Why do people lie? There are the ones we tell ourselves, the ones to get ahead, white lies, broken promises, exaggeration, deceptions, plagiarism and compulsive lying-there are so many ways we dodge the truth. In Bella DePaulo’s Ph.D. research, she found people lie during one in five of their daily interactions. Pamela Meyer, author of Liespotting, says in her TED Talk that we’re lied to around 10 to 200 times a day! This leads us to wonder: how honest is our world?
As Meyer goes on to say in her TED talk, lying is a complex feature that is woven into the fabric of our history and our modern lives. She describes several indicators that unravel deception and arms people with the tools needed to spot lies. Lying in any form is serious, not just for our personal lives. Lying can be one of the main causes for the failure of your small business and why you aren’t living your ideal future.
Does this phrase ring a bell: “it’s too late to change direction now.” You’ve spent several years in a career you aren’t happy with and the idea of change seems impossible. You’re convinced that it’s too late. This idea is a lie! There isn’t an age that serves as a imaginary cut off point, there isn’t a point of no return. The years spent up to this point and the ones ahead are inevitable. What you do with your future is not permanently set in stone. If you want change, make it!
Your business needs to remain credible, and lying will never fail to ruin that. Follow through with promises, professional and personal, and stay away from exaggeration. It’s okay for your goals to be reasonably aggressive, but when you’re making a commitment make sure you do what you say you’re going to do. Stay honest and the customers will take notice, stretch the truth and they will see that too. 92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over any form of advertising: make sure you support what they say about you and your business.
“I hate my job now, but I will be happy as soon as I [get the promotion/finish the project/collect my bonus/etc.]” Which is it? What is the root cause of your unhappiness when to your career? Small fixes are temporary boosters when it comes to feeling fulfilled, but you have to think long-term. Maybe this means starting your own business, or changing your businesses company culture or pursuing your true passions. Don’t wait for something you hate to suddenly get better, only you can create change.
Question your narrative, ask why you are lying to yourself or to others. The truth will certainly lead to a more fulfilling, positive outcome than any lie you feel you need to use. Find security in your authenticity, in the end it will lead to a happier, healthier you.
Do you feel that you’re ready to get started? Let FranNet connect you with the business you’ve been looking for. Ask us about a free consultation . Our purpose is to connect the dots and make the transition from corporate employment to the freedom of business ownership manageable and safe.