Giving is Achieving

- by Jaime Willis

"You get the best out of others when you give the best of yourself." - Harry Firestone

What happens when you reach a 'breaking point' in your goal--when you just can't seem to push through the current challenge or obstacle and figure out how to keep moving forward?

My answer? Stop focusing on yourself!


When I am struggling the most with my own goals, I quickly lose perspective and acquire the Tunnel Vision of Doom. The Tunnel VIsion of Doom (TVoD) sounds a bit like this: "Everything is terrible, and nothing is going right, and nobody likes me...boo-hoo."
When I feel the TVoD starting up in my life, I know it's time to focus on someone (not something, someone) else for a while. Nothing realigns your own perspective on life than being inspired by helping someone else achieve their goals!

A friend of mine is a photographer and videographer in LA. Like many small business owners, he is challenged regularly with having enough customers and revenue to sustain his business. This past week, while his business was light and he could have succumbed to TVoD, he decided to do a pro-bono gig at the Los Angeles Mission for Help Portrait (a great organization--check it out!). When I spoke to him right after the event, and even several days after that, he was so energized and inspired by his service! First, he was able to meet three or four fellow photographers through the Help Portrait project, building his business network. Additionally, the program inspired him to work on building a whole new section of his own business, which will surely help him gain both customers and revenue.

While it may seem counterintuitive, finding a way to help others really will help you achieve your own goals!

Giving is so powerful, that authors Azim Jamal and Harvey McKinnon wrote an entire book on the Power of Giving. They tell us that giving your time, your money, your energy and/or your resources has an abundant effect on your own well-being.

Givers are happier, are in better health, build new relationships, and have better self esteem. Givers thrive.

How can you achieve your goals? Give a little! Let us know how giving has helped you in the comments!

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Announcements!

1. Special shout-out to all our new Linchpin friends -- Matt and I really enjoyed meeting all you last night!

2. Have you signed up for our December 11th Goal Setting Course yet? Why not? It isn't too late! Go to our website and sign up now! Use the coupon code VEL10 for $10 off!

3. Gentlemen! We are still looking for your quotes and wisdom! Email me or respond in the comments of this post.

4. Calling all achievers! Have you achieved one of your goals? Want to share what you did and how you did it with us? We are interviewing achievers now and would love to share your story. Email me for more details.