If You’re Not Helping People, You’re Doing It Wrong.

January 20, 2016 / in General Information / by Mic Johnson

Post author: Mic Johnson

Recently I posted the following #micnugget on several of my social accounts:

How many times each week do you proactively help people? If it’s less than 5, you’re doing it wrong. 

I regularly help more than 5 people a week because doing so is built into my DNA. It also makes me feel good to know I’ve made a positive difference in someone else’s life. In the 6 years I’ve been with Blue Gurus, I’ve realized it isn’t the specific tasks I do that give me energy, but it’s the opportunity to help so many people in so many different ways.

As I thought more about this, I wondered how many of you go into every day with the intention of helping as many people as you can. And I wondered what kinds of things you do regularly to help people.

I also thought that some of you would like to more intentionally help people in your life, but might not be quite sure how to go about it.

To that end, I’ve included a list below of just a few of the things I’ve done in the last couple of weeks. I’m not sharing it with you to pat myself on the back.

I’m doing it because I really want you to think about all of the things you do (or don’t do) each day to help people.

Sometimes you will help people in small ways. Sometimes you will help people in big ways. Sometimes you will never know the impact you’ve had on people you’ve helped.

You may make them laugh. You may make them cry. You may help them think about their life or career in a more meaningful way. You may help them through a difficult time. You may offer words of encouragement. You may inspire them.

Take a look at my list below. I hope it inspires you to focus on being more intentional about helping people in your life. And please take a minute to share how you regularly, intentionally help people.

I can always use a few more ideas.

We all can.

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-I’ve talked to several people about their careers and life, helping them get clarity on how to be happier.

-I referred my neighbor who was looking for a will and power of attorney to a childhood friend of mine who has his own practice.

-I emailed a couple of people in my network about speaking opportunities at national conferences.

-I was told about a sales opportunity from a friend of mine at a local company and shared it with another friend of mine who’s looking to make a career change.

-I talked to my younger sister about some career opportunities she’s considering.

-I shared educational articles with two friends who are facing health issues.

-I referred a former client to a communications professional in my network.

-I wrote a detailed email introduction referring an existing client to someone else in my network who was interested in their services.

-I sent a personal email to a friend who is going through some challenges letting them know that I was there for them if they needed me.

-I shared a networking opportunity with someone I hadn’t talked to in over 6 months.

-I helped promote a networking opportunity that someone in my network was hosting.

-I took a few minutes to congratulate several people who were having work anniversaries.

-I talked to a friend who lost his mother and sent a card with my favorite poem (Attitudes).

-In my day-to-day work, I help people and clients learn how to more effectively use LinkedIn for personal branding and business development, tell their stories through blogging, and help clients who need new websites.