It can often seem quite challenging when you focus on doing things the “right way.”  So many times throughout each year, month, week, day, hour, minute or even each and every second of the day it can seem like the world and all of its inhabitants are against us.  Things go wrong, clients cancel their appointments (or are just not there) and people seem to do everything in their power to hinder or even halt whatever it is that we are trying to do.

The real challenge is in staying committed and focused on the desired outcome regardless of the obstacles that present.  I once heard an amazing quote, although I can’t recall from whom.  It went something like this, “The successful person is able to build success from the rocks and stones that others throw at them.”

Most people believe that they fear failure.  I have come to learn that for only a select few this actually rings true.  For most people failure is something that they are “experts” at.  It is something they have done their whole lives.  It is not really failure that they fear, rather is is open judgment of their failure or moreso, on many occasions, it is actually success that they fear the most.  For with success they fear that their goals will be attained and then what??  Sometimes the achievement of success brings with it the pressure of continue to upkeep the success also.  (What a stress!!)

I popped in on one of my clients the other day only a few days prior to the launch of her fashion label.  I gave her a hug when I greeted her and could feel the fear exuding from her.  She told me that she was so worried that she could hardly sleep.  I explained to her about how excited I was about the upcoming launch of her label and the fact that neurologically there is nearly no difference between fear and excitement.  I then ran through a check list with her ensuring everything was on track and thus all was organised.  I then watched the fear melt away rapidly as she went through all of the things that had been done and all of the preparations of the impending event.  She replaced her fear with excitement and beamed at me about the project.

As I sit (originally) to write this I had just gotten off of the telephone with her.  She called me in absolute gratitude for all that we had done together (she had recently completed the Finding Zero course with me).  Her intention is and always has been to build an amazing business in the fashion industry and in turn create massive positive change in the world.  Many bumps and scrapes have been incurred along the way, and many more will undoubtedly present as time goes on.  At times it may well seem that an ‘easier’ path may present, corners could be cut and so on and so forth.  However, when corners are cut often profits get cut also.  The shorter path is not always the easiest path, the “hard yards” are where the stripes are earned.

I’m not suggesting for a moment that “hard work” is required, nor am I inferring that you will always have a difficult time if you are conducting yourself from a space of positive intention.  What I am putting forward is that quite often when we are committed to doing the “right thing” for others we do so to the detriment of ourselves.

One of the greatest minds on the mind, Charles Haanel once stated that, “The absolute truth is that the ‘I’ is perfect and complete; the real ‘I’ is spiritual and can therefore never be less than perfect; it can never have any lack, limitation, or disease.”  Therefore to look after other you must first clearly be looking after yourself first.

The great Robert Kyosaki once told me that the only way to stop poverty in others is to not join the que.  How is it possible to help others if you are unable to help yourself?  There is an old saying, “Charity starts at home.” Kind of makes you think yeah?

Many of my clients have this insane notion that if they make heaps and heaps of money that that somehow makes them a bad person, or that people will look at them in a negative way.  Let’s get one thing really clear…

Making a great deal of money out of doing something that you love, that truly benefits others is not only honourable, it is something that you both deserve and should demand.

There is enough stuff in this world for all of us to have three times of everything that we want.  Having it and living life to the full is more than just our right.  IT IS OUR OBLIGATION!

You can do anything!  You don’t have to hinder others or hurt others in any way to achieve your goals.  With a distinct focus on doing the right thing by your clients or prospects you will build a business and client base that will value both your company and yourself at the same time.

Remember, it can take a lifetime to build an outstanding reputation and but an instant to turn it into a negative one.

Here is to your integrity!!