In our increasingly polarized and divided world, it’s easy to respond by becoming insulated from other people’s needs.
The impulse to take care of yourself first is so baked into our psychology that we don’t even think about it. It’s nature’s way of helping us preserve the species.
But we Business Artists are more than nature, aren’t we? In order to make an impact on the world, we have to rise above “what we are” and reach for “what we can become.” The most powerful way to do that is by coming together with other Business Artists to collaborate.
If we want to collaborate, we have to think generously. When we consider other people's needs and how we can help them, we rise above what we can do on our own.
Generosity brings incredible joy into your life. It’s also an incredible success strategy because it builds relationships and positions you as someone willing and able to help others succeed … instead of someone who only looks out for themselves.
Shifting Your Perspective
A great gateway into a life of more generosity is the practice of “trans-perspectivism.”
You may not have heard this term before, but let me explain.
Trans-perspectivisim is a way to seek an understanding of truth through other perspectives and traditions. Then you can take those multiple perspectives and stitch them together with your own.
This is the best way to view art. If you want to appreciate art, you have to put yourself in other individuals’ shoes and ask how they would experience something.
This way of thinking is fundamental to navigating reality. How else can you possibly know what is true? You were brought up with a certain way of looking at the world, with certain beliefs and values.
But it takes a mature and empathetic person to realize that your background and perspective are only one of many ways people see the world.
When people refuse to acknowledge the value of other people’s perspectives and viewpoint, that results in conflict. Imagine how much division and conflict could be avoided in the world if we would just sit down and try to see things from the other person’s point of view!
Today's polling and 'silent brainstorming' tools - while good at giving everyone a voice, don't promote enough 'authentic discourse' and thus make it hard to capture the organic flow of ideas or spark breakthrough thinking. This is where platforms like meahana shine.
Being of Service to Others
Another incredible way to be a generous Business Artist is to simply be of service to other people.
As an artist, your first inclination is always going to be using your natural creative talents. That’s a great way to serve, of course. But I want you to think a little bit outside of the box.
A great way to be of service is to go throughout your day and perform tiny acts of service. For instance, maybe you go into the restroom in a business or your office building. You notice there is a bit of paper towel on the floor, so you pick it up and throw it away.
Most people would ignore it and say, “That’s the cleaning person’s job.” But I challenge you to notice little things like this and perform a little act of service when you can.
The reason is simple: it’s a reminder that we all live on the same planet. We all share the same space. If there is something you can do to make life just a little bit better for someone else, you should do it.
It’s not just the big things that matter in life. The small things matter also–even something as simple as taking three seconds to leave a space just a little bit cleaner than you found it.
It also goes back to what I mentioned earlier about trans-perspectivism and seeing things from other people’s viewpoint. If we can learn to see the world through other people’s eyes and act in a way that serves them, that goes a long way toward becoming a great Business Artist who makes an impact in unexpected and powerful ways.
