“Let us so live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.”  Mark Twain

Who are some of the most influential people you know?  What makes them so influential?

But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being,  (Phil. 2:7; NJB)

Earlier this month, I highlighted the book The Go-Giver: A Little Story About A Powerful Business Idea (see 2/4/08 DG).  In that book are presented five rather unusual laws called “The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success.”  For the next several DGs I am looking at each of those laws individually.  Last week, I highlighted the first and second laws, the Law of Value and the Law of Compensation.

Turning now to the third law, the Law of Influence which states, “Your influence is determined by how abundantly you place other people’s interests first.”  As a life coach, I love this law because this is the heart of a great coach…a willingness to make it all about the other person.

Ever heard that marriage is a 50-50 proposition?  Well, let me assure you…that’s a myth.  50-50 means you’re always keeping score.  I did this for you, therefore you owe me.  It’s a trap!  No, any successful couple will tell you that it’s a 100-100 deal.  I give you 100% whether or not you give me anything in return.  Here’s a Go-Giver quote to demonstrate how this same mindset leads to successful business dealings.  “Watch out for the other guy.  Watch out for his interests.  Watch his back.  Forget about fifty-fifty, son.  Fifty-fifty’s a losing proposition.  The only winning proposition is one hundred percent.  Make your win about the other person, go after what he wants.  Forget win-win–focus on the other person’s win.”

Zowie!!!  How revolutionary is that?  With that kind of attitude toward others, you quickly amass an “army of personal walking ambassadors.”  It’s not money nor position that create influence.  Rather, it’s influence that creates money and/or position.  Just another example of how most people’s thinking is backwards…very similar to the idea that “I’ll start to give when I have more.”  As we pointed out recently, it never works that way.  Start to give more and you will have more.  Put the other guy first and you will quickly develop influence which will create the money and position. 

Folks, this book will rock your boat!  I can’t urge you enough to invest in yourself and read this story…again and again.

Prayer Power
Lord, this is hard.  Hard because it is so contrary to what we’ve been taught our whole lives.  Raise our sensitivities to opportunities to put the other person ahead of us and demonstrate a heart of agape love.

Link of the Day
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business IdeaBlessings on you as you make a conscious effort to put someone’s interests ahead of your own this very day.