I’ve become a big fan of life coaching. Though I have always been comfortable with my own introspection, an opportunity arose recently to work with a life coach to enhance my work as an entrepreneur.
The other day we were talking about the process I go through when something doesn’t go right. In my work with interior design and writing, there are times when something just doesn’t click with a client. When asked to describe the process of facing a problem, I didn’t hesitate in describing it. Of course, the first step is acknowledging that something has gone awry. My second step is always asking “how can I make this right?” This is second nature to me, so when the life coach pointed out that this showed a deep sense of integrity, I was a little surprised, and very pleased.
As professionals, all of us open ourselves up to risk and rejection daily. If we’re not taking risks and putting ourselves out there, we’re not working hard enough. With all of that effort comes the inevitable mistakes, disagreements, or just your garden-variety lapse of judgment. In real estate, you are dealing with two of the most intense components of your clients’ lives: money and home. You cannot avoid slip-ups, because many of them are beyond your control. So, what can you do?
The best thing you can do is make it right, immediately.
When something has gone wrong or you realize you’ve made a mistake, contact those who will be affected by it, as soon as possible. This does two things: It puts your mind at ease instead stressing about how you’ll respond. It also allows you to jump right into damage-control mode, often before others know there’s a problem. The impact of a readily admitted problem is lessened when you are giving the bad news, instead of getting it.
Once the right people have been told, and you’ve had a chance to assess the situation, it’s time to make it right. Just that one action sets you apart from other professionals. Your automatic desire to right things is at the heart of living zen. A problem identified, then unattended, hangs over you like a black thunder cloud blocking your sun. When you actively seek to make things right, you’ll often find that the solution is surprisingly simple or just your willingness to fix things is enough and the problem is waved off.
One of the most powerful sentences you’ll use as a professional is “how can I make this right for you?” Work at it until this question is your natural response whenever a problem is identified. When you’ve mastered this mindset, your reputation for exhibiting integrity will soar. Your zen will be in releasing the negative energy of fearing mistakes and problems, because now you have the tools to make things right.
Guest Blogger: Diana Hathaway-Timmons
email: Diana@KeepYourZen.com
website: KeepYourZen.com
253.514.8892
