After I moved out of my parents' house, I created this story that I was tired of doing the things that my parents made me do and saw all the things that I could have with my newfound freedom. I began working and started acquiring all these new material possessions. I also had to worry about what I had to do in order to pay the bills so I could thrive. As my business began to grow and the money started to come in a little more easily, I began to acquire the things I had always wanted to have.
Life was great, more money was coming in, and I was acquiring more possessions. I was doing the things that it took in order to have the possessions that the lifestyle I had created for myself demanded I have. Sometimes I would have to sacrifice doing the things I really wanted to do in order to do the things that would allow me to have more material things...forget about being.
My mind was only concerned with what I had and what I was going to have. My business was created to support my story of "things that I must have because this is what a guy like me has." Every day I would put on my strong suit and, like a robot, work until the job was done, strictly so I could have all the material things I thought I should have.
What is the purpose of the business you are in? What do you have? What do you do? Who do you be? Luckily enough, my company downsized me, and I no longer did the things I was doing in order to have the things I really wanted. I had a chance to take a look inside and remember who I really was. Now, as I decided to be, I am doing the things that I have always wanted to do and have everything I want.
No, I don't live on my own personal island, lying on the beach while being fed grapes by beautiful servants yet. But if I did, what would I have to look forward to? Don't we all get energized by the possibilities that we create for ourselves? We all create stories about who we are and why we do the things we do, and that is why we have the things we have. Don't forget that there is the story of what happened, and then there is what happened.
Why are you in the business you are in? If you won the lottery tomorrow, would you continue doing the things you are doing today? Who would you be if money wasn't an object? Is it the same person you are right now?
Many spend years climbing the corporate ladder only to realize that it was leaning on the wrong tree. Wouldn't it be best to figure out who you are first so you can do the things that you want to do and have the things that you know you should have? How easy is it to quit that high-paying job that you hate? Could you be who you want to be and do the things you want to do and receive even higher pay than you do at that job you hate?
I know what I believe, and I don't change who I be. The only thing that changes is what I do, and that affects what I have. Money is the byproduct of my ability to serve others. I will only serve doing that which I love, and at that which I love I will be best.
Simply put, the solution to the problem of doing and having things that sacrifice your personal being is simple. Do not work strictly for money. Do not sacrifice your dreams, goals, and desires because of others' pessimism. Decide what you love. Always be the person you are when no one is looking. When you are true to yourself, the world seems to fall into place as if everything is perfect.
About the Author
Louis Lautman is a business consultant, life coach, and peak-performance expert. He is the president of International Sales University, a sales-training company based in Miami, FL. He runs extraordinary public and private seminars to create breakthroughs and transform people's lives. Louis can be contacted at 813-380-7467 or louis@internationalsalesu.com. Check out his website at www.internationalsalesu.com.
