Values vs. Techniques

How much of what you do in your daily routines supports your values as a person and how much is a technique?

AmSpirit Business Connections constantly reminds members that 'giving' is the best way to benefit in the organization. You'll hear 'givers get' and 'give first, then you'll receive' often from Frank Agin or other Area Directors.

What I find troubling is the notion that some may perceive 'giving' as a technique. That's dead wrong. You have to have 'values' in your life that you live every day. If you're treating values as a technique to gain more business, eventually people will see right through you.

When I see members act in a way that is 'giving' to others, and then after a short time, abandon that mindset, it makes me think they only pursued it as a 'technique'. Going to monthly luncheons, referring to others, making introductions between other members, etc. are all part of having a giving nature. But when I hear a member say, 'I tried doing that and it just didn't work' or another excuse is offered, I am troubled by it.

It makes me think they were only employing a technique and they didn't really believe in what they were doing. Whether you immediately get rewarded for your giving nature or not, you should gain satisfaction out of knowing you followed the 'golden rule': do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

I get discouraged from time to time just like everybody else, but knowing that you're doing the right thing keeps your perspective in place. How can feeling good about yourself ever be a bad thing?

Your #1 Goal at any Networking Event

Here's the secret to being successful at any networking event: Give!

Go to the networking event with the mindset that you will:

• introduce someone you know to someone new that they have not met
• help find a referral for someone in your chapter
• help someone to get involved in a networking chapter
• learn more about someone else's business so that you can better refer to them in the future
• get to know someone new, agree to meet later to learn more about helping each other's business

All of the above activities promotes giving. If you go to networking events with the sole intent to get business leads for yourself, you'll lose almost every time. I said 'almost'. Sometimes you may come away with a few leads, but once you get the reputation of 'taking' and never 'giving' you will lose momentum fast.

Guess what? I went to the CONES networking event tonight and received two solid leads. Both were a result of others approaching me asking for my help.

With the help of Brian Schiff, President of the North Outerbelt Chapter, I was able to help someone new find a chapter to join. I also made plans to schedule a future meeting to learn more about partnering with another company.

I firmly believe that these things do not happen by accident. It was because my intent was to help others get what they need, rather than focusing on my needs.