June 22, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome to another empowering episode of the Inspirations for Your Life Podcast. I’m your host, John C. Morley, Serial Entrepreneur and Podcast Coach. Whether you’re tuning in during a morning walk, a quiet moment of reflection, or while strategizing your next big idea, you’ve arrived at the right place. In today’s episode, we’re diving into a principle that uplifts us, fuels our communities, and elevates our impact: generosity. But not just giving — honoring it, living it, and inspiring it in others. These simple yet powerful actions can ripple through lives and legacies. Let’s explore how gratitude and giving aren’t just good habits — they’re transformative forces.
1️⃣ Recognize Acts of Kindness Openly 🗣️ When someone does something kind — no matter how small — acknowledge it. Recognition breathes life into good deeds, encouraging others to follow suit. Public appreciation doesn’t inflate egos; it reinforces a culture where kindness is valued and noticed. Whether it's a thank-you during a team meeting or a simple social media shout-out, that acknowledgment can make someone feel seen and validated. It shows that we’re not too busy to care — and that thoughtfulness matters.
2️⃣ Lead by Example Through Giving 🤲 The most effective leaders are givers. When we lead with generosity — offering time, attention, mentorship, or resources — we demonstrate what real leadership looks like. Giving builds trust and breaks down walls. It's not about the amount; it’s about the sincerity. When people see you invest in others without keeping score, they’re more likely to pay it forward. Leading by giving creates a ripple effect that touches every part of a team or community.
3️⃣ Celebrate Small and Large Contributions 🎉 Too often, we only cheer the “big wins.” But in truth, the small contributions — the ones done consistently, without fanfare — deserve celebration too. Whether someone stayed late to help, donated supplies, or simply checked in on a teammate, those efforts fuel your culture. Celebrate them. Make a habit of pointing out the little things that matter. This reinforces that every act of generosity counts and contributes to a bigger purpose.
4️⃣ Make Generosity Part of Your Culture 🧬 When giving becomes embedded in the DNA of your workplace or community, it no longer feels like an obligation — it becomes the norm. Build in opportunities for generosity, whether it's community outreach, mentoring programs, or appreciation initiatives. Normalize helping each other. When generosity becomes culture, collaboration thrives, and people feel they belong to something meaningful.
5️⃣ Give Without Expectation of Return ♻️ True generosity isn’t transactional. It’s giving freely, without waiting for something back. When we give with open hands and hearts, we model authenticity. This kind of giving fosters real trust and human connection. It’s a release of ego and a step into humility. Some of the most impactful gifts are the ones given without applause or repayment. Those are the moments that often come full circle in unexpected ways.
6️⃣ Show Gratitude for Every Act of Giving 🙏 Gratitude is the glue that binds generosity. When someone gives — time, effort, a gesture — respond with heartfelt thanks. Don’t assume they know it mattered; say it, show it, live it. Gratitude is not just good manners; it’s powerful reinforcement. It encourages people to continue giving, and it reminds us to be mindful of how others impact our journey. Gratitude creates momentum for more goodness to flow.
7️⃣ Inspire Others to Pay It Forward 🔁 Generosity multiplies when it’s shared. One of the best outcomes of honoring and modeling giving is that it inspires others to do the same. When you tell stories of giving, spotlight contributors, and celebrate impact, others see that generosity is not only welcome — it's contagious. You plant seeds in people’s hearts to do more good in their own way. And in a world that desperate
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:18):
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life.
Thanks so much for deciding to tune in
tonight.
This, in case you're wondering, is Sunday.
It's June 22nd, 2025.
And I am so grateful that all of
(00:39):
you decided to pop on in tonight.
It's really great to have you.
And we have a fantastic, fantastic show for
tonight, which I know that you are definitely
going to...
How can I say?
I think you're definitely going to like.
So definitely stay tuned.
Hey guys, if you are new here, I
(01:01):
want to take this opportunity to welcome you
to Inspirations for Your Life.
And if you're coming back, well, I want
to say welcome back.
It's always great to have you here with
me on the show.
If you didn't know, you want to check
out BelieveMeAchieved.com after the show because we
have some amazing stuff there where you can
(01:22):
watch past episodes, short-form content, long-form
content, and all kinds of great stuff that
you're not going to want to miss.
So definitely you can check that out.
And I hope that you will enjoy it
because I put lots of great content there.
(01:44):
All right, guys.
If you're thirsty, well, feel free to head
over to the kitchen and get yourself something
delicious and yummy, whether it's a drink, whether
it's something to snack on, could be healthy,
could be tart or what have you, doesn't
really matter.
But hurry and get that and come on
back.
(02:06):
All right.
I think a lot of people right now
are looking for, you know, different answers.
And I'm hoping that this week's show is
going to give you, I'm going to say
a different perspective of life.
We all know what the granular topic, the
(02:27):
master topic is.
Multiply meaning, not effort.
And the granular topic for tonight is, well,
Honor, Generosity, and Give Back, series four, show
26.
And it is episode number two.
Well, I can't believe we're on show 26
yet.
That just kind of blows my mind.
(02:47):
So welcome, everyone, once again to another amazing,
empowering episode of, yes, the Inspirations for Your
Life podcast.
I am your host, John Seymourley, serial entrepreneur,
podcast coach, host, video producer, serial entrepreneur, many
other things.
