Jim Rohn, the legendary sales coach, motivational speaker and a personal hero of mine, once said this.
“The greatest gift you can give to somebody is your own personal development.
I used to say,
‘If you will take care of me, I will take care of you.’
Now I say,
‘I will take care of me for you if you will take care of you for me.'”
He advocated that the best contribution we can make to our family, our friends, our workplace, our community is in taking care of ourselves in all ways- our health, development, and growth.
- The best contribution I can make towards the development of my kids is in developing myself. When my kids see me investing my time and energy in developing myself- they will automatically get the steer they need in their life to become good human beings.
- When it comes to the workplace, the best contribution I can make is to develop myself in terms of my skills and mindset and show up being the best version of myself. This will automatically have a positive impact on everyone and everything I do. I can’t do that if I am burning myself out working 60 hour weeks, month after month, year after year. I need to protect myself first.
- It’s the same with family, friends, and community. My contribution starts when I take care of myself so that I am no burden on anyone else. I need to invest in my overall well-being and live healthily. I need to exercise my body, relax my mind and nourish my soul. It’s only when I am at peace with myself that I can contribute and help others.
It’s a simple life philosophy. You don’t have to go around trying to help others. First, take care of yourself in all respects where you are no burden on anyone else. Your contribution starts from that point.
It has been more than a year since I got onto a plane, but the flight safety announcement before the aircraft takes off is still ringing in my ears “Should the cabin lose pressure, oxygen masks will drop from the overhead area. Please place the mask over your own mouth and nose first before assisting others.”