How to Make a Difference With Your Giving
(This is an excerpt from a book I am working on about creating a positive impact business)
[inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@brianmininger” suffix=””]Think of giving not only as a duty but as a privilege. – John D. Rockefeller[/inlinetweet]
Photo Credit – DVIDSHUB
As small business owners we have been entrusted with the responsibility to manage all kinds of resources… finances, employees, skills & abilities, equipment, inventory, facilities, and time. All of us care about our communities and want to give back and make a positive impact. There are a lot of ways that we can give back. But, even more than that we have a responsibility and a privilege to give back.
I think sometimes we look at the massive philanthropic efforts by high profile individuals and think that we don’t have anything to give. However, we do have something. In fact we probably have more than we realize.
[inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@brianmininger” suffix=””]Wealth is not to feed our egos but to feed the hungry and to help people help themselves. – Andrew Carnegie[/inlinetweet]
I remember when hurricane Katrina hit the gulf coast. Our church decided to send work teams to help with the clean-up. Another man and I made a quick trip to scout the situation out and determine what we could do. I quickly realized that removing tree debris from people’s yards was a huge task. FEMA would pick up the debris at the curb, but the homeowner was responsible to get it that far. For many people this was impossible.
As we returned home and I thought about the magnitude of the damage, it was easy to get overwhelmed and think that there was no way we could make a difference. Then I was reminded of the fact that my construction company had a skid steer loader. After a few phone calls, we found someone who had a grappling attachment for it that they were willing to loan and we loaded up the machine for a return trip to Louisiana.
With that machine and a lot of guys with chainsaws we were able to clear yards of significant tree debris in an hour or less. In a week’s time we helped many homeowners. While there were thousands of yards that we did not get to, the gratefulness of those that we helped made it obvious that we had made a difference.
[inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@brianmininger” suffix=””]Don’t get overwhelmed by the need or downplay what you can offer. You have resources that can make a difference to someone. [/inlinetweet]
Maybe your business is really small or you are just starting out and don’t have a lot of resources at your disposal yet. Remember, your life is the most amazing gift you have ever received and is your greatest resource. Even if you don’t have money or employees, you can give of yourself. You can volunteer your time, share your experience, or encourage someone who needs a lift.
[inlinetweet prefix=”” tweeter=”@brianminigner” suffix=””]Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more. – Anthony Robbins[/inlinetweet]
If you take the opportunity to give of yourself, your business will grow and you will come to the place where you have the other wealth and resources to give away.
What Simple Ways Have You Been Able to Make a Difference?
Share Your Thoughts in the Comments
- Brian
I think we can also overlook the ability to help by supporting another who is in the midst of giving aid. For example…when Brian went to the Gulf Coast to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina, I was able to help by staying home to care for our family and to keep our family business running while he was gone. That kind of serving is important to because it aids others being able to really focus on the need at hand.