The idea for this series came to me several months ago and since then, it seems as if everywhere I turn, the theme of "serving," "making a difference" or "contribution" has shown up in my life. Books, blogs, magazines, speakers at conferences…my reticular activator has been on alert.
You probably know that the reticular activator is that little part of your brain that focuses in on the things you tell your mind to pay attention to. It is a mind-filtering mechanism. Its job is to make you notice some things and ignore other things. If you noticed everything, you'd be too distracted to function. If you are thinking of purchasing a red Porsche convertible, then suddenly red Porsche convertibles are everywhere.
Recently I attended a Building Champions coaching event at Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum, Wash. The theme of the retreat? Contribution. One of the featured speakers was Michael Hyatt, chairman and former CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, and New York Times bestselling author. He spoke to mortgage and other business professionals from around the country on the topic, “Contributing Outside the Office.” Hyatt spoke of contribution in several areas of life, including family, friends and co-workers. At one point in his life, his perspective was that there was “work” and everything else was just a footnote. I believe there are many mortgage professionals who have this same perspective. Hyatt came to realize that if you think of your life as a pie then “…there is a whole pie to be enjoyed and work is only one slice.” “Contribution” is another slice in that pie of life.
Also at this conference, we watched a heart-rending presentation on the Ronald McDonald House charity. Many families travel far from home to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children. This charity provides a “home-away-from-home” for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. Following the presentation, each attendee packed two boxes (a total of 500 boxes) of toiletries and basic essentials to be shipped the Ronald McDonald House in each of our home states for use by those families who come to the RM House unexpectedly. I spoke with one young mortgage professional after the presentation and she had already emailed her local RM House to get the details for volunteering for a few hours per week. As it turns out, she had been searching for a place to “contribute” (her reticular activator had been on “alert”) and she found it at the conference.
And then, on the plane trip home, I picked up the latest Success magazine, one of my favorites (after Origination News, of course). My reticular activator was working overtime. Darrell Hardy, publisher and editorial director, said this concerning the definition of “success”:
“…We see success as more than rank, fame, fortune and material goods. A successful person, by our definition, is one who has achieved five pillars of excellence: business, well-being, relationships, wealth and contribution…
“Your life, your legacy, will be defined by the positive and lasting impact you had on people, whether they're your friends and family, your countrymen, or possibly even humankind.”
Most of us want to contribute and believe there are worthy causes in which we could become involved. However, for the most part, we operate on "automatic pilot." We notice the things we have always noticed and overlook the things we have always overlooked. When you are considering where you could serve, what contribution you could make, and how you will make those contributions, you must heighten your consciousness and then look around. Daniel Harkavy said it well at the Building Champions' event, “You've got more to give.” And we do.
If you are truly interested in making a difference, consider setting a goal in the area of contribution. It could be volunteering your time at a local charity organization for one hour a week or donating $100 per month or per closed loan to a worthy cause. There are needs all around you. You just have to open your eyes and ears…and your heart. Maybe you can think of an instance where you, your family or friends, or even your clients have been helped by a particular organization and consider choosing that organization.
Clear goals set up the conditions for your reticular activator to get to work. When your mind is set on contribution, your reticular activator goes to work automatically to help you find the area of contribution that is perfect for you, your family or even your team. The reason I chose the “Boot Campaign” this year as my focus was because of its contributions and efforts with wounded warriors with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Because the majority of my clients are military, this was a perfect fit for me and my team to give corporately.
When you have set clear, defined goals of giving back, contribution or making a difference through serving, you will start noticing things you would normally overlook. You will see that opportunities are everywhere to give, to serve, to help. Opportunities for serving that could make a difference. Remember, you definitely have more to give.
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