Exercise, Plan, Pray

Like everyone else, I receive my share of unwelcomed content each day in the email inbox.

The digital noise come from all sorts of places: executive education programs, software companies, travel services, consultants, that sort of thing. Everyone wants a piece of me. 

I usually scan and delete very quickly, because you can tell in the subject line how irrelevant and boring the pitch will be: “Webinar: KPI’s for Customers!” “Last Day to Save $300 on Middle Market Lender’s Panel!” And the ever-crafty, “Did You Get My Email?” 

So you can imagine my surprise last week when I stumbled upon a random email blast that, upon closer examination, was actually encouraging managers to pray. 

A spiritually stimulating email message about business? Could it be true?

The subject line said,  “Your Career Emergency Preparedness Plan.” Smart, since this is a subject of keen interest to most of us these days. So I opened the message and scanned the content that appeared before me from Barton Career Advisors, a career transitions firm. It was an invitation to register for a webinar, and it had a little article to go with it.  

The article was written by Mr. Chris Barton himself, and it was a cute play on the emergency preparedness and disaster recovery plans so many of us on Board Audit and Technology committees are forcing our companies to do.  If we plan so hard for assets, Mr. Barton argues, why not plan equally for our careers?

His advice came down to this: In order to prepare for a career emergency, follow these simple rules every day: “Exercise, Plan, Pray.”  

That’s right, he’s telling people to pray. Right there in the middle of their office email inbox.

The “Exercise” and the “Plan” part were common enough as far as standard coaching advice to business professionals goes. But Pray? This was unusual, to encourage spiritual activity among corporate leaders, as if it was just another management trick up the sleeve. Barton handles this potentially controversial recommendation with great aplomb:

I would tell anyone who asked me on a personal level about the importance of prayer that it is a powerful cornerstone in our preparedness planning. When all else fails, meditative reflection enables a fountain of serenity that can come from no other place.

Gosh, it sounds like this consulting firm recognizes that God might be involved in our careers somehow. He then goes on to quote an article that refers to Cheryl Giles, a professor from Harvard Divinity School:

….Spiritual practice – regardless of personal belief- should not be limited to Saturdays or Sundays but should be part of every day. Giles recommended that people find quiet time each day for meditation, prayer, journal writing or other forms of reflection. It’s an important exercise, she says, that helps people avoid being consumed by routine daily demands.

Amen, sister!

I applaud Barton Career Advisors for making such a bold and courageous move as to promote prayer as a normal, healthy aspect of not only surviving our careers, but growing in our life as whole people. Our careers are an important part of our lives, no doubt. But it is that – just a part.

By the way, Barton’s “Career Emergency Preparedness Plan” webinar is this Wednesday, April 27. Click here to register. I have a feeling it will be a worthwhile program.