I have been a consultant for more than 18 years and as such, I measured two important aspects of my financial survival. The quality of the client’s results (their satisfaction of accomplishments being greater than the investment in my services), and the other aspect being the strength of my relationship with the client and staff (their willingness to share their concerns because of their trust in me). I used to say if I could have a choice of just one; let it be the client's results - thinking if I did not achieve a level of results, then I would never have a sustainable relationship.  From actual experiences, I have changed my thinking – I now know that the greatest measure of long-term value comes from the relationship and not the results obtained.

I recently volunteered at  MDA’s- Muscular Dystrophy Association annual Bail-Out fund raiser. I am afflicted with a form of MD, along with my son and daughter and currently one grandson.  So when asked if I would volunteer, you can easily understand my choice.

My thinking to date has been to ask folks that I have helped over the past few years to be the base for my donations. You should probably understand that asking for help is not something that comes easily for me.  Nevertheless, ask I do and trusting that God will touch someone’s heart. I have come to understand that “touch on their heart” comes so much more from my commitment of time in building a trusting relationship, and with personal sharing versus any specific accomplishment. Simply stated people matter more than things.

I have come to appreciate that people do not care what I know, until they know I care…about them. So now, I realize that I will never have a chance to focus on client results, until I first have satisfactorily established a trusting relationship, built more on mutual respect than dollars.

So year after year, the givers come from a list of valued-based friendships. I thank them all.