C'Mon- Does Helping Others Really Help Me?

Like me, after a long day of thought and work you may have often been struck by a feeling you don't exactly love-

"Did I just spend my entire day doing things for other people?"

Before you become even more frustrated as you realize this, it's important to remember-

Creating a great business, making an exceptional amount of money, being loved or admired by others, or fulfilling an important purpose is ultimately about the things you do for other people. Not yourself.

Especially if you're working in western hemisphere in the 21st century. People have way too many choices- vendors, partners, services, products, outsourcing, open sourcing, etc. No one really needs you. And this is a reality all business people and marketers are forced to deal with, or pay the consequences.

The truth is... being exceptional, irreplacable, and unequivocally gratifying others above and beyond their expectations is the very thing that brings you huge rewards, financial and other. Not creating something that is going to make you money.

To this end, when was the last time you sat back from your work "for others" and deeply contemplated the most personal needs, dreams, frustrations and desires of the people those who your work will serve or benefit?

The answer is, even the people who are the very best at this don't do this "stepping out of themselves" exercise nearly as much as they should.

Instead, they're focused on how their new product or service, intended to "Wow" the recipients or customers, will ultimately benefit themselves. (more money, more free time, less worry, make them look good/smart/cool to others)

Over the years I've talked to and worked with many of the top self-help gurus, even the ones known for being selfless in helping others. Most of them aren't far outside of the "help myself by looking like I'm busy helping others" feedback loop.

Being of service to others is the highest form of contribution to yourself, and if you're going to keep a high level of sustained work, creativity, and productivity in your life, and make what I'd call an "unfair" living doing it... then I would strongly suggest you get yourself focused on serving others and not yourself.

Stay focused on the payoff being measured by those you serve both in and outside of your business. This brings about inherently sustainability.

Check out "The Power of Full Of Engagement" by Tony Schwartz and Jim Loehr for some great tips and specifics on the importance of service to others at work/purpose.

Otherwise, even if are one of the many who succeed in spite of themselves... I don't believe you'll end up having that much fun, nor too many great friends at the end of the day after you've cashed out and bought your Italian sportscar.

Your TV, your SUV, and your house will all be bigger, but so will your expenses and the gap between you and the things that really bring joy and satisfaction.