Home / How to Get Promoted / Blog article: Prefer Others Over Self
Previous: Not In Houston!
Next: Bloomberg & Rudy!

Prefer Others Over Self

July 4, 2007

“We judge OURSELVES by OUR MOTIVES and OTHERS by their ACTIONS”. Dwight Morrow

There is something in the fallen nature of man that wants to keep him there. Why would a sane person do something that would do harm to SELF. The EGO is far smarter than to do that except, except it does it. So, there must be something that is built in to our psyche that does push the “self-destruct” button. I believe that the “something” I am referring to has to do with the “instruction manual” as to how to “operate” that which we call our lives. Unless you believe we’re an accident, (in which case why you think as you do is obvious) you believe there was and is a PLAN for our existence.

Who Wants Cheaper Auto Insurance?

“He who lives a long life must pass through much evil.” Spanish Proverb

When the PLAN OF LIFE goes against our “perceived logic”, we experience melt down. One of those basic foundations to life is the “way UP is DOWN”. It is when we SERVE OTHERS that we not only find fulfillment but capacity for promotion. It is when we PREFER OTHERS even over ourselves that we set in motion the dynamics of the “stuff of life” that eventually promotes us. This does not mean that we become a Dorothy Doormat and just let people run over us or wipe their feet on us. It does mean that we need to get outside of thinking only about SELF and think and serve OTHERS!

“Let another man praise you and not your own mouth”. Prov. 27:2

One of the most important aspects of life is the nature of the ecosystem that it is. We are ONE or at least tied together in some mysterious fashion. As we benefit others, we benefit ourselves. The problem is that we live in a micro wave society and we want INSTANT GRATAIFICATION. We want the DIRECT benefits and we don’t want to have to take some circuitous road to get there.

If you work for a company, corporation, civic society, or anything wherein more than one person is employed in accomplishing the objective, it’s always in our benefit to help. The worst case scenario is to NOT HINDER what others are doing: a passive assistance if you will. One of the reasons that the American capitalistic endeavor has been so successful is because we’ve made people “owners” or entrepreneurs and not just employees. With recent stock option or participation programs, we’ve brought them further into the mix. In America , we see the importance of being part of a team and yet our human nature initially rebels against the concept.

“By gnawing through a dyke, even a rat may sink a nation.” Edmund Burke

Aristotle understood this concept (which he got from his grandfather in the spirit-Socrates) and simply said that the problem was, “Inferiors revolt in order that they may be equal, and equals that they may be superior.” If somehow, we can lay down our egos and think about how we can help others, we will eventually begin to see greater promotion for ourselves. Don’t get carried away to the point that you’re not doing your job, but bring balance to this concept.

“A thankful heart is the parent of all virtue. “ Cicero

Preferring others does not mean that you beat yourself into sack cloth and ashes. If you’re battery is weak, how can you help jump start another battery? Both will be dead and go no where. I could also use the analogy of “giving blood”. You can give a little every now and then but to give too much all at once will kill you. So, build yourself up and build up others as well.

Written by Ernie · Filed Under How to Get Promoted 

Comments

Got something to say?





Houston Area Labor Lawyer - Wrongful Termination, Severance Negotiations, Sexual Harassment Suits