The Benefits of Helping Others (in Life and in Business)

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the book launch party of Mumboss by Vicki Psarias, the brains behind the blog Honest Mum. I wanted to share something that Vicki said in her book about the benefits of helping others:

 

“I’ve come to believe that there are two types of people in life (and work): those who are only in it for themselves (mostly because of deep-seated insecurities) and those who want to collaborate with others and contribute to a bigger picture, helping people through sharing and supporting one another.” ~ Honest Mum

 

Oh my GOD, did that resonate with me. This week I’ve been thinking a lot about those that have gone out of their way to help me (Vicki being one of those people) during my blogging career. Despite her crazy and sometimes stressful life, busy career and writing a book over the last year, she’s done so much to help me on a personal and professional level. I’m not the only one, either, as just about every person at her party that I chatted to was quick to comment on her generosity and huge heart.

She’s an example of the type of person who proves that it IS possible to climb to the top without treading on everyone on your way up. As she climbs, she gives others piggybacks and a leg up, and I’m one of those people that she’s helped – directly and indirectly.

Vicki is far from the only one who’s helped me during the lifespan of Not Dressed As Lamb. I’m lucky to have built up a solid team of “coworkers” that I’m proud to call close friends. I know who are the ones that have my back, and who are the ones that don’t. The ones that don’t aren’t worth worrying over. Vicki herself said in an InstaStory this week that if you have toxic people in your life, do something about it. You don’t need them. You need the people who will support you no matter what. THEY are the ones that you support in return and give everything to, not the dragger-downers.

As an older blogger it’s easy for me to say that it’s an age thing, that it tends to be the younger bloggers that are horribly competitive. But I think that’s unfair; I know just as many wonderfully helpful, supportive bloggers in their teens or early 20s as I do older bloggers who are the exact opposite.

I owe SO MUCH to those who have helped me, even if sometimes they don’t realise they have. From the support of readers who always, always comment on my blog posts (or social media) to the bloggers that will pass on my name to a PR, check if my site is working following a Whatsapp or Twitter plea or suggest articles I should read, they ALL make such a difference – even if they don’t realise it.

 

Being kind – it’s the small things

So often it’s the small things that make a difference. Today I replied to an invite to a blogger meet with my apologies to say I couldn’t make it… her reply then said, “Thanks for letting me know that you won’t able to attend – it’s really kind.” How sweet was that? It took me probably less than 60 seconds to write back, but she obviously greatly appreciated me telling her I wouldn’t be there. It made me think of all the people who don’t reply, and how 60 seconds of my time made her life that little bit easier.

Helping others is one of those things that comes naturally to some people and not to others. And then there are some [unfortunate souls] who go out of their way not to help anyone else at all – unless it has some benefit to them. There are many ways that we can support the bloggers we love, and yet it still doesn’t occur to some people that helping others helps THEM in the long run.

For example, I always try to recommend bloggers I know to PRs. I try to be as helpful as I can when replying to personal emails. I try to treat the people that read my blog and follow me on social media as individuals, learning their names (and looking them up and addressing them that way) if I don’t. It really irks me that I don’t have enough hours in the day to reply to every single person that leaves me a comment (you can read that as a thinly-veiled apology for constantly being behind with my blog post replies), but I know I #MustDoBetter.

It’s the people that help others that will ultimately reap the rewards. The bloggers I remember are the ones who give, give, give, not the ones that take, take, take. And this principle of helping others can be applied to ANY area of life, whether you’re a high flying CEO, a call centre worker or a kick-ass Mumboss. It doesn’t matter what you do in life – or WITH your life – it’s your treatment of others that people remember you for.

So see who you can help. Give back to those that truly deserve it, and get rid of the ones that bring you down.

Because those you help and give your time to will ultimately be the ones that determine your success, not you.

[tweetshare tweet=”Those you help and give your time to will ultimately be the ones that determine your success, not you.” username=”notlamb”]

WHAT STORIES OF HELPING OTHERS (OR BEING HELPED) DO YOU WANT TO SHARE? PLEEEEEEEASE TELL US IN THE COMMENTS!

LIKE THIS POST? YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ…

– 11 Fantastic Ways to Support Bloggers You Love
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Disclosure: This post is not sponsored in any way by Honest Mum, I’m just sharing what I wanted to talk about this week. I bought Vicki’s book myself – who, by the way, was mortified that she didn’t have enough free copies to give to everyone she knows – there she goes again! 😉

So all that’s left to say is – I’ve shared my thoughts/stories/tuppence-worth this week, now it’s time to share yours… LET’S GET THIS [LINK UP] PARTY STARTED!

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