If You Want More, Find Someone or Something to Give to

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When I quit my job in Corporate America to pursue my side hustle as a solopreneur, it was not because I was already making enough money to support myself.

I walked away because I felt stuck.

I was tired of pushing paper, frustrated by the cap on my income even when I worked longer and harder, and disappointed in my CEO’s leadership.

Even though I have written about my breakthrough from a point of strategy and dedication, I left out the part about the magic of humanity and our connection to each other.

Those first six months of being a full-time solopreneur were rough.

I hated debt and always paid my bills ahead, so the reality of my new surroundings was hard to swallow.

I reached a point where I was almost a month behind on my rent.

If you opened my refrigerator, you would have found a bottle of mustard and an onion.

I had less than eighty dollars in my bank account.

I had been trying so hard to land steady clients, but nothing was happening. The pressure built until I ended up in bed for three days, waking only long enough to cry before falling back asleep.

I wanted success badly and could not understand why I could not catch a break.

That was when the realization finally hit me.

How could I expect so much from my community when I was giving it nothing?

The Law of Giving and Receiving states that the universe operates through dynamic exchange. In order to maintain the flow of abundance, one must give what they seek—love, appreciation, or money—to others.

The universe doesn't know the difference between the energy exchange of love, appreciation, and money when good intentions are involved. It only acknowledges the effort of that energy.

I knew I had to act.

I became certified as a hospice volunteer, which allowed me to sit quietly with strangers for hours as they met their death.

If that does not give you perspective, nothing will.

Next, I volunteered for a local radio station fund drive.

Then, I helped a local political candidate with the work he was doing in the community.

After that, I joined an initiative that picked up trash around local neighborhoods.

What followed was over a decade of volunteering.

I served on over two dozen boards and committees throughout my region.

I offered pro bono service to a nonprofit each year, whether it was a free website, photography, or SEO work.

Once I reset my relationship with the Law of Giving and Receiving, the shift began almost immediately.

Within one month of becoming a hospice volunteer, I landed my first client that I have had a daily, lucrative relationship with for over 14 years.

The following month, I landed an even bigger client.

From there, my income grew into six figures and then seven figures.

What I learned is that intention matters and so does work ethic, but neither can replace the impact of participating in the full circle of giving and receiving. My own beliefs had placed limits on what I thought I deserved.

Reciprocity broke those limits.

Each time I held the hand of someone nearing death or picked up a piece of trash from a sidewalk, I had no idea how that effort would move back toward me.

But it did.

My career expanded in ways I could not have predicted. I gained new friendships, access to million-dollar clients, and a seat at the table with leaders in my community.

The money that came afterward was simply the return on the investment of service I had poured out.

If you feel stuck and unable to reach the life or career you want, look at what you are giving. Your surroundings might already be reflecting an imbalance between giving and receiving.

If you want more, find someone or something to give to.

The return is built into the process.

Let go and receive.

Your life can look completely different one year from now.

The choice to give is yours.

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