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This blog post is a personal one, but a reflection that I believe is worth sharing non the less.

Just before Ramadan I got married (to EgyptianGumbo).

After all the excitement and the rush of emotions that led up to it and the first week following it had passed, the world seems so much heavier. I spoke with several married guys to find out whether my feeling of this new reality is unique to me or not.

Turns out its a common feeling, but not without the serenity of a wife to make it all go away when you need it to.

Before I go any further on the personal reflection, lets talk business in light of marriage.

There are three questions that must be answered with total clarity before embarking on a successful journey in any project or business.

• Where are we now?
• Where do we want to go?
• How do we get there?

The last part is the HARDEST to answer because the world is so dynamic.

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LESSON #1 – DUPLICATE YOURSELF

Marriage is a very belittling yet humbling experience. For me it was coming to the realization that I was never Superman and could never fly.

At the same time – my Lois Lane was there to support me and rub my head so I can continue to sweep her off her feet. When she did that all I could care about is making her life as comfortable and easy as HUMANLY possible because she was there when I needed her most.

I was terrified of the thought of the new reality once it set in, but even after it all it was totally worth it. Knowing what I know now, even if I knew I could fly and was Superman, I’d give it up to be married.

Some single guys might think having such a feeling may bring about thoughts such as, “I don’t know if I can do it.” or “What am I doing?” but in truth for me it was, “Man up. She’s counting on you.”

The most empowering feeling is knowing the fact the voice is coming straight from inside you.

My point is: None of us are super-human and we don’t have super powers. Passion and fire lead us to do so much work. We use it to get away from problems. Sometimes to the point where we spread ourselves too thin.

If you don’t realize this then know that your fire will burn out, your business or project will collapse and any opportunity to benefit people for the long term may be lost.

We may not be supermen but we certainly can be knights who lead armies of great men.

Delegate and train leaders who work with excellence. That should be our strategy.

Plans never make it past the front lines. Details will always get lost in the battle simply because the world and your life is always changing and you cannot control it.

What you can control is your ability to respond to the changes with your values in mind and the end goal and objectives in sight.

Keep your objectives broad and your focus sharp. When opportunities present themselves, jump on them like there’s no tomorrow.

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LESSON #2 - SYSTEMATIZE YOUR BUSINESS/PROJECT

You MUST lay down the different gears and pipes in their appropriate places so that the water can flow to the entire nation as opposed to you carrying buckets to a small town.

A pipeline may not be pretty, but neither is carrying buckets.

As a single guy I spent most my time on work and keeping myself busy and away from distractions. Naturally, that led to being spread thin.

As of right now I’m actively engaged in 16 separate projects with Leechon simultaneously. Looking at that now I’m asking myself, “What ever happened to fulfilling your strategic objective of taking on the role of an executive producer?”

I guess whether you’re a hotshot employee who loves his job or your an ambitious entrepreneur with high aspirations, or a humble volunteer for a non-profit organization – know that you are helping in establishing and maintaining a SYSTEM.

Systems – like a car – have gears that move so they can get you from point A to B. There’s a process that takes place when you start a car:

• Turn key to start sparks in engine
• Gasoline in engine explodes turning pistons
• Moving pistons turn gears
• Those gears turn other gears which in the end turn the wheels  – while at the same time pushing waste out of the car’s exhaust.

You need to define the gears of your project/business so that it can be readily duplicated and made into an efficient machine that can move beyond just you.

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For all the married guys out there who have been there and done that. I know I’m a newly wed and I haven’t seen it all nor done it all.

As time progresses my outlook will probably progress on business and life in general. I’ll be sure to share that progress as has I have done so in the past appropriately.