This week I was flipping through the stations one evening and I came across the History Channel’s series – The Men Who Built America. I definitely learned some things I did not know before – things that were both uplifting and upsetting to hear. The series highlighted the lives of Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The qualities that define an entrepreneur were clearly highlighted – the drive to excel, to innovate, to change the world, to express oneself fully, and to dream a new and bold future.
On the other hand, the dark side of that entrepreneurial drive was also clear to see – profits at the cost of human lives, competition that often decimated others, greed and manipulation.
It made me sit and think about the way that I feel about being an entrepreneur, my values, and most importantly the level of consciousness I choose to function at.
For me that means that I no longer choose to believe in competition – I only choose cooperation. I have no desire to profit by walking over another human being. I believe it is possible to make a fabulous living and a fortune if one chooses to do so – in a way that uplifts our world rather than suffering it.
So I ask you – what are your values? How do you choose to express your entrepreneurial spirit? I’d love to hear about your personal rules for running your life and business. So do post below and share your perspective with me.
Do You Have the Clarity to Move Ahead Boldly in Your Life?
My question to you is: how can I serve YOU on your path to expansion and how can I help you in fulfilling your purpose in life? Where are you feeling glitched? Where are you feeling frustrated? Is your personal life creating issues in your business life?
If this applies to you – let’s talk about it! Don’t stay stuck.
If you want to chat about this make an appointment today and I’ll explain more in detail. –> www.timetrade.com/book/8BFCS
‘Till next time …
Great post! I hadn’t give much thought to tagging my values as “entrepreneurial values”, but this post really hits home. I believe that there is enough business to go around for everyone. We all have something unique and individual to offer. I too believe that it is possible to have a successful business without stomping on others. Case in point: just yesterday, I passed a solid client lead on to a ‘cooperator’ [my vision is, there are no competitors, just colleagues ;)] because I didn’t have an opening; and wouldn’t you know, within hours, I secured another prospective client meeting. What you put out, you will get back!!
Dear Lynn,
I couldn’t agree with you more! I do feel that if we all get crystal clear about our entrepreneurial values it will become very clear when situations come up that do not align with them. We are less likely to go against ourselves when not only do we know where we want to go – but are really clear about the parameters we are willing to engage to get us there..
Thank you for sharing! Sheri xoxox
Greetings All,
A very Happy New Year to you, Sheri and all others who may be celebrating at this time! Wonderful topic – and I like the sound of “not having competition, just having cooperation.” The use of the words are insightful in itself – when I think of “the competition” — it feels like I’m talking of a person, or an entity, buth “the cooperation” feels more like a state of being, not a person or entity, but rather, a way of working with others. Anyway, I like to believe two values that drive me are, “Do no harm,” and “Be helpful.” Achieving my business objectives while maintaining those, and hopefully directly incorporating them, brings contentment.
GREAT topic, look forward to hearing others perspectives.
Enjoy this beautiful day.
Dear LJ,
Thanks for the New Year wishes! I appreciate you taking a moment to share – wouldn’t it be nice if all people first thought do no harm? It reminds me of the Hippocratic Oath I said when I graduated medical school – first do no harm. Such a simple concept – so difficult for ego driven humanity to put into practice where the theme song is normally “it’s all about me.” 🙂
Blessings, Sheri