The Mystery of your SEED

Ch a p t e r ni n e INFLUENCING YOUR FUTURE HARVEST The harvest is always in the future and our actions within the period of waiting, as we read in the previous chapter, can influence the outcome of our harvest. Influencing your future harvest means to keep your attention on your perceived and expected future outcomes as you manage your lifestyle, thoughts, actions, behaviour and attitudes both spiritually and mentally with the purpose of eliminating anything that may endanger your seed. This takes conscious effort and personal due diligence. In one of Jesus’ parables He spoke of a man who went out to sow in a field and afterwards in a period of inactivity his enemy came and interfered with his good seed. Matthew 13:24-25 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. We have a responsibility for our own seeds and must give it every attention they require to develop well. For example it is an inappropriate business practice to start a new business and afterwards sit back expecting the business to expand. You will need to influence your harvest by doing some of the following; Constant visits to your business plan Identifying who your customers are Carrying out what your customers like best Know who your competitors are and how well they are performing Listing all the opportunities you have around you Crafting out your unique selling point and know what appeals to your clients or customers Working on your location to make it more appealing Keeping your running cost at the minimum level Evaluating your medium of publicity and its effectiveness Conduct a survey to give your clients a voice and receive constructive feedback to inform future planning and business performance. These are but a few ways by which an assertive and astute business person will do in order to influence their future harvest An individual who works as an employee and considers promotion or salary increase as harvest can make progress by taking actions such as; creating a valuable and needed personality, product or service • in exchange for a purchasing power drawing a career progression or marketing plan • updating yourself with technological changes and knowhow in • your career field future proofing yourself by aligning with key changes introduced • by leadership and management beginning to show or demonstrate the skills required for the next • level above your position in the hierarchy of the organisation