PHILANTHROPIST

PHILANTHROPIST

To find the keys to becoming a philanthropist, no matter your financial means, let’s take a deeper look at the question.

“What is a philanthropist?”

Let’s start with the "philanthropists" meaning straight from the dictionary: phi·lan·thro·pist /f??lanTHr?p?st/ noun: philanthropist;

Plural noun: "philanthropists," a person who seeks to promote others' welfare, especially through generous donations to worthwhile causes.

In short, a philanthropist is someone who donates money, experience, time, talent, or skills to help others. This is done to create a better world. Though we often think of them as people with millions of dollars to donate, you don’t have to be a famous philanthropist with a huge net worth to qualify. This is just one of several misconceptions about how to be a philanthropist.

Most philanthropists aren’t in it for fame or recognition. The biggest benefit of being a philanthropist is that it fulfills some of our deepest human needs. We all have these needs: certainty, significance, variety, love/connection, growth, and contribution. Which of these needs is most meaningful to us, and the ways we fulfill them make us who we are.

For many professionals, a key aspect of a successful career lies in giving back to a community that once helped them grow as people. Whether it’s to improve our health, make a difference in the lives of our friends and neighbors, or form new relationships, giving back can become the cornerstone on which a successful life is built.

"I strongly feel that the art of living is the art of giving,” Laurance Rockefeller, the famous philanthropist, financier, and conservationist, said. “You're fulfilled in the moment of giving, doing something beyond yourself."

I've found, in my own experience, that there comes a point in time for everyone to begin thinking beyond their business. They should start considering how they can impact friends, the community, or even the local economy. Have you ever reached a major milestone in your life – your dream job, starting a business, financial freedom – and wondered why something is missing?

Being a philanthropist can improve your life, too. The law of attraction states that we get back the energy we put into the world. By focusing on giving back, making a difference, and creating positive change, you’ll create a cycle that brings abundance back to you tenfold.

Famous philanthropists have ample resources at their disposal and nearly unlimited opportunities to help others. They have the funds to make a big difference and the social capital to spread their message. You might not have these same resources at your disposal, but you still have the opportunity to make a positive impact. If you can’t donate goods or money, donate your time or skills. True philanthropists are not about money – it’s about passion.

The spirit of giving back is the essence of a successful life. It is the heritage of our deepest dreams and desires to succeed to such a level that once one has risen to the top, the greatest of those successful people devote a portion of their lives to donating back to those who helped them along the way. This epitomizes success's storyline; Horatio Alger when he met Gandhi, said: "I have succeeded, and now I am giving back..." But what happens if, instead of waiting until our lives are over, we begin giving back today?

Everyone has gifts, and many of those gifts are useful when becoming a philanthropist. Use your writing skills to create marketing materials or write grants for a nonprofit. Teach math or reading to disadvantaged kids. If you have knowledge about a specific topic, like the law, accounting, or regulations in a certain industry, use it for good.

True success begins the second we begin giving back, not sooner. Monetary and professional success do not become a complete banquet of a life well lived until every dish is served. Giving back is the foundation of a successful life. It is the appetizer that comes before the main course of living the life of our dreams.

If You Want to Win, Help Others Win First

Take, for example, improvisational comedy. As a performer in an improvisational comedy scene, it is our job to make our fellow performers look good. We treat each other as artists and poets, we honor the choices the people around us are making, and then we build on those choices to make them better. When everyone does their job, we succeed as a group. And when we fall short of our intended goal, we all share in that, too.

This is called the group mind. There is an astute knowingness in understanding that we all have a limited perspective or lens. I have one, you have one, and everyone who walks this earth has a limited perspective. We, as a collective, have convinced ourselves that our differences are a hindrance. However, in reality, our differences are the very thing that makes each of us uniquely talented in ways others are not. When we honor these differences and celebrate them for their uniqueness, we open up an entirely new kaleidoscope of possibilities we might not otherwise see.

In improvisation,

We “Give Gifts.” What does this mean?

A talented improviser never worries about who gets individual credit for a scene as long as the group collective succeeds. A true improviser is one who steps back from the spotlight, allowing someone else to shine, knowing everyone will share in the success. We build an atmosphere of trust where credit is equally shared. By doing this, everyone feels like they contribute to the team and are valued. This is what every successful organization and institution strives to become because when people feel valued, their loyalty to the cause strengthens.

In the dog-eat-dog world of big corporate environments, this is contrary to most people's lives. Many of us only concern ourselves with making our stars shine brightly while disregarding those around us. But there is a fresh dawn on our horizon and an innovative way of approaching life, personally and professionally. When we change our lens from taking to giving, an entire world opens up to us—one of pure creativity.

Given our rather hostile perception of the world lately, it seems more and more people need to look within and become improvisers at heart. When we become receptive to others’ ideas, we gain an expanded viewpoint that allows us to see the complete horizon of success. The old adage, that by giving we receive, is a fundamental law of the universe. However, it has been abandoned for the selfish mentality that closes us off from the magic group of collaboration.

It’s up to us to take the first step. It’s up to us to help those struggling to climb the ladder. We stand on each other’s shoulders to elevate ourselves to our ultimate accomplishments. This is a testament to the promise of tomorrow. This is the legacy we can be proud of leaving our children. We must clasp each other’s hands and take that first step together. It’s a step that everyone, organization, or institution can take together — if only we change our lens from competition to cooperation. From receiving to giving.

Benefits Of Giving

Skill-Building: Do you know how to build a house? Probably not. By giving your time to an organization, you will build all sorts of new skills.

Networking: By giving back time, you will meet new people and develop relationships.

Karma: Nature often shines on those who give back. Many entrepreneurs believe that the more you give, the more you get in return.

I would not be the person I am today without the experiences and opportunities I’ve had throughout my journey. I owe much to the moments, happy or sad, and the people who drove me toward personal and professional growth. I believe the real reason to give back to the people and communities you rely on for guidance and support is quite simple: because WE CAN.

This is a success. Success is celebrating those around you and cheering them on to become their best selves. In return, you will soon hear the cacophonous cheers of those celebrating your journey. Only then is your banquet complete. Only then will you have a story worth sharing with the world.