June 23, 2025 • 28 mins
Welcome to another energizing episode of Inspirations for Your Life. I’m your host, John C. Morley, and today we’re tapping into a powerful principle that can transform not only your professional world but your personal relationships, your community, and your character. The topic? Serve Before You’re Asked. In a world that often waits for permission, the people who take initiative and act without being prompted stand out. These are the people who become trusted leaders, dependable friends, and change-makers. This episode is all about unlocking that mindset—how serving early and often can open doors, deepen respect, and elevate your impact in every area of life. Let’s dive in. 1️⃣ Take initiative—don’t wait to be asked 🚀
The most respected and reliable individuals are the ones who don’t wait for someone to tap them on the shoulder. They see something that needs doing—and they do it. Taking initiative sends a strong message: “I care, I’m capable, and I’m ready.” Whether it’s refilling the printer paper, offering help to a coworker, or stepping up in a group project, initiative is a signal of leadership. It's one of the fastest ways to build trust and influence. 2️⃣ True service is proactive, not reactive 🎯
Reactive people only move when they’re forced to. Proactive people? They plan ahead, stay alert, and solve problems before they grow. That’s the power of proactive service. It’s the difference between fixing a mistake and preventing it altogether. By identifying needs early, you not only ease pressure for others—you become the person they rely on before the chaos begins. That kind of presence makes a lasting impression. 3️⃣ Great leaders serve before being asked 🧭
Think of the most impactful people you know. Chances are, they don’t wait around for instruction—they lead by example. Great leaders are doers. They anticipate what needs to happen and take action without a push. Whether you're managing a team or just managing yourself, serving before you're asked demonstrates vision, responsibility, and confidence. It’s how movements start and momentum builds. 4️⃣ Serving early shows emotional intelligence 🧠
Being aware of what needs to be done—before someone asks—is a mark of emotional intelligence. It shows empathy, awareness, and the ability to read the room. When you serve early, you're signaling that you’re present and paying attention. This isn’t just helpful—it’s magnetic. People are drawn to those who care enough to notice the small things, and smart enough to act on them. 5️⃣ Look for needs others overlook 🔎
Opportunities to serve are everywhere—but most people miss them. The key is learning to observe what’s missing or broken that no one is talking about. Maybe it’s a broken process, a neglected teammate, or an inefficient habit. When you spot and address those overlooked areas, you become indispensable. It’s not about doing flashy things—it’s about solving quiet problems. 6️⃣ Serving without recognition honors your character 💎
Doing something helpful when no one is watching? That’s character. While praise is nice, real service doesn’t require an audience. When you consistently step in without expectation of thanks, you build a reputation of trust and reliability. And here’s the secret: the people who serve without needing credit often end up earning the most respect in the long run. 7️⃣ A servant's mindset stays alert 🛎️
Having a mindset of service means you’re always tuned in—not just when it’s convenient. It means staying aware of your surroundings, noticing when someone’s overwhelmed, or when a small gesture could make a big difference. Being alert to needs allows you to be ready—not rushed. It turns you into someone people know they can count on, even in high-pressure moments. 8️⃣ Advance your environment through quiet action 🔧
You don’t have to make noise to make progress. Quiet, consistent service—especially when unprompted—builds momentum and morale. Whethe
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:19):
Good morning, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
I know it's a little bit bright and
early for some of you guys.
It's just a minute or so before 830.
Today is, yes, it's the first day of
the week.
It's Monday, and it's June 23rd.
And happy Monday, everyone, 2025.
Great to be with all of you.
If you are new here to Inspirations Real
(00:41):
Life, I want to extend a warm welcome
to you.
First time visiting us.
If you're coming back, well, of course, welcome
back.
And after the show, definitely do check out
BelieveMeAchieved.com from Where Am I Amazing, of
course, inspiring creations that are guaranteed to propel
you forward in a positive direction.
All right, guys, our master topic for the
week is multiply meaning, not effort.
(01:03):
And the granular topic for today, in case
you were wondering, is a real doozy, serve
before you're asked.
Series four, show 26, episode number three.
Hey guys, if you are hungry or thirsty,
I don't want you to be famished while
watching the show.
Feel free to get yourself something delicious.
Maybe it's just some RO water.
(01:24):
Maybe it's another beverage.
Maybe it's a coffee or a tea or
a latte.
Or maybe you just want a snack or
something.
Maybe it's healthy.
Maybe it's sweet.
Maybe it's tart or not.
