The Single Most Powerful Action You Can Take To Grow Your Business

Last week I got an email from my friend Elizabeth Gore about an event she was hosting in at MTV for a UN Foundation initiative called GirlUp.

In a flash, I realized I had earmarked 5% of net profits from our Rich Happy & Hot Virtual Mastery coaching program for women-focused philanthropy, and I’d been waiting for the right organization to give it to. This felt perfect.

I figured if we’re gonna do this, let’s do this thang right.

So I called up one of those novelty check companies to get a big check printed up with our logo and the Girl Up/Un Foundation logo on it. (Be honest – haven’t you fantasized about either giving or getting one of these big mondo checks?  Me too!)

Within 48 hours, we had a check designed, printed and shipped in time for the event.

Check it out on this short little video of me and Elizabeth at the GirlUp launch.

WARNING: I’m being a total mush head here and could barely put together two sentences.

Truth is I lost it after hearing the stats about the over 600 million adolescent girls getting married by age 12 to much older men, who not only give them HIV, but an average of 4 kids by age 20 with zero healthcare, no education or hope for any kind of normal life.

And this totally killed me.

When a girl in a developing country gets a hold of a pencil – you wanna know the first thing she does?  She breaks it in two and gives half away to her friend so they can both have something to write with.

If women’s rights means anything to you, please check out these resources and take action.  Share it on social media, donate money, give time – whatever.

This is the most moving video I’ve seen yet.

Half The Sky is an incredible book that every woman should read, and if you have young women in your life (daughters, nieces, granddaughters, students, neighbors) – please connect them with GirlUp.org.

Giving a “high five” goes a hell of a long way.

How This Relates to YOU and Your Business

Look, all of us get scared and overwhelmed when we start or grow a business.

We all have thoughts like “I can’t do this,” “I don’t have enough money,” “This isn’t for me,” “Who am I to charge this much, write a book,” blah blah blah.

I’ll be totally transparent here, giving away 5% of my net profits kicked up all my BS thoughts too (“Do I really have enough to give that much away, etc.”)

Listen up.  Those are WUSSIE little bullshit thoughts!  Seriously.  They’re pansy-ass, weak and total FICTION.

Wanna know the fastest way to silence the self-doubt and self-sabotage in your head that kills your business dreams?

Go make a difference for someone else.

1. Give five bucks (or more) to a cause you care about.  Girlup is awesome. Charity water is another favorite. Women for Women is amazing too.

2. Microlend to another entrepreneur.

3. Create something awesomely valuable and give it away for free to your market.

Giving to others when you feel scared is hands down the best way to train your abundance muscles and keep you in a state of gratitude, humbleness and creation. It keeps your heart open and soft.

And when you’re in this state, GENIUS business ideas are born.  Magic happens.  The perfect partners show up.  Overwhelm and exhaustion disappear and you get a surge of can-do energy.

Here’s the truth: The most financially and spiritually successful people I know always GIVE first.

Giving first is also the cornerstone of brilliant marketing!

Remember, great marketing is about becoming a pillar of goodwill in your marketplace and helping your market get where they want to go – way before you ask for anything in return.

HEADS UP – BIG ANNOUNCEMENT COMING THIS WEEK!

This whole experience really shifted me in ways that I could not have predicted.  And, it’s inspired even more giving.

Please keep your eye on this blog (and subscribe to my newsletter if you’re not already on it) because in a few days I’m going to be giving away something BIG that I will help you create whatever you want in business and life.

For now, leave a comment and let me know how giving makes YOU feel. What impact does giving have on your state of mind?  On how you run your business?

Don’t forget to share this post with your friends on Twitter and Facebook too.