NAV (Navision), IT management,interim management, problem diagnosis, freelance
By providing an equilibrium between professional activities and what really should count in life. It is like a reference framework.
Education Management Consultant and Business Coach
I received a card a while back:
“When you come to the edge of all the light you’ve known,and are about to step off into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing one of two things will happen; there will be something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly.” (author unknown at this time)
This pretty much explains how my faith has worked for me all of my life.
There have been times when I get to the edge of my comfort zone, I know I have to move forward, but I am scared; moving forward seems impossible! Then something inside me moves me – I start thinking, saying and doing what I need to do in order to have the best resolution possible. This has resulted in better jobs, friends I can depend on, safe trips, opportunities to serve that I was unaware of in my protected comfort zone.
Enterprise Architect
Faith alone is not the answer. You must pray, fast and be charitable…
IT Professional, Information Security Quality Assurance Operations & Administration / President, CMU SEI LI SPIN
Faith is the reason I have the courage and excitement to take the first step everyday.
For Holistic Business Transformation rajaphale@yahoo.co.uk
Whatever happens, happens for good. Then you have Geeta telling me to do the karma without expecting any fruits of it – a very powerful thought indeed. There are number of such paradigms.
Paradigms on behaviour – do good to others etc are commonly known and help us to be good people, avoiding bad thoughts.
Faith gives me courage, it gives me support during tough times (I have had my share of them and am sure all of us have). As they say in Kathopanishada (an ancient Hindu scripture), logic takes you only thus far, but faith will take you to your ultimate destination.
Experienced Manager of Instructional Designers
As Buddhist, my spiritual path teaches me that all actions have a result. Therefore, I attempt to treat people, both in business and in my personal life, in positive, generous, and kind ways. This seems to be working well for me. My team at work seems very happy, and we enjoy a very positive environment. I am progressing in my career in a way that seems reasonable. I am not saying that I am always able to live up to this standard, but when I do, there seems to be a good result.
Analysed yet thoroughly Confused; The more she learns, the less she knows!!
I am not a Buddhist, just a mixed up woman with leanings that are biased a bit towards Buddhist thought, amongst others. I have a Hindu background. As such, I am steeped in constructivist philosophies up to my ears.
So then, my faith helps me put all setbacks in context. If everything in this life is transient, and socially constructed, then the setback is too. Faith also keeps me grounded during times of ecstasy, because that’s transient and socially constructed too. I am aware that any phenomenon just *is* – and any emotions I associate with it, are my perceptions and constructs….and have the same transience as the phenomenon itself.
Faith keeps me honest, maintains my integrity, enables me to remain connected to other people – friends, families, even strangers. It maintains the tension of uncertainty and not knowing, even an element of fear, for in the absence of uncertainty and fear I would be fearless. When you think about it, fearlessness isn’t such a great thing. Its a place of the divine, of arrogance and hubris. Fearlessness makes one narcissistic and overconfident, and one can only fall from there. So an element of fear is needed to maintain humility and balance.
My faith in the unknown (I’m not religious, but deeply spiritual) keeps me grounded, it makes me who I am.
Author, THE WAY OF LEADING PEOPLE: UNLOCKING YOUR INTEGRAL LEADERSHIP SKILLS WITH THE TAO TE CHING
Faith reminds me that I work for a purpose beyond myself.
Owner/Producer, Two Chocolates Productions – Independent Film Producer; Event Specialist; Human Rights Advocate
My faith in God challenges, encourages, and enables me to work toward goals that are greater than what I can do on my own. My faith in God also reminds me that I am never alone.
Recruiting Management/VP- HomEq Servicing division of Barclays Capital [LION] (catherine.nelson@homeq.com)
Faith is the most important part of my life. What I do in business day to day at work is pay the bills and handle my responsibilities while I am alive to the best of my ability. I try to make sure that my daily interactions at work reflect the values in the faith that I have.
Student
Faith is the most important thing to me in life. My faith has guided me in every direction I have taken, without it I am nothing. It teaches me to be kind to all the people around me friends, family, strangers, whoever it may. To be considerate and respectful of others. Patience when dealing with those I may have a difference of opinion with. Most important how to always put my family first in any situation!!
