The greatest gift is a portion of thyself

“The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Once at a marketing event, before my presentation, I proposed that the delegates introduce themselves by giving a brief description of their purpose and what they hoped to learn by attending the event. They all described themselves as engineers and said that they wanted to learn about the new product offering. Going a little deeper I asked if they only see themselves as engineers and if that was their purpose. The answer was unanimously yes. The first engineer I pointed to was a gentleman named Roy, who worked in a factory that manufactured personal care products. I stated that in the mornings if I do not apply the products that his company manufactures I have a miserable day because my skin feels dry. I told him he’s not just an engineer, he contributes to the comfort of thousands of people who uses his company’s products. The second engineer named Ashraf, worked at a tire manufacturer. I declared that he contributes to thousands of drivers and passengers of vehicles that make use of the tires that his company produces. Their high manufacturing and safety standards ensures that people travelling to work or families travelling on holiday enjoy a comfortable and safe ride. As a group we discussed each delegate’s company, their products and their impact on the lives of people and the environment. At that moment the room of engineers saw themselves as contributors to society. When they realized that their products are also exported to other countries the room of engineers saw themselves as contributors to the world. Thereafter I told them that I was not there that night to just market my products I was there to show them how my products which were installed in their manufacturing lines contributes to the world. If I only saw myself as a salesman my job would be empty because I would be chasing sales numbers. If everyone realized at the core of their being that a piece of them is in everything that they do it would change the way they do things. Our work not only contributes to ourselves but also to our families, our communities and the world.
Now take a moment and recognize how your company’s products and services contributes to your community. Ponder upon your function within that company. Whether you are the owner, CEO, manager, skilled or unskilled employee take note that you are contributing to the overall functioning of the organization. If your sole function is a service provider like a call center operator take note of the people that you serve. By solving their problems you are enabling them to continue with their contribution to the world. You are part of that contribution. It’s a ripple effect. If you ever become desponded at your job take some time to fully recognize how you contribute to your family, your community and the world.