Recently, I attended a convention on the coast. I was excited by the opportunity to stay at a newer resort and meet individuals who shared many of my same beliefs. I arrived on Wednesday evening and grabbed an early dinner with a couple of colleagues before heading back to my room. The next day, I encountered some of my friends at breakfast, and they were still recovering from their late evening escapades. I am not saying there is anything wrong with a few dinner drinks or a late night around the fire, but it's important to keep in mind the reason the convention is taking place. It was a business development conference, not a divorce recovery or an AA meeting. The conference was packed with useful information and practical examples that anyone could assimilate into their business. That is, anyone who actually attended the meetings. By the second afternoon, the meeting attendance dropped to 50%. By the final day, attendance was below 25%. At the close out dinner event, people behaved like sailors on leave after 12 months at sea. Frankly, it was embarrassing to watch good people make poor decisions while they were inebriated.The Bible warns us of the consequences of becoming drunk with wine or alcohol in several verses including Proverbs 23:21: "For the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags."Even King Solomon warned against overindulging and how doing so would become a barrier to prosperity. Why? Because it is difficult to think clearly when your mind is severely affected by alcohol. When inebriated people make unwise choices, it often leads to incredibly painful consequences. At this particular conference, I witnessed a very respected individual make some very inappropriate comments that led to fractured or possibly permanently destroyed business relationships. So, the lesson is that if you decide to drink, do so in moderation. Maintain control of your mind and your mouth.
to your business!