Whether you're tuning in during a morning walk,
a quiet moment of reflection or while strategizing
(03:08):
your next big idea, you've arrived at the
right place.
In today's episode or tonight, I'm going to
be diving into a principle that uplifts us,
fuels our communities and elevates our impact.
What is it?
Generosity.
But not just giving, honoring it.
Living it and inspiring it in others.
These simple yet powerful actions can ripple through
(03:29):
lives and legacies.
So let's explore this together.
How gratitude and giving aren't just good habits.
They're transformative forces.
But I think a lot of people get
stuck and wonder, like, you know, what does
all this mean?
So hopefully this will make sense with all
you guys, I'm hoping.
All right.
So number one, recognize acts of kindness openly.
(03:53):
When someone does something kind, no matter how
small or big, acknowledge it.
Recognition breeds life into good deeds.
Encouraging others to follow suit, public appreciation doesn't
inflate egos.
It reinforces a culture where kindness is valued
and noticed.
(04:13):
Whether it's a thank you during a team
meeting or a simple social media shout out,
that acknowledgement can make someone feel seen and,
of course, validated.
It shows that we're not too busy to
care and that thoughtfulness matters.
I think that's an important thing that a
lot of people don't realize, is that thoughtfulness
really does matter.
(04:35):
And I hope it matters for you guys.
I think it's important to realize, I think
(05:01):
this means a lot.
But I think a lot of people, they
do things because of egos, right?
They have to get that ego fed.
Unfortunately, it's one of the primal things people
need.
So I know you're probably saying, John, you
know, I give so much.
(05:23):
Yeah, but when you give, you're probably looking
to get something back.
That's not really giving with generosity.
Number two, lead by example through giving.
The most effective leaders are givers.
And when we lead with generosity, offering time,
attention, mentorship, or resources, we demonstrate what real
leadership looks like.
Giving builds trust and breaks down walls.
(05:44):
It's not about the amount.
It's about sincerity.
When people see you invest in others without
keeping score, they're more likely to pay it
forward.
Leading by giving creates a ripple effect that
touches every part of a team or a
community.
So I think these are important things to
understand, all right?
Definitely important to understand.
(06:04):
Number three, guys, celebrate the small and large
contributions.
I've said wins, but I'm talking about contributions
tonight.
Too often, we only cheer the big wins.
But in the truth, the small contributions, the
ones done consistently without fanfare, deserve celebration too.
Whether someone stayed late to help donate supplies
(06:25):
or simply checked in on a teammate, those
efforts fuel your culture.
Celebrate them, make a habit of pointing out
the little things that matter.
That reinforces that every act of generosity counts
and contributes to a bigger purpose.
And I think that's an important thing for
everyone to understand is that we need to
realize that.
Number four, make generosity part of your culture.
(06:48):
When giving becomes embedded in the DNA of
your workplace or community, it's no longer feeling
like an obligation.
It becomes the norm.
Build in opportunities for generosity, whether it's community
outreach, mentoring programs, or appreciation initiatives.
Normalizing helps each other.
When generosity becomes culture, collaboration thrives.
(07:10):
Let me say that again.
When generosity becomes culture, collaboration thrives, and people
feel they belong to something meaningful.
And I think that's a very, very important
point for everybody to understand, right?
They have to understand what that means.
I think that's an important thing for a
(07:33):
lot of people to realize that we have
to be grateful for the things in our
life.
I think that's a very, very important thing.
And when we can be grateful, then we
can go the next step.
Number five, give without expectation of return.
(07:53):
When you give and you don't have an
expectation of getting something back, the gift is
a lot sweeter, right?
When you give, you're like, oh, what are
you going to give me, right?
Shouldn't be like that.
True generosity isn't transactional.
It's giving freely without waiting for something back.
Now, of course, if you give, give, give,
give, give, you never get anything, of course,
(08:14):
that's a problem.
But don't give and then have your hand
out like, hey, I just gave you a
dollar, I want the dollar back.
When we give with open hands and arms,
we model authenticity.
This kind of giving fosters real trust and
human connection.
It's a release of ego and a step
into humility.
Some of the most impactful gifts are the
(08:34):
ones given without applause or repayment.
Those are the moments that often come full
circle in unexpected ways.
And I think that's an important thing for
us to realize, is that when we don't
expect, we oftentimes will receive.
Okay, that's an important thing to know.
When we give and we don't expect, we
will receive, okay?
(08:59):
Number six, show gratitude for every act of
giving.
Gratitude is the glue that binds generosity.
It's kind of like invisible.
When someone gives time, effort, a gesture, right,
or a token, respond with a heartfelt thank
you.
Don't assume they know it mattered.
Say it, show it, live it.
(09:20):
Gratitude is not just good manners, it's powerful
reinforcement.
It encourages people to continue giving and reminds
us to be mindful of how others impact
our journey.
Gratitude creates momentum for more goodness to flow.
And I think those are very, very important
things for us to think about.
Really important.
Number seven, guys, inspire others to pay it
(09:42):
forward.
Inspire others to pay it forward.
I think that's a very important thing, is
we have to understand that.
And when we understand that, that's an important
(10:07):
thing, right?
So inspiring others to pay it forward.
You all remember the movie, right?
Pay it forward.
I'm sure you remember that.
And there is a national day, guys.
I don't know if you know this.
There is a national, yeah, there's a national
pay it forward day.
And that day comes around every year.
It's April 28th.
