I have heard it said, “Be the most helpful person in the room.” I was thinking this last night as I helped put away the table decorations from the wedding I had just attended. I must admit, I really did not want to be there as the party was deconstructed. I love the magic of the room, the atmosphere of celebration. But with the Bride and Groom off to their fun honeymoon plans it was inevitable that I would be standing in the mist of boxes with the whoosh of the vacuum cleaner filling the room.
I am friends with the mother-of-the-bride so I was really there for her. I wanted to support her. So . . . as she was giving instructions to the small crew that had stayed behind to help ‘clean up’, I offered my services. How often have you ‘offered your services’? Whether you are networking, at the office or volunteering your mindset should be one of ‘being the most helpful in the room’. Guess what happens when you think that way AND act that way? People notice. You are the nicest, most respectful, accommodating and in that way, the most remembered.
In building your brand and working your business you want this distinction. By being remembered again and again people not only know you and like you; you are building trust. It is funny that a simple act of service can go such a long way. Paul commended the Philippians in chapter two verse seventeen: “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.” Imagine, your clients and customers ‘rejoicing’ over you because of your faithful service to them.
I titled this ‘Cleaning Up’ because I was relating it to cleaning up the things in our lives that keep us from having this attitude of service. It begins with the pride in our own lives, the feeling that we deserve to be served. I hate to tell you that people really do see through this and remember you as being selfish. It also involves looking outward to the needs around you. Many of us are so focused on what we want and how we are going to get it that we miss the opportunities to ‘lend a hand’, ‘speak a truth’, or ‘pour into another’. This kind of attitude makes you unreliable in the eyes of others.
Where are you not seeing the needs of those around you? Where can you begin to look for how you can solve the problem right in front of you? Where can you be the most helpful?
It all begins in the mind. It flows from you as your attitude shifts and your focus turns outward and away from you. It will be a challenge for some to change. But the rewards are substantial as you build deep relationships with customers, clients, colleagues, friends and family. Whew! You will be AWESOME.
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