That's totally up to you.
Go ahead and do that.
And come on back, because I've got so
much to share with you today.
So welcome, everyone, to another amazing, energizing episode
(01:44):
of Inspirations For Your Life.
I am your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast host, coach, video producer,
and many other things.
And today, I'm tapping into a powerful principle
that can transform not only your professional world,
but your professional relationships as well, your community,
(02:04):
and your character.
The topic is serve before you're asked.
In a world that often waits for permission,
the people who take initiative and act without
being prompted stand out in our world.
These are the people who become trusted leaders,
dependable friends, and change makers.
(02:27):
This episode is all about unlocking that mindset,
how serving early and often can open doors
that you didn't think were even possible, deepen
respect, and elevate your impact in everyday areas
of life.
So let's dive in together, all right?
Number one, let's take initiative.
Don't wait to be asked.
(02:48):
That is number one.
The most respected and reliable individuals are the
ones who don't wait for someone to tap
them on the shoulder.
They see something that needs doing.
They just go and do it.
Taking initiative sends a strong message.
I care.
I'm capable.
I'm ready.
I'm listening.
Whether it's refilling the printer paper, offering help
(03:11):
to a coworker, or stepping up in a
group project, initiative is a signal of leadership.
It's one of the fastest ways to build
trust and influence.
Number two, true service is proactive, not reactive.
So reactive people only move when they're forced
(03:32):
to move.
Proactive people, on the other hand, well, they
plan ahead.
They stay alert, and they solve problems before
they actually grow.
That's the power of proactive service.
It's the difference between fixing a mistake and
preventing it altogether, right?
By identifying needs early, you're not only going
to ease pressures for others and you, but
(03:53):
you become the person they rely on before
the chaos actually breaks out or begins, right?
That kind of presence makes a lasting impression
for others, and also for you, because again,
you're the change maker.
Number three, guys, great leaders serve before being
asked.
(04:13):
I love this one.
Think of most impactful people you know.
Chances are they don't wait around for instruction.
They lead by example.
Great leaders are doers.
They anticipate what needs to happen and take
action without a push.
Whether you're managing a team or just managing
yourself, serving before you're asked demonstrates vision, responsibility,
(04:38):
and confidence.
It's how movements start and momentum builds.
Number four, serving early shows emotional intelligence.
We've talked about this a little bit in
the past.
Being aware of what needs to be done
before someone asks is a mark of emotional
intelligence.
(04:59):
It shows empathy, awareness, and the ability to
read the room.
When you serve early, you're signaling that you're
present and paying attention.
This isn't just helpful.
It's magnetic.
People are drawn to those who care enough
to notice the small things and are smart
(05:21):
enough to act on them.
I said recently to a prospective chamber member,
I run a 501c3 in Franklin Lakes.
I said to the person, we're not about
getting hundreds of cards and hundreds of people.
He said to me, well, I need a
little bit of both.
That told me in one breath that although
(05:42):
he appreciates it, he's still looking to do
the numbers game.
That's not what I like.
I like to connect with people in a
way that's full of integrity.
Number five, look for needs others overlook.
Opportunities to serve are everywhere, but most people
(06:03):
miss them.
The key is learning to observe what missing
is around you or broken that no one
is talking about.
Maybe it's a broken process, a machine, or
a broken personality, a neglected teammate or inefficient
habit.
When you spot and address those overlooked areas,
(06:25):
you become indispensable.
It's not about doing flashy things.
It's about solving quiet problems.
Serving without recognition honors your character.
I've said this before, guys.
Your character defines who you are.
It's not a question of whether we're going
to get good cards, bad cards, or challenging
(06:45):
cards.
It's a question of how we choose to
react that shows and defines our character and
determines whether people want to be around us
or not.
Doing something helpful when no one is watching,
this is really key.
That's character.
While praise is nice and real service doesn't
(07:05):
require an audience, when you consistently step in
without expectation of thanks, you build a reputation
of trust and reliability.
Here's the secret, guys.
You ready?
The people who serve without needing credit often
end up earning the most respect in the
long run.
Try something tomorrow.
I know you're doing something and I know
you want credit.
Forget about the credit.
(07:26):
Just do it just because, all right?
I think you're going to feel better and
you might wind up even getting credit for
it.
A servant's mindset stays alert.
Having a mindset of service means you're always
tuned in, dialed into the challenge, not just
when it's convenient for you, but all the
time.
