"Write checks on a regular basis to those who you want to bless, not those who you owe. Be generous. If you are thinking of one amount, raise it a bit. They'll be glad now. You'll be glad now and later." Chris Widener in the ABC's of Success.
There are two kinds of people in this world. Those who allow their abundance to pile up and bring them a sense of (false) security, and those who use their abundance to increase not only the joy in their lives but also in the lives of others by being generous.
I believe that the truly successful, those who will change the lives of others and leave a legacy, are the ones who are generous with their abundance. So how do we become generous people? Here are some thoughts.
First, get over your idea that money will bring you security. It won't. It might make you feel more secure, and it might enable you to purchase things right now, but all money can disappear quite easily. Markets go south, businesses go bankrupt, and fortunes are lost. History is filled with poor people who were once rich and lost it all. This idea that we can and have to keep it all is one of the greatest myths around. So when we give money away, it doesn't effect us emotionally, bringing out a fear of lost security.
Second, focus on the joy you bring to others when you are generous. I love to be the one to buy something for someone who would enjoy it, to help someone who needs it, or to encourage someone who would be helped by my generosity. There are always people and organizations who will benefit from our generosity and who will be overjoyed by it. And in turn, they will help others.
Third, make giving a planned and methodical task. I write out checks at the beginning of every month to people and organizations that I believe are helping others. I don't owe them this money, I choose to give it to them. It is something I believe in. Every month without fail I write those checks. It keeps me on track and keeps them encouraged, motivated, and moving in the right direction.
As for methodical, remember that over time, even small gifts add up. Maybe you can't afford to give or help with $300 today, but you could with $25 a month for a year. There is no way that my wife and I could afford to give a million dollars away at this stage of our lives, but our goal is to do that before we die. And I believe we will hit that because we are pursuing it methodically every month. And when we get to the end of our lives, we will be able to look back at our generosity and see that we made a difference. But you can't achieve those kinds of goals if you don't start somewhere and stick to a plan.
Fourth, make your generosity spontaneous. Now this takes a lot of self-awareness because I am not suggesting that you get yourself in financial trouble by being foolish, but here it is: Be the generous one of the group. Pick up the check for you friends and others. I have found that if you are wise with your money you won't get yourself into trouble by being the generous one. Picking up lunch won't break the bank. Offer to do nice things for your friends, relatives and co-workers. And then watch your relationships blossom!
Fifth, understand the principle that you reap what you sow. I truly believe that those who are generous, who help others, will always receive back what they need. I live by the principle of John Wesley, "Earn all you can, give all you can, save all you can." This principle brings our finances into perfect tension. Yes we earn, and all that we can, but we also go at our saving and giving with the same kind of gusto! And what happens, but that we are given more to turn around and be generous with again.
Lastly, and this is key for successful people. Never allow there to be strings with your generosity. Do not expect anything in return. That is not generosity but manipulation. Pure generosity is its own reward.
How to start today?
If you aren't currently on a plan of giving, choose a charitable organization you believe in and write them a check - today. And then write that same check on the first of every month.
If you are currently being generous with your resources, seriously consider an increase! Even a percentage or two will help you and them. It will stretch you and encourage them!
Be a Success! Be Generous!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://chris-widener.inspiresyou.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareCircus trainers used to tie a chain around a baby... Read More
Plants of all kinds (including trees), herbs and roots have... Read More
We all want something to look forward to. The best... Read More
"I have learned, that if one advances confidently in the... Read More
The greatest deterrent to success in life is fear. It... Read More
Work addiction is an unrestrained, unfulfillable internal demand for constant... Read More
The title of this article also happens to be the... Read More
One of the most important aspects of creating success involves... Read More
We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More
The sun crept over the horizon and lodged itself above... Read More
You already have all the resources you need to accomplish... Read More
So you vowed to make some changes - develop healthier... Read More
The recent mission of the space shuttle Discovery is NASA's... Read More
No matter what goals and dreams you desire, there's a... Read More
As a child you probably learned failing is bad...Failing meant... Read More
Everything you will ever have and accomplish in life will... Read More
An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More
I have often been asked the question, "What is true... Read More
Do not make the mistake of looking at your failures... Read More
I was at a dinner party the other night when... Read More
When most of us are asked the most important possession... Read More
Your ability to deal constructively and effectively with mistakes and... Read More
"You will be the same person in five years except... Read More
What if I told you that you could be more... Read More
Howdy folks, today I would like to speak to you... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..Think how often you see a friend or an acquaintance... Read More
Language constitutes our belief system. What we believe is true... Read More
"Write checks on a regular basis to those who you... Read More
"If you want to increase your success rate, double your... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that everyone has his... Read More
Create a truth and step into it There is a... Read More
The ten-year period which followed the stock market crash of... Read More
What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More
There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More
The ability to achieve our enormous untapped potential is directly... Read More
Success is a journey and along the way we need... Read More
To realize that you determine the outcome of your own... Read More
When Julie looks through the lens of her camera she... Read More
Being organised is a major step to success and the... Read More
Don't expect results over night - what??If you were to... Read More
I was at a dinner party the other night when... Read More
Sometimes it is better to just get on with doing... Read More
Thomas Edison wrote his quote " I have not failed,... Read More
Our expectations get us into a lot of trouble and... Read More
Man is the most advanced being on this earth. We... Read More
The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More
Success is not something that only a chosen few can... Read More
Dare to Dream~It is said that every person has at... Read More
Create an environment that is so inspiring and nurturing that... Read More
(Excerpted From the 2001 Jim Rohn Millennium Weekend Event -... Read More
Success |