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Think of some ways you could be generous with your family, colleagues and friends. Without thought of recompense (important point, that) you could
- share information
- express empathy
- demonstrate interest
- offer a service.
Give it a go and see what happens. Where to begin? You could start by being generous with your time. See what happens when you listen - and I mean REALLY listen – to another person. Focus on them with no thought of yourself. Be silent. Don't interrupt. Tune out distractions. Maintain eye contact. Relax your body and keep your gestures open. Allow the other person time and space to express themselves. The person speaking will appreciate your generosity of time, care and attention.
Give freely of your expertise and knowledge. Share useful contacts and support others in reaching their goals. Network with the thought of “how may I help you?” rather than “what can you do for me?” The result? The satisfaction that results from generously and unconditionally supporting other people. They experience your generosity, you rise in their estimation and the next time you need a favour, they'll be at the front of the queue to help you. By giving of yourself, demonstrating respect, and showing care, you attract loyalty and appreciation in return, resulting in deeper and stronger relationships. As my mother used to say, “What goes around comes around.” And in business, that has an impact on the bottom line.
Generosity is not a finite commodity. There are many ways of being generous. Far from depleting you, the act of giving enhances your own life.
To listen exceptionally well necessitates a generous approach. You listen best when you commit to being in the other person's presence. Fully attend to them, fully accept them with trust and boundless generosity. Take yourself out of the frame and allow them to be heard.
Generosity is good for your health. The positive feelings you experience from helping others strengthens and enhances the immune system. You end up feeling empowered, enriched and energised.
There are givers and takers in this world and at times you may find your generosity abused. Reflect on your reasons for being generous. Perhaps you were hoping for something in return? It's easy to spot when someone's being inauthentic. Expect nothing when you are giving.
Generosity can lead to a feeling of peace and honour. The dictionary defines generosity as a willingness to give, and nobility of behaviour or thought. This month, see what happens when you consciously make the effort to be generous. You may be pleasantly surprised with what the universe throws back.
We would love to hear about your experiences of generosity and the effect it has had on your life, work and relationships. Share your thoughts with us by sending them to ideas@kuhnkecommunication.com. We look forward to publishing your responses. |
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