Last time I was in Hong kong I bought a couple of Rolexes. Instead of costing thousands of dollars each, they cost less than 100 dollars for both watches. These are great-looking replicas of the original. From the heavy weight of the watch to  the smooth second hand movement, these watches look and feel like the real thing. After I bought them, I reasoned with myself, “why did I ever by a real one?” There’s only one problem with my imitation watches: they can’t keep time. Every time I wear one of my Falsex watches, I’m reminded why I love my real Rolex.

In life, much like my watches, the fake seldom deliver on their promises. In the business world we deal with salespeople and companies that promise us a product or services just as good as the high-quality, more expensive version, but for less than half of the price. Right. When we deal with imitations, the illusion of quality is only temporary because, ultimately, an imitation cannot deliver on its promises. It lacks the inner strength that make the real thing, well, the real thing.

Unfortunately, I come across people who are imitations of the better person they portray. You have met them too. They are well put together, they say the right words, and they make a strong impression as they quickly become part of your life. However, there’s not enough substance to them, and they don’t come through when you most need them. You want to give them the benefit of the doubt for breaking their word, for flaking out on the relationship, but they don’t have what it takes to do the right thing. It’s just not in them. Like the fake Rolex, what’s inside is not quality.

I want to be the real thing. I want to deliver on my promises, keep my word and be the person I represent, not just talk a good game. To me that means paying a higher price and putting the time and effort to become the real deal.  It means doing the difficult things I might not like to do because they will produce long lasting fruit.

I pray that you will join me today and choosing to be the real thing and not a cheap imitation that shines for a moment, and then becomes a lifetime of disappointment.

How do you deal with fakes in your life?