Coaching Corner: The beauty of giving back
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
Our lives are so full, there is no question about that. We are dealing with our day to day activities both within our businesses and also in our personal lives. Sometimes it seems as though we just do not have enough time! Consequently, the idea of giving back can be merely a distant thought in our already overflowing mind.
Interestingly, one of the qualities that consistently shows up for extremely successful people is their commitment to giving. One could argue that they have extra time and money so it is easy for them, however, if you look at their backgrounds, their generosity has typically been present throughout their lives.
Giving back can be monetary or a volunteer situation. A Gallup survey on volunteering in the USA found that 52 percent of volunteers do it because they like doing something useful and helping others. What comes to mind for you when you think about giving back?
This topic came to me last Saturday, while I was with my son and my sister-in-law. There was a discussion going on between the two of them about hand warmers. Hmm, it sounded intriguing so of course I asked what the story was. Apparently, my son had gone to purchase hand warmers for himself, his wife and her sister for a Bengals game last year (one of the very cold ones). When he got to Sam's there was the option of buying them in bulk, so he did. He took out the ones they needed for the game and kept the remainder in his car. When I questioned this further, it turns out he hands them out to people at stop lights, etc. who are asking for assistance. He had also given some to my sister-in-law and she is doing the same! Now, this is just a small way of giving back but clearly it was a way that brought them joy.
Ask yourself if there is a way for you to give back in a way that feels good to you. There are no rules --this is a blank slate waiting for you!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
