Currency that Costs Nothing: Kindness

Being kind is a valuable asset.  It provides you things, yet it costs you nearly nothing.

When I started my company in 1986, I had no orders and very little money to spend. Plus, I needed a lot. I had to figure out how to make products, how to start selling, and how to set up the finances.

This was long before the Internet, Google, and YouTube. I had to depend on the knowledge of people, most of whom did not know me at all. I went from business to business, asking people questions and getting referred to other businesses.

I was kind to these people—it was all I had. I respected their time and thanked them. If they referred me somewhere else that was helpful, I’d call them back and thank them again.

Do you know what happened? A few called me back to provide me more information. I was provided valuable information and counsel. It enabled me to begin my business, and for a few people, it enabled me to begin life-long friendships with them.

I’ve seen other people get what they need from others by using their money or using their status or power. If you have these things, it works, but it doesn’t build much goodwill. In nearly every case, kindness makes the transaction better and more rewarding for everyone.

I don’t mean to imply that kindness is only a tool for business transactions. Not at all. Kindness is much more than that. If you make kindness a habit in your life, EVERYTHING will be easier and better.