It means staying aware of your surrounding, noticing
(07:49):
when someone's overwhelmed or when a gesture could
make a big difference.
Being alert to needs allows you to be
ready, not rushed.
It turns you into someone people know they
can count on, right?
Even in high-pressure moments.
I've mentioned this many times before, right?
If I said to you, people that choose
(08:10):
to be accountable before their boss tells them,
they deserve the rates, not the other people.
Number eight, advance your environment through quiet action.
I know so many people that want to
blow a trumpet or play a horn or
bang a drum because they want to get
attention.
(08:30):
Hey, it's me.
It's me.
It's me.
It's me.
I want attention.
Well, you've already got your attention, right?
Advance your environment through quiet action.
You might have heard the phrase, walk softly
with a big stick.
You don't have to make noise to make
progress, guys.
Quiet, consistent service, especially when unprompted, builds momentum
and morale.
(08:51):
Whether it's a family, a team, or a
community environment, they'll thrive when people act without
needing to be told.
I know this sounds like something hard to
grasp, but I'm telling you guys, this is
something that will change your life.
That quiet action improves culture.
It encourages others and keeps progress moving.
(09:12):
It's the fuel behind any successful system or
team.
Number nine, don't wait for perfect conditions to
serve.
There will never be a perfect time, folks,
a perfect setup, or a perfect reason to
serve.
Waiting for the stars to align only leads
to missed opportunities.
Instead, act with what you have, where you
are.
People remember the person who stepped in despite
(09:34):
the mess, not the one who waited for
clarity.
The power is in moving first and figuring
it out along the way.
Remember, people remember the person who stepped in
despite the mess.
This reminds me of the fact that people
all want to strike when the iron is
(09:57):
hot, but the true successful person strikes to
get the iron hot.
A lot of people say, you know what,
I've got to wait till my ship sails
in.
Well, if your ship doesn't sail in, go
swim out and get it, right?
Take action in your life.
Create a culture of anticipation and action.
When you lead by serving before being asked,
(10:18):
others take notice and follow suit.
Over time, that creates a culture where people
take ownership, anticipate needs, and operate with true
pride.
Whether you're in a workplace, a school, or
a family, this mindset spreads.
It turns passive observers into active contributors.
(10:39):
That's when real transformation begins, guys.
That's the key, but I know a lot
of you're saying, well, you know, John, I
don't know where to start.
Well, you got to start somewhere.
I've said before, done is better than perfect,
and you can always make something better, remember?
Well, here's the part of the program that
I really love.
So, I'm going to give you basically a
(11:01):
personal story or lesson for each point today,
and I'm hoping that this will anchor in
the concepts that I'm sharing with.
Sorry if I'm a little bit, you might
be able to see that I'm kind of
sweating a little bit.
So, we haven't built our new studio yet.
I'm in a temporary place, and the air
(11:24):
conditioning here is, let's say, I don't know,
it's here.
I feel it on my legs, but it's
like with my hat on everything, it doesn't
seem like it really works enough.
I don't know.
At home, I keep it really cool.
Here, because it's a temporary space, I don't
have a lot of control.
I put requests in the management asking to
please fix it.
You can see I'm sweating.
(11:44):
If those of you are watching this, I
am sweating.
Not used to being in what I call
mediocre air conditioning.
Sorry if you're seeing me here and I
look a little bit like I've run a
million miles.
It's not that I ran a million miles.
It's that basically I am hot right here.
(12:05):
So, I'm hoping that you guys can understand
that sometimes when we think about life, we
think about what's going on, we get stuck
in actually the moment, right?
We get stuck in that moment, and that
moment sometimes, guys, I feel can help us,
(12:29):
but other times I feel it can hurt
us.
So, if something's going on in your life
and you don't like it, don't cry that
it's a lemon.
Figure out how you can turn it into
lemonade.
I think that's a big key, guys.
That is a huge, huge key.
And so, I'm hoping that you'll decide to
(12:56):
take action, not just when it's convenient, but
all the time.
Being proactive, right, means a lot in life.
I mean, it means that you're ahead of
the curve.
You're predicting something before it's going to happen.
And what that means is, you're ready for
(13:17):
it.
You are ready for it right now.
And I think that's something that a lot
of people get, I'll say, tied with.
They get wrapped up in all the details
and they don't really know where they should
be going or what they should be doing.
All they know is that they're confused, they're
(13:39):
lost.
And, you know, I got to tell you
something, starting and running many businesses, it's okay
to be lost.
