It seems highly contradictory to advise a business owner to give away products or services at reduced rates or even free-of-charge. How might one possibly turn a profit by giving stuff away for free? Yet according to our Jewish tradition, this is exactly what one must do in order to not only be successful but be showered with abundance. You see, our Universe is a system. There are Universal dynamics at work whether we know or understand them. One of these very basic elements is the spiritual idea that what we give comes back to us. We give love, we get love. We give rudeness, we get rudeness. The Universe will mirror us through the environment around us in order to show and teach us what we need to change in order to grow. So how does this work in the business world? Very simply, what we give away comes back to us. We can offer services, donate products, teach others how to excel in a particular field, offer lectures, give people good jobs, take care of them, etc. And what will the return be? Increased sales, more clients, employees who give you their all, colleagues who appreciate and respect you. When we give, we open a circuit and the Universe rushes to close that circuit by giving back to you. But then it begs the question: How much do I give? According to Judaism, in order to maximize this Universal spiritual principle, the minimum to give away is 10%–of your profits, of your services, of your product, and/or of your time. Anything above 10% is bonus.
Let’s take a deeper look at this concept of “giving it away.” What type of person does one need to become in order to commit to and honor this fundamental Universal principle? Upon reflection, a person who understands and desires to utilize this concept of giving is a person who is or is becoming someone who cares about others, opens his or her heart, looks around them to see who is in need, works to increase his or her level of sensitivity and compassion to others, and desires to see everyone around him or her succeed. Wouldn’t this be the type of person you’d like to do business with? Which brings us to another very key concept both in Judaism and in Universal principle: you attract what you are. When taken to a more personal and reflective level, the concept of “giving it away” brings us to a place of also realizing that when we give of our resources, we also become someone who attracts other high-quality people into our lives. We begin to be in the world in such a way as to know that other’s needs are equally as important as our own and that when those around us are cared for, we can all be fulfilled—it’s a win-win scenario.
When someone comes to me for counseling or consultation, they are typically coming due to some type of problem or sense of lack. Something is out of balance and not working properly. Profits are down. Marriage is rocky. Kids are acting out. Regardless of the reason, one consistently effective element that I ask all of my clients to put into place is to test the concept of “give it away.” Not selling as much make-up? Donate small gift bags to the moms in your child’s class. Spouse seems checked out and not paying much attention? Take him to dinner, buy her tickets to her favorite show, grab him unexpectedly and proclaim your love for him like you used to do. Kids are giving you problems doing homework? Once in a while take them for a surprise trip to the park or for ice cream before having to get down to business –something to shake things up in a positive way and an opportunity for you to show your love. There are endless ways to implement this concept in every area of your life and what I have seen, almost without fail, is that by giving of yourself to those around—both at work and at home—everyone wins. The people you give to feel loved and cared for, and you feel a sense of fulfillment by being in tune with one of the greatest sources of energy in the Universe: Giving.
Each of us has countless decisions to make every day about how we will engage with life and with the world in which we live. If you are looking to step things up, shake things up, and generally experience a better quality of living both in your business and in your home, you now have a new tool to experiment with. Just as we love to receive, we can equally love to give. If some of your goals include greater success and happiness in business, love, parenting, and relationships, then make “Give It Away” a way of life. You will be amazed at the results.
Mia Adler Ozair, MA, LPCC, NCC is a licensed clinical psychotherapist and educator with a private practice in Beverly Hills, California. Mia is licensed in both California and Illinois and she can be reached through her website at www.bhcounselingcenter.com or followed on Twitter @MiaAdlerOzair. Copyright © 2013 Mia Adler Ozair All Rights Reserved.