How gratitude & respect can lead you to success

I discussed last week, how we are not in full control of everything we wish to do in our business. This week, ironically, gave me a painful reminder.

On Tuesday night I was planning what I would like to with my Wednesday. I often call it a day off because it’s a day I’m at home, not directly working with clients or their accounts, but I usually always do something relating to my business. However, none of what I planned actually happened.

Before heading to bed, I began to experience some discomfort in my body. Then during the night I experienced severe pain. Then next morning it had eased a little but it hurt when I moved. I got an emergency appointment at the doctor who then sent me immediately to the hospital to get some tests. By mid-afternoon, I was none the wiser as to what was going on but several things had been ruled out.

When I eventually arrived back home 8hrs later I was mindful that I was so glad to be back home. Then a wave of gratitude flooded me. Grateful for the (free!) NHS, grateful the doctor and hospital had space for emergency appointments in their day, grateful for my trusted 15 yr old car that I can still rely on to get me places and grateful that I had the flexibility to just drop my plans and deal with the ‘emergency’.

How many of the challenges we face do we create ourselves?

Often we spend a lot of time planning or thinking what to do, usually actions that will improve things and make things newer and shinier. That is usually related to our business, our relationships, our house, our car, or our gadgets. Our society has benefited from improvements and we’ve seen so much progress in the last 50 years yet we still don’t seem to have enough time… Therefore just how much of the challenges we have these days are our own doing? I wonder just how many of us could be content with what we have.

Too many clients?

Be grateful you have a business that is needed, most people struggle to get clients.

No clients or not enough?

Be grateful you have time for your hobbies as those who have too many clients crave for your challenge.

Not enough money?

Be grateful you have some.

‘Gratitude’ is just another word for ‘respect’

If we don’t respect the money, time, health, clients, technology, support or love we already have then what gives us the right to expect, perhaps even demand, more of it?

Maybe our lives wouldn’t need improving so much if we could just be a little happier with what we have. That is not to say, that we don’t need tweaks but there is a difference between a tweak and a complete overhaul.

In Successful Business Minds I asked the reader to define what success means to them. Not what society, their parents or even how their partner defines it, but what feeling successful means to them personally. I ask this because a lot of us, including myself, are often striving for something we already have once we strip away the superficial covering. If you’re not entirely sure what that is for you, have a look at what your accounts are telling you.

Your accounts are an insight into your unconscious mind

Your accounts are an insight into your unconscious i.e. they tell you what you are spending your money on (your personal accounts especially) which then tells you what you are seeking. What is that giving you? Freedom? Peace? Rest? Connections? Nourishment?

Slowing down…

I’m due to get some more tests next week, but ironically slowing down a little and not getting so worked up about planning and doing my to-do list has helped ease the pain thus I think a part (or all) of it is stress related. I don’t feel that my stress levels are anywhere where they used to be, but then I no longer ignore and suppress a disturbance in my body anymore. So I reviewed my expenditure and I’m closer to the answer…

Take care until next time and thank you for reading this.

Update: It was stressed related… All ok now.

Helen Monaghan

Chartered Management Accountant and Author of Successful Business Minds, The Magical Mix of Money & Tax and 12 Steps to Improve Your Cashflow.

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P.s. I write these blogs, with the aim of giving you some food for thought and leave you with a new way of thinking about stuff. I would be grateful if you could share with others too if they resonate with you.