3 minute read
LOVE AND business
BY LISA BELL
“ Love and Marriage – Love and Marriage – go together like a horse and carriage!” Remember this, ironically related to that awful sitcom with the family from hell? Well, it got me thinking about our theme for this month, which is all about the Art of Giving through Business. And, how we should bring more love into all aspects of our lives. And, even more pertinent, empathy, and care.
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Now, I am no life coach or muse, but the one element that has come up for me in 2020 is that we (humans) cannot do great things if we are out of kilter. I am also not a believer in Karma per se, but I do believe that what we reap is what we sow, in that if we are in any way doing or surrounded by negativity or harmful elements, it will come out in other areas of our lives.
When it comes to love and business, this, for me, is evident in who we do business with, what type of business we do or choose to do, and how we conduct ourselves in business. If we can always treat these instances and people with a sense of love, care, and empathy, we will realise a few integral things.
11. Who we do and don’t ‘want’ to do business with;
22. What kind of business “sits” well within us (you know, that odd niggly feeling in the pit of your stomach that makes you feel nauseous but isn’t because of the slice of chocolate cake you ate earlier?);
33. And, lastly, because of these two, we will know just ‘how’ we want to carry out business – the manner – the tools – the concepts – the functionality.
Another facet of love within business is giving. Diane Boorman, our COACH ME! Contributor this month reminds us about The Art of Giving, not just in business but our lives in general. It seems like a simple concept – give without expecting anything in return. But, in fact, it is quite challenging. We are all, again, us humans, selfish beings; some more so than others, though. And, in business, that idea of giving without receiving is quite alien. If you read business-style books, you will know that many (especially the sales and marketing ones) instil and encourage a “go-get-'em” attitude in people. Go get that sale! Go get that deal! Let nothing stop you! At all costs! Which is all fine and well until you step over into that selfish arena. Until you really do “go-get-'em” despite who you may hurt along the way, despite what you may have to do to get there … is that really the only way?
Surely not! Definitely not! One can reap great rewards; you can overcome massive travesties; everyone can get passed challenging times … but how? Together. With a sense of unity. If we are all giving to the cause; if we are all focused on a unified goal of achieving our dreams and aspirations; if we all know that by helping each other, we will all win, then surely that will bring about global peace?
Now I sound like a Miss America pageant contestant! But, who doesn’t want global peace, right? However, it does all start at home, in business, with our neighbours, family, and friends.
What are you doing to enrich other’s lives? What giving are you doing – of your time -of your knowledge – of your skill or talent? It doesn’t have to be a giving of money. It can be as simple as picking up the phone and saying, “Hi! How are you really doing? How can I help you?”
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