What's the secret to operating a successful multi-million dollar business with a four hour work day?
Entrepreneur and consultant Augie Turak suggests looking to the 1500-year old monastic tradition followed by the Trappists of Mepkin Abbey for answers.
His recent 4-part article "Business Secrets of the Trappists" on Forbes.com reminds us how much time and energy is claimed by a fear-based environment:
"All too often our organizations fail to reach their potential because people spend too much time looking over their shoulders."
And another false path energy-waster:
"Even the greatest ideas eventually come down to personal accountability ... and one of the biggest mistakes we can make is assuming that our own transformation depends on the other guy, whether that other guy is in the next cubicle or the corner office."
The solution is not an quick fix:
"A monk's formation is not limited to training sessions and inspirational speeches. Formation is a continuous process of peer-to-peer coaching and acculturation ..."
But for those of us wanting meaning and purpose, we might try a bit more Ora et Labora (Pray and Work).
The entire article is worth a read: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
