Stop looking to GET. Instead, offer to GIVE. Later, when you need help, you will get it.

A wise person told me this.

Today’s #motivationmondays is all about Generosity. Not just any kind of generosity. Allow me to explain.

Okay I get it, there are people who are so concerned about giving without getting something back.

In fact, just this weekend, I heard someone say “The more you give, the less you have.”

I agree, that is quantifiably true.

Will there be people who will take advantage of you? Yes of course.

Will there be people who will not return the favor or pay you back? Definitely.

Will there be people who will not be grateful for your generosity? For sure.

So how can you avoid these kinds of people?

The answer is in “Strategic Giving.”

Dr. Robert Cialdini talks about the Principle of Reciprocity as one of the weapons of influence.

The principle goes that if you offer something first, people will feel indebted to you.

Now if you do this strategically, offering and giving to people who you think could potentially make a difference in your life, then this becomes more powerful.

Let me give you a specific example.

Several years ago, I found out that the security guard at my local church has a son who was taking up engineering in college in the province.

What I did was that I donated the few engineering books that I had back in college to him, so he could send it over to his son.

I gave it without expecting anything in return, and didn’t think too much of it.

But he became so thankful to me, that even if years had passed since I gave those books, he always had a parking space for me whenever I visited church, even if I was late.

It is also because of strategic giving that I was able to get a limousine when I needed one, I learned car control and drifting, and I learned Judo and other MMA takedown techniques.

At work, I do this as well. I provide a lot of upfront value, as I found it becomes easier to ask for help when you need it.

Some people call this “calling in a favor,” but of course, you shouldnt expect anything in return.

Can you give examples of when strategic giving has worked for you? Comment below.