OUR WORD

By: Aron Neelie

In our modern times, what is it that we really have, that really belongs to us? "Belongs" to us; lock, stock and barrel, straight-out.

What is it that we have that no one can own.  They may try to take-away, mar, or disrupt, but they do not own.

Our name? Our 'paid for' items? Well, if you are a girl, your name is expendable as most take on their husband's name. And paid-for items? Well, if find yourself over your head in debt, items 'go back' or become 'assets'.

Hmmm...

Our word.

Our word is the only thing that truly belongs to us.

Our word drives us forward. It becomes a promise of ourselves for some type of betterment. Some type of commitment which we are 'giving'. Our word is information for others to somehow become reliant. It becomes a piece of someone else's puzzle on which to base an outcome or some type of decision.

Never take your word lightly. Others count on it.

One's word is a solid piece of information on which other decisions are based. One's word becomes a building block of a foundation. If that word is faulty, that basis will crumble – physics, pure and simple.

If we 'go back' on our word, we lose. We lose in massive ways. We lose our believability. We lose face as to the meaning of our word. We lose business, clients, friends, lovers...we lose all the way around. And all because we have lost and failed in duty of "trust".

Our word takes the thoughts within our minds, and the respect within ourselves. Our word is formulated by who we are and by the degree of our integrity.

Everyone counts on 'our word'. Be it the time you have chosen to read a book to your child, or the commitment you have made to a business prospect.

Imagine, if you were to meet a business colleague, and you gave him/her your 'word' that you were to meet at 2:00, and then you cancelled. Then you said, "I'll meet you the following day at 1:00 for two hours." Then the following day, you show up to meet and say, "I am only able to meet with you for one hour". Your word, your commitment for that allocation of time, is now, meaningless. Now, to any businessperson, they will understand once, maybe twice, but a successful businessperson will not tolerate such business fodder thrice.

You have ultimately wasted someone's time. Time is not something that can ever be regained. Once it is gone, it is gone, it is gone forever. And when you waste someone's time, you also waste their efforts. Their efforts in preparation, mindset, scheduling, money, etc. It is highly unprofessional to cancel at the last minute without just cause, or to plan weeks in advance and then renig on your commitment of your word. Plans have been set, time has been set aside, hearts have been set.

If you do not hold to your word, what are you worth? Nothing. You cannot be believed. You cannot be trusted. So what do you have? So what will you have? What will lie ahead? An educated guess is, only new clients, who do not know you. You will not have repeat clients, because they will be unable to count on that which you say. You will lose trust and their business.

Our word. First, there was the word...make yours count. Say it, mean it, and commit to it, other's rely upon it, and it's really all you own.

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