I met a “real man” yesterday, an individual who confided he is dying.  His illness is terminal…timeline perhaps soon but uncertain.  He is not a quitter; he has defied the odds for at least ten years.  While some of us turn inward and focus on putting our life in order and taking care of estate plans this man is full boar on with his business. It gives him purpose.  Yes the other aspects are looked after too but this guy inspired me with his legacy building approach to his life’s work.

He looks at his business and staff as his family in addition to his wife and children.  Continuance of his ideas and goals will live on without him because he has mentored his employees, taught them his values and encouraged them to be the best at what they can be. He surrounds himself with talented people and learns about their strengths and personal goals and helps them aspire to greater success.  He has created a shared fun working environment of value.

This resonated with me because losing our daughter recently brought us (my wife and I) face to face with the reality of what is our purpose now?  The answer is legacy.  What can we do with our experiences?  How can we share our skills and knowledge with others to help them succeed?  Finding this purpose keeps us all strong.

For those reading this post ask yourself about your true life goals.  Where do YOU want to take YOU?  Once and a while it is a good to think big picture purpose even when you are in a spot where all looks bleak.

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We spend a lot of time instructing about the What, Why, Who Where and When of the new business idea or project.  Answer the five Ws and you have your business plan. You then imbed the action plan that will make it all work…the How.  If the how is executed perfectly you have the Look. What does the business look like after three months, six months a year and beyond? “The Look” is called forward forecasting and with realistic assumptions based on research and facts you can project what your results could be.  This will give you a clear idea of what your potential Reward is for taking the Risk.  Your return on investment has to be measured otherwise you will not achieve the green light from family, friends and those who might be willing to help you launch your business. Aside from your plan solid relationships are crucial.  Consider the Five Points:

1. Accept responsibility for your behaviours. This builds maturity;
2. It is OK for others to question you.  This is how investors and customers “buy-in” to your business;
3. Learn to exercise patience when others have ideas to share.  They are trying to help not hinder;
4. Express your feelings with calm and patience; arguing will turn those who can help you away;
5. Attach yourself to like minded people; other business leaders who may have experienced start-up, success, failure and resurrection.

So beyond having the perfect business plan you need to reflect on your personal skills and track record in relationship building.  If you have a good track record you will likely have little difficulty getting along with customers or your future workers and support professionals.  If you have a history of temper tantrums and half finished projects and of letting friends and family down then you might think twice about launching.  Answer these questions; do you get along with people well? Are you a SAP (self absorbed person)?  What are you going to do to improve your people skills?

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    Pay it forward is today’s phrase for simply helping others.  Like mentoring or by engaging in random acts of kindness without expectation of payback.

Wikipedia describes such an act by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to a debtor dated April 25, 1784 “I do not pretend to give such a Sum; I only lend it to you.  When you meet with another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation…I hope it may go thro’ many hands, before it meets with a Knave that will stop its Progress.  This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”

So then the act of paying it forward lies in one’s heart and willingness to enhance goodwill to others. In today’s world we do not go about advancing funds to strangers without precaution and receiving an adequate return on investment. We do however give of ourselves to charities, fundraisers, volunteerism and teaching those that seek learning.  The feeling of great satisfaction we derive from these acts is our true return on investment.  It connects us.

Is business so different?  You help customer’s everyday and relate to them so they reward you with their return business. If you take the attitude you don’t care then what is likely to happen?  So it is with your workers. Everyone is someone’s son or daughter.  The father who teaches his son to play baseball is in fact paying it forward and he does so again when he volunteers to coach the little league team.  Mothers too offer right from wrong teachings and values that will eventually be paid forward to their children’s children.  As a business owner you can pay it forward by playing the role of mentor to your workers; the respect you gain will increase productivity and sales.

Paying it forward is not a choice it is our duty.  It becomes our legacy to those who follow us. Although the US election highlighted the great voter divide in America I think we could all use a dose of goodwill.  This does not mean we need Government to be the answer to all our problems but we must participate in ways that make our world a greater place. Consider, Collaborate and Create!