I wish I could say that I always follow every teaching and lesson my faith has taught me but the reality of life is that sometimes we forget. The important thing is always to return to my faith and I know I will succeed.
Network Specialist III at University of Miami
I don’t have quite enough faith to be an atheist, but I would say that my lack of faith has not impeded my success at all.
Research Associate at Scada Meter Solutions Pvt. Ltd.
Success is a “Byproduct” to a “Faithful Effort” but not the “Target”.
In other words, “Faith” doesn’t end with “Success”.
My “Faith” is the one which considers “Success” and “Failure” at par, but never targets them.
Chief Consumer Coach (CCC) at EXIT3A.com
Faith has helped me to become successful giving me the necessary tools to overcome doubt and to conquer fear. For instance, I always imagined that I’d be a dentist, or an accountant, or maybe even a rock star. Never did I imagine that I’d be a struggling consumer guru. Faith, however, gives me reason to believe that success is just around the corner. Any corner. This is why I get up every morning and get online because one day, one day soon I believe, I will no longer be a struggling consumer coach. I will be a successful consumer coach or at the very least, a consumer coach. “Have faith in yourself, Jonah.” That is what I tell myself every morning, of every day.
Owner/Distributor with SendOutCards
My burning desire is to live a life pleasing to God. If it would not please God, I don’t do it.
Anonymous
I was almost 22 years old, with a 2 month old premature baby, coming out of a physically abusive relationship when I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. I was also a long distance athlete with my first brown in karate when this all occurred over an 8th month period.
I must also say that up until this point I was of the view that a Greater Power did not exist and was merely a concept humans had created to seek solace for our wayward lives.
The gist of it all was that I did a lot of soul searching (not easy), and saw life through different eyes. The beauty of nature, the natural goodness of people-not just the bad. I saw and experienced the unconditional love in the eyes of my family and my little boy (now 16) prayed (literally) against all hope that if there was indeed a Higher Power that he should aid me in clearing the cobwebs from my mind and aid me in making the decision to quit or keep fighting.
I embraced the possibility of the unknown and the gist of it all is that within a relatively short period, I just knew that I was not to quit. All I now can recall is the night it happened. I was traveling as one of last wishes, I lay in bed feeling quite spent and somehow when thinking about all of the dynamics, I knew, that for me it was not an option to quit. Understand that until that point, I had but virtually given up, was furious with ‘God’ and felt it was all very unfair.
I know I sound like I’m rambling, but I took a leap of faith in ‘God’ and that I had a purpose on this earthly plane which I had not yet fulfilled and just embraced it all. I went into remission about 3.5 years later and still am. My son is aged 16 years old, bright as a button and spirited. I never thought prior to this leap that I would even remotely get this far. I slip from time to time and just remember what an amazing experience I had gone through on that occasion – there have been many in my life, but that will have to wait until my blog is published.
I am Hindu and just educating myself about the religion (not the culture/tradition) and embracing it has left me with a fulfilling sense of self, purpose and also made me realize that I am the only one ever limiting myself. It taught me to be accountable and to stand up and be counted. It functions as the backbone of my life without me being a fundamentalist.
Film critic, lecturer, author
I think the question is wrong. I haven’t deepened my Jewish connections and practices to “succeed” in business. That’s a wholly unrelated by-product. (See below.) My “faith” allows me to focus on what’s important and to have some perspective, as well as — one would hope — be ethical.
Since you ask about success, though, I’ll note that as a result of my becoming active in the synagogue, whether learning to lead various services or participating in social activities, I have become well known in the Jewish community. Since one of the things I do professionally is public speaking, being well known is an asset that has led to a number of speaking gigs. But that’s not the reason I am engaged with my faith and it’s not a reason to be involved with any religion.
The analogy, I guess, would be taking regular long walks for exercise and one day finding a dollar on the ground. It’s a nice windfall, but it’s not the *reason* for the walks.
Manager, Training and Development at Markel Insurance Company of Canada
This is an interesting post and brings to mind some articles I read on transformative learning. One in particular- “Nurturing Soul in Adult Education,” by John Dirkx. I’d be happy to share more on the theory of transformational learning with anyone who is interested.
Add your insights and opinions in the comments section below!
Success Stories are part of my Success Through Balance approach to life. I believe that Success comes from living a balanced life. You can read more about being successful and the skills required here.
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