“If you are unhappy, get busy doing something for someone else. If you concentrate on yourself you will be unhappy, but if you focus on helping others you will find happiness. Happiness comes from serving and loving.”
John Izzo
What helps people to be happy in life? The answer is simple really—but requires great discipline and commitment to carry it out. Plainly stated, to obtain happiness, we must forget about our own wants and needs and serve and help others obtain their wants and needs. That’s it. Simple right, yet tremendously difficult.
Each of us has a natural tendency to look out for our own by doing what is in our own best interest. Thus focusing on serving and helping others more than ourselves is counterintuitive to human nature. For this reason it takes great discipline and desire to truly put others before ourselves. When we learn to do this however, life becomes richly rewarding.
Besides our natural instincts to put our own interest over any others, we are also challenged with living in the “me” generation, where our surroundings encourage us to be only interested in satisfying our own needs with little care for others. Indeed, our society is bursting with self-centered messages and ego-centric role models that feed our self-centered natures. This only complicates matters making it even more difficult to find happiness and satisfaction.
To add one more hurdle to keep us from happiness, our society has begun to embrace a destructive entitlement mentality where people do not even attempt to obtain their own desires, but rather they expect it to be provided to them--making it nearly impossible for anyone to want to serve and help others before themselves. As a result of all this, more and more people are unhappy and dissatisfied with life.
There is a universal law that is being ignored if we expect to be happy without serving others. This law is called the law of the harvest, meaning we reap what we sow. As such, if we work hard, we receive the fruits of our labor. Likewise, if we serve others, we find satisfaction and fulfillment in life. This is a universal truth that cannot be altered no matter our efforts to delay or mask the ultimate end results of our actions.
Likewise, it has been proven over time that those who serve others are successful in life and leave a lasting legacy that impacts the lives of many others. ‘Servant leadership’ produces results and creates fulfillment.
So, those who are truly happy are those who serve others. Whether it is family members, friends, or even strangers--those who spend their time helping others gain their interests and desires before their own will find joy and fulfillment in life. Indeed giving, not getting truly is the secret to happiness.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Be a Johnny Today!
“I've come to believe that each of us has a personal calling that's as unique as a fingerprint -- and that the best way to succeed is to discover what you love and then find a way to offer it to others in the form of service, working hard, and also allowing the energy of the universe to lead you.” --Oprah Winfrey
I know many have heard this story but it is worth repeating and remembering that each of us has the capacity to make a difference in the lives of others every day through simple acts…
“A few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead a customer service program to build customer loyalty. During my speech I said, ‘Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back.’
How? By putting your personal signature on the job. Think about something you can do for your customer to make them feel special; a memory that will make them come back.
About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a nineteen-year-old bagger named Johnny. He proudly informed me he was a Down Syndrome individual and told me his story. ‘I liked what you talked about,’ he said, ‘but at first I didn’t think I could do anything special for our customers. After all, I’m just a bagger. Then I had an idea!’ Every night after work, I’d come home and find a thought for the day. ‘If I can’t find a saying I like,’ he added, ‘I just think one up!’
When Johnny had a good Thought for the Day, his dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies. Johnny cut out each quote and signed his name on the back. Then he’d bring them to work the next day. When I finish bagging someones groceries, I put my thought for the day in their bag and say, “Thanks for shopping with us.”
It touched me to think that this young man with a job most people would say is not important had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers. A month later the store manager called me. ‘You won’t believe what happened. When I was making my rounds today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than anyone elses! It went all the way down the frozen food aisle. So I quickly announced, “We need more cashiers; get more lanes open!” as I tried to get people to change lanes, but no one would move.
They said, “No, it’s okay, we want to be in Johnny’s lane. We want his Thought for the Day.” It was a joy to watch Johnny delight the customers. I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, “I used to shop at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny’s Thought for the Day.”’
A few months later, the manager called me again. ‘Johnny has transformed our store. Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them. Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories. Our customers are talking about us, they’re coming back, and bringing their friends.’
A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the entire store…and all because Johnny chose to make a difference!
