One of the things I’ve been working on recently is an online course for piano teachers who are just starting out and want to build their teaching business with clarity, purpose and confidence.

The course starts with 3 things to focus on:

Why do you want to start a piano teaching business?

What are your values?

What is your vision for your business?

Three simple yet complicated questions. Questions we can ask ourselves no matter what we start. Whether it is writing a book or opening an ice cream shop. These are fundamental. These questions help us to reveal what is already shaping our decisions: our motives, our priorities, and the picture we carry of what is possible. Bringing these things to the Lord early, gives our work deeper meaning, holding it together better than ambition alone.

Have you ever asked yourself these questions?

Recently, one of those questions about vision became very personal to me.

It started with a random picture that came up on my desktop of a tree in the middle of a tea plantation. I asked the Lord what the significance of this picture was and what He wanted me to see?

The foundation

The rows of tea plants around the tree were ordered, cultivated and cared for, but the tree was different: settled, rooted and flourishing. The tree in the middle represented our household and businesses. We should make sure that our foundation is built on Christ. That our roots have grown deep into the Lord. This is the start. Without a firm foundation, no matter what we build, it will go down in the end. Crumbling under the weight of pressure. The fruit of our labour is evident by the soundness of our foundation and weight reveals what our roots are holding on to.

Why we start things and what our values are, is part of those building blocks. If our motives are right and our hearts are in the right place, then the Lord will bless our efforts.

Proverbs 3:6 KJV “In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.”

Our values will be shaped through what we believe. If we choose to honour God and treat others with value and dignity, we will know the difference between wise and unwise decisions, we will do business with others who are like-minded and we will experience prosperity. Our values will determine what we say yes to, how we set boundaries, how we handle money and how we will treat the people God brings across our path.

When challenges come, we will have a firm foundation in Christ. Our identity in Christ, believing who God says we are, will determine whether our foundation will remain strong.

A business build on Christ will show its foundation in its decisions.

The layout

Having a vision for our business, book or song, helps us to move forward with direction and purpose. When we ask the Lord to place his plans in our hearts, He leads us into places we never expected. He opens new doors of opportunity as we follow where he is leading us.

Ephesians 3:20 KJV “Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

Having the right motives, allowing God to grow your character and pursuing Godly vision can create open doors that no one will be able to shut. The question is whether we will obey and follow where He is leading us through the Holy Spirit.

Our own limiting thoughts are what holds us back. Our fear of failure keeps us from stepping out into the unknown.

The Lord has shown me that he has multiple income streams available for us, but in the end, it will be up to us to pursue the dream, consecrate our hearts, and embrace opportunities that grow our character and align our values with the will of God. We need to depend on the Holy Spirit to guide us and not let the thoughts that sound responsible on the surface, thoughts such as I am not experienced enough, or I do not have the right resources, or what if I start and fail, carry more authority than where the Lord is inviting us to step into.

To what extent are you prepared to be pruned? To what extent will you let your faith be increased?

Like this tree planted in the middle of the plantation, we can grow strong and flourish if we submit wholly to the Lord.

May your eyes be opened to see where the Lord wants you to step out and start something new.

Catherina

Thinking of starting your own business? Have a listen to this podcast episode about Your Why, Your Values and Your Vision to inspire you.