It's okay to be confused.
All right.
What it's not okay to do is to
just stop because you are confused.
Maybe you need help to talk to somebody,
a coach, or maybe you need to find
a different way to do something, but it's
(14:01):
not okay to give up.
It's okay to be confused.
It's okay to ask questions.
It's okay to figure out things a different
way.
It's okay to take a break.
I didn't say quit.
I said, it's okay to take a break.
And then guys, you know, come back.
So let's just start in right with my
first point, which I think you guys hopefully
will appreciate.
And that's number one, take initiative.
(14:22):
Don't wait to be asked.
Back when I started one of my first
tech ventures, an office printer kept jamming and
nobody seemed to know how to fix it.
I wasn't asked, but I rolled up my
sleeves being the owner of the company and
I checked the manual and I caught it
working in no time flat.
I even create a quick reference sheet and
taped it beside the machine.
(14:44):
It seemed like a small act, but it
changed how people saw me.
I wasn't just the tech guy or the
CEO who owned the company.
I was someone who solved problems before they
snowballed and caused big challenges like customer service
or sales, not being able to print.
The moment taught me that initiative creates leadership.
People began coming to me for solutions.
(15:06):
And I realized I didn't need a title
to lead.
I just needed to care enough to take
action, whether it was in business or everyday
life, stepping up without being asked opens unexpected
doors and earns you quiet, but powerful influence.
Number two, guys, true service is proactive, not
(15:28):
reactive.
During a community cleanup I was part of,
I helped coordinate some things and I noticed
we always ran out of supplies halfway through
the project.
The next time I proactively create a backup
stash, extra gloves, garbage bags, and even snacks.
No one asked me to, but when we
hit the usual supply wall, everyone was relieved
(15:50):
we could continue.
The effort went largely unnoticed until the event
wrapped up and one volunteer said, wow, that
backup plan really saved us, John.
Great thinking.
You see that moment made the difference of
being proactive.
It's often invisible, but incredibly impactful.
You're not just reacting to fires.
(16:11):
You're installing the sprinklers before the sparks even
ignite.
The people who serve this way are the
ones who others depend on when it counts
and that reliability inevitably turns into long-term
trust.
You'll find people will gravitate towards you when
(16:33):
you're doing things for the right reason and
you're not trying to get recognized.
Number three, great leaders serve before being asked.
One of my most formative leadership moments happened
at a local nonprofit.
We had a new volunteer event and the
coordinator was being overwhelmed with tasks.
(16:55):
Without being assigned, I stepped in to help
manage the check-in process.
I printed out name tags, created a sign
-in flow, and welcomed attendees.
Later, the coordinator told me that Small Act
kept the whole event from derailing and kept
everyone on track with their sanity.
It was an amazing event.
That experience stuck with me for life.
(17:16):
Great leaders don't lead from the sidelines.
They get in the game before the whistle
even blows.
The best way to build influence isn't through
commanding, but through committed service that inspires others
to follow.
It's not where you come out and say,
hey, I got this ego and want it
done this way.
No, that's not a leader.
That's a powerhouse.
That's a dictator.
A leader is somebody who sees the challenge
(17:38):
before it becomes a big problem and takes
steps to either act themselves or get other
people to act in a way so that
that challenge gets mitigated and crushed immediately.
Number four, guys, serving early shows emotional intelligence.
Big word, I know.
A few years ago, I noticed a team
member acting unusually quiet during a group meeting.
(17:59):
No one said anything, but I sensed something
was a little off.
After the meeting, I checked him privately with
the individual, and it turned out he was
dealing with a personal crisis but didn't want
to burden the team.
That short conversation that I had chosen to
have with him helped him feel seen and
led him to asking for time off he
(18:19):
desperately needed.
That moment taught me that emotional intelligence isn't
about grand gestures.
It's about paying attention.
Serving early shows that you're not just present
physically but emotionally attuned to people and the
situations around you.
It creates connection, bonds, loyalty, and safety, something
(18:41):
every team of community needs.
Why don't you start trying that out?
I think you'll notice a great big difference.
Number five, look for needs others overlook.
While consulting for a small business, I noticed
the front desk had no script or structure
for their greeting customers.
It wasn't anyone's fault.
It just slipped through the cracks.
(19:01):
I wrote a short, friendly script, trained the
staff, and within a week, customer satisfaction soared.
The business owner was surprised something so basic
could have such an effect.
