"Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed"
The key in this proverb is realizing that when something is being planned, one needs more than a good idea or one man's opinion. Be a person who consults with others and gets their wisdom.
consultation
According to the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the primary meaning of this word is confidential speechand involves a more intimate and secretive communication than just advice or counsel. This would suggest that you are getting help and assistance from a trusted friend or confidant – one in which you can really tell all the reasons, emotions, and entanglements involved in a plan.
plan
This is the word for new idea. It is true that one of the most frustrating things about having a new idea or new product or new plan is that these so rarely actually get fully developed. There are a myriad of difficulties that keep us from bringing our new ideas out to market.
This whole proverb suggests that new ideas need to be nurtured and developed and often in secret with those who will help not criticize our new ideas. You don't want to bring a great new fragile idea to those who will trample all over it. Only show it or talk about it to those who can appreciate it or appreciate you. It is too discouraging to have people trample over your new idea to even let them know what is involved in an idea. Wait to bring it out to the skeptics until after it has been more fully developed and is ready to suffer direct criticism.
frustrated
The word in Hebrew, parpar, means to break, destroy, frustrate, or invalidate. This further strengthens the idea that new ideas need time to develop and be nurtured before they are brought out to the public. But with many counselors, they succeed.
The person who is willing to submit their ideas and plans to reasonable review will be the ones that have the flaws and faults removed from them. There is a natural tendency to keep your good ideas hidden and bring it out at the perfect unveiling. This is, however, naïve. In order for anyone to get to the perfect unveiling, there has to be lots of people who have helped refine the work.
Everyone knows that objective eyes collaborating on a plan, idea, or business are better than one person alone. We must overcome our natural uncomfortableness with criticism and let safe people help us make our ideas better.
The best pastors get lots of input from creative research teams in sermon delivery. The best businesses allow people to give feedback on what is happening to the company. The best parents allow others to see how they parent and help them develop a more successful family.
Solomon is trying to get all of us to take a step back and bring our ideas to trusted friends, safe people, and wise authorities to see if there is anything we missed. Do not be afraid to discuss and get feedback on what you think is perfect.
Until tomorrow,
Gil Stieglitz