Generosity is something you’re born with, I honestly believe. It has nothing at all to do with how much money you have, how well connected you are, or whether or not you believe that giving to others is optional. It does have everything to do with knowing that sharing your time, money, knowledge, and resources with others, especially if they have done the same thing for you is the right thing to do on a regular basis.
Here is something I began notice as my business began to grow and I was surrounded my more and more successful people:
People who are more successful are generally more generous to those around them.
It turns out I am not the only person to feel this way. Seth Godin discusses something he refers to as the Generosity Boomerang. It goes like this:
“Success makes you happy. Happiness permits you to be generous.
In fact, it actually works like this:
Generosity makes you happy. Happy people are more likely to be successful.”
Godin goes on to say in another post that we seek to be around people in our life who are open, generous, and connected.
“Open to new ideas, leaning forward, exploring the edges, impatient with the status quo… In a hurry to make something worth making.
Generous when given the opportunity (or restless to find the opportunity when not).”
When I spend time with people who do not seem to have a generous bone in their body I am always tempted to start a discussion on the topic with them. Many are just getting started with their businesses and would argue that they simply can’t afford to be generous right now, but fully intend to when they are earning more money.
Generosity is all about gratitude, and understanding that when we are grateful for what we already have in our lives we are given even more.
Just as I believed I could not volunteer for charities and other organizations back when I was a classroom teacher and also in real estate, this is just wrong thinking. You always have enough time and money to serve others, both those you know and whom are helping you and those you may never meet because they live half way around the world. Generosity is a trait worth developing, if you were not born with it.
What do you think about generosity – is it a trait we are born with, or must it be developed?
Connie… I could not agree with you more! It was not untill I started getting involved with non-profits in my community, that I started to see TRUE success. It was through the relationships I built by giving to other who I knew nothing about, but have proven to be such integral parts of my life, business and happiness!
Great post!
BB
Brian – Thanks so much for your comment. I recently spent time with someone who wants to be successful in business but who never seems to give to others. When we are at live events we have the opportunity to pick up the tab for another person’s lunch. When someone has helped us in the past, we can send a card or be creative in thinking of an idea to include them in. We can also share their blog posts, feature them in our own posts, interview them for our podcast, and so forth. Those who continue to only look out for themselves just don’t get it.
Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green recently posted…Top 100 Small Business Podcasts – I’ve Been Chosen!
Agreed… it more about the Pay It Forward or servant leadership principle. Give first, expect nothing, and be AMAZED. A mentor of mine wrote a book called “The 100/0 Principle” Al Ritter. Giving people have been taken advantage of just like everyone else… then just have faith that blessings beget blessings. Hard concept to get your arms around until you experience it in action! It’s Not About You 🙂
BB
Brian Basilico recently posted…Nonverbal Communications
Generosity shows abundance and actually has a practical side: you communicate to others that you have more than enough! I think people pick up the “scarcity mode” vibe and actually respond by pulling away.
Since moving to Philadelphia I’ve gotten involved in helping the animal shelter and also volunteer as a guide for historical tours. Definitely expanded my horizons!
Cathy Goodwin recently posted…The surprising factor in telesummit success or failure
Cathy,
So glad you are involved in this way and enjoying the abundance of the volunteer experience.
Your ears must be ringing; I was just speaking with our new mutual friend Eve Koivula about you this morning! She lives very close to my family in Finland.
Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green recently posted…Online Marketing Tips Podcast: Podcasting Tips for Beginners
Cathy,
So glad you are involved in this way and enjoying the abundance of the volunteer experience.
Your ears must be ringing; I was just speaking with our new mutual friend Eve Koivula about you this morning! She lives very close to my family in Finland.
Connie Ragen Green
Connie Ragen Green recently posted…Publishing on Kindle – 5 Reasons This Makes Sense