“We make a LIVING by what we get but we make a LIFE by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
I remember joining a huge entrepreneur membership group many years ago when I first started out my journey. I fostered friendships with some of the most sincere and outstanding entrepreneurs and the one key message that I took away is Givers Gain. This powerful message has transformed me, a once money-driven entrepreneur that only cared about the bottom line. Of course, making sure your company’s profitability is essential to sustain the business but it should not be everything.
In the upcoming season of giving, I’ve decided to debunk 3 myths of giving that can apply to your professional and social life.
If I give, I will receive
If this is the reason why you give, you shouldn’t give. In the networking world, I often receive referrals for HUONE and I always remember to thank them and be grateful for that. While I very much want to reciprocate their kindness, if I really don’t have business or referrals for them, then I don’t. It’s not something that can be forced. What often happens is that I receive help from Party A, I help Party B, and Party B can help Party A. Well, sometimes it goes a bigger round before coming back but you understand what I am getting at – what goes around comes around. They always say that disappointments are a result of expectations. So when you give, don’t expect to receive but if you do receive, it’s a bonus.
Only the rich can give
This is probably one of the most common myths I have heard. HUONE may still be a SME but we spend about $350 monthly sponsoring 8 children from all over the world through World Vision. It may sound like $350 cannot do much but it allows us to take care of the families of 8 children by paying for their necessities for livelihood and school. We may not have the ability (yet) to write big cheques to charities but we do what we can afford. Did I mention that in our Shareholder’s Agreement, it states that a percentage of our net profit goes to charity? This means that investors who want to come onboard have to agree with this or they are not who we are looking for. The truth is, giving can come in many forms. If you are unable to donate money, you can always offer your time or expertise!
Giving means to be selfless
In the safety videos of airlines, they always stress that in an emergency, it’s important for you to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. You need to take care of yourself before you take care of others. Research has shown that selfless giving (without considering your own needs and feelings altogether) results in stress and a high likelihood of depression. In simple terms, you cannot be donating any part of your salary when you do not even have enough to pay your bills. Remember that you should always aim to help within your means.
Every year, we raise funds before Christmas and all the money that is raised is matched dollar-for-dollar by us to buy necessities for janitors who work tirelessly to ensure that our hawker centers island-wide are kept clean. We drive around island-wide on Christmas Eve to deliver these Christmas packs to thank them for their service. While this may be a once-in-a-year movement, this year will be our 5th session and each year, we challenge ourselves to create a bigger and bigger movement, benefiting more cleaners. I will never forget receiving a Lunar New Year greeting card from one of the cleaners who thanked us for always thinking of them on Christmas. This kind of happiness can never be bought with money.