The Power Of Service
- Feb 2, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 26, 2024
Written by: Imowo Enang
Humans all want the same thing at the end of the day – to be happy and fulfilled. However, "fulfilled" can mean different things to different people. Some seek fulfillment through internal satisfaction and the innate feeling of wholeness; some seek to live a life worthy of value by serving the world in whatever way they can. Whatever it may be, we should all try to be the best versions of ourselves.
We'll talk about how important it is to help others and be there for them as much as possible. You'll learn how to go beyond simple service and find ways to use it to your advantage. You'll also get some valuable tips along the way.
Critical to delivering your purpose
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” ‒ Mahatma Gandhi
As a first step, service moves you toward your "why." This is because helping others is the only way to discover your purpose. A soccer coach's career might be defined by winning the World Cup, unlike a nursery schoolteacher whose life goals might be determined by opening a daycare. We can already see that Elon Musk isn't the only person with a way of expressing himself that goes beyond the universe. The point here is – we have different strokes for different folks. However, the paradox lies in that we're all differently equal. Even though we have different routes and desires or expectations on the journey we call life, we're all the same in that we all want to attain the highest expression of ourselves!
Service is an obligation!
When done well, service goes beyond the usual "gesture-like" experience. It is way bigger than that! As time passes, we grow as people, move up in our careers, and have more influence in our communities based on how much we help others in our immediate surroundings and communities.
It is essential to gaining knowledge, skills, and the attitude we need to succeed.
Service ensures we grow sustainably
The moment we emerge from our mothers' wombs, we begin our formal education and continue it to the highest possible degree. The fortunate ones get an education that will significantly impact their lives, while the others must fend for themselves from a young age. These are aspects of life that we have no control over. All we can do is play with the hand that life offers us.
We need to find a way to balance our drive to achieve while still allowing for long-term sustainability as our needs shift from physiological to psychological and eventually to the need for self-actualization.
Being of service is a significant element of that balance you seek. If you want to be genuinely successful and lead a legendary life, you need to balance your ambition with service, as this is the core of our purpose- the foundation of our why.
To be of service, you need to put yourself in the other person's shoes and give them as much help and comfort as possible. Part of this is helping others in the best way you can. Keep an eye out for new information! Your actions must be in line with the things you believe in. There are many ways to help your community, such as donating to your favorite cause, teaching a classmate, or helping the homeless.
Giving back to the world helps you keep your life in perspective and gives you a solid base to build your way to success. On Maslow's hierarchy of needs, you can't get past the survival stage if all you do is take from the world and never give back! It's not surprising that someone could still have a lot of money but feel empty.
Serving others means serving oneself
You're familiar with the proverb, "It's better to give than to receive." It's not just a tired old expression; there's research to back it up! It has been shown that practicing kindness and compassion may enhance our physical and mental health, lower our stress levels, and even extend our lifespan. This is because helping other individuals is an excellent method for enhancing one's sense of well-being. When we assist other people, we can look beyond ourselves and see the goodness and beauty that pulls us up.
Place service at the frontline
1. Create an inviting atmosphere
On average, people would like to work with someone they enjoy being with. This is true for everybody. Think about the image you want to leave behind and the character you wish other people would have of you. Serve the world with this thought. Despite having average skills, you've undoubtedly met several people who have been presented with extraordinary possibilities just because of who they are as individuals. This is because their coworkers loved spending time with them.
2. Stay Positive
It's challenging to stay pessimistic and optimistic at the same time! It is just not possible. One of the most potent ways to prioritize our dedication to service is to keep a positive outlook and actively seek to embrace optimism. When there is light, there is no room for darkness. To provide service and create value via service is critical- this is the proper groundwork.
3. Take care of the gatekeepers
The outstanding frontline staff who ‘keep the machine’ running should be treated with dignity and respect. I’m talking about the assistants, receptionists, secretaries, and appointment bookers we see every day and, at times, fail to acknowledge as vital members of the workforce.
They play essential parts in clearing the road for us to achieve positions of power by removing obstacles and opening doors. Without them, you run the risk of losing track of a lot of the ambitious tasks you have planned. As a result, we need to provide them with the same degree of reverence that we anticipate receiving from them.
A good rule of thumb is to treat others the way we would like to be treated. They put in a lot of effort without expecting anything in return; therefore, it is up to you to demonstrate that you appreciate it. Acknowledge the work that they have done and make this clear to them. To phrase it another way, show them the respect that they deserve.
4. Embrace Feedback
According to a well-known proverb, "champions" start their days by digesting their feedback. They even have it for maybe lunch and supper, too. Being open to feedback and criticism is necessary for personal development. We will stay in the state of service by soliciting feedback to make improvements. This will, in turn, ensure we keep a healthy equilibrium between our goals and the achievement of sustainable development.
How would you improve your service?
This disclaimer informs readers that the views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee, or other group or individual.
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