When it comes to making your mark on the world, what type of person will you be: the one who hoards success or the one who lets those who brought it into being have their fair share?
Two Approaches to Life
There are a lot of different ways we work with and connect with other people. Yet if we look at the overall approach, we can see two distinct patterns: giving and taking.
There are those who focus on taking. They feel entitled to have whatever they can get. They are out for themselves, feeling that any inequity between themselves and others is deserved. Their goal is to accumulate as much as they can and enjoy the rewards.
Then there are those who focus on the giving. Their focus is on helping others. Their success is enveloped in the success of others. They want to help others succeed as well as themselves. They think everyone should reap the rewards of working hard and strive to move others forward as they move forward. As Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”
A Choice
The latest book that I’m listening to includes a title that is completely upfront about its content: Give and Take. It goes into detail about the difference between givers and takers. It highlights not only that difference, but the outcome and ripple effects of that outcome.
You can succeed no matter which road you choose. You can claw your way to the top, not caring about those who helped you get where you are, or worse – you can succeed on the backs of others. You may have to find a constant stream of rubes and pushovers to get there, but you can do it.
Or you can work to help others succeed. You can make your success their success. You can build a network of people who are excited about seeing you succeed because they not only know they will succeed as well, but because they will actively be cheering you on as you all have fun working together.
Would you rather be someone who succeeds on the backs of all those who took a chance to help you succeed, or someone who helps the people around you find their own success?
I know where I’d rather be. How about you?
