I did not create value: Confession #75

When was the last time you had a positive impact on someone’s life?

I am currently reading through Graceonomics by Mike Foster. Foster is one of the co-founders of People of the Second Chance, a group focused on showing forigveness and the freedom to fail towards others in everyday life.

At one point in the book he discusses how to balance failure and grace. His first point is to celebrate “value creation.”

Foster states that  ”value creation happens when someone is impacted for the good, lives are changed, people are transformed, and the organization’s mission moves forward.”

In a world focused on social media hits, bestseller lists, and stock prices, and Walmart, value is poorly understood. If we open our eyes we can find everyday opportunities as a way to create value in the lives of others.

Here are four ways you can help yourself find ways to “create value” everyday.

1. Find the value in every individual. It is easy to see the good in some people. As a baseball owner it is easy to see the value of Albert Pujols. As a film director it is easy to see the value in Angelina Jolie. But can you find value in the guy in the cubicle next to you? How about your neighbor whose only purpose in life seems to be to own a dog that poops in your driveway. In order to see the good or value in most people you have to start with the basic idea that it is in everyone because it is there. Now resolve to go find it.
2. Plan for inconviences. How many times have you passed on an opportunity to help because it was inconvient? Giving money is never convenient. Few people have spare time they can just donate to a cause. These are really just excuses, but we can make it harder for ourselves to take the easy way out. Budget for these inonveniences and then go and make a difference in someone’s life.
3. Listen to people. Being a positive factor in a person’s life may be as simple as listening to them. In our fast paced world where we are bombarded with information constantly, few of us take the time to stop and listen. We need to stop talking about ourselves and realize that everybody is hurting. Listening is the only way to learn who they really are and what they really need.
4. Do the unexpected. Buy your wife flowers. Bring home donuts for your kids. Offer to pick up the bill for lunch. Give your secretary a kindle. Bring a smile to a homeless shelter. Offer compliments. Jump in a pool with your clothes on. Do the unexpected, but keep it clean. Leave a good impression, and don’t add to their trauma.

Why should we create value in the lives of others? Because people need us to do it for them. Because we need others to do it for us. Because the benefits we receive are more valuable than anything we could ever buy or experience.

I don’t know about you, but I love the idea of a world full of second chances.

Share the ways you have been able to impact the lives of others by leaving a comment.