I've shared about my mastermind community many times. Total Life Freedom has members all over the US and for some cool reason, there are a few in my area. We formed up TLF Philly and held our first local lunch get together recently at Chili's in King of Prussia, PA. We had a wonderful time and discussed big ideas, what's working and what's not in our businesses. We laughed. We shared. At the end, the bill dropped and John Stange took it and as quickly as he could be paying with his credit card. A few of the others objected until I stepped in. I shared my lifelong struggle with this and told them to allow John the honor to give to us. They understood and John was so happy. We allowed a giver to give. This is powerful. Now let me explain the mindset.

In the classic book, "The Go-Giver" by Bob Burg, he lays out the "5 Laws of Stratospheric Success". The final law ties it all together. "The Law of Receptivity states that the key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving". This is vital. You cannot give if no one receives. If you refuse to receive, you literally stop a giver from giving. There is a natural and beautiful symmetry between the two and each are vitally important. It's unhealthy to only receive and never give as this stops the blessing from flowing from you and to you. It's equally unhealthy to only give and never receive. Bob is very clear that we must learn to acquire the skill of each, giving and receiving. When we do, we can function in the stratospheric success.

I have personally struggled with this my whole life. I never wanted to ask for anything, for any help. I would do it all by myself. My wife would have to force me to ask for help when we had to move. I would not ask for money, for help, for even advice. Why? Well, my men's accountability partner Billy Altman answered that for me a few years ago. He said. "Ken, you're a firstborn. You're independent and that's a good thing. But you're not asking anyone for help. Do you know what that's called?" I replied. "No, Billy." He uttered one word that changed everything. "Pride!"

That stung badly because he was right. I was literally holding back givers from their deep desire to give. This is a big problem as givers need receivers. I changed course right away and have been a much better receiver over the past few years. And guess what?! I've been a much better giver too and my success has catapulted. I wonder if this is a coincidence. By the way, the TLF Philly group of John Stange, Emily Brunner, John Schuchman, and Brad Imming will meet up at least quarterly and we'll each get the opportunity to give!

Would you allow this giver to give? I am offering up 30 minutes of my time each week to answer questions for any listener to this show. Just go to my website to request your time slot.