In our book, “Live What You Love”, we talk a lot about The Big 4: Passion, People, Environment and Money. Now that we’re “commuting” between Florida and Anguilla, we’ve become even more aware of the critical role that people play in our lives. It’s always been clear to us that the people we work with in Anguilla – or anywhere else for that matter – affect how we feel about our work. When you surround yourself with people you care about, even day-to-day chores can be satsifying and fulfilling. Our staff at the restaurant continue to be the core of our life for that very reason.
As we get more settled in our new Florida home, we’re reminded of how every person in your life contributes to your happiness. It’s not just about your family, coworkers and close friends. It’s about how you interact with everyone in your community. For instance, the phone rang yesterday and a cheery voice on the other end said, “Hi! It’s Charlie the painter. Remember me? I was just thinking about you guys and wondered how things were going for you.” Charlie had indeed done some painting for us when we first moved in a couple of months ago. Never in a million years, however, would we have expected such a freindly call that had nothing to do with business or painting. He was truly just checking in. And a few days ago, we were driving to the warehouse (actually just a self-storage unit) and Dale, a local contractor that did some work for us, waved as we passed each other on the road. We’re used to waving at everyone in Vermont and Anguilla, but in a big city in Florida? That was a surprise. Then there’s Wendy, the wonderful real estate broker who found our house and sent us a personal e-mail the other day just to say hello. Nothing to do with money or business.
The point, of course, is that when we talk in our books about surrounding yourself with people whose company you genuinely enjoy, we want you to know that we mean all of the people in your life – not just the most obvious. We chose to do business with Charlie, Dale and Wendy not just because they’re good at what they do, but because we liked them. We really, truly enjoyed spending time with them.
Although we all have our own definition of what it means to live what you love, relationships are the common denominator for all of us. Everyone we meet contributes to how we feel and how we look at the world. Try sharing some personal thoughts with a store clerk or a taxi driver. Get to know some little piece of who they are. You’ll be amazed at how a new friend – even one who passes through your life for just a few moments – can put a smile on your face and make your day that much more rewarding.