Three Words that Turn Routine into Rewarding

"In the past," wrote AnnaMaria Dinice as a comment to my article yesterday, "Hundreds of populations created their history based on this natural principle: help each other to survive and go ahead. Now, it looks like everybody can survive on their own, but those who observe life carefully know that this is just an illusion."

I couldn't agree more. That's why every time you interact with another person, the first three words in your head should be: help this person.

These three words will not only lead you to make a meaningful difference in the lives of many others, but they will also snap you out of daily routines that can sometimes sap your own energy. It's easy for each of us to fall into routines that get boring -- just ask any commuter, or anyone who gets hundreds of emails a day.

You need a way to reenergize, and merely being out for yourself isn't going to do it.

I'm grateful to the many people who contributed examples of how thinking "help this person" can transform routines into richly rewarding interactions.

Raja Mukherjea observed, "People who are in the service industry would benefit immensely if we followed (help this person) day after day." That's right, and instead of being worn out at the end of the day by interacting with angry customers, they would likely be uplifted by being able to help so many people.

Keri Hardwick added, "I have found that helping one person may circle back to me in an entirely different sphere of need."

Erika Jay reinforced the need to pay attention - actively - to what is happening around you. She wrote, "It is that conscious ability to live in the present that helps me tune into opportunities for engagement with other people...almost always for the positive!"

But enough words. I thought a few pictures might help:

_____________________________________________________

Bruce Kasanoff is co-author with Michael Hinshaw of Smart Customers, Stupid Companies. Bruce also has free ebook guides available at Kasanoff.com. To see more of Bruce's articles on LinkedIn, click the "follow" button below, or follow@NowPossible on Twitter.

Image credit: Flickr member Pranav Prakash