service-beyond-self

Take the initiative to introduce yourself. One morning I was sitting on a bike in a spinning class at my gym. There was a lady whom I did not know sitting on the bike next to me. As we waited for the instructor, I decided to break the silence and start a conversation. I took the initiative to introduce myself and within a few short minutes, I knew her children__ names, how long she had lived in Madison, which exercise classes she preferred, and where they went for Christmas. When the class was over, I confirmed that I remembered her name correctly, reminded her of mine and shared that it was a true pleasure meeting her. A simple introduction turned a stranger into a fresh and delightful new acquaintance.

Be the "Liker"__f you want to be liked, BE THE LIKER!_ This was some of the best advice my enlightened mother ever gave me. Throughout my childhood, teen years, and adulthood, this golden nugget of simple wisdom empowered me to take personal responsibility for developing friendships. When you want to reach out, make new friends, and increase your likeability factor, step up and __ike_ others first. They will usually mirror your initiative and like you back.

Why Do Some People NOT Take Initiative?_ They have a FEAR of . . . rejection, looking stupid, failing, criticism, getting out of their comfort zone, or imposing on other people._ They are unmotivated or uninspired._ They get stuck in negativity, confusion, stress, or doubt._ They don__ want to upset the apple cart or the status quo._ They are lazy, disengaged, or indifferent._ They have LACK of . . . energy, desire, confidence, self-esteem, skills, creativity, imagination, connections, resources, education.

To Move from Woe to Wow with an Unhappy Customer. . . Apologize_ Thank your customer for raising the issue._ Apologize sincerely__ever argue. _ Own the problem, even if it is not your fault._ Show genuine concern in your gestures, posture, and tone of voice._ Take your customer at their word without questioning their motives or integrity.

12 Simple Ways to Deliver Service Beyond Self1. Make it Easy for People to Do Business with You.2. Be an Awesome, Sincere Listener. 3. Listen to Customers_ Words and tone of voice, body language, and how they feel. Ask questions, listen, and meet them on their level. Explain, guide, educate, assist and do what is necessary to help them get the information they need to fully understand regarding their question or issue.4. Show Enthusiasm. Greet customers with genuine interest. Give them your best. Think, act, and talk with positive enthusiasm and you will attract positive results. Your attitude is contagious!5. Identify and Anticipate Needs. Most customer needs are more emotional rather than logical. 6. Under Promise & Over Deliver. Apply the principle of __ervice Beyond Self_ . . . give more than expected. Meet and exceed their expectations. If you can__ serve their needs, connect them with whoever can. 7. Make them Feel Important.Our deepest desire is to feel important. People rarely care how much you know until they know how much you care. Use their names, find ways to compliment them__nd be sincere. 8. Take Responsibility for their Satisfaction.Do whatever is necessary to help them solve their problems. Let them know that if they can__ find answers to their questions to come back to you for help.9. Treat your TEAM well. Fellow colleagues are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treat your colleagues with respect; chances are they will have a higher regard for customers. 10. Choose an Attitude of Gratitude. Gratitude changes your perspective and helps you appreciate the good rather than simply taking it for granted.11. Perform, Provide and Follow-Up.Always perform or provide your service in a spirit of excellence and integrity. If you say you__e going to do something__O IT! There is tremendous value in being a resource for your customer. If you can help them to succeed, they are more likely to help you succeed. Use Gracious Words. "Thank you, thank you very much.

In his book, Networking is a Contact Sport, Joe Sweeney advises that when you attend networking events, act as if it is your party and you are the host or hostess. By doing this, you will help others be at ease and demonstrate a heart of service and generosity.

I disagree with the adage, __he road to hell is paved with good intentions._ Good intentions are powerful mindsets which will drive your actions to accomplish the results you want. Setting good intentions sets you up for success by providing you with a vision and a plan to __et __r done_ and make it happen!

The Service Mindset. When I began my real estate career at the age of twenty-two, I had a fresh Bachelor__ Degree in Marketing in one hand and __ tiger by the tail_ in the other. I was on a mission to be successful in life and in business and make a lot of money in the process. Every goal I set was about Me. Me. Me! I was driven by: How much money could I make? Which property listings paid the biggest commissions? How many calls did I need to make to schedule new appointments? How many listings did I need to have to hit my target? You can see where I am going with this! Working full-time, nights and weekends, seven days a week, I only made eleven thousand dollars in the first year! I was tired, disillusioned, and knew that I had to either change careers or massively shift my mindset.I chose the latter. I took ALL focus off me and re-directed my time, energy, and resources to serving my clients. Their hopes, needs, and desires became my primary focus. How could I help solve their problems?