Johnny’s idea wasn’t nearly as innovative as it was loving. It came from his heart, it was real. That’s what touched his customers, his peers…and those who read this story. Great service comes from the heart…Will you be a Johnny today?”
By Ken Blanchard & Barbara Glanz
I know many have heard this story but it is worth repeating and remembering that each of us has the capacity to make a difference in the lives of others every day through simple acts…
“A few years ago, I was hired by a large supermarket chain to lead a customer service program to build customer loyalty. During my speech I said, ‘Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back.’
How? By putting your personal signature on the job. Think about something you can do for your customer to make them feel special; a memory that will make them come back.
About a month after I had spoken, I received a call from a nineteen-year-old bagger named Johnny. He proudly informed me he was a Down Syndrome individual and told me his story. ‘I liked what you talked about,’ he said, ‘but at first I didn’t think I could do anything special for our customers. After all, I’m just a bagger. Then I had an idea!’ Every night after work, I’d come home and find a thought for the day. ‘If I can’t find a saying I like,’ he added, ‘I just think one up!’
When Johnny had a good Thought for the Day, his dad helped him set it up on the computer and print multiple copies. Johnny cut out each quote and signed his name on the back. Then he’d bring them to work the next day. When I finish bagging someones groceries, I put my thought for the day in their bag and say, “Thanks for shopping with us.”
It touched me to think that this young man with a job most people would say is not important had made it important by creating precious memories for all his customers. A month later the store manager called me. ‘You won’t believe what happened. When I was making my rounds today, I found Johnny’s checkout line was three times longer than anyone elses! It went all the way down the frozen food aisle. So I quickly announced, “We need more cashiers; get more lanes open!” as I tried to get people to change lanes, but no one would move.
They said, “No, it’s okay, we want to be in Johnny’s lane. We want his Thought for the Day.” It was a joy to watch Johnny delight the customers. I got a lump in my throat when one woman said, “I used to shop at your store once a week, but now I come in every time I go by, because I want to get Johnny’s Thought for the Day.”’
A few months later, the manager called me again. ‘Johnny has transformed our store. Now when the floral department has a broken flower or unused corsage, they find an elderly woman or a little girl and pin it on them. Everyone’s having a lot of fun creating memories. Our customers are talking about us, they’re coming back, and bringing their friends.’
A wonderful spirit of service spread throughout the entire store…and all because Johnny chose to make a difference!
Johnny’s idea wasn’t nearly as innovative as it was loving. It came from his heart, it was real. That’s what touched his customers, his peers…and those who read this story. Great service comes from the heart…Will you be a Johnny today?”
By Ken Blanchard & Barbara Glanz
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Just Do It Now!
"The world cares very little about what a man or woman knows; it is what the man or woman is able to do that counts."
Booker T. Washington
Knowing and doing are two completely different things. In my life I’ve known brilliant people who are full of theories, solutions, and ideas yet, they never seem to accomplish much. On the other hand, I’ve also known many individuals who may not know much or have well, thought-out plans or ideas yet, they are successful in life. What sets these people apart is Action!
Action is one of the single most important traits that leads to success. Without action, it is impossible to accomplish much of anything. Action, whether in the right direction or not, is always better than no action at all. In fact, the ability to do is often much more valuable and fruitful than knowledge.
Rarely is there action that is wasted because of a lack of knowledge, but often there is wasted knowledge because of a lack of action. Below are a few suggestions on how to get going!
Become Uncomfortable
Often we have a natural tendency to stay in our comfort zone. By doing this, we don’t do enough to challenge ourselves or rock the boat a little. Simply stated, we don’t take risks. When we avoid risks and avoid challenging ourselves we become stagnant without much movement forward towards achieving goals. For this reason, we must take action and be willing to be uncomfortable. In fact, if we do not feel some degree of discomfort in our lives, we are not doing enough to be successful; we are not taking enough action.
Be Wrong
Another fear we have that keeps us from action is our inability to be wrong. Many who know a lot want to protect or maintain that image. They believe taking risks and failing is an indication they do not know it all. Thus doing is much harder than simply knowing. This fear can quickly make those who know into those who do not do--creating perhaps an even worse reputation than the one they think they are protecting. We must be OK with being wrong, as all successful people have been wrong before they’ve been right. Taking action may take some faith and some humility, but it will bring about good results.
