See More Good
This week was incredibly fulfilling. We launched our virtual leadership cohort and I think it went really well. The Ownership Accelerator is a six-week, one-hour gathering that blazes through concepts in my book and applies them to real-world challenges happening in real time. I invited 10 people, who are all smarter than me, with very distinct backgrounds and from diverse industries to participate. I'm incredibly grateful for them.
The other uniquely fun experience is that I got 200+ Company Leadership Edition books in that I am signing and then individually shipping out. This edition of my book has the company logo and a message from the CEO, plus a few bonus pages, plus a link to a resource website. I've sold this edition before, but always direct shipped it. This time, I'm signing the book to each person and then stuffing the envelope.
Signing books is wild. First, I have a book. Second, putting my signature in it immediately personalizes it. Third, I have 5 or 6 different little phrases I write and I literally wrestle with which one to choose for this unknown person. I want it somehow to add an extra umph to their book-reading experience. I don't know if you've ever seen the Billy Eichner clip when he was on Parks & Rec talking to Donna, but he says this great line "I have a medical condition alright. It's called caring too much... and it's incurable!!" (TikTok Clip)
I don't think anyone is going to read my little phrase and say "man, that Greg, he really cares about me." But I know I do. That's kind of the beauty of caring. We can offer it and whether recognized or not, we know we coated our efforts in love. We only have our available resources to utilize, that's why it's sometimes unrecognized.
INTENTIONAL GENEROSITY
I don't mean the five love languages kind of caring. I'm talking about when I ask for ketchup for my fries, the server bring three ramekins instead of one. It's the choices we make with what we have. This kind of caring is defined by intentional generosity. You and I might not even notice it. It's more an added layer of goodness, then a visible demonstrative exaggeration.
I'm particularly fond of it's subtle nature, because it reinforces our own character. I'm sure you have done something to protect or serve someone you love and they have no idea you did it. They don't know what didn't happen in their life because of your intentional generosity. In a world that likes to document and showcase every kindness, the under-the-radar efforts are the most satisfying.
MINDSHIFT
What if this week you quietly cared in a meaningful way that genuinely benefits someone, without letting anyone know you did it?
HUMAN INTERACTION
I went by the post office yesterday to mail the books I was able to sign before it closed. I was there for a while. I got into deep conversations with both of the employees. Tina told me about being married to an alcoholic and all the codependent behaviors it created in her. JP is going through a divorce right now after 16 years of marriage. Both of them were joyful as well as candid. It was a refreshingly human interaction.
My kids haven't always loved that I'm curious, interested and willing to have real conversations with strangers we interact with. When we used to go out to eat they'd get embarrassed that I talked to our server like they were more than just a machine for bringing food and drinks. I like humans and find each one of them uniquely fascinating. Being interested is one way I care.
MINDSHIFT
What if you let your own guard down and looked for an opportunity to engage with someone in an emotionally open and honest way?
REWIRING RECIPROCITY
When we consciously care for others quietly, we start ascribing that character trait to others actions. This is the real benefit. Interpreting others behaviors as small gestures of intentional generosity, causes us to feel good and view them favorably. It might not even be true, but because we are aligned with that philosophy, the imagined reciprocity has a doubly good effect for us.
Is it possible that genuinely caring for others is the best way to care for ourselves?
I believe in sowing seeds of goodness into others lives. I believe we benefit from that. But I think more than that, our brain rewires to see more good as we impute the intentions of others positively. It makes you wonder then about those who assign negative traits to people. Maybe they're just projecting themselves onto others or reaping what they have sowed, huh? Don't be that person!
SHIFTING
I hope this week you go out of your way to care, be open and engage the humans around you in the most sincere, meaningful way. I also hope you recognize the expressions of care others show you. #ShiftAway
