Many people are time starved. They are so busy working, commuting, involved.
There is little time for exercise, relaxation, family, self, meditation or financial planning. Stress and dissatisfaction are widespread.
The conventional solution is work hard, work fast and become self centered. Is that working?
Not really!
There is still lack of fulfillment and happiness. Relationship challenges and negative energy still prevail.
So what is the solution?
Giving!
Soon it will be the the 1st day of 2009! A new year is a powerful way to begin afresh. Seven tips for a powerful beginning to 2009:
Recently, I had a live 15 minute TV interview with Fanny Kiefer in Vancouver.
The questions she asked me were totally different from what I expected.
I expected her to ask questions from our book The Power of Giving, but instead she asked questions about me.
She caught me off guard. I had to periodically connect my answers about me to the book.
She was engaging and constantly kept me on my toes! I was relaxed, and spoke from the heart and actually enjoyed the interview.
My father is 80 + years old. We live together. He is a fine gentleman.
In his prime, he used to be a successful businessman, a well respected community leader and an energetic man.
What I remember most of his prime years was his selfless approach to living. He would give of his time, wisdom and resources to one and all.
People used to come to him with all kinds of problems - marital, financial, emotional. He had a way of making everyone feel touched by his insights, warmth and authenticity.
Dr. King once remarked that greatness is determined by service. I absolutely agree.
Greatness is not determined by what you possess but by what you contribute.
My friend, Nido Qubein beautifully says that it is your contribution that takes you from success to significance!
In our book “The Power of Giving” Harvey and I give many examples of how you can live a significant life by the service you render.
Today is the 1st day of the month. Every first of the month can be a powerful way to begin afresh. For that matter every day can be a fresh beginning. However, a daily fresh day will too much for most of you! What can you do every first of the month? Ask yourself the following questions:
My son Tawfiq had an away league game this past weekend - a 45 minute drive away. I take Tawfiq to all the soccer games when I am in town, because it is bonding time for us.
I asked Tawfiq if he was okay to car pool with Peter, the team goalie, because it was not environmentally friendly to take two cars to North Vancouver. I told him that I'd make up the missed bonding time. At first he was surprised that I'd miss his league game. However, he understood my logic.
So he went with Peter.
A few things ensued:
Last night, I stayed up the whole night in prayer. I prayed for one and all, especially for those who are less advantaged.
It made me realize that we are all resilient and can do things that we don't normally do.
Usually, I do not stay awake for the whole night (only part of the night!). Usually we give in a certain way. Perhaps worth trying other creative ways of giving - giving "outside the box"!
For example give to your spouse/child/parent/colleague/employee in a way that you have never done before.
This past Sunday, I was helping my 13 year old son Tawfiq with setting short term goals. We were doing this over dinner at one of his favorite restaurant’s “Nandos”.
As he was enjoying his chicken and spicy fries, I was writing down what he would like to accomplish in the next 3 months.
These were his goals for the period September 22 to December 31, 2008:
SOCCER:
STUDY:
I must tell you of John David Mann, the co-author of a great book The Go-Giver: A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea (co-authored with Bob Burg).
Over my many travels across the world, I have met many good people but John comes across as one of the best - a genuine, wonderful, authentic soul!
He really practices the message shared in the book The Go-Giver. Both Harvey and I have been touched by John's generosity and support in our journey, and we have found a kindred spirit in him.
