Results.
September was another fantastic month. The results are in sight. I would like to share this simple story that I was recently told and that I am sharing here with you because I think it has everything to do with achieving goals the best possible way. Here it goes:
A man had his old boat, which had been stopped for a long time, painted. The painter, while doing his job, noticed a small hole in the bottom of the boat, while painting and repairing it. Two days later, the boat was ready, flashing, a beautiful and cheerful red. The man’s small children, who were playing around, seeing the painted boat, again in the water and looking so inviting, got into the boat to go for a walk.
As soon as he got home, the man noticed that the boat wasn’t there and the children weren’t there either. He panicked. He knew that the boat had a hole that he would have mended after the painting and the children, not knowing this, would certainly be in danger. The man was in a state of turmoil when he saw his children arriving, happy and safe.
-Dad, dad, the boat is spectacular! What a beautiful walk we took!
Incredulous, the man went to see the boat. The hole was patched.
Realising what had happened, the man went to find the painter and took him a huge amount of money.
-Why are you giving me all that money? I didn’t do anything special, I just plugged a small hole…
-What you did was very special: you saved my children’s lives!
Most would have thought: I was only paid to paint the boat, not patch holes. And I wouldn’t have done anything. Others probably wouldn’t even be close enough to see the hole because they’d be painting in a hurry to finish that job and move on to the next one. And they wouldn’t have done anything.
What I like most about this story is that it clearly tells us that “little things” that don’t require any effort can be extraordinary things in the lives of others. But for that, we have to be aware. On the other hand, surpassing expectations, doing a little more than we were asked to do, can give us back much more than what we give.
In the day-to-day, we end up turning on the “autopilot”. We have the same attitude on all fundraising visits; we give the same answers; we present the same services. We are concerned with convincing and we are not aware of the “small holes” that we can patch to make all the difference and add value.
This painter was not just a simple painter in this man’s life. That’s how I like to work and I don’t want to be just a real estate agent who only sells houses. I like to think that through my activity, I help families. I truly believe that by adding value and doing much more than our obligation but coming from my heart 💙 is the only way.
Have a great week!
