As a volunteer project, I worked on an annual community bulletin. I was leaving our community center and I met a person who will be advertising in our upcoming bulletin. Until that point we had really only known each other through email. So when we met he asked me two questions. One nice and one powerful.
The first question he asked, “What was my livelihood?” A nice question polite and shows some interest. The second question, “How can I give you business?” Wow! Now here is a person that is going to go far. He didn’t start telling me about what he did, he didn’t ask me if I needed his service, he didn’t even ask for referrals. He asked how he could give me business.
This person realized that before you can benefit from others you have to first become a giver.
When you become a giver is speaks volumes about you; It says that you think of others before you think of yourself, that you are not just interested in making an easy buck, you value people, you want to help.
There are so many ways to give. Being a giver doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of time and money. Yes these are aspect of giving too. But giving can also just be a warm and sincere smile to a person you pass on the street.
When you give to others it lifts them up. It makes them feel good.
And when the time comes that they become the givers, you are the person that comes to mind.
Though at the present time this person was not able to give me any business, his simple act of wanting to give has left an indelible impression on me. And when I am ready to build or renovate, he will be the first person to come to mind.
For those reading this post that live in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) if you need a builder that cares check out www.garcongroup.com
Update for July 27,2009
When you think of attraction marketing, you might only look at it as making connections with others so they will buy your product or service. This would just be cloaked form of selling. Though you realize the need to make an income your priority in attraction marketing is to create connections and give/share value. If you do this well then the likelihood is strong that you will also benefit financially. Understand when you better the life of someone else and put their needs ahead of yours, they ultimately want to do the same for you.
Update Aug 25, 2010
One of the bigger challenges in life is to stick to what you know is true. Life throws you a ton of curve balls, and when that happens you can often react by stepping away from the best path for you. When this happens it is important to stop, take a deep breath, and reflect. Remember how the right path has served you and how whenever you have chosen the wrong path you are met with struggle. Trust in you ability to overcome and succeed.
