Wisdom is all around us: from the MBT Blog
Published by Mary Balistreri, MBT More Business Today LLC
As we begin today’s blog, our friend Sherri sits quietly and ponders her life over the last 20 years. “How am I?” she murmurs out loud, then says again, “How AM I?” emphasizing the word am. Her friend Tony recently asked her this question. While she reflects, she also considers her life as a professional. An entrepreneur for two decades, Sherri grew her business by building relationships. She threw nearly all of herself into her business and her community. Eventually, the two things blended together and became her life. Now she contemplates whether her strategy was correct. Did it serve her well?
“Where do I fit into all of that as a person?” she wonders aloud to herself. She sits in her home office in her comfy overstuffed yellow, leather chair with a notebook on her lap. The notebook is simple, the kind you pick up at the local store. It bears no ornamentation or graphics. The cover is plain cardboard. The pages are lined. It is a no-nonsense, just-write-the-stuff-down kind of notebook. It suits her, her accounting business, and her mood today. “No nonsense, just write down what I am thinking,” Sherri murmurs to herself.
Sherri’s Thoughts – October 10, 2024
–I remember when I started my business. My mission was to bring financial education and growth to my community. I threw myself into my community. I SHOWED UP!!! I bridged barriers and grew my business. Looking back, I absolutely succeeded. The question is, did I take care of myself as a person?
– I AM my business.
– I am a servant leader. I serve my team, my clients, my community and my family.
– How am I? I am Great! and I am Tired! and I am Happy! I love my life.
“What am I missing with this exercise?” Sherri wonders out loud. She thinks about the conversation she had with David, the son of a friend. (To read more about that, read Yes, But How Are You?) “He was right about how I filled my life with activity. Is it because I am avoiding something?” she says, again out loud. “I’m calling him,” she decides and dials him on her cell. Now, her cell phone is bejeweled because when she is out in public, she dresses. The bling on her phone reflects her outer persona.
“Hello, David? Yeah, it’s Sherri. I’m okay, but I don’t get this exercise you talked about with the journaling. What’s supposed to happen?” Sherri speaks louder than usual. This whole exercise is frustrating her.
David holds the phone a bit away from his ear as he listens. “Wow, Sherri is keyed up!” he thinks. David sits in his stark, functional office at his law firm. He never hung paintings or added anything personal to the office, because he remains unsure about his future there. “I am so glad you called, Sherri! I could use a little break,” he stands up and runs his fingers through his shaggy sandy, blond hair.
“Here is what happened to me,” David says. “In the beginning, I started writing things down and I kind of thought it was stupid. But, the more I did it, the more I realized there were situations I never thought about. Things I did not want to think about. For me, that contributed to my panic attacks. Now, you never had a panic attack, so I would think it might be different for you.”
“Uh-huh. That’s right. I never had a panic attack. I am a very busy person. I do see value in reflection, though. You know, when I built my business, I did a great job. Things were not easy and I worked hard, but that is okay. I was working for me, you know,” she pauses to listen to his words of agreement. “Now, I am thinking about what is next? My kids are grown and out of the house.”
“Yes, that is something to think about. I am thinking that for myself right now. I am not sure if this law firm is the place for me,” David’s voice trails off as he says this.
“You’re talking to me in your office aren’t you? That’s why you’re talking so quietly,” Sherri laughs her deep, throaty laugh at this. “Well, who you work with is as important as what your work is, you get me?”
“Yes, I get you. You’re saying this may not be the right community for me. How did you build your client base in your business?” he asks. David knows Sherri has a very successful business.
“You know, I was very intentional. I knew who I wanted to serve and I showed up in those spaces. Building trust is something you have to work at, it does not happen over night. Thinking back, I remember many nights when money was scarce and we were barely making it,” she chuckles. “Back then, I thought if I just kept moving, things would get better.” Sherri pauses for a few beats and David remains silent. They both sense a revelation coming,” That’s it! I was always moving and doing to drum up business and keep our heads above water. Maybe I don’t need to do that anymore. Ha!”
“I can feel you from here! Now you have given me something to think about. Who are the people I want to serve as a lawyer. Hmm. I never thought about it before,” David’s mind starts moving. He feels the gears in his head starting to move as if he just applied a dose of new clean, motor oil to them.
“Right. The who was pretty easy for me. I could have used some pointers on the how, though. In the beginning, I was doing everything I could do for anybody who would ask me. And, believe me, I was undercharging. That was a hard thing to reconcile, how to charge what I am worth and still serve my people. But over time, we both caught up with each other. The small minority businesses I served grew until they started telling me I should charge more. In the end, it all worked out,” Sherri’s face beams with nostalgia. “Now, what do I want this next portion of my business and my life to be? I am going to journal about that. Thank you, David!” Sherri is ready to hang up and move on now. The faster this call is over, the sooner she can write down everything in her mind.
“And I am going to think about who I want to serve as a lawyer. Believe me, this firm charges well for my services. I like my clients. The question for me is really about the environment. Who is in my working community? Thank you for the advice and the inspiration, Sherri!”
“Ha, ha! Who would have thought it! A young white man and an older black woman have so much to share with each other? You take care, David,” Sherri hangs up and picks up her journal with renewed enthusiasm.
David looks at the phone and laughs out loud. That is Sherri for you! He loves this new relationship with her. He is both being mentored and mentoring at the same time. Life is amazing!
Tune in next time as David continues his quest to determine whether he fits in at his current firm.
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