The truth is, the biggest difference makers are
often the smallest fixes.
Most people wait for major issues to act,
but when you train your eye to spot
(19:23):
the quiet inefficiencies or forgotten pain points, like
the telephone ringing here, you become a valued
asset.
That kind of attention to detail sets you
apart.
When we build our studio, we're going to
build soundproof so that we don't have that.
Again, we are growing, as you guys know,
and sometimes there are some challenging pains.
Number six, serving without recognition honors your character.
(19:47):
Years ago, I used to clean up the
shared kitchen space in an office.
I freelanced at, and no one saw me
do it, and I never brought it up.
One day, a senior executive noticed it casually
and mentioned how nice it always looked.
A few months later, when they needed someone
for a more visible role, they called me.
You do the little things that matter, and
they said, serving without recognition is the planting
(20:10):
of seeds.
You don't do it for the applause, but
one day, it grows into something meaningful and
powerful.
People recognize integrity, even when it's quiet, and
eventually, that quiet service turns into, well, a
loud roar of respect.
Number seven, a servant's mindset stays alert.
I remember volunteering at a charity gala and
(20:33):
watching the audiovisual guy struggle to fix a
last-minute microphone issue.
Being a video producer and being in production
for a long time, most people were busy
mingling, but I noticed, because I've done this
before and jumped in to help, pulling the
cables, running checks, and calming the event host
that it was just a minor connection issue.
(20:53):
Everything went smoothly, and after the event, the
organizer said, you were everywhere tonight.
Didn't boast that I was a video production
expert.
Didn't boast that I had audio skills.
Just jumped in and did what I had
to.
You see, it's not about ringing our own
bell, because I know that makes us feel
good, but what does it really do for
us?
You're going to get your bell rung when
(21:15):
people feel your value.
Nobody cares what you know until they know
you care.
Having a servant's mindset means you're never tuned
out.
You're always observing, not to judge, but to
assist.
That kind of readiness isn't just helpful.
It's heroic in the eyes of those who
benefit from it.
(21:36):
It builds confidence in your presence.
I remember being part of a networking group.
It was actually a virtual group online, and
they had this whole concept of serving, which
sounded great, and they had lots of people,
but I was serving, and I wasn't getting
anything back.
Now, I don't tell you to serve forever
and not get anything, so there's a point
where you have to realize it's about giving,
but I just say you're not going to
be looking for something.
(22:02):
You're going to be looking for something.
When people know that you care, they'll venture
to want to know what you know and
maybe choose to make you an advisor of
theirs.
Number eight, advance your environment through quiet action.
In one of my mastermind groups, the meeting
often went off topic.
Without making a fuss, I started crafting a
(22:24):
clear agenda and circulating them before each session.
The structure changed everything.
Conversations became focused.
Goals got clearer, and progress accelerated.
Eventually, the group asked me to lead the
planning permanently.
This is the power of quiet action.
You don't need a megaphone, just consistency, care,
(22:45):
and commitment.
Quiet action shows maturity and respect for the
mission.
When done right, that is, it elevates everyone
and creates a ripple of excellence that everybody
wants to celebrate.
Number nine, don't wait for perfect conditions to
serve.
They're never going to exist.
During Hurricane Sandy, power was out across a
(23:06):
large area in New Jersey.
I had a backup generator and invited neighbors
over to change their information or charge their
phones and get warm.
We didn't have a ton of food at
the time, but we made do.
People were so grateful and bonded our neighborhood
in a way that no block party ever
could.
(23:26):
If I had waited for a perfect setup,
those moments would have never happened.
My neighbors that I fostered years ago now
are lifelong friends.
I pick up the phone, and they never
ask how they can help.
They just say, we'll help.
Serving doesn't require perfection, guys.
It just requires heart and motion.
(23:48):
How many people do you know that you
can actually go up and say, hey, I
need help, and they say, when can I
help?
They don't ask what you need.
They just say, when do you need me?
I don't know too many.
Step up in the middle of the storm,
and you'll find your imperfect effort can become
someone else's lifeline, and they may become yours
someday.
Number 10, create a culture of anticipation and
(24:09):
action.
In one of my companies, I made a
habit of recognizing people who serve before being
asked.
Over time, I saw the shift.
Team members began taking initiative, spotting problems early,
and jumping in with solutions.
We didn't just get more done.
We became a place where excellence was expected
and celebrated.
