Character still counts and how you show up in what you do and how you do it, matters. Our recent experience of home renovations has been difficult, to say the least. We used a company we used a few years ago to work in another area of our home. Sadly, the experience now is not the same.
Consistently tardy (up to hours)
No Shows
Not bringing the correct materials. We’ve had to purchase additional items to accommodate
Not returning phone calls timely
Leaving the job unfinished and not giving the date to return and more!
I know the question you are asking, “Why continue with the company?” It’s not always that easy however, we’ve addressed each issue and won’t use their services again. I’m sharing this story with you because something has obviously changed with the company. After inquires we know it’s still the same owners (both of which have come to our home during this renovation), and the same family operated business but something has changed in the level of service they used to offer. There doesn’t appear to be any concern for the experience we have as their returning customers and as a result, they’ve lost our future business.
What happened from a few years ago until now? Did the values of the company change? Has the character of the owners changed? Are they perhaps burned out?
Character and values are important. Integrity is important. I view character as who you are when no one is looking but it’s also how you show up in what you’re doing. Are you lazy, consistently tardy, disengaged, indifferent, lack compassion, prideful or are you caring, compassionate, honest, trustworthy, reliable and humble? Our character usually reflects our value system. I was raised to love God, love people and to work hard. Don’t look for people to hand you anything you are not willing to work for. That was the wisdom of my Grandpa who at one point worked three jobs to provide for his family. Grandma would say, “Don’t expect God to bless you sitting down.” That met you need to be doing something and doing it with quality and care as “unto the Lord” or don’t do it at all. Whatever your values are, that’s what you’ll lean on. A few of mine are faith, compassion, reliability and being a woman of my word. It’s all wrapped up in a word: integrity.
About sixteen years ago, I knew someone who was habitually tardy. She was known by her friends, co-workers, and church for being late. People, including herself, would laugh about it. But the truth is people didn’t like it. In some cases, they found it to be disrespectful. One year we had a gathering to celebrate an event in her life. She was almost 3 hours late. People were complaining, to say the least. I was embarrassed and quite frankly upset. When she arrived she announced that she was “fashionably late”. We never seemed to hold her accountable. Because we cared so much about her we accepted that she was always going to be late. However, I don’t believe we helped her by enabling and accepting the behavior.
In whatever you do in life, whether it’s in your home serving your family or in business or ministry, what is your character saying about you? Could it be that opportunities you are praying for are not opening to you because change must happen in certain areas? Don’t feel condemned but do begin to make those changes. Character follows us. Truth be told, our character goes before us. In some cases, people hear about you before they even meet you.
I was asked to speak at a church in Ocala a few years ago, the person who recommended me had heard me speak at another church in Orlando. When the church in Ocala called me the first thing she said was, “Mrs. G told us that you were fantastic, a clear powerful message, you showed up early, you were friendly and you ended on time…the women loved you!” I treasured that phone call and have never forgotten it because my character had gone before me. Not just what I do but how I do it, spoke for me. My heart to serve with excellence NOT with perfection and to honor God in what I do and to bless the precious women that I serve is what I pray will go before me always.
If you could hear the conversations of others that are experiencing you, what would they say about you? Are there areas where change is necessary now? Please don’t delay. Make those changes with God’s grace so that you can be your best and do your best in the areas you serve in LIFE. Want help in changing certain areas? Please contact me HERE.
Cheering you on,
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