Contribution in Action

Warning! Today's More Clients will ask you to take action. Please don't read if you want to maintain the status quo in your business.

I'm calling this year, "The Year of Contribution" for both my business and my life. In More Clients each week, I'll be sharing ideas and information that are based on this theme.

Another way to say contribution is "making a difference," "making a positive impact," or even "service." I've discovered, over the years, that this mindset is what makes it all work. It's what attracts clients and makes your business grow.

Since it took me many, many years to grasp this concept, I'm not sure I can communicate it succinctly in one eZine. However, this theme will be running through More Clients for the whole year.

Let me talk about this at a very fundamental level:

It's the beginning of 2009. The economy is in the tank. The stock market is still very shaky. Half a million jobs were lost in December alone. Businesses, small and large, are struggling.

And I'm telling you that the key is making a contribution?!&#

Yes, I am! After all, look at the alternatives. You can be petrified with fear; worry about your business; get sucked into negative thinking; and give up all hope.

Do you really want to go there? I didn't think so!

Instead, if you're willing, I'd like to take you to a place of possibility, opportunity and adventure. If you take this journey, your business will do just fine this year.

The path is simple:

Make a commitment to make a contribution, a difference, an impact every single day of the workweek. (Yes, you can take the weekend off, but do something for a loved one on those days!)

In your business, what would this look like?

It would mean reaching out to one or more people in almost any way to offer some kind of value. Here are a few examples:

• Call a past client and see how they're doing. Don't ask for anything; but offer an idea, a resource, or even encouragement. 

• Send something of value to those on your e-list. This could be anything from your regular eZine to a tip, idea or resource. 

• Call someone you met through networking and invite them to coffee to learn about their business. 

• Do a favor for someone who you know would appreciate it. Don't worry about what you'll get back. 

• Offer a teleclass or introductory program of some kind to those in your database or to another group. 

• Write a thank-you note to someone who did you a favor or who took the time to speak or meet with you.

If you are doing this kind of thing already, great! But up the stakes and do even a little more. Make it a daily practice.

If you're not doing this kind of thing consistently, you probably are skeptical. "What difference will this make in my business? I need more clients, not waste my time helping people!"

I promise you that it will make a difference and that it won't be a waste of time. It will force you to get out of your insular, fearful, scarce, self-centered, selfish mindset that's only interested in "What's in it for me?"

That old mindset will do nothing to grow your business. Ultimately you'll discover that making a contribution (and the mindset of giving, not taking) will take your business to places you haven't even imagined.

Now make your list and go into action.

By the way, it doesn't matter how big or small the contribution is. And you'll know you're making a contribution by the response you get. People will thank you. They'll appreciate you. You'll feel good.

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The More Clients Bottom Line: If you want to grow your business, you need to master the art of making a contribution. You start small by focusing on little things that will add value. And you do something every single day. No exceptions.

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What are some of the things you'll do this week to put "The Contribution Factor" into action? Please share on the More Clients Blog.

Comments

[Dennis]

Robert
Do you believe in network marketing?
What is the best system out there?
Why is networking better/worse than say affiliate marketing?
I post this comment here - but it is in response to an ezine piece you wrote.

[Ioan Nicut]

Hi Robert,

I agree with you on getting out of the "What's in it for me" mindset. Instead I propose the "How can I help without expecting anything" or "what can I give" or "What can I contribute without expecting anything?" or "What blessing can I give?"

I am a life and business coach, I ask People questions that help them or their businesses to reach their targets. Since I know to ask questions I simply go daily on site and welcome the people and their challenges to learn and absorb new habits.

I coach people at the market -- I live on the countryside -- and see them smiling... :)

I simply call ex business clients and partners to check on how they are doing...

I do not expect anything and what I get instead is People trusting more on their resources, having a better state, or simply smiling.

I believe it is important to just GIVE or how you would say CONTRIBUTE.

Rewards come back from other unexpected areas of life. :) I do not know if there is a link between what we give and what we receive. What I know is that it feels fantastic to contribute.

regards,

Ioan Nicut

[Sharon]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sharon

http//www.autoloans101.info