Remove This Very Unnecessary Concern

I recently received the following question from a reader. I’m sharing it with you here (with his permission) both because I appreciate his question (and desire to conduct business the right way) *and* feel it’s important that people understand that being a Go-Giver does *not* mean not thinking of yourself, but rather simply understanding that your *focus* is on those you serve. And that when doing so, great results will absolutely follow.

He wrote…

Hi Bob, I have just finished reading The Go-Giver for the second time and am in the middle of Go-Givers Sell More. Although the book tells you to create value and touch as many people as possible and don’t think of the end result, I still struggle with not thinking of the earnings.

I am in real estate, and I am focusing on providing value, but soon after I think: ‘I could make this much if I sell their home.’ How can I stop doing that? Is it just the fact that I do need the money more than people who don’t think about their potential income?

Just struggling and want to only provide value, give, and receive. Any help would be appreciated.

My response…

Thank you for your question. I greatly appreciate the thought you have put into this…AND I want to provide you with some assurances that hopefully will help you to feel encouraged in this regard.

First, it’s not that you shouldn’t *think* of the end result/earnings. (And neither book ever claims such.) It’s that you shouldn’t *focus* on the end result/earnings, but rather *focus* on the value you are creating for the other person.

Remember, they’re only going to do business with you because they believe they will benefit. So…

Key Point: Focusing on them is *not* self-sacrificial, but rather the most productive — and profitable — thing you can do.

Second…

Important to Understand: There’s absolutely nothing wrong with thinking about what you’ll earn. After all, your earnings are very important. Without them you are out of business and cannot serve anyone.

And, thinking about your financial compensation is very natural and very human.

So please don’t put undue pressure on yourself.

Sounds like you are doing a lot right!

In the End: Focus on the value you are creating. After that, anything you’re thinking about (including how to utilize those earnings in order to live out your personal values in the various areas of your life)…is fine. It’s *totally* fine.

And of course, then allow yourself to receive!

The above is so important to understand in order to rid oneself of the “duality” that you are either a giver *or* a receiver. Indeed, you are both! As such, you know you must focus on the giving…while gratefully allowing the receiving.

Today’s Exercise: Catch yourself whenever you find that you’re thinking in a dualistic, “either/or” manner when it comes to prosperity and abundance. Remind yourself that creating a better world for others, as well as a better world for yourself, are not opposite concepts but rather two sides of the very same coin.