He stood before us and asked the question, “why?”  It’s something I’ve raised in this chat on more than one occasion.  “Why!”  Why do we do what we do?  Why is it important to us?  Why do we feel we need to continue to do it regardless of what else happens in our lives?

C.J. was the speaker for the networking group I belong to in the city.  I couldn’t have asked for a better commercial for AWP and, especially, Affiliated Women!  Because his young friend with a young family is dying of a brain tumor, C.J. focused on what it is that is ultimately important to us.  He asked several of his audience “why” they are in business.  “What” do they want to achieve. 

Always, the answer came down to “make more money.”  When asked “WHY” “more money” - only one could give an answer and it related to achieving a certain lifestyle.

I won’t belabor his point, but he was emphatic that when faced with LIFE - nothing else matters but relationships.  Relationships with those most significant in our lives - family, friends, close business associates that are more personal friends than business associates.

Then he did something amazing!  “If you don’t have personal relationships with your employees or those with whom you are likely to do business, you won’t be successful or achieve the goals you want for yourself and your business!”  Then he encouraged us to go to at least one other person at the event and begin a personal relationship with that person.

And he said it all comes down to our “WHY!”

Now this is something I’ve come to know!  And most of you probably know it as well.  That when we form strong, bonded relationships with others (forgetting the “sales talk”), our business grows and we will see profitability!  We will achieve the very thing we’ve said we are in business for. 

And when the chips are down in life and our very lives may be on the line - what will sustain us is those personal relationships we’ve formed over the years!  Not the money we have in the bank - or the recognition we’ve received - or the level of success we feel we’ve achieved.

C.J. received a standing ovation of “shameless applause!”  Most of us knew exactly what he was talking about.  He’s on the cutting edge as we are with AWP and Affiliated Women.  He knows what matters in life and hopefully most of those in attendance discovered it or at least had it resoundingly confirmed.

As I was leaving the event, I encountered a woman who attended our last Greater Indianapolis Affiliated Women’s development meeting.  I remarked that C.J. had just given the greatest commercial for AWI(tm).  And she nodded affirmatively.  He had just taken what we know; have experienced in our lives and wrapped it in a neat 10 minute package!

One of the facets of the 2nd half of the journey is, I think, the fact that we realize it isn’t about “sales” (yes they’re important, but not always critical).  It isn’t about how many “leads” we get at a leads meeting or how many business cards we collect at a social networking event.  It isn’t even about how well we perfect our “elevator” speech!

It’s about the relationships we form; the quality of those relationships; the transparency that occurs between us in relationship; the honesty we share with each other and the integrity that grows between us.  When we are patient with that process; we will see success we never thought possible.

Ask yourself “why” and be honest with yourself when you answer.  For it is in your “why” that you’ll find your passion; your purpose and a great deal about how you pursue the vision, mission and goals you have for yourself and your business or professional career.

A piece of encouragement for the day!  Go out and find someone you like and would like to know better.  When you connect with them; begin a personal relationship.  And for starters, you might ask him or her “why” and then be willing to answer the same question for yourself in your new friend’s presence.

Have an awesome day!

Linda, a fellow journeyer