Anyone who has ever known me, from trainers and colleagues, to students, mentors and friends know that I try to live by a “Get by Giving” philosophy.  In fact, it has been the #1 core value for the organizations I have built. 

I remember the impact I felt the first time I heard my “big brother” Zig Ziglar say, “You’ll get everything in life that you want if you help enough other people get what they want.” 

Giving and Taking.  I wasn’t a big “giver” back then; I was more of a “taker.”  After studying people like Zig Ziglar, Og Mandino and others and implementing this “giving” principal I began to see my career and life change for the better.  What I learned from these masters, and even the bible which tells us that “it is more blessed to give than receive,” is that it is a wonderful feeling to watch other people receive something they greatly need.  And so, along the way the “Get by Giving” philosophy became a way of life and business for me. 

That “Feeling.” Do you know what it’s like when you are at the end of your rope and along comes someone who ties a knot in the end to keep you from falling?  I sure do.  I was in Real Estate for maybe just ten months at the time.  I was flat broke, driving a Buick Special that was rust, and I’m not talking color.  I remember going to my mother’s house crying because I felt like a failure.  Back then, with a father who was a gambler and a brother who was an addict, my mother didn’t have much.  Still, she looked at me, got up, crossed the room, moved a dresser out of the way of her hiding place and retrieved her purse.  She then pulled out a handful of dollar bills, peeled off three of the five and said, “Here son, sometimes when a man has a couple of dollars in his pocket--he just feels better.” While that may not sound like a lot of money today, back then it was enough to get a burger and put enough gas in the car to show houses.  I can tell you that I never forgot that “feeling” she gave me that day. 

Missed Opportunity.  What a terrible feeling it is for both people when we miss an opportunity to help someone.  In fact, that happened to me once, and it is one of my biggest regrets.  I was in the Seattle airport, flying back from a successful speaking event and I came across a young man who was shabbily dressed, carrying a duffel bag and talking to the ticket agent.  He had lost his ticket.  I watched as this kid ran all the way to the ticket area and then back to the gate searching for his ticket and yet couldn’t find it.  They called for boarding and I got on the plane and left.  In the air, I couldn’t help but feel that I should have done something.  I could have easily given the agent my credit card and paid for the kid’s flight, but I didn’t and because of that, I still see his face today.  It haunts me to the point where I will never purposely miss a chance to help someone again. 

Live and Learn.  I challenge you to fill your life now with those instances where you can reach out and help people.  You will learn how it inexplicably comes back to you in unexpected ways.  I could give you many, many examples.  One in particular that I remember was a time when I was driving down a freeway and saw a woman on the other side pulled over with a flat tire.  I got off at the next exit, turned around and paid a guy to go and fix her tire and never told her who I was.  The following week, I received two unsolicited referrals at a time when I really needed the business.  Some may call that a coincidence, but not me.  When you live by this concept, it happens more times than you can imagine and if I had the opportunity I could offer story after story of personal experiences that would prove it to you!

Just Give.  Remember “giving” doesn’t have to be monetary.  Help a new agent develop a new skill.  Reach out to someone having a bad day.  Fix a flat tire.  Whatever it is, adopt the “Get by Giving” philosophy in your life and career and I can promise you, it can and will make all the difference. 

So just remember, We Get By Giving.   

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Love,
              

• June 4th - 6th
  Floyd Wickman School of Speaking and Training  
  The Floyd Wickman Team, the most trusted name in real estate training is looking for two people in the Western United States who have a sincere desire to help others and make a difference by delivering the #1 results training program in the industry, Floyd Wickman’s SMART Selling Program.
  
  No experience as a ‘trainer’ is necessary because we develop speakers who teach, through a six month earn-while-you-learn process.  Potential first year earnings up to $60,000 with some travel involved.
  
  If you know someone who fits that description, have them visit www.floydwickman.com for more information. For a confidential first interview, please call Mike Pallin 734-213-7512.
  
  Have a desire to improve your speaking and presentation skills? Now is your chance as Floyd Wickman's School of Speaking & Training is open to Clients & Professional Speakers as well as Trainer Candidates.   Just call your trainer or Client Care at 1.800.910.5351 for more information as seats are filling up fast. 

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