Unintended consequences…

Every human action produces something. Most productive people I know are always trying to improve their ability to produce something great or at a minimum to produce something they “intend.” Many a good intention produces unintended consequences. This is another fact of nature and one we often miss.

Many leaders are stopped in their tracks when unintended consequences “hit them in the face.” Here’s one of the most telling in history. One of our founding fathers, that is mostly forgotten, was known as the most popular man of his day. He spoke to the biggest crowd recorded at the time…80,000 in Hyde Park. He befriended Benjamin Franklin even though their worldviews were miles apart. He gave his life to his CORE PURPOSES and was by almost all accounts wildy successful. He started orphanages in Georgia and was known as one of the fathers of a radical group that changed the world.

He was also beaten for this same work. Left for dead. Had parts of dead cats and dogs thrown at him during his speeches. He was egged and plastered with rotten food of all types. His best friend turned on him when he was overseas. He was banned from the same places that had previously welcomed him. He was threatened till he died an early death from 13 ocean crossings and 18,000 “field” based sermons.

His name was George Whitefield and his life is chronicled very well in the book titled, Forgotten Founding Father, by Stephen Mansfield. George was a man of great work and great pain.

As you discover, cultivate, and live your strong CORE on your Builder’s Journey do not miss the lesson from another dead George. Your work will not be met by all with what you intended. You will be loved and HATED in this great work. You will be misunderstood and you too will misunderstand. You will fall and fail on this journey. That is what it means to be human.

Do NOT let unintended consequences stop you and your great work. Keep going and remember that these obstacles are simply the price that builder’s pay for trying to do something GREAT.

Carry on my friend.

Carry on.