What Are You Willing to Do to Win in Business?

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This piece isn't about working hard. That’s a given. The title is a great ethics question to ask yourself—no matter what stage your business is in.?

The Road to Perdition—Or Is It Integrity?

Let’s begin a standard journey.

At the inception of your enterprise, unless you already have a large tribe—staff, family, close friends, or community members—ready to jump in and help you perform the tedious tasks and work out the details, you are likely going to be pitched into a chasm of overwhelm.?

To add to the pain, you’re bound to discover that a treasure trove of breakout ideas, combined with the substantial funds to back them–two things you lack–would make a world of difference.

Few people enjoy any of those advantages, let alone all of them.?

You're on the Move!

Gradually, as you doggedly expand your presence and develop your brand, audience reach, technical and other tools, mentors, and coaches, your work begins to show great promise. You might even become one of the fast-track superstars on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter (X).

Again, that’s a rare experience, but it does happen. People who share their miraculous paths encourage and motivate the rest of us.

Fantasy Meets Reality

But let’s talk about a typical experience of building a business. It doesn’t take long to realize that numerous competitors are just as talented, hard-working, determined, and inspired as you are.?

It can start to feel like EVERYONE has your niche, your skillset, double your offer, and even some of what you thought were unusual catchphrases. You can quickly forget that your uniqueness as a human being is your best currency.?

Temporary Hiccups Versus Long-Term Hassles

Now, don’t get me wrong. Utter frustration happens to everyone at some point. That’s one of the reasons it is wise to avoid comparing yourself to others.

But when things decline for extended periods, the pain of repeated struggle just can’t compete with the temptation to use unethical shortcuts to achieve that “quick cash.”? For some, it becomes easier and easier to justify compromising their values.

However, doing so catches up with them. As we have seen in the media, living in a way that violates your personal code can lead to legal woes and incarceration, on top of personal turmoil.

A Brief Case Review

A case in point is Elizabeth Holmes, the former CEO of Theranos, who was accused of swindling investors out of hundreds of millions by misrepresenting the potential value of her company’s “breakthrough” technology.

Before you ask why I am painting such a rosy picture (and there is a bit of sarcasm here,) the truth is that business success is RARELY easy to achieve.?

MIND Your Business—Literally

Yes, I know the power of the mind can play a role in how things go. I have observed firsthand how the right mindset can help you avoid self-sabotage and allow the possibility for good things to happen. But if success were easy, virtually everyone would be in business.

You can start feeling like a small grain of sand being blown around in the desert while trying to get noticed among the dunes. Learning how to be a standout can be a long and arduous task.

The Desperation Onset

The panic can begin to set in. “This is impossible. How will I ever…”

When harsh business difficulties are compounded by huge disruptors in your personal life—such as heartbreaks, illnesses, or unexpected financial or family crises, things can get even tougher.

That’s when that ugly little monster called desperation can enter into the picture. I have talked to a lot of people about this.

The Crooks We Have Always With Us

You already know that some people will habitually steal, lie, cheat, pit people against each other, have affairs, or sabotage others in the quest to emerge victor in a business arena. They have hardened hearts and criminal minds. They will even count family members and trusted besties among their victims.

Me? Never!

But I have also read hundreds of articles and watched documentaries about how ordinarily conscientious entrepreneurs, driven by an urgent need to achieve a goal such as financial solvency or industry leadership, will do things they swore they never would.

Because they are human beings, after all, their conscience will not allow them to feel comfortable. Despite gaining fame, fortune, or both, their stress levels, blood pressure, and heart rates can increase. An emotional breakdown is not uncommon.

Playing It "Cool" Despite Gnawing Guilt

A few of them are adept at masking this process, spending their profits on displays of wealth. They buy beautiful cars and homes in the “right” neighborhoods, attire themselves in fine clothes, donate generously to charity, and spend an inordinate number of hours in beauty parlors and spas. To outside observers, these signs of opulence indicate that everything is right in that person’s world.

Yielding to Temptation: The Real Costs

But underneath, those “lucky” people often pay a higher price than their money. They tend to ignore their personal relationships and self-care measures, skip meditation time, eat rich, high-cholesterol or sugary “delicacies,” chug too much "fine" wine, take prescription and street drugs, gamble, etc.?

Such activities are supposed to provide reprieves from the guilt that inevitably plagues these people, but their habits eventually devastate their health and wellness.

All Is Not Lost

Fortunately, before it is too late, some people wake up to the fact that they are operating on the basis of a fragile ego, one that needs the trappings of financial success to bolster it.?

They scrutinize their choices, which reveal that their unsustainable path is not only hurtful to others but also self-destructive. In other words, they choose integrity and responsibility over ill-gotten gains.?

Faith and the Buddy System

If supported by the right kind of friends or colleagues, they can either change their ways independently or seek the professional counseling they need.?

Others find faith-based answers to get back on track. And yes, returning to one’s religious roots or traditions can provide powerful healing. There is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Prevention Works Best

The best method of avoiding making the wrong kind of choices when faced with business disappointments is to prevent reaching the point of desperation in the first place.

Here are some methods:

1. Use all of the self-care measures available to remind yourself on a daily basis why you chose the work that you do, which is usually tied to a strong emotional driver.
2. Remind yourself that your money and success do not define you.?
3. Brainstorm with knowledgeable people to examine your problems from different points of view so that you can end up with a better outlook and a feasible strategy.??
4. Recite affirmations that prioritize your Creator, your well-being, and the people you love and care about above King Dollar so that you can keep things in perspective and breathe more easily.

SUMMARY

Money is important, but amassing a great deal of it in unscrupulous ways does NOT justify the means. Over the long run, without consistent adherence to your value system, you tend to lose even more business, precious personal connections, certain freedoms and, most critical of all, yourself.

Nothing is worth that.

Learn patience and perseverance, keep the faith, and continue to trudge forward with as much positive support as you can develop through ethical relationships. A brighter future is imminent.

Do you find yourself combating the temptation to cut corners, tell a few lies, or inflate your financial figures to bolster your public image or stay afloat? How do you manage to remain trustworthy? LET ME KNOW IN THE COMMENTS.

How's it going? Take advantage of the opportunity to discuss pesky life issues with a female professional in your demographic who understands and loves to lend her holistic perspectives. Feel free to set up an appointment using this link.

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