(10:28):
There's also a national kindness day.
I don't know if you knew that.
The national kindness day is November 13th.
It's World Kindness Day, by the way.
So, you know, why are we kind?
I think it helps promote the betterment of
our community and the world at large.
Helps us too.
(10:51):
So generosity multiplies when it's shared.
One of the best outcomes of honoring and
modeling giving is that it inspires others to
do the same.
When you tell stories of giving a spotlight,
contribution, and celebrate impact, others see that generosity
is not only welcome, it's contagious.
You plant seeds in people's hearts to do
more in their own way.
(11:13):
And in a world that desperately needs more
kindness, that spark can make all the difference
in the world.
And something that can decide, are you on
the right track or not?
Because I think a lot of people do
things, and they wonder, like, what's going to
happen next?
We're all playing that, like, what if game,
right?
I think that's a big thing.
So gratitude and honoring generosity are very, very
(11:35):
important to me.
And here's the part of the show that
I really like.
Well, I like the whole show, as you
guys know.
But here's the part of the show that
I think is a very meaningful part.
So what I do is I'm going to
give you basically a personal story or a
lesson for each point I said tonight.
(11:58):
And my hope is that this will inspire
you to do the same, right?
I think those are important things.
But sometimes, you know, we just get lost
in our ways.
And there's nothing wrong with getting lost.
I think when we understand something, then it's
very, very, very, very important that we know,
(12:20):
like, what it's about, right?
And when we know what something's about, it
can be huge, huge, huge, right?
The reason I say that is that people
just get, you know, they get too, how
can I say?
They get too overwhelmed at where something is.
(12:42):
And so, again, that might be something that
you're like, I don't know.
Like, I have no idea, like, you know,
what that is or why that is a
certain way.
But I'm here to tell you that it
makes a big difference, guys.
It makes a big difference.
And when it makes a big difference, we
can truly get a blessing from that, all
(13:04):
right?
So this is the part of the show
when I dive very deep into some lessons
that I've learned in my whole life that
I'm hoping will inspire you in your life,
all right?
I think that's a very, very important thing.
So number one, recognize acts of kindness openly.
I remember when I was starting one of
my early businesses, the J-More Connection, a
(13:25):
part-time intern went above and beyond to
clean up a chaotic project board late on
a Friday night.
Pretty cool.
It wasn't their job and no one asked
them to do it.
On Monday, I called it out in a
team huddle and said, not just as a
pat on the back, but as a spotlight
on initiative, the effect others started stepping up
too.
When you take time to recognize kindness, you
(13:48):
don't just reward that one act, you set
a new bar for your culture.
That intern later became a full-time hire,
not because of the task, but because of
that small act showed a heart of service.
Never underestimate the power of a simple, I
saw what you did, thank you, right?
You want to make sure that you praise
(14:09):
people.
I think that's a very, very important thing
for a lot of people to understand.
(14:32):
Make sense?
And I think some people don't realize how
this is magical.
Number two, lead by example through giving.
Years ago, during a tech event, I was
organizing, one of the volunteers was overwhelmed with
(14:54):
a tech hiccup.
Instead of delegating, I rolled up my sleeves,
I don't have any on today, and worked
side by side until we solved the challenge,
which didn't take very long at all.
I didn't do it to impress anyone.
I just didn't want them to feel alone.
But the feedback after the event was amazing.
People said they felt more united because they
saw leadership and action coming from a head
(15:17):
CEO.
Giving your time, energy, and care, especially when
you don't have to, teaches more than any
speech ever could or would.
That's how people learn generosity.
It isn't about who's above or below them.
It's a daily practice of showing up with
heart.
I think that's a very, very important thing
(15:38):
that I hope everyone will really understand.
I mean, I hope that's something they'll understand.
And I'm hoping that that means something to
you guys, that you can actually appreciate that.
(15:59):
Number three, celebrate small and large contributions.
When I launched my first podcast, which by
the way was called The Jay Moore Tech
Talk Show, that's my first podcast.
But this one kind of took off more
than Jay Moore Tech Talk.
But I still do that one too.
This one has like 175,000 and that
one has like, I think like 15,000
now.
The first few reviews were from close friends
(16:22):
and early listeners.
Instead of glossing over them, I took time
during each episode to thank specific people by
name.
And I think that was important.
One of the listeners told me months later
that hearing her name gave her the confidence
to pursue her own creative goals.
It reminded me that impact doesn't come from
giant crowds.
It comes from individual connections.
When you celebrate both the giants and the
(16:44):
quiet contributors, you feel a moment and a
movement.
Every act matters.
Every voice counts.
But sometimes people don't do that.
They just move from A to B.
Why?
I don't know.
(17:12):
Does that make sense, everybody?
And I'm hoping that that means something, right?
We can't underestimate everything.
Make generosity part of your culture.
One of the proudest moments at my company
was when a junior team member started a
coffee kindness board where teammates could anonymously treat
each other to a coffee as a surprise.
(17:34):
No one was told to do it.
It just became part of our DNA.
That's what happens when generosity is woven into
the fabric of your culture.
People don't need permission to be kind.
They look for opportunities to uplift others.
The results, better morale, more collaboration, and people
who actually want to show up each day.
(17:57):
And that might sound like something that's very
wacky or very weird.
But I'm here to tell you that when
you show up for people, it really, really,
really, really matters.
And I think that's an important piece, is
that it matters.
