I continue to be amazed by the letters John and I receive and blog posts around the Internet regarding people who are taking the principles contained in The Go-Giver and consciously applying them. And, I’m delighted by the results they are experiencing.
As expected, many of them talk about Law #3, The Law of Influence, which says:
“Your influence is determined by how abundantly
you place other people’s interests first.”
It’s expected because it is perhaps — along with Law #1, The Law of Value — the most counter-intuitive of the five. Yet, the hugely successful people, whether those such as Arlin Sorensen, Terri Murphy, Orrin Woodward, Donna Johnson or the many others who’ve built hugely successful businesses, have built their success mainly upon that principle. These are the true “servant leaders” . . . the “Level 5 Leaders” that Jim Collins refers to in his book, Good to Great. They were applying these principles for many years before The Go-Giver was even a thought.
So, when people who’ve never before understood this principle discover that the law “really works” and they begin achieving great results, they write about it.
We also, however, receive a high number of letters and see blog postings about people who have been able to really overcome a challenge with receiving. Yes, they have mastered Law #5, The Law of Receptivity. This Law says:
“The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.”
Gina McNew, creator and co-host (with Jessie LaFalce) of The Diva Success Network, was always a Giver but, like many, had trouble receiving. Not only has she reported that Law #5 has helped her overcome this, but she is now teaching others how to do the same!
She just shared with me the story of a friend of hers who is going through a very trying personal time. Gina and some other friends wanted to do some things for her that would at least temporarily lessen the burden, however, the friend – as Gina understood – was resistant to that. Thankfully, Gina was able to “teach her friend how to be receptive.” YES!
Here is the most recent email I’ve received from Gina:
“Bob, this has really been an amazing lesson not only for myself, but the others who are getting involved in helping {our friend}. She phoned me this morning because I had left her a voice mail yesterday … if YOU COULD HAVE HEARD the excitement in her voice for having accepted the offer and the understanding of it all … again, lessons that we are all learning and taking to heart in such a deep way. It’s just been an amazing experience and more than I ever imagined when it started. I realize how truly difficult it is for us to receive on that level … and I have been questioning my own abilities as to whether I could be so receiving. I am beginning to think I could now, which is HUGE.”
Gina, thank you for sharing that. I receive your gift with gratitude.
That fifth Law of Stratospheric Success provided me with a true “ah-ha” moment. Willingness to receive brings the whole go-giver concept full circle! It never actually occured to me before that without gracious receivers, generous givers would be thwarted. I love that this simple but profound book helped connect the dots.
How do I intend to act on this epiphany? Change my “No, thank you.” to just plain “Thank you!” And then pay it forward.
Diana Mock
I truly enoyed reading about all the laws of stratospheric success in the Go-Giver! The Law of Value has so much depth of meaning. Again it is all about what we can give without expecting anything in return.
The Go-Giver connects us all to what brings meaning into what we do everyday.
This book is truly amazing! I was reminded of a friend who turned down an offer to become the beneficiary of his great aunt’s estate. I immediately called him to share this profound knowledge and to my surprise, he could hardly receive this information.
I also reflected on the many times I turned down money and other gifts, thinking I was doing a good deed by saving the other person a buck. I had no idea that I was breaking a universal law. This book gave me a new perspective on living a life of service while at the same time allowing others to serve by being open to receive. This book is a blessing that I graciously receive. Thank you!
Thank you for all the terrific comments. I really enjoy the understanding that so many of our readers are sharing (giving) with us that receiving is indeed a part of the cycle.
Maile, if I may, regarding your comment,
—–
“Again it is all about what we can give without expecting anything in return.”
—–
While it might be just semantics on my part, I think it might be more accurate to say that we don’t have an “emotional attachment” to receiving, more than we don’t “expect” to receive. In other words, you’re not “attached” to receiving from this person or anyone else . . . but you expect that you will receive as a natural part of the process.
Does that make sense?
Thanks again for all the great comments!
I really enjoyed the law of receptivity. I can relate this to trying to mentoring someone or being mentored myself. I must be willing to receive the knowledge they are sharing, or else they cannot give me the tools I need to succeed.
Great point, Paul. Thank you.
Hi I have a question.
How can having big dreams, being curious and beleving yourself – be aspects to “open to receiving”? I can’t understand. kindly explain.
Thanks
Graet question, Pierre.
They are all examples of ways one can stay open, rather than shutting down. Having a big dream is staying open to big possibilities. Being curious (as all babies are) is staying open to new information, without tamping it down through dismissiveness or preconception. Believing in ourselves is being open to our own possibilities.
Does this make sense?