We all have ways of testing opportunities that enter our
lives. Some of us just dive right in based on feeling,
others walk straight into what they know is right by a gut
feeling or intuition. And if it's not gut feelings or
emotions that are the tests of opportunities, it is the
logical mind persuading us to ignore those feelings and
emotions and test it with our reality of reason.
Most of us do not have a predetermined strategy for testing
opportunities, or even more generally to test the actions
we take and the choices we make in our lives.
There is an easier way to determine if our choices we make
and the opportunities we receive ‘pass the test'. This
simple 32 word statement of business ethics was first
created in the 1930s and used to turn around a failing
company. These four questions were applied by each
employee to each and to every minute detail of the
company's workings. This little list of four questions
from Rotary International, a humanitarian business
organization, is the most widely printed, translated and
reproduced piece of business ethics today:
"Of the things we say, think or do:
1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?"
If we built businesses and our lives based on these very
simple 4 questions we would be coming from a place
completely the opposite of the competitive mind and the
lack mentality. As you can see, these questions prompt you
to choose what is true, fair, and good, making choices that
can build friendships and goodwill. It helps us to see how
the choices we make can be beneficial to all concerned.
Because of our societal influences, we most often are
inclined to make choices and act based on a competitive
mind. This comes from the perspective of lack, scarcity,
and ultimately greed.
Any opportunity based on the model of competition and lack
will simply not pass the test. Competition promotes
strife. It embodies winning one spot, taking it away from
all the other people who want it. It misleads people to
believing there is only one chance for success, when in
reality there is plenty for all.
The competitive model encourages people to rely on a source
outside of themselves to give them what they need. This
denies the power of their own ability to create what they
want. This narrow focus shows they are choosing to ignore
the possibility of creating this opportunity in their own
lives, instead of trying to win the spot from millions of
others.
This simple testing technique takes us completely out of
the competitive mind of greed, scarcity and lack. It turns
our thoughts and choices toward the positive, realizing
there are opportunities we can take that can provide
increase for all concerned.
I invite you to use these questions to test your actions
and opportunities in your life. If you are seeking
opportunity, these questions may help you see things in a
different way. In doing this, perhaps you might find an
opportunity in your life which truly allows you to benefit
the world, while at the same time reaching whatever your
dreams, goals, and desires are.