In this GTY mashup (see the first one here), readers interpret the practice called Give Yourself and its subsets, Choose Wisely, Tithe Your Time, Give It All Away, and Celebrate Dramatically. Once again the words and wisdom are yours; the editing, mine:
David Thomas believes that instilling a spirit of learning in others is vital, [he says] “In today’s environment, hoarding knowledge ultimately erodes your power. If I know something very important, the way I’m going to get power is by actually sharing it.” Liberate your insight from its mental prison, for the road to thought leadership is not paved alone.
I can give out of my knowledge, or I can choose to give away myself, which includes all of me, including my knowledge. Far from making me empty, just the act of giving in this manner causes good in my life…When we give at this level, the receiver should be trustworthy, and one who will effectively use and transmit what they are given/learn.
Those who have the capacity to contribute the most (in a certain sense) are those who have the assets and resources to contribute. But, holding the contribution mindset in tension with personal & business success (even in the most free-market sense of the concept) doesn’t have to be an oxymoron.
Time, friends, and work, you can’t do it all. Give 10% to yourself and indulge in it. Surely giving away brings more back. Make a splash; don’t wade into the pool slowly.
Giving your time and energy is more fulfilling than writing a check. Focus on abundance and be a conduit through which it flows. Enjoy life. Show your gratitude by making everything you do a celebration of what life has to offer.
The more I help others and share my knowledge, the more people want to work with me. Keeping everything to myself will keep me on my own, but sharing everything allows me to be part of other people’s worlds.
As the Director of Women’s Ministries for a church of about 400 members, I am tasked with creating opportunities for our women to serve in our church, our community, and in the world. The response to the opportunity to serve is saddening. There is a small core of people who consistently volunteer, and know that they receive more than they give in the form of joy, excitement and a personal legacy.
Mr. Buffet has now promised to donate his fortune to charity, so all those people who sold him their companies get massive benefits, including: the joy of running a business they love, the realization that they are improving the lives of everyone around them, and the ultimate realization that the fruits of their labor will help make the world a better place. It’s magnificent.
Value others’ time more highly than your own. When you’re not watching the time, the more of it you have. The world is made of spirals and circles…celebrate dramatically then celebrate alone.
I like leaders who celebrate WE.
Everything you give will come back 10 fold. Appreciation levels increase when you have nothing. Give up the now for all the things you will have in the future.
When my wife and I gave up our lifestyle of eating out, going to the movies, buying this or that because it would make us happy, we got back the appreciation of those things that we gave up.
Choosing wisely means making snap, focused decisions, and only looking back to let history inform judgment.
Tithing your time is about ensuring that you are attending to your personal affairs, viewing your life as an investment in the future.
People want a flag around which to rally, and they want to rally. When you celebrate dramatically, you are empowering people to fly your colors as their colors, proliferating passion for progress.
If I focus on using a tenth of my time to make others greater, the impact will be significant on them but also on me.
Holding back limits the flow.
If we could choose – actually CHOOSE – to do things differently and track those results very carefully, we might see that we are shifting the movie – getting on the stage and being IN the play instead of in the audience booing.
We only have a certain number of minutes in a day—1440, to be exact—and what we choose to do with them should be as important as what we do with our money.
Nothing I own (stuff) and nothing I know is my own anyway…it really does multiply as I can give up attachment. This is a tough concept in a capitalistic society and for me as a recovering perfectionist.
Time and money are currencies. Make your choice of where to spend them a conscious one. But keep in mind, you can make more money, but not more time.
I have to give of myself before I expand myself.
Choose those philosophies that you feel the most passionate about – and then spread the word. If you don’t have a clear message no one will ever know what you stand for.
Tithing isn’t enough! Help others find themselves and, more important, the fascinating people and world around them. You always seem to get back more than you give – so why wouldn’t you … give it ALL away.
Give it all away doesn’t mean sell your possessions and live on the street. It means know who you are, know what you stand for, be consistent, and give all of yourself to everything you do.
We can not be all to all, so we need to select those opportunities where we can do the most good or where we are the most needed or maybe where we are the most suited. We also need balance, so we need to choose our own opportunities as well.
Do nothing for reward. Take the approach that you are doing this because it is the right thing to do, because it has value even without compensation.
When there is one person in the world that does not have a coat or is barefoot in the winter, and I could meet that need, I am guilty of being self-centered if I do not take action.
Give of your most precious asset [time] to those who need it – but also to those who can use it.
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greater than yourself, leadership, golden rule
“Give of your most precious asset [time] to those who need it – but also to those who can use it.” Interesting thought.
By “can” use it, do you mean someone able to use it, or someone willing to use it, or someone who needs to use it, or all 3?
I would think, if you were investing time, you would best serve the other if they were willing AND able to use it, though the need question is a tough one to crack. Most of us who NEED advice from someone smarter than us aren’t brave enough to ask for it, for fear of getting said no too.
To be greater than yourself, you have to be willing to step up and ask for help when you need it, in addition to stepping up and giving help when you see others in need.