:

Watch Video

A Proper Foundation for a Successful Business and Personal Life - Part 1

by Dr. Ed Becker

Profile on: Ed Becker, co-founder of Econotech Ltd., providing technical support for pulp and paper companies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Faulty Foundation
In Luke 6:48–49, the Bible talks about the importance of a foundation:

“He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

Our foundation is the basis for the priorities in our lives, both at home and at work. Prior to 1977, my foundation was ME; and it was weak and unstable. This adversely affected my business and personal life, which included my relationship with my wife Norma and our children. I thought I had a good life. I was married and had three children. I had a Ph. D. in chemistry and I owned a Canadian company with 50 employees. By many people's standards, I was successful.

But everything in my life was centred on me. I had worked long hours in university to get degrees. When I went to work in industry, I worked even longer hours to get ahead and to obtain recognition. In 1972, I co-founded of a company and spent even longer hours at work. My drive for success was the centre of my life but I neglected my wife and children. My foundation determined the priorities in my life. It looked something like this:

1.      myself
2.      work
3.      wife
4.      family
5.      God (although he wasn't even in the picture)

The result of these priorities was that I worked long hours to get ahead, not because of financial need, but more to satisfy the needs of my own ego. I didn't ask my wife and children if they would rather have me make more money or spend more time with them. I had no proper foundation for ethics in my personal life or for my business. As a result, my company barely survived and there were many conflicts and tensions at work. There was not much peace and joy, just temporary happiness in the few good times. My weak foundation and wrong priorities led to a lifestyle of too much drinking, poor ethical standards, and pride.

  Part 2

 

Go to Top Email this page to a friend!