I am about to a launch a new blog and am researching information for it. As some of you may know, I am working to lower my high blood pressure. I am doing everything I can to use natural methods. And, in the course of my research, I have stumbled across some amazing information about the healing properties of food. Yes, the every day, ordinary act of eating certain foods can act like medicine, strong medicine. Hmm….

This discovery got me thinking - what other every day actions create extraordinary results? So, I have compiled a list for you to ponder. Please add to this with your own ideas and thoughts via the comment section.

Every Day Actions That Can Create Extraordinary Results:

1.  Generosity - How many times have you gone the extra mile and been more than rewarded for your extra effort? Myself, many. Microlending in third world countries is a great example. For less than $200, you can facilitate an entire lifetime of revenue earning potential for an entire village. Wow. That’s an extraordinary result. In business, when I have freely shared my knowledge, it always paid off, in both money and other intangible gifts. I have received free gifts, I have received new business, and I have received prestige and respect. If you are a generous person, the new kid on the block who can turn into the next big thing is more likely to show up on your door than someone else’s. If you were a publisher with a reputation for generosity, how would snagging the next Stephen King (because they knew you’d listen and give your time) affect your bottom line? Extraordinarily well, I suspect.

 2.  Kindness - Has anyone ever told you that you said just the right thing at just the right time to make them want to keep on keeping on? Or, maybe you demonstrated kindness to a stranger and someone saw you do it and became your dear friend? You were just being you, acting like you’d want to be treated, and goodness came from it. When you habitually do this every day, it comes back to you. As a child, the bible story about an angel of God visiting in disguise really stuck with me. I imagine that every person is God who is coming to visit, because you never know when an angel is at your door. And grace is an extraordinary thing. In business, being kind also builds in slack. People will tolerate errors more sympathetically if you act kindly toward them. Being mean doesn’t build you any credits for when things go wrong. Kindness does and that can literally save your business from disaster.

3.  Integrity - Some might argue that integrity is not an every day “ordinary” thing, but I disagree. I believe that people want to do the right thing as a natural impulse. They like the idea that they don’t have to hide behind a story and keep lies straight to interact. They like to feel welcome as they are. When you demonstrate integrity, having values and living by them, you demonstrate an acceptance of others. You tell them it’s ok to be themselves, that it’s safe to be with you. You tell them you are confident enough in who you are and grounded enough in what you believe in for them to be themselves too. It makes room for people to relax because they don’t feel they will be manipulated, or taken advantage of, or hurt. They put down their guard and extend you trust. If you’ve ever looked into the eyes of a widow or an abused child, you know the extraordinary potential of trust. In business, you gain lifetime clients who refer you and you alone to everyone they know. That can lead to extraordinary results, just by being willing to demonstate integrity, something you do every day.

Please understand that I am not suggesting you demonstrate these traits just for the sake of getting something in return. That’s not my point at all. Rather, when you are yourself, and you allow the every day things that are your nature to shine through, it does pay off. It makes it all the sweeter and more potent that you did them freely. A gift truly has no strings attached, or it’s not a gift. Give your gifts and you will have joy and success. It’s that simple.

Now it’s your turn - What every day actions do you do that have lead to extraordinary results? Let us know!

Together, we are stronger.
Vicki Flaugher, the original SmartWoman