Business and Friends
Business and Friends
Do business and friends mix? Can one have friends while perusing the same goals as one’s friends?
Do goals and achievements get in the way of friendship? Does jealousy rear its ugly head in friendship when one moves forward while the other stands still? If someone is a true friend, wouldn’t they stand by you no matter what happened, and shouldn’t they be happy for when you succeed? Why does it always seem some friends can’t past the envy or jealousy?
Is competition too much for a friendship to endure?
Internet friends…do they tell the truth? Are they who they really say they are, or do they just say what you want to hear, then turn and stab you in the back?
Is there a place for honesty in business and in friendship? I’ve asked myself so many times what have I done? Can I make it better? I’m tired of second-guessing myself when it comes to friends, and I shouldn’t have to. If they were a true friend that person would come to you and tell you if something was wrong. I know I would. Isn’t it the same way with business? If you do something wrong your boss tells you and you learn from your mistakes. There is no anger, only an eagerness to learn. Shouldn’t it be the same with friendships? You trust the person to come to you if something is wrong so that person does not do it again and your friendship can grow on trust.
All these questions make me wonder what a friend is and can a friendship survive in the same business.
I consider you a friend, but will you be the one who runs to complain to others about your so-called friend?
I speak the truth and try to help my friends with their business so we can all grow, but do you return the favor? Or do you take all you can get from those who trust you and run for the hills?
If something horrible happens to said friend, do you stand by him or her or do you pretend you never knew such a friend and ignore them?
I stand by those I call friends because I believe a mixture of friendship and business can work. I’ve had many friends over the years who I can call true friends, but it’s sad in this day and age when people pretend to be your friend just to cause disturbances in your life because of their inner fears and insecurities.
Do these questions come to close to hitting a nerve? Then maybe you need to re-define your idea of friendship.
Very powerful post, Trin. You make some excellent points and I think you’re absolutely right. It’s hard to dust that “Me-Myself and I Devil” off your shoulder and think of your fellow man first. Becoming a mom has helped me have a little more patience. LOL And that helps everyone around me!
I know the support I’ve received from my friends( both cyber and virtual lol) has made all the difference in the world.
)
Yep that is for sure. I have many friends that have supported me that I thougt didn’t want anything to do with me.
Trinity
Trinity, I think you made some excellent points and the one that stuck out for me was the way some people act because of their own fear and insecurity. If people would just realize that there’s truly “enough for everyone” they could leave that attitude in the dust.
It’s a risk when you deal with anyone, no matter whether it’s business or friendship or love. All you can do is put yourself out there and pick up the pieces when you get burned. Otherwise, you’ll just be hiding away and letting life pass you by. You can help yourself by keeping your eyes open as much as possible, but you still have to take a risk.
Great, insightful, thought-provoking post. I think you have a beautiful site and am book-marking it for return visits.
I hear ya, darlin. One of the things I had to learn is everyone has a different definition of what is backstabbing and what is supportive. There are a lot of folks who feel that if you say anything about someone that is negative, even if it is the truth, you are a backstabber. There are people who feel that someone who doesn’t say their friend is great and wonderful all the time isn’t being supportive. I just don’t subscribe to that. I like the truth. And I like people who aren’t afraid of the truth and don’t have to have the world sugar coated for them. Those people who think I’m not their friend just because I don’t always say they are perfect and wonderful 24/7… well, they are the ones who will be hurt in the end because wearing rose colored glasses in a tough world like this is bad business.
I prefer to support my friends by being honest with them and always giving of myself when I can. I know that I can always count on you to send me a birthday card or a sweet thought. You know you can always count on me to fix a broken website or give you a shoulder to cry on. Just honest emotion. I’ll take that over lip service any day.