Made to Give

One of my favorite books of all time is the Go Giver, by John David Mann and Bob Burg.

This is an allegorical novel aimed at business professionals, but I think there are lessons for all of us.  In fact, there are five laws outlined in the book, known as the Laws of Stratospheric Success.

1.  The Law of Value

Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment.

2.  The Law of Compensation

Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them.

3.  The Law of Influence

Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.

4.  The Law of Authenticity

The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself.

5.  The Law of Receptivity

The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

I will warn you about this book.  First, make sure that you buy more than one copy.  I have given away more copies of this book than I can remember.  In fact, Mann and Burg have come up with bulk discounts, so I suspect I’m not the only one impacted in this way.  Second, don’t give away your only or your last copy.  You need to read this book over and over.  And lastly, if you feel that you are indeed “Made to Give”, don’t skip the last chapter on receiving.  In fact, I recommend that you read this chapter more than once each time, as it is the hardest for givers to [dare I say it?] receive.

Mann and Burg are givers of the highest order.   Click HERE to listen (or download) one of my many interviews on the GoGiver from SolutionzLive, one of my radio broadcasts on BlogTalkRadio.

If you are made to give, don’t forget that the ocean tides can’t only go out, they must also come in.  And you won’t live long if you only breathe out, you must also breathe in.

Renew, recharge and refresh from time to time and let other givers give to you.   That is how it was meant to work.