Many successful business entrepreneurs and salespeople wake up and take on their day driven by an empowering mantra.  In business, a mantra captures the essence of a company’s mission statement in a succinct, memorable manner. Some business owners go so far as to use their mantra as their mission statement.

Just as businesses have mantras, so do many individuals. A personal mantra likely says a lot about you and your values. For some, a mantra is kept rather private. It stands as a personal reminder about what matters to them and how they strive to conduct themselves in business and in life.

Those who choose to share their mantra with others – be it clients, prospective clients, colleagues or employees – effectively say, “This is what I’m all about” and “Here’s what you can expect from me.”

I’d like to share a mantra with you which I’ve said over the course of my many years in business and sales. Today, as the business development strategist at Celeste Giordano Coaching, I share it with clients and encourage them to dig deep and discover the mantras that will drive them to build meaningful relationships and succeed in business.

So, here it is: “Frank, Fair, Firm, Fun“. These are the 4 “Fs” that you can count on from me.

Now, when I say I’m very FRANK, it means that I tell it like it is and don’t pull any punches. One thing that you can always count on from me is honesty. While the truth can sometimes be challenging to digest, my clients continuously express their appreciation for my frankness. They know it comes from a place of genuine caring, rather than ineffective, arrogant criticism.

For those of you who are looking to build a Legacy Business in record time, working with a ‘frank’ individual can be eye-opening. The foundation of your business must be built on truth – what really is and what really isn’t. Is it possible that you may not be telling yourself the frank truth about your own business. That’s why I’m here – to show you what you can’t see about yourself AND your business.

For that reason, I am very frank.

When I say I’m FAIR, it means that I will treat you fairly. I’m frank, but I’m fair. Fairness is a concept we’re taught at a young age, but it is challenging for many to put it into practice. Fairness is being just with those you deal with on a day to day basis, whether it’s the new prospect on the other end of the telephone, a difficult client or even someone in your personal life. Do you treat people fairly? Are your business deals fair? Are your comments and judgements fair?

If I have questions about what my clients are doing and why they’re doing it, I’ll ask. I don’t make assumptions about anything without thoroughly exploring what’s really happening in your business. There’s often more going on than meets the eye at first glance. Making assumptions about people before getting to know them is unfair, unproductive and often destructive to relationships. Unless I’m given a reason not to, I give you the benefit of the doubt.

For that reason, I am very fair.

When I say I’m very FIRM, it means I stand by the advice that I share with others. While many business coaches are tempted to tell their clients what they want to hear, I don’t believe this strategy does anyone any favors. In fact, allowing clients to believe that their mindsets and strategies are perfectly fine, when they are ineffective or even destructive, is a serious disservice. The very reason people turn to business strategists and sales coaches is because they want guidance on how to best overcome hurdles, reach their goals and build a legacy business.

I know what works and what doesn’t work. I have been training and developing business people for 36 years now. I have developed a system for success because I’ve learned from years of personal experience, successes and failures.

For that reason, I’m very firm.

Lastly, but also important, when I say I’m very fun…I mean it! It helps that I love what I do, enjoy working with people and am passionate about helping my clients thrive personally and professionally. When you enjoy what you do, your energy is contagious. People will be drawn to you at networking events and more receptive to your sales pitches.

If you aren’t having FUN, you aren’t going to earn any money (especially not lots of it)! The first step to making money is taking all the seriousness out of it. All of that significance you have wrapped around money is part of the reason you have trouble making more. When I work with clients, we often find ourselves laughing through the ups and downs of building a Legacy Business together. I look forward to every accountability call and coaching session because each is rich with opportunities.

For that reason, I’m very fun!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll reiterate it again: a mantra gives people a snapshot of who you are.

I love learning about what drives people to get up in the morning ready to put in the work necessary to accomplish great things.

So, I’d love to know: What’s your mantra?

Visit celestegiordano.com and be in touch to learn more about the many empowering programs we offer that will help you Double-Plus your income in 2015.