Sometimes the best way to get ahead is to help others first.
Your own generosity fosters success.
This post originally appeared on Ramit Sethis blog,I Will Teach You to Be Rich.
Steve decided to sell a painting hed acquired, a Picasso, for a hundred and thirty-nine million dollars.
It punctured the picture.
There was a distinct ripping sound.
We all just stopped.
I said, I cant believe I just did that.
Wynn turned around again.
He put his pinkie in the hole and observed that a flap of canvas had been pushed back.
He told his guests,
Well, Im glad I did it and not you.
This is one of the most striking and graceful things Ive ever heard someone say.
Instead of cursing or getting mad, he simply said, Im glad I did it and not you.
In other words, better he did it than youat least he can afford it.
I think about being generous with my time and money.
In fact, sometimes a little helping hand can go further than a $10,000 check.
Steve Wynns comment taught me a lot about generosity.
As a young guy, I didnt really get generosity.
I remember the small things that taught me about being generous.
100% of the time.
Even thoughIwas the one asking them, they took pity on a college kid and paid.
Ill never forget that.
Whenever I meet with a young college kid, I always pay.
I remember getting a small giftjust a simple hand-written cardfrom someone Id helped with some business stuff.
I will always remember it.
When she emailed me again asking for another favor, I ignored her.
And I remember the joy of sending people small gifts and seeing their reaction.
Sometimes, its a book I find on Amazon or a photo of a funny sign on the subway.
Its such a gift for people to know youre thinking of them.
(This happened.)
Other times, generosity comes back in unexpected ways.
A couple years ago, I was at a club with friends and my jacket vanisheda $1,000 jacket.
Then I shrugged and said, Better me than someone else.
My friend couldnt believe it.
It doesnt bother you?
Of course it bothered me.
But I know I can get another one.
Generosity now means that I send gifts to my friends for no good reason.
I love to pick up the check.
I did this before I had money and I keep doing it now.
Think about the ways you’re free to be generous.It doesnt have to be expensive.
Have you seen something on a street that reminds you of your friend?
Why not send the pic in a text and say, Thinking of you?
What a treat for her to receive.
He burst out laughing, then showed me.
The next time I laced them, I sent him a picture and thanked him.
Imagine how it feels to get that from your son.
Generosity also comes from connecting people together.
One of my friends, Nick, invites me to his house for events with other interesting people.
Ive said over and over that money is only a small part of a rich life.
I really mean it.
I can offer advice on all of that, but then what?
And generosity is one of the ones Im most proud of.
I dont have anything to sell you.
I dont have a call to action.
I just want you to think about what your friends would say about you.
Would generous be in their top three words?
Do you want it to be?
If you want to share your thoughts,email me.
Ill keep them private between you and me.
Thanks for reading, and heres to a rich life.
Image byQvasimodo Art(Shutterstock).
