The Only Saint In The Neighborhood

No one is completely infallible. In the astute words of literary critic, Alfred Kazin, there may even be ‘danger’ in being “the only saint in the neighborhood”. The danger in mortgage banking is that many successful mortgage industry professionals from Wall Street to Main Street “believed” they were infallible. Feeling infallible sets one’s moral compass spinning and control is lost. Once control is lost, honesty and ability are right behind it.

In the game of mortgaging, much like the children’s game of “Jacks”, there is a certain amount of luck and a fair amount of ability. But in mortgaging when we don’t trust our ability and feel a need to "insure” that our loans close, our ethical compass goes in circles. Control of that compass ( aka self control) is essential to earning an honest win. Self control has been written about since the beginning of time. It is mentioned numerous times in the Bible. Why is it so important? Because self control is difficult and cheating is easy. Weather it is on your diet, with the IRS, in your marriage or in a loan file; cheating can be fast and easy.

Sorry folks, but cheating is a loss of self control. The 1960s saying “If it feels good, do it!” may very well be the worst slogan in the history of mankind. It encouraged us to be weak by giving into temptation. Sometimes that temptation was to cheat to win or cheat to earn money. The sad thing is, today there is much cheating for power going on, and frankly speaking, cheating holds no power.

A non-cheating, self controlled person has control of their moral compass and can set their own direction. Now THAT is a real power! And power used wisely with thoughts of consequences in mind produces benefits both immediate and future. For comparison, check out business people who are genuinely interested in developing discipline rather than a big piece of market share. Even in this rough economy most are still here.

Cheating for money is a well traveled road. However, keep in mind, many roads lead to money. In our society’s ‘right now’ mentality it is easy to see why some people have a difficult time investing in their future by taking the more difficult, controlled route to fortune.

Recent mortgage market history has taught us that prosperity that lasts in mortgage lending has been found by those who took the more difficult route not the quick, “cheater’s detour”.

Quote of the day:

" Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on the front door of the cheater forever. " Author Unknown