And so sometimes people get stuck because things
aren't going the way they want.
But I'm here to tell you that when
(18:17):
you approach things with kindness and the truth,
that's what matters.
All right.
Number five, give without expectation of return.
There was a time when I helped a
fellow entrepreneur redesign their entire website.
I didn't charge a penny.
I didn't expect anything in return.
(18:38):
Two years later, I got a call out
of the blue from someone who said, my
friend said you once helped them without asking
for a thing.
I want to work with someone like that.
That free act led to a long-term
client and even more referrals.
The lesson is when you give without an
agenda, people feel it.
And the universe has a funny way of
bringing that goodness back around, often when you
(19:00):
least expect it.
And I think too many times people in
the world are trying to do a tit
for tat.
They're trying to get something exactly for what
they're doing.
And I know that sounds interesting, but it's
important to recognize it.
Number six, show gratitude for every act of
giving.
There's a local business that I worked with
for years.
Every holiday season, they would send me a
(19:22):
handwritten thank you card.
Not flashy, just heartfelt.
It always struck me how few people took
the time to say thank you without a
prompt and to do it with a handwritten
card.
It wasn't any kind of, you know, gimmick.
It was a true card.
You know, some people do that.
They pay to have it look like a
hand signature, but it really wasn't a hand
signature.
This one was.
That inspired me to start writing thank you
(19:43):
emails and notes more often.
Even for things like a simple referral or
a thoughtful comment.
Gratitude multiplies generosity.
When people feel appreciated, they're more likely to
keep giving.
And gratitude, once felt, becomes a chain reaction
of connection.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
I mean, a very, very important thing.
(20:03):
And if it's an important thing, then hopefully
it means something to you.
I mean, I'm hoping.
But sometimes people just do something for the
wrong reasons.
And the fact is, you know, they have
to get something a certain way.
But they don't necessarily know why they want
that.
And that might sound like something that you're
(20:25):
interested in.
But then when you get your feed and
it's like, oh, I didn't want to do
that.
I love this one, guys.
Pay it forward.
Pay it forward.
That's pretty cool, guys.
(20:48):
Once after one of my workshops, a participant
emailed me to say they bought coffee for
the person behind them in line.
Because of a story I told during the
session, that one gesture sparked a small conversation
between strangers who never had met before.
They later discovered they had mutual friends and
(21:09):
ended up collaborating on a project.
One tiny act inspired by one moment became
a web of impact.
That's the ripple effect.
When we model generosity and share the stories
behind it, we light a fire in others.
A single spark can ignite a forest of
change.
But I think sometimes people are afraid to
make the change.
(21:31):
I think that can be something that scares
some people.
I think so.
Does that make sense, guys?
(21:56):
I think sometimes people expect something because of
a perception that they were given.
But then when it comes time to actually
respond, they don't.
(22:19):
Somebody expects something.
And so if you do something with the
intent that someone else is going to respond,
just don't do it.
Like, don't be generous with someone if you
think the only reason you're doing it is
so you get a response.
(22:43):
Does that make sense?
I know a lot of you hear different
things.
But I know sometimes you hear something and
(23:03):
then you want to respond, but then yet
you don't.
The reason you don't is because you're afraid
of some perception that you got.
I mean, that's the truth, guys.
You're afraid of a perception.
So if you're doing something for the reason
that you're going to get something back, like,
hey, I'm going to help you tomorrow because
I know you're going to help me.
So I help you in pure faith because
(23:26):
I know you want to help me, right?
It's like a natural thing.
But I don't expect it.
I hope you will if I need something.
But I don't have like a, well, John,
I need help with this.
Sure, no problem.
So then later on, I go, you know,
if I need help, I'll ask.
But there's some people I help, like, oh,
as soon as I've asked for help, they
(23:47):
immediately have to go find something that they
can get paid back from BARDA right away.
So that's not necessarily right.
And those kind of people I don't tend
to be friends with very well.
The BARDA arrangement tends to end very soon.
And that's pretty much what happens.
I can just be very, very honest with
you.
(24:07):
I mean, that I can tell you right
now.
Does that make sense?
And so
(24:33):
when we think about that, we have to
ask ourselves, are we doing something to help
somebody?
Or are we doing something to get something
back?
There was a guest that I was interviewing
for one of our shows in six months
from now.
And he said, John, he says, I really
(24:54):
like your show.
And I said, well, thank you.
I appreciate that.
He said, no, he says, you know, you're
not someone who has 10 million viewers.
And I said, yeah.
He said, you don't try to sell anything
on your show.
I said, that's right.
I said, I just offer value.
He says, I like that about you.
And the people that I teach say that
you're a good mentor, that you're great to
follow.
I said, well, thank you again.
(25:15):
And so regardless of whether he comes on
the show or not, I'm very grateful for
what he said to me.
And I think sometimes we help people for
the reason that we want to get something.
So if you're helping somebody for the reason
to get something, well, then don't help them,
right?
You get a gut instinct if this is
somebody you're going to connect with, right?
(25:36):
Chances are you don't just help somebody unless
you get to know them.
I mean, if it's a stranger and you're
helping them, fine.
But if it's somebody in, let's say, your
world, it could be at work, could be
at school.
And you have this gut that you want
to help this person, right?
Usually there's a little bit of chemistry there,
(25:56):
whether it's platonic or non-platonic, that's fine.
