Business Karma: The Sum Of Your Actions

28/12/2023 by Linden Thorp

When I discuss the concept of karma in business, I’m referring to the idea that your enterprise’s fortunes are, in large part, the sum of all actions taken by you and those before you.

It encapsulates the belief that nothing in business happens without a reason and ties directly to cause and effect. Every decision, interaction, and deal you make is a seed planted that will eventually bear fruit.

Recognizing this causality in your business dealings highlights the importance of each choice.

Imagine that every step you take leaves an imprint, which can become part of a path to success or failure.

The actions of our predecessors, those who paved the way before our business took shape, have also left a legacy that continues to influence our journey—this is the ancestral aspect of business karma.

The lens through which we view karma isn’t static; it’s as dynamic as the business world.

BUT the outcomes of our actions might not be immediately apparent.

This delay often leads us to a space where we might feel our endeavours are not yielding results—a state termed ‘bad’ or ‘blocked’ karma.

But patience is critical here, as effects can manifest over time.

Understanding karma also invites us to explore the rigorous laws that govern it.

Ancient wisdom, such as the 12 Laws of Karma in Buddhism, illuminates the intricate balances of cause and effect.

While traditionally spiritual, these laws offer profound insights when applied to business practices and can guide us towards ethical and strategic growth.

Embarking on this philosophical journey into the realm of business karma lays the foundation for the next step: comprehending the temporal nature of consequences and how our present efforts will shape the future of our enterprises. As we transition to the next section, remember the adage ‘slow and steady wins the race’ as a reminder of the patience required to mature good business karma.

☪️ The Temporal Nature of Consequences: Bad, Blocked, and Good Karma ☪️

In business, not every action yields immediate rewards or consequences. That’s the tricky thing about karma: it’s not always linear, and the effects of your deeds, good or bad, can be deferred. This brings us to the discussion of bad, blocked, and good karma, which are pivotal in shaping the trajectory of any enterprise.

👎🏼 Bad karma in the business realm can surface from unethical practices, poor customer relations, or neglecting employee well-being. The repercussions might not be apparent instantly but can gradually erode trust and reputation, leading to long-term setbacks.

🧱 Blocked karma, on the other hand, occurs when positive actions fail to produce results swiftly. It’s akin to planting seeds that don’t sprout right away. Patience is crucial during this phase. Despite the frustrating wait, the fruits of your labour are incubating.

🤙🏼 Good karma is the payoff for consistent ethical behaviour and smart, strategic decisions. It can manifest as customer loyalty, a strong brand, and expansion opportunities. To cultivate good karma, focus on transparent dealings, quality offerings, and stakeholder compassion.

One must understand that time is a dimensional canvas in the business world to navigate these karmic waters. Actions taken today might resonate in the echoing halls of tomorrow’s success or failure. Such is the temporal nature of karma—where patience isn’t just a virtue, it’s a strategic imperative.

🧭 Setting the Compass: Strategic Planning & Patient Execution 🧭

Imagine setting out on a journey without a destination. You’d likely encounter many detours and potentially end up nowhere or, at best, somewhere you never intended to be.

The same analogy applies to business. Setting a clear destination or goal is the foundation of what I call ‘business karma.’

Careful goal setting isn’t just about having targets.

It’s about aligning your actions with your values and your intended impact.

It’s easy to get caught up in rapid execution or the pursuit of instant gratification, but I’ve learned that such impatience often backfires.

It can disrupt the flow of good karma and delay success.

Patience is critical to avoiding these detours.

It helps you avoid hasty mistakes and invest your energy wisely. While it might feel counterintuitive, sometimes, the best way to move forward is to take a step back.

This means thoughtfully considering your strategies and actions and reflecting on their potential long-term effects.

Equipped with a strategic plan and patient execution, you’re not just moving with speed; you’re moving with direction.

You’re progressing towards a carefully chosen point on the map, influenced by your and your ancestors’ past actions.

