While you do that, I would like you to stop thinking of the-so-called famous radio station: WIIFM - What's In It For Me.
Not everything is going to be quid-pro-quo, so forget about that non-issue.
I'm going to suggest these two rare traits to you. They are not taught in most schools or institutions and in many cases, not too actively encouraged if at all. I guess we shouldn't bother wondering why they are pushed off to the side - by the majority of us, really. The result is that everyone seems to want something for nothing.
Well I do too. If you do, give yourself a break - we can't help it. It's just wired in us somewhere. Knowing this of myself, I ignore that feeling for a moment, sit down and open it up to see what's going on in my head. I discover a secret. The secret goes around wearing dirty worn-out overalls. It carries around all sorts of things; books, tools, electronics, people, the clock, rules, regulations — I could go on. It sure does look a lot like work. And, you know what they say; if it looks like work, walks like work and carries work-like things around, it sure is work.
On further discovery, I realise that the real secret is not work itself because the work needs to yield something — a service. It's a lot about the commitment and risk that we attach to our service — I did mention that they are rare traits.
What you want to do is to solve real problems for people. That's when your work becomes a service that people will gladly pay for, at your asking price. Yours is to commit to serve others in a way that adds value to their lives.
About the risk; that they may not appreciate it or even want it enough to pay for it.
How many problems and how many people would that be? Now that's a question that completely flips things around. It is one of the most disempowering questions you can ask yourself. It shines a bright spotlight on what you don't have. It magnifies your need, it brings your fear of lack to the surface and paralysing you in the process. It imprisons you in fear – so that you don't even remotely think of taking a risk.
Here's how you kick out your risk aversion; you choose – you know that you can’t be everything to everyone so the risk is that not everyone will want, appreciate and pay for your service. Unfortunately, sometimes these are the first people you bounce off your ideas on - family and friends. It would be great if you had their support but if you don’t, that's quite alright. They think you’re crazy for dreaming? That’s great too – it shows you that you have guts that they don't and they would rather be naysayers than risk sticking their necks out in your support. Again; please bear in mind that I did mention the rarity of these traits.
Forge on unreservedly. There are those who will not only want but desperately desire your service and will not only pay for it but will handsomely pay for it.
I want you to leverage your commitment to serve. While you do that, I would like you to stop thinking of the-so-called famous radio station: WIIFM - What's In It For Me. Not everything is going to be quid-pro-quo, so forget about that non-issue. Yes, it is a non-issue. Just get off your rear end and get your hands dirty. I mean that literally and/or metaphorically depending on the service that you provide. Trust me; this is the direction to go because it creates opportunities for you out of nothing (remember you go in risking not getting paid). Give first. Do that with the right thinking and there you have the true secret of attracting abundant reward. Real alchemy if you asked me.
When like most people you strategise to go “get” and proudly brand yourself a “go-getter”, it works against you... ESPECIALLY when you are selling yourself by working for the remuneration as opposed to being committed serving without expectation of recognition and reward.
TRUE COMMITMENT
The secret to making this work for you is to commit to making it work for you. Never mind if that sounds silly but if you take a moment to look around, it will take you quite a while to find true commitment to service combined with a healthy risk appetite in people. Am willing to bet that where you find these two rare traits, you will also find prosperity.
Now go; strike the universal balance between giving and getting. You will be surprised at what comes back to you, and the speed at which it returns.