But you have this gut that it's going
to work out.
I think that's probably the most important thing
I can say to you.
And if you have that gut, then I
know it's going to make sense.
I know it's going to make sense.
And that's something that a lot of people
don't understand.
(26:31):
Hopefully that makes sense to you.
I know you're probably saying to me, John,
this doesn't make a lot of sense.
(26:52):
And I know you're saying you're doing something
to help somebody, which is great, believe me.
But if you're doing something like, hey, I
want to go do this.
But then in the back of your mind,
like, the only reason I'm doing this is
I'm hoping they're going to do something.
It's nice to have a hope, but don't
expect that, okay?
Because you're going to be disappointed.
And in a world, guys, where so much
(27:15):
focus is placed on getting ahead, real legacy
is built on giving back.
If you embrace and model generosity, not occasionally,
but consistently, you'll create a ripple that transcends
your life and touches other in extraordinary ways.
And this extraordinary set of ways is how
you can actually get to where you want
(27:37):
to be, all right?
And the reason I say that is because
just as someone once said, help enough people
get what they want and eventually you'll get
what you want.
It's the law of reciprocity.
But everyone's always like, well, no, I helped
you with this.
I gave you 10 minutes and I got
to get 10 minutes back.
(27:58):
Like, don't help somebody.
I'm not saying to spend hours with them,
but be a judge, right?
And do something for the greater good of
others.
I mean, there's one thing if somebody takes
advantage of you and you know what that
is, right?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
You can check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more
of my amazing, inspiring creations.
(28:19):
Honor your generosity and give because you want
to from your heart, not because you're expecting
something in return.
Take care, everyone.
Be well.
(28:42):
Bye.
Well, hey guys, it is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
It is great to be with you on
Inspirations for Your Life.
Thanks so much for deciding to tune in
tonight.
This, in case you're wondering, is Sunday.
It's June 22nd, 2025.
And I am so grateful that all of
(00:39):
you decided to pop on in tonight.
It's really great to have you.
And we have a fantastic, fantastic show for
tonight, which I know that you are definitely
going to...
How can I say?
I think you're definitely going to like.
So definitely stay tuned.
Hey guys, if you are new here, I
(01:01):
want to take this opportunity to welcome you
to Inspirations for Your Life.
And if you're coming back, well, I want
to say welcome back.
It's always great to have you here with
me on the show.
If you didn't know, you want to check
out BelieveMeAchieved.com after the show because we
have some amazing stuff there where you can
(01:22):
watch past episodes, short-form content, long-form
content, and all kinds of great stuff that
you're not going to want to miss.
So definitely you can check that out.
And I hope that you will enjoy it
because I put lots of great content there.
(01:44):
All right, guys.
If you're thirsty, well, feel free to head
over to the kitchen and get yourself something
delicious and yummy, whether it's a drink, whether
it's something to snack on, could be healthy,
could be tart or what have you, doesn't
really matter.
But hurry and get that and come on
back.
(02:06):
All right.
I think a lot of people right now
are looking for, you know, different answers.
And I'm hoping that this week's show is
going to give you, I'm going to say
a different perspective of life.
We all know what the granular topic, the
(02:27):
master topic is.
Multiply meaning, not effort.
And the granular topic for tonight is, well,
Honor, Generosity, and Give Back, series four, show
26.
And it is episode number two.
Well, I can't believe we're on show 26
yet.
That just kind of blows my mind.
(02:47):
So welcome, everyone, once again to another amazing,
empowering episode of, yes, the Inspirations for Your
Life podcast.
I am your host, John Seymourley, serial entrepreneur,
podcast coach, host, video producer, serial entrepreneur, many
other things.
Whether you're tuning in during a morning walk,
a quiet moment of reflection or while strategizing
(03:08):
your next big idea, you've arrived at the
right place.
In today's episode or tonight, I'm going to
be diving into a principle that uplifts us,
fuels our communities and elevates our impact.
What is it?
Generosity.
But not just giving, honoring it.
Living it and inspiring it in others.
These simple yet powerful actions can ripple through
(03:29):
lives and legacies.
So let's explore this together.
How gratitude and giving aren't just good habits.
They're transformative forces.
But I think a lot of people get
stuck and wonder, like, you know, what does
all this mean?
So hopefully this will make sense with all
you guys, I'm hoping.
All right.
So number one, recognize acts of kindness openly.
(03:53):
When someone does something kind, no matter how
small or big, acknowledge it.
Recognition breeds life into good deeds.
Encouraging others to follow suit, public appreciation doesn't
inflate egos.
It reinforces a culture where kindness is valued
and noticed.
(04:13):
Whether it's a thank you during a team
meeting or a simple social media shout out,
that acknowledgement can make someone feel seen and,
of course, validated.
It shows that we're not too busy to
care and that thoughtfulness matters.
I think that's an important thing that a
lot of people don't realize, is that thoughtfulness
really does matter.
(04:35):
And I hope it matters for you guys.
I think it's important to realize, I think
(05:01):
this means a lot.
But I think a lot of people, they
do things because of egos, right?
They have to get that ego fed.
Unfortunately, it's one of the primal things people
need.
So I know you're probably saying, John, you
know, I give so much.
(05:23):
Yeah, but when you give, you're probably looking
to get something back.
That's not really giving with generosity.
Number two, lead by example through giving.
The most effective leaders are givers.
