Take An Interest In Others
Every one of us can look back upon people who have made a huge impact on our lives. They could be teachers, relatives, work colleagues or friends. Perhaps they simply set an example, or did something practical just because they cared. They didn’t expect anything in return and probably didn’t realise the effect they were having. You probably thought (and still think) ‘what a great person’. Now it’s your turn. One of the great secrets of building your own confidence and self-esteem is to become less self-… etc. Take an active interest in others.
When you focus your attention on others rather than yourself, you make them feel better and raise their self-esteem. And every time you contribute to raising another’s self-esteem, you simultaneously raise your own to at least the same degree. When you make a positive impact on another person’s life, you attract the same from others because what we give out, we receive. In the words of Og Mandino, ‘Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself’. “When we seek to discover the best in others,we somehow bring out the best in ourselves. William Arthur Ward”
Love And Service
We feel better about ourselves when we concentrate on giving rather than receiving, and when we show consideration for others spreading love and happiness in every way we can. Whenever we give to others they feel valued, and it doesn’t have to be much. Even a smile, a kind word and a few moments of our time are precious gifts.
Not only do we feel good about ourselves when we help others, but there’s a knock-on effect. And we never know how far it will go. A few years ago I helped a young musician overcome stage fright. She couldn’t afford the treatment so I waived my fee. At the time I was planning a new audio programme and it turned out that her father owned a recording studio. He was so grateful to me for helping his daughter that he offered the use of his studio at a very reasonable rate.
Get your mind off ‘What’s in it for me?’ and ask instead, ‘What can I do for you?’