Mingle_ Be the connector__ntroduce people to each other who may not otherwise connect._ Be a conversation fire starter; point out what people have in common as you are introducing them._ Seek out the folks who may appear to be shy, or awkward, or wallflowers. Find ways to build trust and comfort. Engage them with a kind word to pull them out of their shell._ Arrive early and stay late; connect with people before and after your event._ Stretch beyond your comfort zone to speak with, sit with, and start conversations with people whom you do not know._ Offer to refill someone__ drink or clear their plate._ Encourage introductions: __here is someone whom I would love for you to meet . . .

Imagine how many new friends you would make, how much new business you could create, and how much fun you could have by simply taking the initiative to be the inviter. Try it today. Welcome new relationships into your life that would never have occurred otherwise.

As you read in The Art of Being, having a heart of service and generosity is a powerful state of being and a positive way to make a great first impression through valuing others. "Service Beyond Self" encourages you to take deliberate action steps to rise above self-interest and ask what you can do for others, not what they can do for you.

Get in the Game__s soon as you say something can__ be done, you will be passed by a person who is already doing it._ _ Unknown__o you typically observe the game of life from the sidelines, sit in the penalty box, play your heart out on the field, or show up when the opportunity has already passed by and ask, __hat happened?__our answer to this question will reveal a lot about your initiative. Granted, various situations call for diverse levels of interest and engagement. However, if you want to rock your relationship results, it is going to require action, effort, initiative, and choosing to get in the game.

The first step in getting unstuck and moving forward is to examine what is holding you back from taking action. The power is yours to set your intention and take the action needed to create the life you desire. You are in control of your initiative__e proactive.

The Service Mindset. When I began my real estate career at the age of twenty-two, I had a fresh Bachelor__ Degree in Marketing in one hand and __ tiger by the tail_ in the other. I was on a mission to be successful in life and in business and make a lot of money in the process. Every goal I set was about Me. Me. Me! I was driven by: How much money could I make? Which property listings paid the biggest commissions? How many calls did I need to make to schedule new appointments? How many listings did I need to have to hit my target? You can see where I am going with this! Working full-time, nights and weekends, seven days a week, I only made eleven thousand dollars in the first year! I was tired, disillusioned, and knew that I had to either change careers or massively shift my mindset.I chose the latter. I took ALL focus off me and re-directed my time, energy, and resources to serving my clients. Their hopes, needs, and desires became my primary focus. How could I help solve their problems? And then EVERYTHING began to turn around . . .

Decide today to take a stand, make a plan, and get. No one ever said it was going to be easy and wouldn__ require effort. It will sometimes require that you go against the grain, face great challenge, conquer fear, overcome obstacles, and bounce back when knocked down. Choose to keep moving and don__ give up. And if your ship still doesn__ come in__wim out to it!

Presenting __ix, Mingle & Glow_ in a social context is a lovely way to describe how you can make a great first impression by taking the initiative to help other people shine. Think of the times when you have attended an event where there were a lot of people.

13 Simple Ways to Deliver Service Beyond Self1. Make it Easy for People to Do Business with You.2. Be an Awesome, Sincere Listener. 3. Listen to Customers_ Words and tone of voice, body language, and how they feel. Ask questions, listen, and meet them on their level. Explain, guide, educate, assist and do what is necessary to help them get the information they need to fully understand regarding their question or issue.4. Show Enthusiasm. Greet customers with genuine interest. Give them your best. Think, act, and talk with positive enthusiasm and you will attract positive results. Your attitude is contagious!5. Identify and Anticipate Needs. Most customer needs are more emotional rather than logical. 6. Under Promise & Over Deliver. Apply the principle of __ervice Beyond Self_ . . . give more than expected. Meet and exceed their expectations. If you can__ serve their needs, connect them with whoever can. 7. Make them Feel Important.Our deepest desire is to feel important. People rarely care how much you know until they know how much you care. Use their names, find ways to compliment them__nd be sincere. 8. Take Responsibility for their Satisfaction.Do whatever is necessary to help them solve their problems. Let them know that if they can__ find answers to their questions to come back to you for help.9. Treat your TEAM well. Fellow colleagues are your internal customers and need a regular dose of appreciation. Thank them and find ways to let them know how important they are. Treat your colleagues with respect; chances are they will have a higher regard for customers. 10. Choose an Attitude of Gratitude. Gratitude changes your perspective and helps you appreciate the good rather than simply taking it for granted.11. Perform, Provide and Follow-Up.Always perform or provide your service in a spirit of excellence and integrity. If you say you__e going to do something__O IT! There is tremendous value in being a resource for your customer. If you can help them to succeed, they are more likely to help you succeed. 12. Use Gracious Words. "Thank you, thank you very much.

However, if your agenda is truly to serve, your ROI (return on investment) will substantially expand. As we know from the "Law of Reciprocity," what you give is what you get. If you are helping people only to see what you can get out of it, your pie stays small and your opportunities stay limited. However, if you sincerely want to help people succeed, you will not only enjoy more success, but expand your possibilities beyond your expectations. Once you see the benefits from all directions, you will not want it any other way!