And when we lead with generosity, offering time,
attention, mentorship, or resources, we demonstrate what real
leadership looks like.
Giving builds trust and breaks down walls.
(05:44):
It's not about the amount.
It's about sincerity.
When people see you invest in others without
keeping score, they're more likely to pay it
forward.
Leading by giving creates a ripple effect that
touches every part of a team or a
community.
So I think these are important things to
understand, all right?
Definitely important to understand.
(06:04):
Number three, guys, celebrate the small and large
contributions.
I've said wins, but I'm talking about contributions
tonight.
Too often, we only cheer the big wins.
But in the truth, the small contributions, the
ones done consistently without fanfare, deserve celebration too.
Whether someone stayed late to help donate supplies
(06:25):
or simply checked in on a teammate, those
efforts fuel your culture.
Celebrate them, make a habit of pointing out
the little things that matter.
That reinforces that every act of generosity counts
and contributes to a bigger purpose.
And I think that's an important thing for
everyone to understand is that we need to
realize that.
Number four, make generosity part of your culture.
(06:48):
When giving becomes embedded in the DNA of
your workplace or community, it's no longer feeling
like an obligation.
It becomes the norm.
Build in opportunities for generosity, whether it's community
outreach, mentoring programs, or appreciation initiatives.
Normalizing helps each other.
When generosity becomes culture, collaboration thrives.
(07:10):
Let me say that again.
When generosity becomes culture, collaboration thrives, and people
feel they belong to something meaningful.
And I think that's a very, very important
point for everybody to understand, right?
They have to understand what that means.
I think that's an important thing for a
(07:33):
lot of people to realize that we have
to be grateful for the things in our
life.
I think that's a very, very important thing.
And when we can be grateful, then we
can go the next step.
Number five, give without expectation of return.
(07:53):
When you give and you don't have an
expectation of getting something back, the gift is
a lot sweeter, right?
When you give, you're like, oh, what are
you going to give me, right?
Shouldn't be like that.
True generosity isn't transactional.
It's giving freely without waiting for something back.
Now, of course, if you give, give, give,
give, give, you never get anything, of course,
(08:14):
that's a problem.
But don't give and then have your hand
out like, hey, I just gave you a
dollar, I want the dollar back.
When we give with open hands and arms,
we model authenticity.
This kind of giving fosters real trust and
human connection.
It's a release of ego and a step
into humility.
Some of the most impactful gifts are the
(08:34):
ones given without applause or repayment.
Those are the moments that often come full
circle in unexpected ways.
And I think that's an important thing for
us to realize, is that when we don't
expect, we oftentimes will receive.
Okay, that's an important thing to know.
When we give and we don't expect, we
will receive, okay?
(08:59):
Number six, show gratitude for every act of
giving.
Gratitude is the glue that binds generosity.
It's kind of like invisible.
When someone gives time, effort, a gesture, right,
or a token, respond with a heartfelt thank
you.
Don't assume they know it mattered.
Say it, show it, live it.
(09:20):
Gratitude is not just good manners, it's powerful
reinforcement.
It encourages people to continue giving and reminds
us to be mindful of how others impact
our journey.
Gratitude creates momentum for more goodness to flow.
And I think those are very, very important
things for us to think about.
Really important.
Number seven, guys, inspire others to pay it
(09:42):
forward.
Inspire others to pay it forward.
I think that's a very important thing, is
we have to understand that.
And when we understand that, that's an important
(10:07):
thing, right?
So inspiring others to pay it forward.
You all remember the movie, right?
Pay it forward.
I'm sure you remember that.
And there is a national day, guys.
I don't know if you know this.
There is a national, yeah, there's a national
pay it forward day.
And that day comes around every year.
It's April 28th.
(10:28):
There's also a national kindness day.
I don't know if you knew that.
The national kindness day is November 13th.
It's World Kindness Day, by the way.
So, you know, why are we kind?
I think it helps promote the betterment of
our community and the world at large.
Helps us too.
(10:51):
So generosity multiplies when it's shared.
One of the best outcomes of honoring and
modeling giving is that it inspires others to
do the same.
When you tell stories of giving a spotlight,
contribution, and celebrate impact, others see that generosity
is not only welcome, it's contagious.
You plant seeds in people's hearts to do
more in their own way.
(11:13):
And in a world that desperately needs more
kindness, that spark can make all the difference
in the world.
And something that can decide, are you on
the right track or not?
Because I think a lot of people do
things, and they wonder, like, what's going to
happen next?
We're all playing that, like, what if game,
right?
I think that's a big thing.
So gratitude and honoring generosity are very, very
(11:35):
important to me.
And here's the part of the show that
I really like.
Well, I like the whole show, as you
guys know.
But here's the part of the show that
I think is a very meaningful part.
So what I do is I'm going to
give you basically a personal story or a
lesson for each point I said tonight.
(11:58):
And my hope is that this will inspire
you to do the same, right?
I think those are important things.
But sometimes, you know, we just get lost
in our ways.
And there's nothing wrong with getting lost.
I think when we understand something, then it's
very, very, very, very important that we know,
(12:20):
like, what it's about, right?
And when we know what something's about, it
can be huge, huge, huge, right?
The reason I say that is that people
just get, you know, they get too, how
can I say?
They get too overwhelmed at where something is.
(12:42):
And so, again, that might be something that
you're like, I don't know.
Like, I have no idea, like, you know,
what that is or why that is a
certain way.
