The Gift of Giving

30 Jun The Gift of Giving

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘giving is its own reward’. Well, it’s true.

Most of us derive more pleasure from planning and buying birthday or festive presents for loved ones and to see the smile on their faces when they open them than we ever experience from receiving gifts – no matter how grateful we are to accept them.

Giving back to our local community or supporting charities close to our hearts provides the same boost. But if you’re giving solely as a cheap marketing trick – forget it. Anyone can chuck a fiver in a box – and useful though that is – if you’re doing so to salve your conscience maybe it is time to step back to view the bigger picture.

Mucking in matters more. Giving time rather than money is often perceived to be more precious to those who benefit as well as those who give.

Giving IS its own reward. Being a serial do-gooder – funny how that phrase is so readily turned around on people by those with hate in their hearts – is about doing the right things because they are the right things to do.

Integrity was described by author C.S. Lewis as ‘doing the right thing when no one is watching’. It doesn’t matter if you plan out big projects or make small, consistent contributions little and often, it all counts.

As for ‘reward’ people value people with values. To give rather than to get – or worse to grab – means there is a constant will to reward people for the character of their kindness, and if you run a business that can bring huge benefits.

There’s also the story of a New York taxi driver who offered his customers free snacks and drinks during journeys and talks to tourists as they passed famous landmarks during downtown trips.

Needless to say, most tipped him heavily and were prepared to pay more than the typical cost of the food and drink they consumed. Moreover, they booked him for the lucrative, all-important taxi ride to and from JFK Airport and, as he made sure to dole out plenty of business cards, told friends and colleagues to book him on their arrival in the Big Apple.

The taxi driver earned more than $100,000 a year – mainly from giving. Think about it. Few of us expect things for free. We will willingly pay, tip or offer referrals to people who go the extra mile.

We value integrity and are suckers for a good story and personal service. In fact, we can’t stop telling others when people do something good or go above and beyond.

That’s why giving works. Sure, some people may grab or only seek to receive – but what do we think of them? Not much, usually.

Giving is good for the soul, and in a materialistic world where poor mental health is becoming a major crisis, we need all the feelgood help we can get – or give.

The Gift of Giving – the feelgood factor of giving to boost your wellbeing and your business is the theme of our online CGM Business Media Club meeting on Friday, July 28 (10am-midday).

For further information and to book your seat visit our Business Media Club webpage.