4 Steps to Help You Achieve Your 'Promised Land'

What the Passover story symbolizes can help you in your personal business story.

learn more about Zach Cutler

By Zach Cutler

BlackAperture | Getty Images

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Last week (and continuing through April 29), the Jewish people have been celebrating Passover, which commemorates one of the most epic stories in history: the transition from slavery to freedom for the Israelites, their Exodus from Egypt and their entrance into the Promised Land.

Related: Become More Positive With These 5 Tips

Just as the Jews in Biblical times achieved their dream of freedom and self-determination, many of the elements of the Exodus story serve as metaphors for how we can achieve our own dreams today.

1. Don't panic -- you won't drown.

Take the plunge! As the Israelites were being chased by the Egyptians, they approached the Red Sea, because there was no other direction to go. Nachshon, one of the leaders, walked into the waves until the water reached his waist, then his chest and then his head.

At that moment, according to the Torah, the sea parted, affording the Israelites an escape route. This is a powerful lesson that says that, in order to achieve our dreams, we must take the leap, move forward regardless and not worry about "drowning." If we do that, we will conquer the obstacle, and the metaphorical sea that faces us will part, allowing us to go forward toward the Promised Land.

2. Keep your ego in check.

Check your ego! As the Jews were leaving Egypt, they didn't have time to let the dough rise in the loaves of bread they were baking, so they ended up eating flat matzah instead of leavened bread.

On a mystical level, certain sources maintain that the flatness and lack of air in matzah is a metaphor for keeping your ego in check and not getting too "puffed up" and arrogant. Staying humble and keeping your ego in check will help you accomplish your dreams. If you get too arrogant or full of yourself, you risk becoming myopic and are less likely to achieve what you set out to do.

Related: Is Your Ego Limiting Your Ability to Succeed?

3. Support, and be supported by, a community.

Support is key! When the Israelites wandered in the desert, they supported one other, and in doing so were able to survive the harsh climate. The moral is to not be an island. In other words, support others, and be supported by others in return.

Most importantly, be open to accepting support. It's an important element in achieving your dreams.

4. Don't be afraid to close the deal.

Commit to the deal! When the Israelites finally reached the borders of the land of Israel, Moses sent in a group of 12 spies to inspect the land and report on conditions, so that the nation would be prepared to enter the land.

When the spies returned, they gave a negative report that said the land was inhabited by giants that frightened them and that the Israelites shouldn't go forward. According to scripture, this caused God to condemn the nation to wander 40 years in the desert.

Related: 7 Major Fears All Successful People Must Overcome

The moral of the story is that, when you're on the threshold of achieving your dream, go ahead and close the deal. In other words, take the leap and don't be afraid. Do that and you will enter your own Promised Land.

Zach Cutler

Founder & CEO, Cutler PR

Zach Cutler is an entrepreneur and founder and CEO of Cutler PR, a tech PR agency in New York and Tel Aviv. An avid tech enthusiast and angel investor, Cutler specializes in crafting social and traditional PR campaigns to help tech startups thrive.

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

The Dark Side of Pay Transparency — And What to Do If You Find Out You're Being Underpaid
Thinking of a Career Change? Here Are 4 Steps You Can Take to Get There.
A Founder Who Bootstrapped Her Jewelry Business With Just $1,000 Now Sees 7-Figure Revenue Because She Knew Something About Her Customers Nobody Else Did
Everything You Need to Know About Franchise Law
Marketing

What Is a Brand Personality? Here's How to Develop One.

Connect with your audience on a deeper level by giving and cultivating your brand a personality. Read here how to do so.

Starting a Business

How To Sell on Etsy in 2023: A Comprehensive Guide

Want to start selling your handmade goods online? This article outlines how to start and grow your business using Etsy.

Business Ideas

55 Small Business Ideas To Start Right Now

To start one of these home-based businesses, you don't need a lot of funding -- just energy, passion and the drive to succeed.

Starting a Business

How to Craft the Best Benefits Package for a Global Workforce

Attract top talent from across the globe with a benefits package that speaks to anyone, anywhere.

Business News

'Crying Northwestern Kid' Turned His Viral Fan Moment Into a Successful Harvard Admissions Essay. He Says the Experience Taught Him About Empathy.

Six years ago, Phillips was watching No. 8 Northwestern take on No. 1 Gonzaga during March Madness when he became a meme.