I recently came back from a financial success seminar hosted by two clients we serve, Ryan and Jamie Smith. It was three days filled with wit, wisdom, and tons of practical insights on wealth-building strategies for these tough economic times. Interestingly, one of the things I picked up that has stuck with me the most was a simple phrase that Ryan shared in one of his talks. He said, “You serve others to make it and you give to keep it.” I like that. In our pursuit of the security, peace, and comfort that money can provide us (and we all know that money alone is not the true source of those benefits), it’s important to keep that “other-view” in focus. We were not put on this earth to merely look out for #1, but to serve others. In fact, serving others well must be at the very core of our motivation to be successful in business and in life. Sometimes I think it’s good to be reminded of that. Your motivation to write, produce, dream, accomplish, and achieve, when rooted in the value of service to others. will bring you that peace that you seek. I love the fact that in our company we get to help people achieve their dreams and serve others well by serving them well through the services we provide. It makes coming to work every day a blast!
Even as you experience success, the focus doesn’t change … it’s still an “other-view” in the sense that any profit or financial security we have simply gives us more means to be generous and have additional ways to be a blessing to others. And yes, I know that if you are waiting to be financially secure to start being charitable, well, you probably won’t ever get started. No, the time to give, to serve, to be charitable is now. Sow a seed. Giving comes from the heart and right now you have something to give. To quote from a book by Pat Williams and Jay Strack titled The Success Secrets of Shamgar, “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Don’t wait till you’ve got all the money you need to start giving it away. Develop an “other-view” that pays attention to the needs of others and seeks to benefit them in whatever ways possible. Jesus said it best: “Give and it shall be given unto you, pressed down, shaken together and running over.”
So today, who can you serve? How can you serve? Lift up your head and see the “other-view” that needs to be your focus.
