A Business Lesson from Moses

“Finally, he erected the Courtyard all around The Dwelling and the Altar, and put up the screen for the Courtyard entrance. Moses finished the work.” – Exodus 40:33 (MSG)

I was reading my Bible last week (okay, technically, I was reading my Bible app) when I found myself stuck on this particular passage. Specifically, I kept focusing on one sentence:

“Moses finished the work.”

In this chapter, Moses is setting up the tabernacle just as God had instructed him. Moses could’ve said, “Hey, God! You created the entire universe. Why do you need me? Just snap your fingers and set up your own tabernacle!”

But Moses didn’t do that. Moses finished the work.

When Tim or I do a speaking engagement or workshop we usually begin by saying, “If you’re here to learn about a magic marketing pill or secret advertising recipe that will make your business grow overnight, you’ve come to the wrong place. We are the diet and exercise of advertising.”

In other words, we can equip you with the tools, knowledge, and resources…but you have to do the work. Nobody is going to do it for you. You’re not entitled to a free pass. After all, if Moses couldn’t get a Get-Out-Of-Work-Free Card, what makes you think you deserve one?

Do the work.

Will it take longer? Yes.

Will it be more difficult? Yes.

But nobody said it would be easy.

It reminds me of the story of a young female student who approached her college instructor and said, “Professor, what can I do to pass the class? I’ll do anything.”

The professor perked up and said, “Anything?”

The young lady edged closer and said, “Yes…anything.”

The professor motioned for the lady to lean in. He gently put his lips close to her ear and whispered, “Study.”

The magic pill doesn’t exist. Sure, there are gimmicks and sales tricks that may work short-term. But just like the latest diet fad, the more you do it, the less effective it becomes. So you move on to the next gimmick hoping it will succeed. (Spoiler alert: It won’t.)

Stop searching for a sack of magic business beans.

Stop making excuses.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Stop expecting someone else to do it for you.

Do what Moses did. Put on your big boy pants and finish the work.

photo credit: Ivy Nichols via photopin cc