Giving

"Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, as long as you can." This quote from D.L. Moody, the founder of the Moody Bible Institute is about as succinct as it gets when it comes to how we should approach life (and business). To me this quote is saying to always be focusing on how you can give of yourself and help those in your path.



If you match this particular quote with Zig Ziglar's famous "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want" you can see that all Zig is doing is showing you what the ultimate impact is on you, of living your business from the perspective of what D. L. Moody is espousing.



I wish I could tell you that this is easy to do. But I have to tell the truth...this is hard to do. We all by nature are self-centered. It is natural for us to always think about how everything is going to affect us. We have to consciously focus on helping others as a way of being... in other words, there is a learning curve for becoming an "others first" person in business. BUT this is a key to building long term sustainable businesses in any community. It is a key point in becoming a person that attracts others to your cause. The more you become known as a helping, giving person the more deeply you will be trusted and respected...your motivations will never be in doubt.



When I was a kid, a man moved in next door to us named Charles Skirven. Only now do I truly understand the heights of his accomplishments. He built, from the ground up a very successful real estate company. Here's how I saw him as a kid. He was a guy who took us out fishing in his boat every now and then, he was always doing something to help someone. I witnessed him, essentially eliminate an afternoon of planned fishing because, there was a boater in the area who's engine had quit. This wasn't someone he knew, and he could simply have checked to make sure they were okay...but he didn't...he went the full mile and then some to tow these people home. Now the coast guard would have done this sooner or later (they had a radio) but he helped them because it was what he did and who he was. He ws always nice to everyone.



Now I was too young to know the man's work habits, but I can only guess he worked hard...but so do a lot of people...this man was nice, honest , and constantly was helping other people...and in the end? He was very successful and had everything he needed...but you know what else he had? He had an awesome journey! You see, helping others and giving of yourself feels better than just about anything else there is...How ironic...you get more joy AND more success in life by NOT thinking about what you want or need...let that bounce around your brain for a few moments:-)