Be Active
Another tragic reason why people who know are not the same as the people who do is because they are lazy. Putting forth effort is too much work, thus simply knowing is enough. Instead of being productive they are more interested in relaxing, watching television, or surfing the Internet. These people like to talk and even ridicule those who are taking action only to find out that life is very disappointing and empty without action.
Have Faith
One last reason people who know do not take action is because they lack faith and courage. Since they do not know the future, they wait and wait and wait. Simply not knowing what will happen tomorrow is not a good enough excuse to not take action, as we will never for certain know what tomorrow will bring. Successful people are those who do not see the entire picture yet they have a vision of what the picture may be. Then they try to create it though doing. Though most often their vision is not completely accurate in the end, it is often close to what they envisioned, because they took action and helped create it! Take courage and have faith by doing instead of simply knowing.
In conclusion, to use the famous Nike phrase we need to “Just Do It!” and just do it NOW! Taking action and living by faith allows those who don’t know a lot to be much more successful than those who do know a lot. Learning to be uncomfortable, to be wrong, to be active, and to have faith will help us all as we begin to take action toward our dreams. We cannot allow ourselves to simply be one of those who knows; we must all be one of those that does.
Booker T. Washington
Knowing and doing are two completely different things. In my life I’ve known brilliant people who are full of theories, solutions, and ideas yet, they never seem to accomplish much. On the other hand, I’ve also known many individuals who may not know much or have well, thought-out plans or ideas yet, they are successful in life. What sets these people apart is Action!
Action is one of the single most important traits that leads to success. Without action, it is impossible to accomplish much of anything. Action, whether in the right direction or not, is always better than no action at all. In fact, the ability to do is often much more valuable and fruitful than knowledge.
Rarely is there action that is wasted because of a lack of knowledge, but often there is wasted knowledge because of a lack of action. Below are a few suggestions on how to get going!
Become Uncomfortable
Often we have a natural tendency to stay in our comfort zone. By doing this, we don’t do enough to challenge ourselves or rock the boat a little. Simply stated, we don’t take risks. When we avoid risks and avoid challenging ourselves we become stagnant without much movement forward towards achieving goals. For this reason, we must take action and be willing to be uncomfortable. In fact, if we do not feel some degree of discomfort in our lives, we are not doing enough to be successful; we are not taking enough action.
Be Wrong
Another fear we have that keeps us from action is our inability to be wrong. Many who know a lot want to protect or maintain that image. They believe taking risks and failing is an indication they do not know it all. Thus doing is much harder than simply knowing. This fear can quickly make those who know into those who do not do--creating perhaps an even worse reputation than the one they think they are protecting. We must be OK with being wrong, as all successful people have been wrong before they’ve been right. Taking action may take some faith and some humility, but it will bring about good results.
Be Active
Another tragic reason why people who know are not the same as the people who do is because they are lazy. Putting forth effort is too much work, thus simply knowing is enough. Instead of being productive they are more interested in relaxing, watching television, or surfing the Internet. These people like to talk and even ridicule those who are taking action only to find out that life is very disappointing and empty without action.
Have Faith
One last reason people who know do not take action is because they lack faith and courage. Since they do not know the future, they wait and wait and wait. Simply not knowing what will happen tomorrow is not a good enough excuse to not take action, as we will never for certain know what tomorrow will bring. Successful people are those who do not see the entire picture yet they have a vision of what the picture may be. Then they try to create it though doing. Though most often their vision is not completely accurate in the end, it is often close to what they envisioned, because they took action and helped create it! Take courage and have faith by doing instead of simply knowing.
In conclusion, to use the famous Nike phrase we need to “Just Do It!” and just do it NOW! Taking action and living by faith allows those who don’t know a lot to be much more successful than those who do know a lot. Learning to be uncomfortable, to be wrong, to be active, and to have faith will help us all as we begin to take action toward our dreams. We cannot allow ourselves to simply be one of those who knows; we must all be one of those that does.
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