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Think About Others First

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: If you want to be an inspirational leader, think about that. Whatever is troubling you, find someone who's being tormented even more by the same difficulty, and help them battle it. You'll be amazed at how your own obstacles dissolve before your very eyes.

Think About Others First

That's The Magic Of Inspirational Leadership Famed salesperson and motivator Zig Ziglar once said that, to get what you want in life, you have to focus on helping as many other people as possible get what THEY want.

Right now, 'tis the season for watching holiday movies... and my favorite, "It's A Wonderful Life," gives the same basic lesson. If you take personal responsibility for helping others, it's yourself you help the most.

"If I were drowning, I figured you'd jump in to save me," said Clarence, the guardian angel of George Bailey, the movie's protagonist. "And see, you did.

"And that's how I saved you."

Clarence, who was known in Heaven for not being Its sharpest angel, was bright enough to know that you help yourself by helping others... and that when you pause from feeling sorry for yourself for your own woes long enough to lend someone else a hand with theirs, well, your troubles don't seem so bad. Sometimes they even disappear. Like magic.

If you want to be an inspirational leader, think about that. Whatever is troubling you, find someone who's being tormented even more by the same difficulty, and help them battle it. You'll be amazed at how your own obstacles dissolve before your very eyes.

Fearful and anxious? Take the time to call another fearful person and give them comfort, encouragement, and hope. Be creative - truly find a way to make that person more upbeat. (Here's a clue: the old "You think you got it bad? I'm in MUCH worse shape" method definitely does not work.)

Sincerely do this... and see if your fear doesn't melt away, at least a little bit. See if you don't feel more optimistic!

Feeling a little sick and tired? Find another tired person and pump them up - give them energy - make them get out and take action. See if that doesn't make your own health and vitality take a northward turn.

Do you own your own business, and is it struggling? Find a way to help another entrepreneur with her business.. and see if things don't start looking up.

Wish you had more money? Find someone poorer than you and give them some.

George Bailey was out there on a bridge, feeling sorry for himself, thinking the world would be better off without him, and seriously thinking about jumping. Clarence, who had nothing to lose, gave George a great gift: a chance to help someone else, and thereby learn the amazing power such kindnesses have not just for the betterment of the receiver, but especially for the giver.

It's like magic. Holiday magic!

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Article Tags: entrepreneurship, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



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