THAT’S what we should maintain in life. We need to develop a keen sense of the purpose of our life and keep it in play in every circumstance and situation of our life. Difficult? For sure. But we can always train ourselves for it.

We are reminded of this fact of life as we approach the end of the liturgical year which somehow signifies the end of life and the end of things in general. Thus, the gospel reading of the 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time tells us of some signs of the end times and of the second coming of Christ who will judge us. (cfr. Mk 13,24-32)

Keeping a purposive life helps us to be realistic and to have a global picture of things, extricating us from our tendency to be easily trapped in some narrow and shallow understanding of our earthly life.

Especially these days when we are enjoying a flowering of technological developments that can easily put us into some silo or filter bubble, we need to have a higher sense of purpose.
Thing is we need to have a higher sense of purpose to truly make use of these technological marvels. I’m afraid that without this clear sense of purpose, more elevated than the usual practical level, we would end up wallowing more deeply in our own world, increasingly insensitive to the ultimate dimension of our life, which is spiritual, moral and supernatural.

In fact, this wallowing phenomenon is what we are seeing these days in the electronic world. What begins as humanly valid practical uses sooner or later deteriorates into inhuman, sinful modes if not animated properly by spiritual and moral values.

There are now a lot of inanities circulated around electronically. Subtle and even open forms of human moral anomalies like vanity, envy, sensuality, greed, egoism, etc., are having a field day in this arena.

These dangers can start with people, especially the young ones, to waste a lot of time and to express and cultivate their youthful weaknesses with nuclear dynamics.

I remember reading an article about the Google CEO warning that young people should be allowed to change their names after some time because they would already have compromised their future with the irresponsible things they have posted on the net. Their cyber past would just be too hot to handle. And with the AI, things can get really bad.

Some great effort is definitely needed here, since first of all, we have to break that deep-seated prejudice against religion when we engage in our earthly, mundane affairs. If we ever talk about religion, we seem to confine it only inside churches and places like those, but not in our secular concerns.

Our sense of naturalness seems to be twisted at the root, since it seems to be incompatible with anything spiritual and supernatural. We need to correct this irregularity, without going to the extreme of behaving in some strange, unnatural way.

A higher and abiding sense of purpose can help us do this. It will enable us to have a sense of unity and continuity among the different elements and the different events in our life, be they good or bad, favorable or unfavorable to us, etc.

When we have love of God as our abiding sense of purpose in our life, we would find it easy to go from one thing to another, no matter disparate they are from each other. We would find meaning in everything, including what we consider to be human disasters in our life.

In the world of entrepreneurship, goals and mindset are the driving forces that propel individuals towards success. Goal-setting provides direction and purpose, while an entrepreneurial mindset fuels innovation and resilience. In this article, we will delve into the significance of goal-setting and cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset and explore how they can pave the way to achievement in the entrepreneurial realm.

Setting goals is crucial for entrepreneurs as it provides a roadmap for success. Without a clear target, entrepreneurs may find themselves lost in a sea of possibilities, lacking focus and direction. Goals act as a guiding light, helping entrepreneurs prioritize their efforts, make informed decisions, and move forward with purpose. They provide a measurable outcome to strive for, allowing entrepreneurs to track their progress and stay motivated along the way.

Effective goal-setting involves several key principles:

1. Be specific: Set clear and well-defined goals that are specific and measurable. Vague or ambiguous goals make it challenging to gauge progress and can lead to frustration. For instance, rather than a general aim like to “boost revenue,” a more precise target would be is to “raise revenue by 20% in the upcoming six months.”

2. Set challenging yet achievable goals: Stretching your limits and aiming high is important for growth. However, setting unrealistic goals can lead to discouragement and burnout. Find the balance between ambition and feasibility to ensure your goals are challenging yet attainable.

3. Break it down: Divide big goals into smaller, manageable steps. This allows for a clear action plan and provides a sense of accomplishment as you reach each milestone. Breaking down goals also helps in managing overwhelm and staying focused.

4. Make goals time-bound: Assign specific deadlines to your goals. This adds a sense of urgency and helps prioritize tasks accordingly. Deadlines create a sense of accountability, pushing entrepreneurs to take action and stay committed to their goals.

Aside from goal-setting, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset is equally crucial for success in the entrepreneurial journey. An entrepreneurial mindset is a set of attitudes and beliefs that fuel entrepreneurial behavior and thinking, enabling individuals to navigate challenges, seize opportunities, and innovate. Here are some key characteristics of an entrepreneurial mindset:

1. Risk-taking and resilience: Entrepreneurs understand that risks come hand in hand with opportunities. They embrace calculated risks and are resilient in the face of failure. Rather than being discouraged by setbacks, they learn from them and use them as stepping stones towards success.

2. Innovation and creativity: Entrepreneurs constantly seek opportunities to innovate and disrupt the status quo. They think outside the box, challenge conventional wisdom, and reimagine possibilities. An entrepreneurial mindset encourages thinking differently and finding unique solutions to problems.

3. Growth mindset: Entrepreneurs have a growth mindset, which is the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. They see failure as an opportunity to learn and grow, and they embrace continuous improvement and personal development.

4. Persistence and determination: Entrepreneurship can be a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs. Entrepreneurs possess unwavering determination and a tenacious spirit. They do not give up easily and are willing to put in the hard work and effort required to succeed.

To cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, it is essential to engage in activities that foster these characteristics. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, seek mentorship and guidance, and constantly seek new challenges and opportunities for growth.

In conclusion, goal-setting and an entrepreneurial mindset are the pillars of success in the entrepreneurial realm. Setting clear goals provides direction, focus, and motivation, while cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset ensures adaptability, innovation, and resilience. By combining these two elements, aspiring entrepreneurs can unlock their full potential and pave the way towards a thriving and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey. So, dream big, set goals, embrace the entrepreneurial mindset, and embark on the path to success.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!

While I am scribbling this column I am on a couch facing 7 Christmas Trees with 6 standing as guards and one huge tree at the center.

The trees were made of mostly red metallic balls painted in red and white. the balls are striped and the huge star on top is lighted like Neon sign.

The most conspicuous sight is the moving feet of the elf with half of the body shoved into the tree while the cute legs move in a rhythmic staccato.

The hotel was bursting with glitters and reds and lights. The sound of Christmas jazz fills the air.

The coolness of the air-conditioned air is simply a respite from the heat outside.

This is Christmas of the modern times. When we look back the real Christmas was nothing compared to the real nativity.

It was a simple and even harrowing event of struggle of trying to find room and board for the possible delivery of a baby.

The couple of Joseph and Mary were not even dressed to the nines.

They were more of strangers trying to survive.

The accommodations were shabby and the co occupants on the barn were livestock like cows and horses with dung and other smell on the air.

The weather outside as Frank would say was frightful and yet the fire was absent and thus, its not delightful.

Cold, damp, cow dung, on top of the ignominious and shabby treatment, its years away from where I am. The beverage list of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks are on sight and suddenly I remember, Jesus was born on a manger.

And that the real Christmas thousand of years back was no not like this.
And yes, I left the lobby and went back to the ball room.

The Real Christmas of which a Savior and Messiah was born, was simple, frugal and shockingly simple.

And as I was leaving i regret taking the first step away from the couch, but I remember Jesus, His was a study of contrast and yet, its His birthday we are pre-celebrating.
Thus, its a sad feeling that ALL these are never, never like His Christmas…