This is the one lesson of the five in this series that touched me most. Whether it’s true or not is unimportant.
What sacrifices are you prepared to make? If you are to achieve your full potential you are going to have to make some sacrifices. It could be as simple as reducing your valuable TV time by an hour a day - or spending some cash on an e-book rather than a McThingy -BUT you need something to change and that will probably mean you have to stop something you currently do.
If you can’t make that sacrifice then I’m afraid you’ll have to be content with where you are.
LESSON 5 - Giving When it Counts…
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at a hospital, I got to know a l ittle girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare & serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies needed to combat the illness. The doctor explained the situation to her
little brother, and asked the little boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister.
I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, “Yes I’ll do it if it will
save her.”
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did,
seeing the color returning to her cheek. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded.
He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, “Will I start to die right away”.
Being young, the little boy had misunderstood the doctor; he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood in order to save her.
August 1st, 2007
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wizzer |
Business Mindset |
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Following hot on the heels of “Who is that?”, this lesson is in a very similar vein. Be careful - you never know who you are dealing with and the opportunity you may miss by not going the extra mile.
Most really successful people will have a story to tell of how they went the extra distance in putting a customer complaint right and that same person went on to become one of their best clients.
LESSON 4 - Pickup in the Rain
One night, at 11:30 P.M., an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm. Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride.
Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her, generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxicab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry, but wrote down his address and thanked him. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man’s door. To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached..
It read:
“Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes, but also my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband’s bedside just before he passed away… God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.”
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole.
You may not meet someone really famous but the influence of some people should never be underestimated.
August 1st, 2007
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wizzer |
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Everyone you meet in life, personally or through the internet is important. Whether that person is important to you is not important. That person is important to themselves at the very minimum.
I’ve always practised the lesson taught below - in my Financial Planning practice one of my best introducers’ of business is an ex-taxi driver who I got talking to who became a chauffeur for a huge multi-national company. He now sings my praises and business flows as a result.
Never forget that what goes around comes around…
LESSON 3 - The Cleaning Lady
During my second month of college, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions until I read the last one:
“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall,
dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if
the last question would count toward our quiz grade.
“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say “hello.”
I’ve never forgotten that lesson. I also learned her name was Dorothy.
I’d like you to think about the times you could have shown some interest but didn’t. Would it have made a difference to you? I don’t know but I’m sure it would make a difference to the other person. How do you feel when someone really takes an interest in you?
August 1st, 2007
Posted by
wizzer |
Business Mindset |
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