The Power of Clear Agreements: A Story of Collaboration and Alignment
Photo by le Sixième Rêve on Unsplash
This is a story about clear agreements. I love clear, up-front agreements. They help everyone feel safe, and when something goes wonky, you can go back to them, and they'll help you get back on track.
So here's what happened...
My sister-in-law Renee offered to help me clean my new property. The one I was telling you about at the lake.
We made a clear agreement that I would pay her for her time. We worked two solid days, exhausted and satisfied at the end. And even though it was hard work, it was also pleasurable, filled with Thieves essential oil cleaner that smelled so good and purified the space, singing to Renee’s playlist, and deep reverence for the camper part of the property that was built so well and has been lovingly cared for over the years. We honored her as we moved our hands over every inch of the space. We basked in the excitement of the good times to come at this property for both of us.
We had a great time and were filled up by a job well done and our time spent together. We have 34 years of history under our belts, so this time was soul-satisfyingly meaningful.
And then we got to the end, and it was time to pay her for her work in accordance with our clear, up-front agreement, and we had a conversation that went like this:
R: You don't have to pay me.
C: We agreed that you would get paid.
R: I know, but I loved helping you. I would help anyone.
C: I know you would. Can we explore this for a minute?
R: Yes
So we stood in my office with its pink walls emanating love and holding us in what felt like a warm hug. I could feel the palpable energy in the space, and I knew this conversation was important and supported.
C: I look at the properties as a business, and when I expect the business to pay for its needs, it causes money to come in to support that. That's the energy I want for the business.
R: That makes sense, but it was so fun.
(We both instantly recognized the belief system that work shouldn’t be fun).
C: What if work could feel like play? I used to believe I had to suffer for work too. I’ve changed that belief, and things are much more fun now. What if you could get paid for work that feels like fun? Also, If I didn't pay you, I would feel I owed you and needed to help you with something.
R: And I might feel resentful if you told me you paid other people who helped and not me.
C: And I wouldn't feel I could ask you to help again.
R: And I might not be willing or able to help if you did because I do need to earn money and only have so much free time.
And just like that, we were back in alignment with our agreement. We exchanged an envelope of cash, and it felt clean. The weight of what we could have chosen, resentment, discomfort, and owing each other evaporated.
We could have carried this around with us. Instead, it lifted off, and we were free. She's coming back later this month to help again, which would not have been possible if we weren’t able to have this clear energy exchange. As we move forward, our clear agreement and open communication pave the way for future collaborations filled with joy, fulfillment, and shared success.
Does your business have clear, up-front agreements that you can return to when things get off track? If you want to share, email me at carol@carolleblanccpa.com and let me know. I’d love to hear about it.
In love,
Carol