Just had to share another letter with you — again, from a reader willing to share his story, showing us all how being a Go-Giver is not only a nice way to live life . . . but a very profitable way, as well. This one is from Joe Vizi who, along with his wife Renee, owns a local Eco-Scrub Carpet & Floor Care in Concord, Georgia.
While Joe talks about The Go-Giver providing clarity, you’ll see that he and Renee are people who operate quite naturally with a Go-Giver spirit.
There are some deep lessons in here. Please enjoy.
Bob and John,
I am sure you just get bombarded with stories like this, but I did feel the need to share it with you. The Go-Giver has really provided some clarity to my life.
Up until September 2007 I worked for one employer. I really sacrificed a lot for him; I relocated twice at his request because I was “the right person for the job.” About a year ago this employer wanted to relocate me because the company “needed a change” in the facility I was working out of. The fact was that the plant manager and I didn’t see eye to eye. Faced with a difficult decision, I chose to leave the corporate world after nearly 25 years of stresses and some questionable actions. My employer had lost alignment with my personal values and ethics.
Now my life was filled with more questions than answers. What is my purpose? Will my life be an acceptable example for my children? Can I financially support my family? I have read many business books, most of which were incredibly boring. Then one day I came across a little book called The Go-Giver. After reading your book I finally had some answers!
I now own a tiny husband-and-wife carpet cleaning business. We were recently servicing an elderly client. The Mrs. is handicapped, she can’t stand straighter than a 90-degree bend at her waist. The Mr. is legally blind. They live in a small two-bedroom assisted living home about 45 minutes away from our home. They needed help! It took us more time to organize their home than it did to do the actual carpet cleaning. I think we were there for about 3 hours. We had nothing else going on, and really enjoyed just talking with them. We noticed that they had stacks of family pictures framed, but none hanging up on the walls.
Two weeks later we visited them just to hang some of their pictures for them. The elderly lady was crying because she couldn’t believe someone would go out of their way like this for them. She said that she couldn’t pay us, nor did we expect any money. What she did do was pray for us.
Now, I’m not a deeply religious man, but I do believe in God! And I really believe in karma (what goes around, comes around). About two weeks later we were at the annual dinner for our local Chamber of Commerce — and we were awarded with the county’s Small Business of the Year! God, Karma, whatever you believe is your choice, but helping out others is really for your benefit, not just theirs. It is great to sleep in peace every night!
Again, thank you so much for sharing your book with us! — Joe Vizi
Joe, what a magnificent example of you’ve set for all of us. Thank you for sharing with us!
Now THAT’S the way I wanted to start off my work week. I have a good feeling that you’ll be rewarded in many more ways in the future.
Many of us would have thought the same thoughts, but very few would have acted upon them the way you and your team did.
It wouldn’t surprise me if the elderly couples’ children/nieces/nephews became one of your strongest referral sources as well.
Thanks for starting my day off in such an uplifting way!
Mark Green
Now that is a terrific example of how things and actions always making their way back into our lives. Bob & John thanks for sharing Joe’s story.
-Josh 🙂