Business I career coach

The 10th Commandment

I

recently attended a
you are apparently preoccupied in
ever someone else buys something you
bat mitzvah service in
watching two stores."
want and cannot afford.
Highland Park, Ill., for
Coveting, as defined in the
Forget what everyone else is doing. Stay
a very special family friend.
10th Commandment, was once
focused on doing your own work, taking
Following the girl's skill-
considered a secret treason. This
care of yourself and your family, doing
ful reading of the weekly
final commandment, the rabbi
what it takes to support yourself and pay
Haftorah portion, I was pre-
explained, is believed to be the
your bills.
pared to relax when Rabbi
most difficult of all the com-
Take a Post It note and write down two
Vernon Kurtz told an inspir-
mandments because it is inherent words: Quit coveting. Jealousy is a wasted
ing story prompting this col-
Robert Sher
in human nature to desire what
emotion leading to resentment and dis-
umn. I hope his story inspires
Columnist
another person has but observ-
trust. Don't waste any time looking over
you.
ing this commandment makes
the shoulder of somebody else's success.
Two men operated similar businesses
it far easier to observe the others, he said.
We have choices. We choose our career
close to one another. One man's store was
Those who do not covet generally do not
paths. We choose our friends. Ultimately,
wildly successful while the other man's store steal, murder, commit adultery, bear false
we must choose and be responsible for our
barely eked out a living for its owner. After
witness or stray after other gods, the rabbi own happiness. None of us should ever
a period of time elapsed and the situations
noted.
be dissatisfied with our own successes
for the stores remained unchanged, the
We should hold onto this message
and/or failures just because we are look-
owner of the store that was barely limping
every day in our business and personal
ing at other people who seem to be more
along walked into the successful man's store lives. We should remember the 10th
accomplished.
and said: "My store is not too successful.
Commandment, which forbids coveting
You certainly don't want to make the
Would you please share the secret of your
the goods of another, every time someone
same mistakes as evidenced by the follow-
success?" The other man said: "The secret is
else gets promoted, every time something
ing fable about "a dog and a bone
obvious. I am watching only one store while good happens to someone else and when-
A dog had a large bone his master gave

ir

0

based Schostak Brothers & Co., he now serves

on the West Bloomfield Township Board of

Trustees and is treasurer of the American

Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Foundation. His e-mail address is:
info@bobshercom.

Levy & Associates Can help!

We stop and resolve the situation before going to
court, and lawyers are needed. We let you focus
on your personal and professional life.

oo

SPECIALIZING IN:

Offer in Compromise

• Abatement of Penalties
IRS Collection Issues
• Installment Agreements
Release of Wage Garnishments • Currently Non-Collectible Status
Release of Bank Levies
• Innocent Spouse Claims
• Unfiled Tax Returns
• State Tax Collection Issues

We are a Michigan based corporation. We have successfully
represented thousands of corporations and individuals
throughout the State of Michigan.

Associates:
• Charles M. Inman, Ill, C.P.A.+
• Patricia L. Martinez, C.P.A.+
• Dale L. Gudenau, Esq.**
• Michelle C. Levy, Esq.**
• Julie Morley*

• Kenneth Winston, E.A.•
• Richard A. Erickson++
• Renee M. Cooney*
• Glenn Sturm, C.P.A. & A.I.C.P.A.
• Allen Reback, Regional Manager
• Jerry Becker, Regional Manager

+ Member Michigan Association of Certified Public Accountants
** Member Michigan Bar Association
* Member National Society of Accountants
• Former IRS Revenue Officer
++ American Society of Tax Problem Solvers

A34

Robert Sher, CPA, is a certified executive

coach. Formerly CFO and partner for Livonia-

DO YOU HAVE
BUSINESS OR PERSONAL
TAX PROBLEMS?

,

•
•
•
•

him. As he trotted off to enjoy it, he went
across a bridge over a river. He looked
down into the water and saw a reflection
in the water of a dog also carrying a bone
in his mouth. The bone looked larger than
the one in his mouth. He lunged toward
the water to get the other dog's bone, drop-
ping his bone and falling into the water
and struggled to shore. As he climbed out
of the water, he realized how stupid he had
been.
While at times you may think you see
something that looks more attractive
than what you have, it may be something
already in your possession. ❑

December 13 2007

YOUR OPTIONS:

OFFICE
LOCATIONS

• New York

• Los Angeles

• Boston

• Ft. Lauderdale

Payment plans

Reduction or elimination of penalties
Settlement for less than the amount demanded

EVY

We have resolved MILLIONS in tax
liabilities in the last year alone!

• West Palm Beach

• Tampa

• Orlando

• Dallas

Lawrence B. Levy

Member National Society of Accountants &
American Society of Tax Problem Solvers

28400 Southfield Rd • Southfield, MI 48075
248.557.4048 • Fax 248.443.1642
Toll Free 877.666.1evy (5389)
www.levygroupinc.com

roll Worth

• Indianapolis

