Introduction
We discuss time management. We talk about managing our to-do list. We talk about prioritizing our tasks.
Could we make our life about Service? How would life be; – if everything we do is viewed as service?
The key idea is to make service the focus. We do everything to accomplish a result or goal that impacts somebody. To-do list, priorities or time management are all just tools and techniques.
Why service
Look at your life and try to remember, how you felt when you did something for others. Making others smile, or to make others’ lives a slight better or to help others with their goals, is deeply satisfying. In fact, service is our opportunity to make a difference to someone. Service helps us to connect and build relationship.
To be clear – our own emotional physical and other needs are no less important. We need to take care of ourselves. In that sense. We have to serve ourselves also. We serve ourselves so that, we can serve others.
Implementation in real life
Convert everything to service
Everything we do is ultimately to help or benefit somebody or a cause or projects depending on the context of our work.
I like to think that my work is just a means. The end result is to make an impact to someone or a cause or initiative.
Family
When I cook or clean – I serve my family. I am able to give my folks some relief and rest so that they can relax and enjoy doing what they like to do. I like to think of walking my dog as a way for me to serve him. I feel I have the opportunity to give him the joy of being outside in nature.
Self
When I am learning or taking a training or hiking, I look at it as nurturing myself. I take care of my need so that I can to make a difference.
Our work
We all have very different situations at work. How we look at our work, results in different emotional response.
WIIFM (“What’s in it for me?”) focus:
Here is an example from my own work. I had to lead a session. The objective was to help a group of new analysts get insight into a system. I had these sessions too often in the past. Earlier I often felt that such sessions were waste of time for me. There was no learning for me. It felt like drudgery.
Service focus
I decided that I would think the engagement as service. My thought was that – these are new to the whole system. My session will help them to develop a great solution. I gave extra time. I cannot tell you how satisfying that session was.
Having the attitude of service – changes the way we think. It in turn changes the way we feel.
In this way of operating – priorities / tasks / time everything happens in this framework. Tasks become dynamic. They may get eliminated or changed.
We never lose sight of the people or cause.
Conclusion
When service is the focus – the psychology, emotion, environment – everything changes. We build real connection; we are able to empathize. I think it helps us to keep our ego at check. In the whole process – we change ourselves. As I go along the route – I feel it is very easy to go back to my old habits. However, every time, I switch to service mode – I feel a deep sense of satisfaction and joy. Life of service is a wonderful and fulfilling journey.
