A few weeks ago, I picked up a book, The Go-Giver, that was highly recommended to me by a former student. She said that I would love it. Since I thought it was so thought provoking, I decided to blog about it.
In some ways, it reminded me of the book and DVD–"The Secret" because the book is about learning "the secret" from a business sage. This sage was devoted to spending his time teaching and mentoring others. What is revealed in the book is that the more successful leaders are the more willing they are to share their secrets with others.
It is a short story where the mentee goes weekly to learn "the secret" of success from the sage. What we learn in the book is that "the secret" is in GIVING. It is having a mind-set that the world is one of abundance (co-creation) rather than one of limitations (scarcity, competition, dog eat dog).
You get what you expect.
What you focus on is what you get.
Ultimately the world treats you more or less the way you expect to be treated.
We learn the Five laws of Stratospheric Success:
1. Your true worth is determined by how much more you give in value than you take in payment. Giving is a way of life. We need to have a greater passion for what we are giving: product, service, ideas, than for what weare receiving.
2. Your income is determined by how many people you serve and how well you serve them. Everyone needs money so there are three universal reasons for working: to survive, save, and serve. It is important to have network of people who know you, like you, and trust you—Your army of personal walking ambassadors who are personally invested in seeing you succeed and you in them.
3. Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other peoples’ interests first. Givers attract—they are magnetic. Our life’s balance sheet includes friendships, marriage, and not just business.
4. The most valuable gift you have to offer is yourself—authenticity. Have big dreams, be curious, believe in yourself—be open to receiving.
5. Receptivity—the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.
While none of this sounds difficult, I don’t think it is the norm. Why not? How do you measure compared to this list? Ask yourself: Are you a go-giver or a taker?
Jann's Note: Sages are go-givers.
What an honor! Thanks so much, Jann — and excellent job summarizing the book! It’s funny: we actually wrote our first draft a year *before* The Secret came out — but I suppose these ideas were just in the wind at the time! — J.D.M.
Hi Jann,
Thank you so much for your very kind review of John David Mann’s and my book. Much appreciated!!
Best regards,
Bob