Finding Meaning

When Forest Gump’s mother told him that life was like a boxful of chocolates, Forest in his innocence immediately believed and understood what his mother meant.  And through his life, naive though he was, Forest lived a rich and meaningful life.  And his secret was plain and simple. He was focused and determined.

Today, focus is a difficult thing to achieve, with the many distractions that come our way. Even in starting a business. We want so many things, and because of this, we end up always starting. Shifting from one thing to another. Not because we are discouraged. In fact, some are too excited to do so many things at one time that they fail to finish anything.

When I was evaluating what business to get into, I found myself consulting so many people. Picking on their experiences and building my dream occupation in my mind. Then what my entrepreneurship teacher told me years ago on choosing my business based on what I really love to do. It has to be fueled by passion.

Deep desire for something drives one to pursue whatever it is one loves. But I realized loving something may not be enough. What sustains what one loves doing is its significance on others. That positive impact that does not only bring the dough but also brings out that joy and fulfilment of being able to somehow reach others and multiply that happiness by making others too.

The immediate return is when one is able to allow another person to have a job.  Being able to provide income to someone who will also help you generate more resources is a good first step in finding meaning. Going beyond viewing an employee as just that will fan both your and his motivation. Because it will not be enough to just feed him. You will know that as you do so, you are also contributing to his family’s table.

But that would not be enough. That person should also be able to embrace the value of “significance”. He must also appreciate the offer you are making and understand his contribution to your business and your contribution to the betterment of his life, without it being rubbed in.

It is important to align and ensure that your vision is shared by your staff.  That your values are relevant to them and that they can commit to helping your business grow because they will grow with it.

When I was a kid, I noticed how many of the Chinese panceterias (restaurants) were manned by aging waitresses and cooks. Then one of my friends who runs one told me that most of their people have been with them for some time. They were like family to them already. And some of the retired ones were even replaced by their children.

I experienced how my friend’s parents would treat their workers. There was mutual respect. And before every start of business, they would gather to pray. Prayers were simple. That they would have more customers. That plates would not break.  That the kitchen sink would not act up. And that they would be delighting the people they would serve.

Through these simple gestures we can find commitment, love for work, and loyalty. The repartee in the kitchen showed teamwork in chaotic harmony.

I think that is why Forest was able to earn so much from his shrimp buckets.  because he was able to comprehend the worth of each human being, like the different flavors of his chocolates.