48 Ways to Wisdom: Way #16 - The Business of Living

This is a regular feature on Winds of Change. Every Friday (for Friday evening begins the Jewish Sabbath), we cover one more way to wisdom from Rabbi Noah Weinberg. These materials are written by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, but are written in such a way that they retain their value no matter what creed you follow.

Think of it as a gentle and modern way of sharing 5,000+ years of accumulated wisdom.

This week's entry talks about the way we live our lives:

"Would you rather be rich or wise? Wise, of course. So why do we pursue money with more zeal? Because money is more real to us. The key is to take that motivation for money, and apply it to the more meaningful aspects of life: relationships, spirituality.

If your business is worth it, then certainly "You, Inc." is worth it, too. Deal with yourself as if you're a big business. Examine how you strive to make a dollar, and seek wisdom in this same way. Apply business principles to living."

1. Operate Efficiently
2. Commit to the Goal
3. Strategic Planning
4. Keep an Accounting
5. Maintain Quality Control
6. Invest Long Term
7. Test Market
8. Inventory Control

The close is a story, "Elijah and the Fisherman." I won't spoil it for you with a preview, go read it for yourself.