Remember, your present decisions are the seeds for your business’s growth.

🤨 The Big Picture: Defining Impact and Investing in Values 🤨

The question of impact is central to any discussion about business karma.

It’s about having clarity on whether you’re in business to improve your own life, the lives of others, or both.

Recognizing the type of change you aim to bring is the first step in ensuring your actions align with your business aspirations.

Investing in a set of values is like laying the foundation for a building; it determines the strength and the direction of the following structure.

These values become the filter through which every decision and action is taken, influencing the course of your business’s karma.

For anyone running a business, particularly entrepreneurs, there’s a vital distinction between focusing on visionary goals and getting caught up in the minutiae of day-to-day operations.

One’s ability to zoom out and stay connected to the overarching objective often determines the level of success achieved.

Where the building blocks of daily operations meet the bigger picture is where the hard work manifests.

This is about putting into place the technical side – building efficient systems, structures, and processes that will underpin the grand vision of your enterprise.

If you’re going it alone, you must cover every aspect, from the conceptual to the operational.

Your success will hinge on your ability to step back periodically and view your enterprise objectively to ensure that every piece of the puzzle works towards the same goal.

🚨 The Practical Aspects of Good Business Karma: Systems and Processes 🚨

Think of your business as a complex machine.

Like any well-oiled apparatus, it relies on efficient systems and solid structures to run smoothly.

This can be seen as the technical side of good business karma

Operational excellence isn’t just about hard work visibly; it’s about creating repeatable processes that ensure consistency and quality in everything your company does.

This approach is beautiful because it not only helps your business in the present but also sets a foundation for positive outcomes in the future.

If you’re going solo in business, you wear all the hats.

You’re the strategist, the executor, and the visionary. And while this might seem daunting, it’s essential to approach each of these roles with a clear head and an organized method.

It’s about understanding when to zoom in on the details and when to step back to view the larger picture.

Prioritizing becomes a pivotal practice.

You might be tempted to plunge into many tasks, believing motion equals progression.

However, it is crucial to differentiate between what is urgent and important.

Your effort should go to tasks that align with your long-term objectives, carving out a pathway to substantial and meaningful achievements.

Embracing objectivity is vital; seeing your business from an external perspective allows you to make adjustments that can lead to improvements.

It’s about consistently re-evaluating and refining your processes, being honest about what’s working and what isn’t, and making the necessary changes to enhance your business karma.

As you reinforce these systems, remember that what you invest in your business today dictates the success you’ll reap tomorrow.

Your dedication to fine-tuning these operational gears shapes your business's karma.

With a sturdy structure in place, it’s time to reflect on how your business engagements and energy ripple outwards, as addressed in the next section.

🪃 Karma as a Business Boomerang: What You Send Out Comes Back 🪃

I appreciate the time-honoured truth that in business, like in life, what we put into the world tends to get back to us.

This concept often likened to the flight of a boomerang, holds a mirror up to our actions and intentions.

The effort you invest in your business today shapes your future landscape.

It’s critical to recognize that cutting corners or prioritizing the wrong initiatives can lead to an unwelcome return when you least expect it.

I encourage you to reflect on the gravity of your daily business decisions and interactions.

Understand that each choice is a seed planted, which will eventually grow and return to you in some form.

The essence of karma dwells not just in the actions themselves but also in the intent behind them.

Ground your actions in ethics and positivity, aiming to serve rather than to gain.

Doing so builds a foundation for business karma that rewards rather than penalizes.

In drawing from the ancient wisdom of the 12 laws of karma (see the leading diagram), let your business serve as a conduit for change, growth, and connectedness.

Strive for personal success and the betterment of your community and world.

Remember that your business is a living, breathing entity within a vast ecosystem of cause and effect.

Nurturing it with careful effort, ethical practices, and positive intent positions it to thrive.

In turn, it will provide value and inspiration, not only to you but to everyone it touches.