Tag Archives: service

Examine the service you render

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“Examine the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it.”

—Roger Babson, 20th Century American Entrepreneur

Image of a hand holding a flower

Image from Unsplash by Lina Trochez

A few months ago, I attended a seminar on family business, along with about 40 consultants, coaches, and other trusted advisors.

The program was a combination of a panel discussion and group interactions, with a lively Q&A session.

As I listened carefully to the experience some participants shared, I found it difficult to see any dramatic difference between the information, and the scope of the services they provided.

I did, however, notice a considerable level of difference in the energy, enthusiasm, and passion some of these experts expressed. This had me leaning into their comments with greater interest and receptivity.

EXERCISE:

Where and in what ways can you upgrade the services you currently offer with a more energized and enthusiastic spirit? How might that upgrade make you stand out from your competition, and put you at the top of the list in your profession?

How Can I Help

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“How Can I Help?”

—Author Unknown

Graphic showing today's Quote

Being helpful and serving others is one of the most satisfying ways to spend our days. Such acts give our days meaning and purpose.

Unfortunately, our efforts to help and serve others do not always result in positive outcomes and the appreciation we hope to receive.

Why do so many of us get this wrong by solving other’s problems, providing advice, or doing the job ourselves?

The quick answer is that our authentic gesture was not seen in the light of helpfulness we intended.

EXERCISE:

Consider the direct approach of asking others, “How can I help?”  This will allow you to see through their lens of contribution and hit the bulls-eye of helpfulness every time.

Lose Yourself in Service

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“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

—Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Independence Leader

Image from blog.bcwinstitute.org

Image from blog.bcwinstitute.org

We’ve all heard statements such as “givers gain,” and “shift your life from success to significance.”

But how do we do it?

Today’s quote challenges us to lose ourselves in a good way, to find our flow and purpose, what we might call our true north.

When I ‘give,’ I grow and feel I’m living a more expansive and true life. When I ‘get,’ I feel good too, but it’s not the same experience or at the same level.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can you serve others so that you both lose and find yourself in the experience?

#47: “How far that little candle throws his beams!”

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“So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

– William Shakespeare, playwright

What if we look at ourselves as candles (or for a modern twist, light bulbs)? What if good deeds and acts of service are examples of turning up the wattage to shed more light in areas of shadow or darkness?

Exercise:

What areas of your life (or the world) need greater illumination? What are your personal beams of light that you can share with your world to make it brighter and a little less weary?

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#34: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

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– Mahatma Gandhi, pacifist leader of Indian independence movement

We’ve all heard many similar quotes that speak to this truth, such as “givers gain” or “shift your life from success to significance.” I really like the idea of losing oneself in a good way: in order to find our flow, our true north, and our purpose.

When I give, I grow; I feel like I’m living a more expansive and true life. When I get, I feel good, but it’s not the same. When I do get, I am sure to take note of the pleasure and joy that the process offers for the giver.

Exercise:

Where can you serve and both lose yourself and find yourself at the same time?

Quotes are posted on The Quotable Coach a week after being sent out by email. To get the latest quotes straight to your inbox, pop your details in the sidebar to the right.