But I'm here to tell you that it
makes a big difference, guys.
It makes a big difference.
And when it makes a big difference, we
can truly get a blessing from that, all
(13:04):
right?
So this is the part of the show
when I dive very deep into some lessons
that I've learned in my whole life that
I'm hoping will inspire you in your life,
all right?
I think that's a very, very important thing.
So number one, recognize acts of kindness openly.
I remember when I was starting one of
my early businesses, the J-More Connection, a
(13:25):
part-time intern went above and beyond to
clean up a chaotic project board late on
a Friday night.
Pretty cool.
It wasn't their job and no one asked
them to do it.
On Monday, I called it out in a
team huddle and said, not just as a
pat on the back, but as a spotlight
on initiative, the effect others started stepping up
too.
When you take time to recognize kindness, you
(13:48):
don't just reward that one act, you set
a new bar for your culture.
That intern later became a full-time hire,
not because of the task, but because of
that small act showed a heart of service.
Never underestimate the power of a simple, I
saw what you did, thank you, right?
You want to make sure that you praise
(14:09):
people.
I think that's a very, very important thing
for a lot of people to understand.
(14:32):
Make sense?
And I think some people don't realize how
this is magical.
Number two, lead by example through giving.
Years ago, during a tech event, I was
organizing, one of the volunteers was overwhelmed with
(14:54):
a tech hiccup.
Instead of delegating, I rolled up my sleeves,
I don't have any on today, and worked
side by side until we solved the challenge,
which didn't take very long at all.
I didn't do it to impress anyone.
I just didn't want them to feel alone.
But the feedback after the event was amazing.
People said they felt more united because they
saw leadership and action coming from a head
(15:17):
CEO.
Giving your time, energy, and care, especially when
you don't have to, teaches more than any
speech ever could or would.
That's how people learn generosity.
It isn't about who's above or below them.
It's a daily practice of showing up with
heart.
I think that's a very, very important thing
(15:38):
that I hope everyone will really understand.
I mean, I hope that's something they'll understand.
And I'm hoping that that means something to
you guys, that you can actually appreciate that.
(15:59):
Number three, celebrate small and large contributions.
When I launched my first podcast, which by
the way was called The Jay Moore Tech
Talk Show, that's my first podcast.
But this one kind of took off more
than Jay Moore Tech Talk.
But I still do that one too.
This one has like 175,000 and that
one has like, I think like 15,000
now.
The first few reviews were from close friends
(16:22):
and early listeners.
Instead of glossing over them, I took time
during each episode to thank specific people by
name.
And I think that was important.
One of the listeners told me months later
that hearing her name gave her the confidence
to pursue her own creative goals.
It reminded me that impact doesn't come from
giant crowds.
It comes from individual connections.
When you celebrate both the giants and the
(16:44):
quiet contributors, you feel a moment and a
movement.
Every act matters.
Every voice counts.
But sometimes people don't do that.
They just move from A to B.
Why?
I don't know.
(17:12):
Does that make sense, everybody?
And I'm hoping that that means something, right?
We can't underestimate everything.
Make generosity part of your culture.
One of the proudest moments at my company
was when a junior team member started a
coffee kindness board where teammates could anonymously treat
each other to a coffee as a surprise.
(17:34):
No one was told to do it.
It just became part of our DNA.
That's what happens when generosity is woven into
the fabric of your culture.
People don't need permission to be kind.
They look for opportunities to uplift others.
The results, better morale, more collaboration, and people
who actually want to show up each day.
(17:57):
And that might sound like something that's very
wacky or very weird.
But I'm here to tell you that when
you show up for people, it really, really,
really, really matters.
And I think that's an important piece, is
that it matters.
And so sometimes people get stuck because things
aren't going the way they want.
But I'm here to tell you that when
(18:17):
you approach things with kindness and the truth,
that's what matters.
All right.
Number five, give without expectation of return.
There was a time when I helped a
fellow entrepreneur redesign their entire website.
I didn't charge a penny.
I didn't expect anything in return.
(18:38):
Two years later, I got a call out
of the blue from someone who said, my
friend said you once helped them without asking
for a thing.
I want to work with someone like that.
That free act led to a long-term
client and even more referrals.
The lesson is when you give without an
agenda, people feel it.
And the universe has a funny way of
bringing that goodness back around, often when you
(19:00):
least expect it.
And I think too many times people in
the world are trying to do a tit
for tat.
They're trying to get something exactly for what
they're doing.
And I know that sounds interesting, but it's
important to recognize it.
Number six, show gratitude for every act of
giving.
There's a local business that I worked with
for years.
Every holiday season, they would send me a
(19:22):
handwritten thank you card.
Not flashy, just heartfelt.
It always struck me how few people took
the time to say thank you without a
prompt and to do it with a handwritten
card.
It wasn't any kind of, you know, gimmick.
It was a true card.
You know, some people do that.
They pay to have it look like a
hand signature, but it really wasn't a hand
signature.
This one was.
That inspired me to start writing thank you
(19:43):
emails and notes more often.
Even for things like a simple referral or
a thoughtful comment.
Gratitude multiplies generosity.
When people feel appreciated, they're more likely to
keep giving.
And gratitude, once felt, becomes a chain reaction
of connection.
And I think that's a very, very important
thing.
I mean, a very, very important thing.
(20:03):
And if it's an important thing, then hopefully
it means something to you.
