When Your Work Isn’t Paying Off (Business Devo)

The Growtime Show

Reference

Isaiah 49:1-6 (Isaiah's Calling and Mission)

Subtitle

Feel like you're working harder than everyone else but seeing fewer results? You're not alone. Using Isaiah's powerful story of waiting and preparation, we unpack why some of the most talented leaders face seasons of hiding - and how this protection might be the very thing preparing you for something greater than you imagined. Discover why your current frustration could be setting you up for unprecedented success.

Summary

When you're pouring everything into your business or calling but not seeing the results you expected, it's easy to feel like you're laboring in vain. This episode dives deep into Isaiah 49:1-6, revealing a powerful framework for understanding seasons of waiting and apparent failure in your journey. Through Isaiah's story, we discover how what feels like being "hidden in the shadows" might actually be divine protection and necessary preparation for greater impact.

We explore four critical phases in every leader's journey: calling, gifts, preparation, and protection. The fascinating paradox is that what feels like delay or denial might be the very thing preventing premature success from becoming your worst nightmare. Using real-world examples from sports, entertainment, and business, we illustrate how timing is everything - and how rushing to success without proper preparation often leads to catastrophic failure.

Most importantly, we unpack the counterintuitive truth that your current frustration might be protecting you from a success you're not yet equipped to handle. Through Isaiah's example, we learn the delicate balance of owning your greatness while remaining humble, and why maintaining belief during waiting seasons is crucial for eventual breakthrough. If you're questioning whether your time will ever come or feeling discouraged by others' faster progress, this episode provides both practical wisdom and spiritual encouragement for your journey.

Top 3 Growth Tips

• Own Your Greatness Without Fear - Don't confuse false humility with godliness. Acknowledging and developing your God-given talents isn't pride - it's stewardship. Honest self-awareness of your gifts is crucial for fulfilling your mission. [23:15]
• The Protection of Waiting - What feels like delay might actually be divine protection. Just like Isaiah being "hidden in the quiver," your season of waiting could be preventing premature success from becoming a catastrophic failure. [35:42]
• All Work Works - Every effort either produces results or produces growth in you - usually both. Stay diligent in your waiting season, focusing on maturing your skills and character rather than just rushing to the outcome. [48:30]

For more tips, discussion, and behind the scenes:

• Follow us on Instagram @iamKenOtt
• Watch us on https://www.youtube.com/@KenOtt

About Ken Ott:

Kenneth Ott is an owner of multiple businesses, entrepreneur, husband, father, and Christian leader. Ken is the co-Founder of Metacake, an Ecommerce Growth Team and Dough Capital. Ken is an author, speaker, and business coach. To connect or learn more, visit:

• KenOtt.com
• Ken on LinkedIn
• Ken on Twitter/X
• Ken on Instagram
• Ken on Facebook
• Metacake - An Ecommerce Growth Team
• Dough - We own amazing DTC brands
  
  

Show Highlights

[00:45] Welcome to the Business Devo where we explore God's principles for living a high performance life

[02:30] "The challenge is when you have those qualities, especially at an early age, it can be kind of a discouraging road because you're always waiting for it to happen."

[05:15] Ken shares personal experiences with people questioning his constant drive for more

[08:45] "Your desires are your calling. Like that feeling that you have is the calling."

[12:20] Breaking down Isaiah's bold declaration and what it means for modern leaders

[15:30] "Those desires are indications of calling. All talents are indications of calling."

[18:45] The importance of making space for silence and reflection

[22:10] Discussion of false humility versus genuine confidence

[25:30] "Owning your greatness, I've talked about this concept before, Isaiah owns his greatness to a great degree."

[28:15] The challenging but necessary process of preparation

[31:45] "Maybe being in the shadow of God's hand was a good thing at the time."

[35:20] Real-world examples of premature success leading to failure

[38:45] The Groupon restaurant analogy and lessons about scaling too quickly

[42:10] "When the time is right, the result is better than you could have imagined."

[45:30] The principle that "all work works" and its implications

[48:15] Ken shares the story about the new building acquisition

[51:30] "What I think is the best is not the best. And what I think is right is not necessarily right."

[54:20] The importance of rest while waiting

[57:45] "You can't allow discouragement and waiting in vain to make you question the promise."

[59:30] Final thoughts on accelerating the plan through wisdom and maturity