Entrepreneurship, by any measure, is a very a challenging career option for anyone to pursue. Much as there are several moments of joy, there are also many periods of loneliness and intimidating obstacles that seem to be almost never-ending.

Little wonder, then, how entrepreneurs like to surround themselves with a team of people who possess strong levels of emotional intelligence. These people become a source of encouragement and revival whenever the business is going through hiccups.

However, deep down every individual lies a well of strength; an invisible force within which enables a person to confront challenges. For the entrepreneur who is religion biased, this inner power is considered supernatural.

As outlined in our previous article, the power of the pulpit or religion in general, beyond just preparing its followers for a life in the hereafter, could also be a major strategic tool for social transformation and that includes individuals, families, and communities.

Below are ways in which this supernormal force could help the running of successful businesses in the now.

Source of Perseverance

A study by Loewenstein, (2010), found that deficiency and excess of emotions “can cause people to lose control of their behaviour such as the condition of people excitedly taking on business projects that they can’t afford or people fearing to invest in similar ventures due to previous negative experiences”.

Recommended article: Creating multiple revenue streams for small businesses

In Africa, as in other places too, many would-be entrepreneurs have shied away from investing in existing businesses or even starting another venture due to losses experienced in the past.

Some are reeling from bad debts and need a little energy to stabilise them through the challenges. If you are an entrepreneur who needs a push from within when nothing else seems to help, there is no better way to do it than turning to your faith.

All religions teach perseverance, and no entrepreneur can last without learning how to push against the odds.

Source of Motivation

Religion is also a source of motivation and hope for many believers in both blissful and trying moments.

When an entrepreneur experiences positive emotions, this can trigger “more ideas and actions related to coping strategies and consequently strengthen one’s resilience against stress”, one study has found. (Gloria & Steinhardt, 2014). Motivation is an everyday requirement that entrepreneurs need to have fulfilled.

Motivation is basically a driving force behind behaviour. Therefore, it is important for an entrepreneur to rely on their faith to boost their motivation levels so that they stick to their dreams even when the entrepreneurial journey gets bumpy.

Source of life values

In every career, including sports and entertainment, one must exhibit an appreciable level of consistency and discipline in order to succeed.

Religion is a source from which most people acquire the values that shape their worldview.
In one study, researchers found that “religion influences processes of self-regulation through activities such as cognitive reappraisal, distraction of one-self from negative temptations, social support, ritual practices, and the setting of emotion goals”

It has been argued that religion affect entrepreneurship in various ways. It is not only a cultural causal antecedent but has been playing a prominent role in shaping ethical preferences.

Recommended article: Three Ways Religion Can Influence Entrepreneurial Success

For example, Emani and Nazari (2012), examined the ethical attitudes between entrepreneurs who described themselves as more religious and those who considered themselves as less religious with the possible effects of religious orthodoxy on the ethical attitudes. Their findings indicate that entrepreneurs with high religious interest as well as entrepreneurs, who were highly orthodox in their faith, expressed more sensitive ethical judgments compared to the less religious entrepreneurs.

In another study, Griebel, Park and Neubert, (2014) tried to explore the relationship between religion and entrepreneurial behaviour, based on Christian entrepreneurs in Colorado. Their findings suggest that religion does influence the entrepreneurial activity as the entrepreneurs are able to align their faith and their work by creating new working environments based on family, good character and helping others, which displayed their faith in the form of individualized nature of religion.

Therefore, in Africa, where religious practices are dominant, and it is regarded as the most religious continent in the world, it becomes imperative that we continue to explore how religion can play a catalytic role in shaping entrepreneurship development, especially among the youth, to bring about social transformation on the continent.

Your views and comments are welcome.