Are you living up to it?
Paper money used to be backed by a supply of gold, actual gold. Not the flecks that sometimes glitters in lakes and streams or in a quiet ocean, but solid gold. If you desired to trade your paper money in for the only bars better than chocolate, you could. There was a sense of value behind the bills in your wallet because they represented something that was considerably valuable.
Sadly, the Gold Standard is all but extinct now. Paper money is backed by accounts payable or accounts receivable. But the symbolism is still there, hopefully. And with such symbols, a certain amount of respect is due.
- Gold Records – with sales of 500,000.
- Gold medals – awarded to the best in the competition.
- Gold Rings – signify commitment to the one.
- Gold Cup – the best football/soccer has to offer.
- And the Golden Globes just aired last week – the best in entertainment is celebrated.
Gold has come to represent the best of the best with longstanding value behind it. Kind of like putting your money where your mouth is. Look past the symbolism and wrap your head around the idea that providing unsurpassed service or a superb product means more than just deserving a gold medal. In youth sports programs everywhere, every player is awarded a medallion or trophy, no child should be left out or less than. But is that the right and true thing? The BEST should be rewarded with intent and purpose, with the desire to show the greatest value. Not because entitlement lurks at every corner
In our daily work lives, when conducting business, is there opportunity for improvement or are you already giving 100% to clients and promising more to future clients? Is there “the better way” that 2nd century military leader, Hannibal spoke of? “I will either find a way, or make one.” His words were used to inspire his army, but they can work for you. Find the better way.
Backing your words and efforts with a promise is not the same as backing them with actions and knowledge. When you say you will deliver, do it. When you sell yourself as the best at your craft, be it. The standard you set must not only be deliverable, but also recognizable. What is your gold standard? Are you reserves tapped out? Or have you built your store to draw upon for years to come?
“If money is your hope for independence you will never have it. The only real security that a man will have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience, and ability.” ~Henry Ford
Rayanne Thorn, @ray_anne is the Marketing Director for the online recruiting software company, Broadbean Technology. She is also a proud mother of four residing in Laguna Beach, California, and a contributor for Blogging4Jobs. Connect with her on LinkedIn.
