“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.”
Genesis 1:2 KJV
In the continuation of our exploration of entrepreneurship from my series “God is an Entrepreneur” from my free ebook, let’s delve into more details on a crucial aspect often overlooked in entrepreneurship: research.
Drawing parallels to Genesis 1:2, where the earth was without form and void, we see a vivid reflection of the initial stage of every entrepreneurial venture. It signifies the lack of clarity, where important aspects like business processes, models, and revenue streams remain obscured. However, just as God moved upon the face of the waters, entrepreneurs must move upon the face of their waters (engage in research) so they can get equipped with the various resources to navigate their sphere effortlessly.
The “face of the waters” encapsulates the vast expanse of knowledge waiting to be explored. When you look critically, the word “waters” from the sentence and a logical standpoint means more than one water, so much like the lessons from Austin Kleon’s book “Steal Like an Artist,” successful research doesn’t entail direct replication, but rather drawing inspiration from diverse sources. It was famously mentioned in his book that when you steal from one source it is plagiarism but when you steal from multiple sources then it is creativity — In biology, cell theory is a scientific theory first formulated in the mid-nineteenth century, which states that organisms are made up of cells, that they are the basic structural/organizational unit of all organisms, and that all cells come from pre-existing cells — so the key lesson from this thinking isn’t to be a thief or some copycat but that you don’t always need to reinvent the wheel, but rather glean insights from across various spheres, ideas, cultures, races, demography, and perspectives that exist already because like they say, there is nothing new under the sun unless of course you seek knowledge above the sun.
To research effectively, one must not rely on a single source, but amalgamate knowledge from various channels. Just like a snippet of Steve Jobs’ quote - “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future” — assures us our dots will eventually connect, but the question is what is the quality of the dots that will eventually connect in your life?
FRAMEWORK TO SUCCESSFULLY STEAL LIKE A CREATOR.
To embark on successful research, we can draw inspiration from the holistic approach demonstrated by God through learning as he moved upon the face of the waters. Similarly, it’s essential to cast a wide net when seeking knowledge. Personally, I employ a structured method by identifying the top 12 thought leaders in my industry and discovering the 12 individuals they admire and follow. From there, I delve into the 12 types of content they consistently recommend and consume, with a special emphasis on books. I created a detailed timetable and plan for a year-long study of these materials. While this framework demands a long-term commitment, after a decade of dedicated engagement, one finds themselves immersed in a vast sea of diverse knowledge. It’s important to note that while initially, perspectives may be borrowed, over time, they amalgamate and evolve into a unique perspective forged from this extensive experience. Additionally, invaluable insights can be gleaned from the stories and teachings of figures like God, Jesus, and those who worked alongside them, both directly and indirectly. This multifaceted approach ensures a well-rounded and robust foundation for continuous learning and growth.
As entrepreneurs, the journey doesn’t end with the launch of a venture. Research and Development (R&D) should be an ongoing process, embedded in the company’s DNA. Just as God’s creation didn’t culminate in a single day, we as entrepreneurs should never cease learning and researching. It’s through this perpetual quest for knowledge that businesses evolve, adapt, and thrive.
In conclusion, illiteracy isn’t typically the inability to read or write but the inability to learn, unlearn and relearn. “God did Research” is a potent reminder that research isn’t merely a phase in entrepreneurship, but a continuous lifeline. By embracing the uncertainty and obscurity of the entrepreneurial journey, and actively seeking knowledge, entrepreneurs can sculpt their ventures into resilient, innovative, and thriving enterprises. So, let research be your guiding star, illuminating the path to success in the dynamic world of entrepreneurship.
Thank you for reading! ❤️ May God bless you. If you feel blessed and want to support my writing, you can through the link below.
Please feel free to leave a comment, like, share, and stay blessed — Eltaikun.
