The guy says: “Hey, I’m doing my job! Why should I go the extra mile with customers? What has THE COMPANY done for me lately?”
I feel so bad for the guy. I know him personally. I have watched him and hundreds of people like him all throughout my 25 year career as a retail pharmacist. He sees everything in life as a quid pro quo equation. “I’ll only do for you if you do for me!” “Pay it forward? Baah!”
Tragic! Why? Because your ability to create value for others (without expectancy of reciprocation) determines the ceiling on your success! Your ability to be truly generous and to give from a loving heart really and truly does create your opportunity for greatness.
How do I know? Because I have looked into a son’s eyes on countless occasions and experiences statements such as this one that occurred last Friday: “So you are Corey? I HAD to meet YOU! My name is Bill Ford (hand outstretched). I am Betty Ford’s son. I wanted to let you know that mom passed away last week. I also wanted to thank you for taking such great care of her for all these years. She talked about you all the time and how much you cared about her and how much you always helped her.”
Of course I sincerely thanked him for sharing, put my hand on his shoulder, and expressed my deep sorrow for his loss.
The thing is, I wait on hundreds of people every work day. I really don’t remember who Betty Ford was. I honestly don’t. But, that isn’t the point here!
Back to Mr. Quid Pro Quo. He will never get to experience the joy I get to experience every time that happens! The joy that comes from making a difference in the life of someone who can do absolutely nothing for you far exceeds any joy that can come from a paycheck, bonus, or even praise from your boss.
My employer is Wal-Mart and I wouldn’t trade the look in Bill Ford’s eyes for all the money that even the mighty Wal-Mart has. Mr. Quid Pro Quo doesn’t get that and even views me as a sucker. He’s told me so in no uncertain terms. I really do pity him!
The trick to the Go-Giver lifestyle is that it ALWAYS pays off. ALWAYS! It’s just that you NEVER know how or where, and it may never pay off in YOUR lifetime. But it always pays off even if its in the form of a packed funeral house or an amazing eulogy. But pay off it will. Unless you are attached to the outcome of your actions. HUH?
When you do something (no matter how kind) because you are trying to manipulate an outcome, it becomes horse trading and not gifting. There is no MAGIC in horse trading! The magic is in the abundance mentality and positive expectancy that comes with paying it forward. Decide to do the right thing, the kind thing, the generous thing, the remarkable thing, or even the legendary thing, and your results will compound and magnify in ways that will absolutely blow your mind!
Unless, you expect them to!
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Corey Jahnke is the author of “We Are Not Here On Rehearsal” and the creator of SuccessEqualsValue.com. Corey is a John C. Maxwell certified success coach AND a Bob Burg certified Go-Giver Coach. Corey’s company, Legend Crafters, helps people go from stuck to unstuck, from unstuck to remarkable and from remarkable to legendary. Will YOU become a legend?
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