(24:30):
I don't know about you, but when you
can work for a company that appreciates who
you are, doesn't discriminate for race, religion, orientation,
creed, color, and reveres you for the person
you are, not just doesn't discriminate, but reveres
you for who you are and for the
skills you have, I don't know about you,
but I think that's pretty powerful.
See, that's the real reward of this principle.
(24:51):
When you live it out every day in
your life, others will begin to follow you.
At first, there might be just one or
none, and when enough people in a group
embrace the anticipation and the action that you
take, it creates this tidal wave, powerful culture,
where growth, ownership, and positivity, they thrive.
(25:16):
You see, that's how transformation becomes tradition.
There's two ways to do it.
One is you spend a lot of money
and you try to brainwash people.
That's not a good way.
A lot of public companies do that, and
people think that they're actually on board with
them because they've built this facade.
They've paid people to get others to think
they're on their line, but why do that?
(25:39):
That's just so false.
That's so phony.
One of my guests who was applying to
be on my show in about six months
said to me, John, I like your show.
You don't have 10 million people, and I
said, yet, but you do something a lot
of people don't do.
You're all about integrity.
You're all about heart.
That's right.
I said, you can like me, you can
(25:59):
love me, you can hate me, and I'm
going to keep producing my podcast and keep
producing my content.
Being a video producer and journalist for a
long time and then being an authorized and
certified journalist and videographer eight years with the
national press is something I take to heart,
something that means when I share a story,
(26:20):
it's not about me.
It's about the story.
If people want to come back and say,
John, that was really amazing, great, but I
did it because I want to transform this
knowledge or transform this experience into other people
so that can be part of their world.
(26:42):
Everyone I talk to today says, oh, John,
I don't have time for that.
Or people say, gee, I'm not getting paid
for that.
Wouldn't it be nice that if you're at
the office and somebody says, oh, gee, I'll
be happy to do that.
Well, that's not part of my job.
I'm not saying you have to do it
every day.
I'm saying when you do these things, you
create a culture.
(27:02):
And then, hey, the boss might say, you
know what?
You were there an extra four hours.
We're going to give you a bonus this
year.
See, that's how it works, guys.
And people that are pound wise and penny
foolish will never, ever get this because they're
trying to cash in on every penny, on
(27:23):
every dollar, on every tit for tat, right?
They think that every second of their time
has to be accounted for.
A good amount of them do.
But it's okay to give a little bit
because when we give and people see that
our intentions are with integrity, guess what?
They want to give too.
And they want to be part of not
only your culture, but part of your world,
(27:45):
part of your community, whether that's volunteer, whether
that's your company.
That's important.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you do not know
who I am by now, well, I'm John
C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
It is always such a big privilege, pleasure
and honor to be with you here on
Inspirations for Your Life Daily and also Jay
Moore Tech Talk and all the other many
content shows in short and long that I
produce.
(28:05):
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'll catch you real soon.
Have a great one.
And remember, serve before you ask.
It might just lead you to success a
lot faster than you anticipated.
Have a great one, everyone.
(28:45):
Bye.
Good morning, everyone.
It is John C.
Morley here, serial entrepreneur.
I know it's a little bit bright and
early for some of you guys.
It's just a minute or so before 830.
Today is, yes, it's the first day of
the week.
It's Monday, and it's June 23rd.
And happy Monday, everyone, 2025.
Great to be with all of you.
If you are new here to Inspirations Real
(00:41):
Life, I want to extend a warm welcome
to you.
First time visiting us.
If you're coming back, well, of course, welcome
back.
And after the show, definitely do check out
BelieveMeAchieved.com from Where Am I Amazing, of
course, inspiring creations that are guaranteed to propel
you forward in a positive direction.
All right, guys, our master topic for the
week is multiply meaning, not effort.
(01:03):
And the granular topic for today, in case
you were wondering, is a real doozy, serve
before you're asked.
Series four, show 26, episode number three.
Hey guys, if you are hungry or thirsty,
I don't want you to be famished while
watching the show.
Feel free to get yourself something delicious.
Maybe it's just some RO water.
(01:24):
Maybe it's another beverage.
Maybe it's a coffee or a tea or
a latte.
Or maybe you just want a snack or
something.
Maybe it's healthy.
Maybe it's sweet.
Maybe it's tart or not.
That's totally up to you.
Go ahead and do that.
And come on back, because I've got so
much to share with you today.
So welcome, everyone, to another amazing, energizing episode
(01:44):
of Inspirations For Your Life.
