Dale Vermillion, president and CEO, Vermillion Consulting Inc.

As published in Scotsman Guide's Residential Edition, May 2005.

In earlier articles, we discussed the components of what I call the “Triangle for Success.” I attempted to provide proven tips and techniques to help achieve professional success in the mortgage business. In this article, I would like to share one of the most wonderful and important things we can do with our success: Give back.

In the past two years, I have witnessed the daily life-and-death struggles of children and families in some of the poorest areas of India. This past Jan. 7, I boarded a plane with my two oldest sons, 14-year-old Brock and 12-year-old Jake, for a 10-day trip to central India. We visited the impoverished region of Andhra Pradesh to work with and help underprivileged children living in an orphanage.

For me, this was a return trip. I had the privilege of visiting this part of India for the first time in February 2004. After meeting the people, I immediately planned this return trip to renew my friendships with the wonderful people I had come to know and love. I also wanted my sons to join me in what has become a significant, life-changing experience for me.

In turn, I learned four key principles from my India trips that can help you succeed in business and life.

Lesson No. 1: We live in the world’s wealthiest nation.
The average income in Andhra Pradesh is $1 per day. The average worker toils from sunrise to sunset to earn that money. Most workers have limited or no education and no business opportunities as we know them. India’s caste system ensures that people are born into poverty and a life of hard labor with little opportunity for change. Most families live in thatch homes with dirt floors. They have no access to technology, no sanitation systems, limited access to medical services and little or no food or fresh water.

In contrast, when it comes to opportunity, money and possessions, Americans are incredibly wealthy. In fact, 90 percent of the world lives in poverty. If you earn a six-figure annual income, you are among the top 1 percent of the wealthiest people in the world. Many of us live comfortable lives and have material possessions that most of the world will never even see, let alone own. The only thing exceeding that wealth is our opportunity. Thanks to the democracy in which we live, the education we receive and the free enterprise we enjoy, we can earn as much money as we are willing and able to make. What an incredible privilege. There is no doubt that we have or can achieve everything we could ever need or even wish for in our lives.

But how many times do we find that despite our wealth and opportunities, we remain unfulfilled? Why? Because in America, there is no such thing as enough. I rarely meet people who consider themselves successful enough, rich enough, having enough or happy enough.

• In business: Give thanks every day for the many blessings in your life and for the fact that you work in the greatest industry in the greatest country in the world. You have an incredible opportunity to make a difference for your customers every day. You can help them achieve their dreams of fi-nancial freedom and homeownership through a mortgage loan. Always remember to provide the greatest benefit possible to your customers in each and every transaction.
• In life: Professional, financial and material success do not equate to true life success. Appreciate what you have. Make the most of every day. Most importantly, take from all that you have and give back to those who have so little.

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