The Good Turn

“It is literally true that you can succeed best and quickest by helping others to succeed.”

– Napoleon Hill

(1883-1970) Author

It is easy for the pursuit of success to become a very self-centered journey.  One of the key elements to achievement is to have a burning passion for your goal.  It is what you think about, work for and plan your life around.  Because of the strong attention we give to achieving, we can forget that there is another key, without which we cannot arrive at real and lasting success, that is others.

                It is a paradox of life, but very true that the more you give the more you get.  It is in helping others to succeed that we can truly succeed in our own life.  Selfishness and self-centeredness will not lead to a successful life no matter how hard you try.

                This truth is stressed in the Boy Scouts through their slogan: Do A Good Turn Daily.  The Scout Handbook defines it this way: "That means doing something to help others each day without expecting anything in return."  That ending is key, "...without expecting anything in return".  Success-minded people are to help other, do good deeds and not expect to gain from it.  As coach John Wooden use to say, "You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who can never repay you."

                Success-minded people should keep their eyes open to opportunities around them each day to do something for those they come in contact with.  This can be as simple as opening a door for someone or giving an encouraging word to a person who is struggling or it can be as involved as being a mentor to a young person or helping out on a project.  The size and scope of the deed is not the issue, it is the intent and attitude that makes the difference.

                The act of doing good deeds will soon become a good habit in your life.  You will find that you do kind things for people without really thinking about it.  This will transform your life to the better and bring success on a level that you never thought possible.  There is no getting away from it, the more you give the more you get.  It is a law of nature and does not change.

                You matter!  You matter to the world and to yourself.  Remember to be your best, love God, have good manners, achieve the unknown and change your world.

John Patrick Hickey is an author, speaker, Life Coach and proud Scouter. To read more from John Patrick Hickey or to get his books, training and book him to speak to your church, business or group, visit our website at http://www.growthcenter.net or www.johnpatrickhickey.com.   © 2014 John Patrick Hickey