Jo-Anne Smith created a contest to write about
Honesty, and What It Means to You~Contest Announcement and Entries So Far . Wow. Is this a sign from all my past remarks and posts? It must be because I would love to disclose what "Honesty Means to ME" and what it means to me in my personal and professional life. <CLICK> and listen while you read please.
First of all, honesty starts with me. If I am unable to be honest with myself how can I be honest with other people? Let me elaborate. I learned many years ago that the thoughts I had were mine. I owned them. I had to deal with the behavior that came along right after those thoughts and needless to say my thinking drove my behavior. I didn't have a very high self esteem growing up although late in life I learned to turn the thoughts of myself that were filled with low self esteem to manifest and create the productive human being I am today.
After living with the same thoughts, attitude and behavior for the majority of my life it was very hard to change my thinking around to have a positive outcome. It takes constant awareness of my thoughts (even now after ten years) and how my body is reacting to them. Everyone knows what this feeling is. It's the gut feeling that tells you if you're doing something right or wrong. (If you have a conscience that is) I rely on that gut feeling to direct me in all my decisions with personal as well as my professional life.
There are no short cuts in my life and this means that I am always able to go to sleep at night. No worries when I lay my head down on the pillow knowing that I lived my day to the fullest with no regrets about anything I did during that day. This is the meaning of being content and having a sound mind, body and soul.
Telling half truths or leaving out pertinent information is still being dishonest. It's called lying by omission. Why waste all that energy lying (or leaving things out) when it takes so much effort to remember what and who you told what to. And so little effort to just be open and honest.
In this respect this has given me the freedom to conduct my Real Estate business literally ....with ease.
- Disclose, disclose and disclose: There have been times when I have been told something by a seller and they add, "but we don't have to put that down" or "we don't have to tell anyone". My response? I have flat out told them, "I will not lie for you or anyone else and I like to sleep well at night".
- No Short cuts: Throughout each and every transaction I do pay attention to every detail (some say it's my Virgo personality) to the contract as well as going above and beyond so that I am always thinking in the best interests of my client. If I don't know I ask. So I will sleep well at night.
- Give my honest opinion. I have been known to try and talk a client out of purchasing if they are overextending themselves. To date, I have had only one client such as this and today they are in trouble with an ARM. I tried. No matter what the subject is I give my honest opinion or direct the person to the proper person who can give them advise. And I sleep well at night.
- Working with others in the Real Estate Industry. Escrow, the other agent, loan officers. I choose to be upfront and honest with everyone involved. Keeping everyone up to date and informed on every detail so no one is left in the dark is another reason.....I sleep well at night.
Edited *No secrets. No lies. Honesty means the whole truth and nothing but the truth. .... and this does not include telling something with the ulterior motive of hurting someone. I added this part in so no one is under the impression it's all about being a tattle tale on others or self. It does not exclude the fact that lying by ommission is surely a deceitful tactic to make oneself "look good" at someone else's expense.
I will sleep well again tonight.*
<CLICK For ADIA by Sarah McLachlan>.......
"And show you all the beauty you possess. If you'd only let yourself believe that"
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Mililani Hawaii Real Estate Blog 2007©
Century 21 Liberty Homes, Mililani, Hawaii
Office of the Hawaii Military Relocation Specialists for over 32 years!
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