A recent publication and best seller by Bob Burg and David Mann left me feeling good and empowered! The book takes you through a very engaging story of a “Joe” who is a “go-getter”. Joe is desperate to land a key sale at the end of a bad quarter and he is introduced to “Pindar” a worldly and wise advisor who takes Joe under his wing and introduces him to five “go-givers”. These “go-givers’ are highly successful individuals and built their success of the principle of giving. Joe applies each of their principles and opens himself up to the power of giving.

You are well aware of the phrase “Give and you shall receive”? To me it is very much a way of living that you have to follow with blind faith. There are certain instances however it delivers immediately. For example, during Christmas time we have a school food drive and I participate in very actively. I go through our kitchen pantry and find all the impulsive and excessive buys of unexpired canned goods. I also take my children to the local market and make them purchase canned goods to add to this donation. This surely is great gratification in giving! I have emptied my pantry, I have taught the children about the less fortunate and overall it feels good.

So after reading this book, I decided to try out this principle without any immediate returns, I might have however expect returns somewhere at the back of my mind! I decided to offer my career coaching services to a student for free over a 2 month period. Over that time I developed a strong bond with this student and felt every achievement of hers as a personal achievement. She went on to find a job that was very well suited to her life purpose. I have felt my heart “expand” in a way I can’t describe. Through coaching her I was introduced to three new clients that came very unexpectedly. Would this have happened had I charged her, I am not sure. But I feel compelled to attribute it to the “giving principle” as I call it.

I was also able to apply this principle in my daily life. I was working on securing a spot for an upcoming coaching seminar and the person on the other end was very rude. My immediate reaction would have been to be curt, but I decided to apply the “giving principle” and was very nice and patient in return. What did that result in? The executive director of the center who was observing this entire interaction came up to me as I was about to leave and asked me “what do you do for a living”? I told her I was a career coach and she went on to tell me that they were looking to offer an on-going coaching seminar at this center. We talked about my background and credentials and she thought I would be a great fit.

So what do I think of this book? I think it works! You have to consciously apply the giving attitude. It may be something as simple as a smile.