I'm rather embarrassed to tell you I was excited when I first figured out the whole extra value meal deal. You get a hamburger, fries and a drink -- and the fries are free! (Of course, I know that's a lot of junk food and excitement should probably not be the operative word, but that's a subject for another day.)
Extra value - that's something we all appreciate, especially when we're on the receiving end. Free French fries, a car wash when we get the car serviced, or the waitress who learns our names and how we like our eggs!
What might be surprising is to realize there's great delight in giving extra value. I once heard a speaker describe how he began this process. As a frequent flier, whenever he talked to his seat-mate on a flight, he'd get a business card, then send a handwritten note commenting on something he'd remembered from their conversation. He didn't ask for business or expect anything in return; and really, that effort didn't seem like much. However, the extra value he gave so impressed the recipients that even years later, they'd call him. The delight didn't just come from the additional business he received; it came from offering more.
I experienced the same pleasure in figuring out I could offer birthday treats for my clients, send an e-mail celebrating special days to special people, and give nightly foot rubs to my husband.
How can you give -- and ultimately receive -- extra value at your job, at your home, with the people you encounter? When you passionately enjoy what you're doing, I don't think it's that hard to give extra value. The challenge is to give more in those areas of your life you might not relish.
If you're in a job you really don't like, developing an "owner of the business" attitude is the beginning of change. Offering to help when "it's not my job" begins to propel you into a different mind-set.
Going the extra mile in a failing marriage might look like a losing proposition at first. But wouldn't it be worth making the first move, forgiving past hurts or ignoring little things you don't like and applauding poisitive aspects of the man or woman you used to believe you'd spend the rest of your life with? I've seen marriages turn around when even one person gets a different perspective.
How about extra value for you? Making the time, saving the money, giving the effort to buy that book you've yearned to have, start the flower garden or go on a long weekend get-away could be the beginning of treating yourself to the same consistent high standard I'm advocating you include regularly in your life with others.
Ultimately the efforts you make for others and for yourself result in extra value for you. Go ahead and splurge -- make your life an extra-value meal!
Extra value - that's something we all appreciate, especially when we're on the receiving end. Free French fries, a car wash when we get the car serviced, or the waitress who learns our names and how we like our eggs!
What might be surprising is to realize there's great delight in giving extra value. I once heard a speaker describe how he began this process. As a frequent flier, whenever he talked to his seat-mate on a flight, he'd get a business card, then send a handwritten note commenting on something he'd remembered from their conversation. He didn't ask for business or expect anything in return; and really, that effort didn't seem like much. However, the extra value he gave so impressed the recipients that even years later, they'd call him. The delight didn't just come from the additional business he received; it came from offering more.
I experienced the same pleasure in figuring out I could offer birthday treats for my clients, send an e-mail celebrating special days to special people, and give nightly foot rubs to my husband.
How can you give -- and ultimately receive -- extra value at your job, at your home, with the people you encounter? When you passionately enjoy what you're doing, I don't think it's that hard to give extra value. The challenge is to give more in those areas of your life you might not relish.
If you're in a job you really don't like, developing an "owner of the business" attitude is the beginning of change. Offering to help when "it's not my job" begins to propel you into a different mind-set.
Going the extra mile in a failing marriage might look like a losing proposition at first. But wouldn't it be worth making the first move, forgiving past hurts or ignoring little things you don't like and applauding poisitive aspects of the man or woman you used to believe you'd spend the rest of your life with? I've seen marriages turn around when even one person gets a different perspective.
How about extra value for you? Making the time, saving the money, giving the effort to buy that book you've yearned to have, start the flower garden or go on a long weekend get-away could be the beginning of treating yourself to the same consistent high standard I'm advocating you include regularly in your life with others.
Ultimately the efforts you make for others and for yourself result in extra value for you. Go ahead and splurge -- make your life an extra-value meal!
