In a blog post about The Go-Giver, Stever Robbins (the “Get-It-Done Guy”) talks about his interview with Bob (which you can listen to here) — and also mentions a fascinating Boston Globe article, “Money Makes You Happy — If You Spend It On Others,” about the benefits of giving.
The study, co-led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and University of British Columbia, found that when subjects were given cash bonuses, the size of the bonus had no appreciable impact on their happiness—however, when they spent a portion of the cash on others, their happiness rose substantially. The article added:
The study fits in neatly with a growing body of research that finds that helping others is the best way to help yourself, that people who give more and are more socially connected are happier.
Givers gain, QED.
Hi Bob and John,
I’ve also noticed that in much of the Happiness literature, they’ve found that having a strong sense of meaning in one’s life leads to happiness. Meaning is often found in commitment to a larger cause, particularly one that serves others. … which brings us right back to the idea of giving.
Interested people should also check out social psychology writing on the “Reciprocity” principal, which suggests that giving literally triggers people to give back in return. You can find more in the book “Influence” by Robert Cialdini.
All the best,
Stever Robbins
Host of the Get-it-Done Guy