The process of building a business is arduous, risky, and requires sacrifice. So I want to give you three ways to put wind in the sails of those around you as well as your own.The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
Three Ways to Refresh Others
1. Care about people.
My business partner Nick Meester and my wife Heather are two of the most caring people I’ve ever met. They naturally care about the well being of the people they hear about in a huge way. But caring about other people doesn’t seem like it would put wind in your sails does it?
While caring for people takes energy, there is a universal principal concerning it’s reward – people will care for you. When you take time to care about the people around you, inevitably other people will be more inclined to take into consideration your needs.
I’m Naive enough to believe that the core of all humanity comes down to “loving one another” the way you would like to be loved. And I’m also naive enough to believe it becomes reciprocal no matter what.
2. Help Move People Forward
Every day in the office, there are usually opportunities to do one of two things; confirm negative talk about someone or affirm the good in someone. Anyone in a professional team environment knows what I”m talking about – you have opportunities to lift up the people around you in tremendous ways. Going to someone’s boss to let them know an employee was helpful, affirming someone in an email, giving shout-outs to those that help you, and just being generous about applause can do good things for your soul.
“you can do one of two things; confirm negative talk about someone or affirm the good in someone”
When we are confident in who we are, then giving genuine and accurate praise is a healthy practice. So advocate for people – help magnify the good in them and you’ll put some wind in your sails.
3. Be Generous.
Give money to local causes. Give money to your neighbor that needs help. Give till it hurts a bit – to someone you can gain NOTHING from. The key to this is ensuring that your not creating an indebtedness to someone that you want favor from. All you need to do is find the server at the restaurant, the Mom at the checkout lane, or the friends house down the street and give.
Give more than you would spend on a night out with you and the family, make it worth it!
These principles are all tied to what Solomon wrote in the ancient proverb: The generous will prosper, those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
