Lean and Mean…. What does it mean? We’ve all heard it, I’m sure, but have you ever stopped to think…what does it really mean?
Let’s analyze it for a moment. When I first went into business for myself…. I did “everything” myself. It’s not that I didn’t think that I could afford to hire someone else to help me; rather, I didn’t want to “miss-use” my initial profits on UN-NECESSARY frivolous overhead. I’m…thinking….. Why would I pay someone to do what I can do myself? I’m not CHEAP…. I’m thrifty….or frugal. So, you could say…I was operating “lean.” The fact is… I’ve operated LEAN for the last 30 years. When I operated other people’s business (prior to going into business for myself), I ran their business the same way….LEAN. And, because I did…..because I operated it “lean”….that would imply to some… that I was “mean.”
I learned something from those years….I was successful because I was operating other people’s business….LEAN and MEAN. I had a direct and beneficial effect on the bottom line. And, if “they” thought that was being mean….well that was their problem. I couldn’t do anything about what they thought…. So I learned to IGNOR what other people thought.
Back to my own business…. I’ve operated my business “lean and mean” for 30 years. Just think….. If… by doing it “that way,” that I was able to SAVE, say, $50,000.00 per year…. Over the last 30 years…. You do the math. Am I being mean because I operate my business efficiently, maybe more so than the other guy? Too bad for them….good for me… too. If you are EVER thinking about being your own BOSS…. Owning your own business; then believe me…. You’ll figure out what “lean and mean” is all about. Just last week…. I climbed up on the roof of one of my rental buildings, and repaired a roof leak myself…. Saving about $500.00. I can’t help it…. I’m “lean and mean” and I’m PROUD for it.
When you STOP and THINK about it…. John the Baptizer was “lean and mean,” too. Read up on his life-style, and you’ll see what I mean. Many of the biblical characters …. Of faith…. Were also, lean and mean. And the ultimate… was Jesus Christ Himself. Anyone…. Bible scholar, or not…. Knows enough about the Gospel of Christ… to KNOW that He operated “His Business” lean and mean.
After all…. He fed 5000 people (not counting women and children) with just 5 fish and 2 loaves of bread…. And had many baskets left over. He cured the sick and lame, and raised the dead…. With just a word….or two….”Get up and walk.” And remember, Jesus…. Just one Person, in the form of the Son of God…..died for “all the sins,”…. for…. “all of mankind.” Just one Man…..died for the sins of 35 Billion people…so far.
And, He said….in Luke 23:33-34 – When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus operated “His Business” with very few words, but with precision, and exactness.
….Blessings…cjlb…12/11/14
Photo Credit: leanblog.org
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