Getting Over What Other People Think
“People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway. If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway. What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway. The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough; give the world the best you’ve got anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and your God; it was never between you and them anyway.” - Mother Teresa
We live in an age where social media exposes everyone's lives, but often only the parts they want you to see. The constant exposure to everyone's highlight reels can create a false sense that our own lives aren't good enough. In this era of online sharing, we also receive unsolicited advice and opinions. As lawn care business owners, we may have experienced this firsthand when starting our ventures. Friends and family may have expressed both positive and negative views on our choice to start a business. Some may have doubted our chances of success. However, in the words of Mother Teresa, we must build anyway. We can't shape our lives solely to please others. We are responsible for our decisions, so it's crucial to make choices that align with our own values and goals.
The power of social media becomes evident when we share personal achievements. For example, if I were to post online about buying a new truck, I would receive a range of comments. Some would be supportive, congratulating me on the purchase. Others might criticize the price, suggesting that I should have donated to charity instead. And some might simply disagree and express negativity towards my decision to buy a new truck altogether. The truth is, you can never win the approval of everyone. Pleasing everyone is an impossible feat, and quite frankly, it doesn't matter. I don't concern myself with people's disagreements or disapproval. My focus is on what matters to me, my family, and my faith. I care about the opinions of my wife and the alignment of my decisions with my values and relationship with God. We all have different faiths and beliefs, and it's essential to base our decisions on what is meaningful to us.
It's important to acknowledge that none of us are infallible. We all make mistakes and poor choices at times. However, when we stumble, it's crucial to take responsibility and make amends. Rectifying our errors and learning from them is an essential part of personal growth and development. As lawn care business owners, it's our responsibility to make good choices and treat others with kindness. We strive to lead by example, lifting people up rather than tearing them down.
In a world where opinions and judgments are prevalent, we must remain true to ourselves and our values. As Mother Teresa reminds us, it is ultimately between us and our God. The opinions of others should never hold more weight than our own conscience and the guidance of our faith. By making decisions that align with our values and focusing on being kind and supportive, we can create a positive impact within our industry and beyond. Let us embrace authenticity, trust in our own judgment, and continue to build our lawn care businesses with integrity and compassion.
