With July 4th being here, I'm reminded how many people have an altered view of what freedom really means. Some people think that freedom means never having to be responsible to anyone for anything. It's the same attitude I've heard from commissioned salespeople who say that they shouldn't be required to mess with inventory, clean up the office area, or handle any administrative duties because "That's not what they're getting paid for!"

But real freedom comes with a price, even in business. The right to be free comes with equal and balanced responsibilities. No responsibility, no rights, and no freedom. Freedom means having the power to choose to do the right thing. And working hard at all the aspects of your job and at home is required if you are to be truly free.

Freedom requires investing today for the benefits of tomorrow. An investment of time, education, discipline and service to your employer and to your customers results in future streams of wealth and security for you and your family. These are the rewards you achieve for hard work. They are the rewards of freedom.

Free people are grateful for what they have. They don't complain much. Free people enjoy serving others, because they know that good service comes back to them in the form of friendship and money. Free people go the extra mile and do the extra things that others don't do. Free people take risks and stand up for what is right, even when the majority want to take the easy way out.

As an automotive sales professional, you've been given the rights to an inventory, an office, free advertising and an administrative support staff to help you earn above average income. Now it's your responsibility to maximize the use of these tools for your success. Yes, you're free to give 50% effort, you're free to waste your opportunities, and you're free not to invest wisely in the time you spend at the dealership.

And at the end of the day, you'll learn the lesson that freedom comes with a price. Because you won't be successful, and you want have enough money in the bank to be able to enjoy anything. You'll be anything but free.

Invest in freedom now! Invest in yourself. Enroll as a student at Auto Universtity.