My overwhelming disposition is service. I don’t know if it was because of my childhood, the paths I have chosen, my spiritual relationship with Jesus, the books I read, or the cold hard fact that my business cannot survive without it. No matter the reason, service has served me well 🙂
Service is nothing other than an act of help or work for someone. When you take that act of service and place it above “self” something special happens. Let’s take a look at a few reasons that service can make your life and business run a little smoother.
- Service Removes Barriers – Fisher’s Rule says that 90% of the way people treat you have nothing to do with you at all. If you can remember this rule when dealing with others it will help you not be overcome by a negative barrier. I’ve seen it happen many times. A customer, a friend, or even a family member would create a barrier that limits fellowship and interaction. (Remember I did say 90% – sometimes it is your fault.)
Situations at work and in our personal lives can create walls and barriers between us. Whenever faced with such a problem we must look over the barrier and provide a calm, excellent, and positive service to that person. It can be anything from solving a problem for a customer to listening to a family member explain their problems. Most of the time, within minutes the situation will take on a different tone and your service will change the countenance of the person and eliminate the barrier of negativity.
- Service Creates Loyalty – Millions maybe billions of dollars are spent annually on loyalty programs of every flavor under the sun. Free gifts, bonus miles, and cash back to name a few. How does the small business owner compete with the deep pockets of the Big Box retailer? Service Baby! Service! People want it and will pay more to get it. Think for a minute to a time when you have received real customer service. I mean the kind that made you go “WOW that’s great service!” The next time you get ready to purchase that meal or that product again what do you do? That’s right, you go back.
Create your own in-house loyalty program. It’s called SERVICE. When you give at a level that makes your customers say WOW, your business will grow and expand at a level that will make you say WOW!
- Service Feels Good  – Do you know what serotonin is? It is the neurotransmitter in our brain and body that gives us a sense of well being and makes you feel good. When a person receives an act of service their serotonin levels increase and they feel good, the person performing the act of service also experience the same thing and they feel good. But, the strangest thing that scientists have found is that other people observing the act also had serotonin level increase and they felt good too.
So what can you take from this? Service to others and works of kindness does not go unnoticed. It actually makes the world a better place.
- God Said So – There is a specific story in the Bible where Jesus is debating the religious-right of his day (Mark 12, if you want to read it). Those guys were asking him all kinds of questions about money, taxes, and divorce. After hearing several questions and answers one of the record-keepers asked a great question, “What is the greatest commandment?” Jesus’ answer was simple and PROFOUND! Number one love God with all your soul, mind, and strength and number two love others as yourself.
Much like today, there were thousands of laws on the books that tried to govern the actions of every citizen. But He went above the law with his response and simply said serve God and serve others. Being a service oriented person, not the phony ‘do so I can get’ type of service, but the kind that results in real love toward others is the key to success, not only in this world but the next.
Keep pressing toward the mark
T.Trucks