I am your host, John C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur, podcast host, coach, video producer,
and many other things.
And today, I'm tapping into a powerful principle
that can transform not only your professional world,
but your professional relationships as well, your community,
(02:04):
and your character.
The topic is serve before you're asked.
In a world that often waits for permission,
the people who take initiative and act without
being prompted stand out in our world.
These are the people who become trusted leaders,
dependable friends, and change makers.
(02:27):
This episode is all about unlocking that mindset,
how serving early and often can open doors
that you didn't think were even possible, deepen
respect, and elevate your impact in everyday areas
of life.
So let's dive in together, all right?
Number one, let's take initiative.
Don't wait to be asked.
(02:48):
That is number one.
The most respected and reliable individuals are the
ones who don't wait for someone to tap
them on the shoulder.
They see something that needs doing.
They just go and do it.
Taking initiative sends a strong message.
I care.
I'm capable.
I'm ready.
I'm listening.
Whether it's refilling the printer paper, offering help
(03:11):
to a coworker, or stepping up in a
group project, initiative is a signal of leadership.
It's one of the fastest ways to build
trust and influence.
Number two, true service is proactive, not reactive.
So reactive people only move when they're forced
(03:32):
to move.
Proactive people, on the other hand, well, they
plan ahead.
They stay alert, and they solve problems before
they actually grow.
That's the power of proactive service.
It's the difference between fixing a mistake and
preventing it altogether, right?
By identifying needs early, you're not only going
to ease pressures for others and you, but
(03:53):
you become the person they rely on before
the chaos actually breaks out or begins, right?
That kind of presence makes a lasting impression
for others, and also for you, because again,
you're the change maker.
Number three, guys, great leaders serve before being
asked.
(04:13):
I love this one.
Think of most impactful people you know.
Chances are they don't wait around for instruction.
They lead by example.
Great leaders are doers.
They anticipate what needs to happen and take
action without a push.
Whether you're managing a team or just managing
yourself, serving before you're asked demonstrates vision, responsibility,
(04:38):
and confidence.
It's how movements start and momentum builds.
Number four, serving early shows emotional intelligence.
We've talked about this a little bit in
the past.
Being aware of what needs to be done
before someone asks is a mark of emotional
intelligence.
(04:59):
It shows empathy, awareness, and the ability to
read the room.
When you serve early, you're signaling that you're
present and paying attention.
This isn't just helpful.
It's magnetic.
People are drawn to those who care enough
to notice the small things and are smart
(05:21):
enough to act on them.
I said recently to a prospective chamber member,
I run a 501c3 in Franklin Lakes.
I said to the person, we're not about
getting hundreds of cards and hundreds of people.
He said to me, well, I need a
little bit of both.
That told me in one breath that although
(05:42):
he appreciates it, he's still looking to do
the numbers game.
That's not what I like.
I like to connect with people in a
way that's full of integrity.
Number five, look for needs others overlook.
Opportunities to serve are everywhere, but most people
(06:03):
miss them.
The key is learning to observe what missing
is around you or broken that no one
is talking about.
Maybe it's a broken process, a machine, or
a broken personality, a neglected teammate or inefficient
habit.
When you spot and address those overlooked areas,
(06:25):
you become indispensable.
It's not about doing flashy things.
It's about solving quiet problems.
Serving without recognition honors your character.
I've said this before, guys.
Your character defines who you are.
It's not a question of whether we're going
to get good cards, bad cards, or challenging
(06:45):
cards.
It's a question of how we choose to
react that shows and defines our character and
determines whether people want to be around us
or not.
Doing something helpful when no one is watching,
this is really key.
That's character.
While praise is nice and real service doesn't
(07:05):
require an audience, when you consistently step in
without expectation of thanks, you build a reputation
of trust and reliability.
Here's the secret, guys.
You ready?
The people who serve without needing credit often
end up earning the most respect in the
long run.
Try something tomorrow.
I know you're doing something and I know
you want credit.
Forget about the credit.
(07:26):
Just do it just because, all right?
I think you're going to feel better and
you might wind up even getting credit for
it.
A servant's mindset stays alert.
Having a mindset of service means you're always
tuned in, dialed into the challenge, not just
when it's convenient for you, but all the
time.
It means staying aware of your surrounding, noticing
(07:49):
when someone's overwhelmed or when a gesture could
make a big difference.
Being alert to needs allows you to be
ready, not rushed.
It turns you into someone people know they
can count on, right?
Even in high-pressure moments.
