Generosity with your attention is a huge gift

Gratitude Card for Jeremy Newman

Lesson: Generosity with your attention is a huge gift

 

“Time is the new money” has become a bit of a catch cry at the moment. Time management and energy management courses and coaching are big business, with everyone trying to squeeze that extra bit of time out of their busy lives. And with our ever increasing “connectedness” through devices which become an extension of ourselves, being present with people when we are face to face with them is becoming a rarity.

When I was working with Jeremy, I was based in Shanghai but spent a week in the London office working on a big project with him. From early morning until evening, there was a queue of people at Jeremy’s door, wanting a piece of his attention. Most of them opened by saying “I know you’re busy but I have a quick question”, not realising that they were the 30^th person to say that to him that day. And yet he greeted every single one of them with a smile, a welcome, giving them the feeling that they were the first, rather than the 30^th, person to need his advice. I remember so clearly feeling so grateful to have the opportunity to work with him, to learn from him, to be given the gift of his time and energy.

Since that time, I have often had experiences with people lined up needing my attention and time. Every time without fail that I start to feel frustrated and tired, I remember how Jeremy made me feel that time in London, and I smile at the next person, trying to give them the gift he gave me, the feeling that they matter and are important.

Thank you, Jeremy, for having a huge impact on my life and giving me a gift which I try to pay forward and one for which I will be forever grateful. In these times of devices, it is an even more important lesson. Thank you with all my heart. You are an amazing person.

"Networking" is not a dirty word

I have been incredibly fortunate in my life to have had many amazing, generous mentors who have taught me so many lessons. I thought it was time to capture some of those lessons and to thank the gorgeous people who have been so generous with their time and life lessons.

So every week, I will post a “Gratitude Card” – a lesson taught to me by an amazing person; a lesson I have happily incorporated into my life and hopefully paid forward.

Gratitude Card for CJ Hwu

Lesson: Networking is not a dirty word

When I met CJ in 2007, networking was something I had to do. It was an important part of my job but I really didn’t enjoy it. It always felt like I was selling myself, like it was a commercial, sales focused, mechanical process, with the goal of handing out as many business cards as possible.

 

But CJ has a gift. She listens deeply and sees opportunities for like-minded people to flourish together. When she puts people in contact, it creates magic. She taught me that networking is more of an organic creation, a coming together of people with things to learn and teach each other. A great network has a life of its own, an energy which inspires all who are fortunate enough to be a part of it. A great network makes your shoulders go back and your heart soar, not drain you and make you feel exhausted.

Once I worked out how inspiring a sound network can be, I began to enjoy it, to be invigorated by the fascinating conversations I was having, the interesting lessons being shared with me.

Mitrataa, the Foundation I run in Nepal, has been built on networks too. The power of them in Nepal is significant. If we are to achieve our vision of doing ourselves out of a job, we must great vibrant networks of people inspiring each other, believing in each other, supporting each other. When I sit in on our monthly Dream Catchers scholarship meetings and witness the sharing and teaching, understanding and listening to each other's stories and challenges amongst the girls, I feel so privileged to be a part of it.

We help to put people in touch and get them started and then we step back and let the magic of the network do its part.

Thank you, CJ, for teaching me that networking is not a dirty word or a chore, but rather a gift of magic connections. And in this increasingly isolating world, these deep connections are even more important. I hope I have now paid forward this nugget of wisdom to the people of Nepal.