Are You Getting Too Big For Your Britches?
Posted in Inspiration and tagged with Pay-It-Forward on 11/10/2009 01:31 pm by ThereseI got the most touching note in the mail today.
“Thank you for having faith in me when I didn’t have faith in myself to get this project completed. You have my unending gratitude. I reached out to over 200 women and I heard several “no’s” several “I’m busy right now, and a few people even questioned whether I was “worthy enough” to have 15 minutes of their time….Thanks again for saying yes.”
Months and months ago someone reached out to me to be a part of their project. (I’m not including details or the name) It’s finally come to fruition and to today I got the thank you note.
Truthfully, I was delighted to share my story and the journey I have been on as an entrepreneur. Especially if my sharing the challenges I’ve overcome can help someone else shorten their learning curve or add to their success.
But it got me thinking how people could wonder if this person was ‘worthy enough’ to speak with them. It sort of felt like the athlete that no longer gives autograph’s because they are ‘too big’ these days to spend time with their fans. The same people who helped elevate them to celebrity status. In this internet marketing/service provider/social networking fish bowl we all swim around in, why is that happening? We are used to hearing about the spoiled baseball player or the cocky actor, but let’s not go down that road. Let’s take the best of humanity and highlight it.
So here’s what I’m suggesting….
Say yes. You don’t have to give it all away for free, but if you can take 20 minutes helping someone else make their dreams come true, isn’t that a worthy way to spend your time?
How about a little Pay-It-Forward energy. It will really make your heart sing, and that good energy will come back at you ten fold.
Remember – we are all in this together.
And I’d love to have you write your thoughts on the topic of giving some away versus holding yourself back as an expert.
Take care!
Therese
November 10th, 2009 at 2:09 pm
Not worthy of their time? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard all day. Anyone taking action and reaching out to you in a sea of people who don’t do anything but complain about where they’re at in life is worthy of your time.
How easily these people forget both where they came from and that it could all disappear tomorrow…I think there are some former bank CEOs and VH1 Where Are They Now? stars that can attest to that!
I can understand not having the time to give. Even 15 minutes can easily become an hour if you’re not good at protecting your time. But it’s always good to pay it forward when you can. And–surprise–you may just learn a thing or two too.
Tracy
November 10th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
You are so right Tracy.
And if we go into every interaction being open to what we can learn or receive, it serves everyone.
Thanks for your comment, and have a great day.
Therese
November 11th, 2009 at 3:53 am
I agree that helping someone reach their dreams is worthy of my time. It is very sad that so many people didn’t offer help to this person, when I’m sure they have been in the very same place before. How quickly they’ve forgotten…
November 15th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Thanks Kelly -
It’s a good reminder that we can’t forget where we have come from and who helped us.
That’s why I love the pay-it-forward concept.
I know the work you did and your book is helpful to sooo many.
Thanks for showing up!
Therese