Escaping “Little Box” Mentality

NOTE: Enjoy this guest post by Krista Dunk, Co-Founder of Koinonia Business Women, twitterer and blogger.

As Christian business owners, we need to both mature, personally, and gain business skills based on the wisdom of God. That process certainly has had its ups and downs, victories and lessons! It will require gaining and escaping certain things, such as traits and mind-sets. One mind-set that holds many business owners and managers back is “little box” mentality. Most of us have a little box where we think all our resources live – all of our skills, abilities, knowledge, finances, opportunities, personality traits, future prospects, talents, etc. Although the little box can hold us back, it is comfortable and familiar. Sometimes we just can’t see beyond its boundaries.

Think about this:

• What limits have you (or others) placed on yourself?
• What limitations do you associate with yourself?
• Which part of who God says that you are, don’t you believe yet?
• Can you set goals without having every detail perfected first?
• Can you visualize an abundant future no matter what your present looks like?
• Can you brainstorm business ideas without limitation?
• Do you recognize resources that are not under your complete control?

Be conscious of whether or not you are placing limits on yourself. What you think you can do (skill sets, knowledge, success potential) is often rooted in your past. People tend to pull from their own ideas and experience about what is possible. How about tapping into what God says is possible!

I’m not assuming to say that you can go out and perform brain surgery today, design a 10-page website or write the next #1 hit worship song. It’s true that no one is good at everything, nor are we supposed to be. Each of us has different talents, skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses to work with and that is exactly how God designed us.

Let’s move the box out even a bit further with this next thought...

As a Christian, you are part of the Body of Christ. Romans 12:4-5 says, “Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.”

The Body of believers makes up God’s “church," not a building with four walls. Since you are a part of the Body that is working together, what strengths can you draw upon from the other “members”? You have power to rely on from the rest of the Body!

Let your mind explore that thought for a while and understand the resources available within the Body.

Other people have knowledge when you need ideas. Others have strength when you feel week. Others have found a way out of your same situation before when you are feeling stuck. Others have services and businesses that can assist yours. Others will offer referrals and networking when you have a dry spell. You don’t need to pull from your own ideas (your little box) about what is possible! God doesn’t have any box. In fact, His Word says that “with God, all things are possible”. Take the limits off and bust through that little box mentality! You have Kingdom resources available to you today!