I mean, I'm hoping.
But sometimes people just do something for the
wrong reasons.
And the fact is, you know, they have
to get something a certain way.
But they don't necessarily know why they want
that.
And that might sound like something that you're
(20:25):
interested in.
But then when you get your feed and
it's like, oh, I didn't want to do
that.
I love this one, guys.
Pay it forward.
Pay it forward.
That's pretty cool, guys.
(20:48):
Once after one of my workshops, a participant
emailed me to say they bought coffee for
the person behind them in line.
Because of a story I told during the
session, that one gesture sparked a small conversation
between strangers who never had met before.
They later discovered they had mutual friends and
(21:09):
ended up collaborating on a project.
One tiny act inspired by one moment became
a web of impact.
That's the ripple effect.
When we model generosity and share the stories
behind it, we light a fire in others.
A single spark can ignite a forest of
change.
But I think sometimes people are afraid to
make the change.
(21:31):
I think that can be something that scares
some people.
I think so.
Does that make sense, guys?
(21:56):
I think sometimes people expect something because of
a perception that they were given.
But then when it comes time to actually
respond, they don't.
(22:19):
Somebody expects something.
And so if you do something with the
intent that someone else is going to respond,
just don't do it.
Like, don't be generous with someone if you
think the only reason you're doing it is
so you get a response.
(22:43):
Does that make sense?
I know a lot of you hear different
things.
But I know sometimes you hear something and
(23:03):
then you want to respond, but then yet
you don't.
The reason you don't is because you're afraid
of some perception that you got.
I mean, that's the truth, guys.
You're afraid of a perception.
So if you're doing something for the reason
that you're going to get something back, like,
hey, I'm going to help you tomorrow because
I know you're going to help me.
So I help you in pure faith because
(23:26):
I know you want to help me, right?
It's like a natural thing.
But I don't expect it.
I hope you will if I need something.
But I don't have like a, well, John,
I need help with this.
Sure, no problem.
So then later on, I go, you know,
if I need help, I'll ask.
But there's some people I help, like, oh,
as soon as I've asked for help, they
(23:47):
immediately have to go find something that they
can get paid back from BARDA right away.
So that's not necessarily right.
And those kind of people I don't tend
to be friends with very well.
The BARDA arrangement tends to end very soon.
And that's pretty much what happens.
I can just be very, very honest with
you.
(24:07):
I mean, that I can tell you right
now.
Does that make sense?
And so
(24:33):
when we think about that, we have to
ask ourselves, are we doing something to help
somebody?
Or are we doing something to get something
back?
There was a guest that I was interviewing
for one of our shows in six months
from now.
And he said, John, he says, I really
(24:54):
like your show.
And I said, well, thank you.
I appreciate that.
He said, no, he says, you know, you're
not someone who has 10 million viewers.
And I said, yeah.
He said, you don't try to sell anything
on your show.
I said, that's right.
I said, I just offer value.
He says, I like that about you.
And the people that I teach say that
you're a good mentor, that you're great to
follow.
I said, well, thank you again.
(25:15):
And so regardless of whether he comes on
the show or not, I'm very grateful for
what he said to me.
And I think sometimes we help people for
the reason that we want to get something.
So if you're helping somebody for the reason
to get something, well, then don't help them,
right?
You get a gut instinct if this is
somebody you're going to connect with, right?
(25:36):
Chances are you don't just help somebody unless
you get to know them.
I mean, if it's a stranger and you're
helping them, fine.
But if it's somebody in, let's say, your
world, it could be at work, could be
at school.
And you have this gut that you want
to help this person, right?
Usually there's a little bit of chemistry there,
(25:56):
whether it's platonic or non-platonic, that's fine.
But you have this gut that it's going
to work out.
I think that's probably the most important thing
I can say to you.
And if you have that gut, then I
know it's going to make sense.
I know it's going to make sense.
And that's something that a lot of people
don't understand.
(26:31):
Hopefully that makes sense to you.
I know you're probably saying to me, John,
this doesn't make a lot of sense.
(26:52):
And I know you're saying you're doing something
to help somebody, which is great, believe me.
But if you're doing something like, hey, I
want to go do this.
But then in the back of your mind,
like, the only reason I'm doing this is
I'm hoping they're going to do something.
It's nice to have a hope, but don't
expect that, okay?
Because you're going to be disappointed.
And in a world, guys, where so much
(27:15):
focus is placed on getting ahead, real legacy
is built on giving back.
If you embrace and model generosity, not occasionally,
but consistently, you'll create a ripple that transcends
your life and touches other in extraordinary ways.
And this extraordinary set of ways is how
you can actually get to where you want
(27:37):
to be, all right?
And the reason I say that is because
just as someone once said, help enough people
get what they want and eventually you'll get
what you want.
It's the law of reciprocity.
But everyone's always like, well, no, I helped
you with this.
I gave you 10 minutes and I got
to get 10 minutes back.
(27:58):
Like, don't help somebody.
I'm not saying to spend hours with them,
but be a judge, right?
And do something for the greater good of
others.
I mean, there's one thing if somebody takes
advantage of you and you know what that
is, right?
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I'm John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
You can check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more
of my amazing, inspiring creations.
(28:19):
Honor your generosity and give because you want
to from your heart, not because you're expecting
something in return.
Take care, everyone.
Be well.
(28:42):
Bye.
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