Generosity -- The Gift That Gives Back

Have you ever noticed that there is a link between generosity, happiness, and prosperity? Most of us know someone, hopefully several someones, who give so generously and yet always have plenty more for themselves -- and additional giving. There's a joy and a happiness about them that is both attractive and inspiring. Thankfully, many of these people are business owners and business professionals that are making a huge impact in the communities in which they serve. While they are not always easy to spot, usually by design, their impact is undeniable and can be seen in at least three specific ways.

Givers are generous with their resources: So many successful business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals have built their business from the ground up. They know what it is like to struggle and they have a genuine appreciation for what they have received as a result of their hard work, and they can usually point back to a time when someone helped them. In appreciation and gratitude, they want to give back by either "paying it forward" or by giving from their own abundance.

Givers are generous with their time: I've noticed that most generous business people are willing to give their time to a cause, an event, a community organization, or an educational opportunity. You find them serving on boards, volunteering for events, or bringing perspective to a project. The great ones are not afraid to get their hands dirty and never seek attention or recognition for their efforts. Time is a precious gift, and they are willing to give it.

Givers are generous with their wisdom and knowledge: One of the benchmarks of a truly successful business owner or entrepreneur is their willingness to share what they have learned in their journey. While you may not get any trade secrets, particularly if you are a competitor, you will get valuable nuggets -- if you are open to receiving them. My experience shows that these people are not only willing to share their wisdom, they are eager and honored to do it. In a time when mentorship and coaching are so desperately needed, these are the people who stand up and fill the gap. As with resources and time, they want to give back and find happiness and joy in the effort. Test this for yourself and see if it isn't true.

Just a quick word of caution: If we are not willing to be generous in return, we'll quickly find our precious access cut off or severely limited. Users and takers are quickly sorted out and may find themselves on the outside looking in. There is a difference between charity and empowerment -- and there is a time for both. However, sooner or later the true giver, out of obligation to those who "will", must move on and invest their resources where they are likely to grow -- not in direct return for themselves, but for the betterment and advancement of others. The principle of sowing and reaping takes care of the giver and they are seldom in want.

It is this cycle, and this attitude toward giving that produces new generations of givers and those who will pay it forward, without hesitation and with a joyful heart. So let's start where we are, with what we have, and begin or expand our own cycle of generosity.

Happiness and prosperity are highly sought after and may just be found on the other side of generosity. I wish you well in your journey to that other side.

Send this to the givers you know and thank them for their great generosity.

What Will Our Labor Ultimately Produce?

"Genius begins great works; labor alone finishes them" -- Joseph Joubert

I think Labor Day is a great time to seriously reflect on our occupational life and spend some time thinking about what we do, why we do it, and the outcome we really want from it. Are we merely making a living, or are we truly making a life? Certainly, there is nothing wrong with making a living -- and I believe that all work is honorable. We should want to work and want to produce fruit from our labors -- and be paid for our efforts. But, what kind of fruit are we meant to produce and whose orchard are we supposed to be working in?

In his book, The Cashflow Quadrant, Robert Kiyosaki lays out four different ways to make money. He says we can be an Employee, Self-Employed, an Investor, or have a "B-Type Business" that produces an income whether we are present or not. I'm not going to go into detail here or even debate the pluses and minuses of the "ESBI" quadrant or where we are on that quadrant. However, I think it is important to know the options and decide if where we are is where we want to be -- and to answer ourselves in regard to "why" we do what we do, and "what" we want from doing it. If you haven't read the book, I suggest taking time to read it. I do however want to look at "4 Ps" that we can and should think about in terms of what we do for a living.

Purpose: Each of us has a unique mix of talents, abilities, and temperaments. No one is quite like we are and as a result, each of us has a specific purpose. The question is: Is my pragmatic occupation in alignment with my purpose -- or can I find meaningful purpose in my pragmatic occupation? Knowing our purpose helps align our priorities.

People: Who is affected by what I do? Who am I building "it" for? The "who" is an important consideration because it takes the discussion beyond ourselves and helps us understand the impact of our decisions and our actions on the lives of others. We most likely think of our immediate family -- spouse, children, and grandchildren. But, there is also a legacy that impacts a much greater community of people -- perhaps even those who are yet to be born.

Profit: What is the fruit of our occupation providing for? What type of lifestyle is it funding -- and is that the lifestyle I truly want, or the lifestyle I have settled for? It is amazing how we can whittle down our dreams to fit our current fiscal reality. Do we give real and actionable thought on how we can produce a bigger profit -- that is in alignment with our purpose and our people?

Product: What do we want to be known for? How will our work define us and the contribution we will be remembered for? We mentioned legacy in terms of our impact on people -- present and future. When those people speak our name, what will they say? How can we use the work we do, or are intended to do, to leave a lasting impact on the world? Certainly, we are more than just the work we do or will do -- but it is our work that often provides the experience and resources that will ultimately impact our legacy. What are we producing?

I hope this Labor Day provides you an opportunity to rest and recharge. I also hope it provides a moment of reflection and a renewed commitment to do the work that you are designed to do, for who you are designed to do it, to provide a lifestyle of your own design and most importantly, a legacy of your own design. 

Your comments are always welcome.