I've mentioned this many times before, right?
If I said to you, people that choose
(08:10):
to be accountable before their boss tells them,
they deserve the rates, not the other people.
Number eight, advance your environment through quiet action.
I know so many people that want to
blow a trumpet or play a horn or
bang a drum because they want to get
attention.
(08:30):
Hey, it's me.
It's me.
It's me.
It's me.
I want attention.
Well, you've already got your attention, right?
Advance your environment through quiet action.
You might have heard the phrase, walk softly
with a big stick.
You don't have to make noise to make
progress, guys.
Quiet, consistent service, especially when unprompted, builds momentum
and morale.
(08:51):
Whether it's a family, a team, or a
community environment, they'll thrive when people act without
needing to be told.
I know this sounds like something hard to
grasp, but I'm telling you guys, this is
something that will change your life.
That quiet action improves culture.
It encourages others and keeps progress moving.
(09:12):
It's the fuel behind any successful system or
team.
Number nine, don't wait for perfect conditions to
serve.
There will never be a perfect time, folks,
a perfect setup, or a perfect reason to
serve.
Waiting for the stars to align only leads
to missed opportunities.
Instead, act with what you have, where you
are.
People remember the person who stepped in despite
(09:34):
the mess, not the one who waited for
clarity.
The power is in moving first and figuring
it out along the way.
Remember, people remember the person who stepped in
despite the mess.
This reminds me of the fact that people
all want to strike when the iron is
(09:57):
hot, but the true successful person strikes to
get the iron hot.
A lot of people say, you know what,
I've got to wait till my ship sails
in.
Well, if your ship doesn't sail in, go
swim out and get it, right?
Take action in your life.
Create a culture of anticipation and action.
When you lead by serving before being asked,
(10:18):
others take notice and follow suit.
Over time, that creates a culture where people
take ownership, anticipate needs, and operate with true
pride.
Whether you're in a workplace, a school, or
a family, this mindset spreads.
It turns passive observers into active contributors.
(10:39):
That's when real transformation begins, guys.
That's the key, but I know a lot
of you're saying, well, you know, John, I
don't know where to start.
Well, you got to start somewhere.
I've said before, done is better than perfect,
and you can always make something better, remember?
Well, here's the part of the program that
I really love.
So, I'm going to give you basically a
(11:01):
personal story or lesson for each point today,
and I'm hoping that this will anchor in
the concepts that I'm sharing with.
Sorry if I'm a little bit, you might
be able to see that I'm kind of
sweating a little bit.
So, we haven't built our new studio yet.
I'm in a temporary place, and the air
(11:24):
conditioning here is, let's say, I don't know,
it's here.
I feel it on my legs, but it's
like with my hat on everything, it doesn't
seem like it really works enough.
I don't know.
At home, I keep it really cool.
Here, because it's a temporary space, I don't
have a lot of control.
I put requests in the management asking to
please fix it.
You can see I'm sweating.
(11:44):
If those of you are watching this, I
am sweating.
Not used to being in what I call
mediocre air conditioning.
Sorry if you're seeing me here and I
look a little bit like I've run a
million miles.
It's not that I ran a million miles.
It's that basically I am hot right here.
(12:05):
So, I'm hoping that you guys can understand
that sometimes when we think about life, we
think about what's going on, we get stuck
in actually the moment, right?
We get stuck in that moment, and that
moment sometimes, guys, I feel can help us,
(12:29):
but other times I feel it can hurt
us.
So, if something's going on in your life
and you don't like it, don't cry that
it's a lemon.
Figure out how you can turn it into
lemonade.
I think that's a big key, guys.
That is a huge, huge key.
And so, I'm hoping that you'll decide to
(12:56):
take action, not just when it's convenient, but
all the time.
Being proactive, right, means a lot in life.
I mean, it means that you're ahead of
the curve.
You're predicting something before it's going to happen.
And what that means is, you're ready for
(13:17):
it.
You are ready for it right now.
And I think that's something that a lot
of people get, I'll say, tied with.
They get wrapped up in all the details
and they don't really know where they should
be going or what they should be doing.
All they know is that they're confused, they're
(13:39):
lost.
And, you know, I got to tell you
something, starting and running many businesses, it's okay
to be lost.
It's okay to be confused.
All right.
What it's not okay to do is to
just stop because you are confused.
Maybe you need help to talk to somebody,
a coach, or maybe you need to find
a different way to do something, but it's
(14:01):
not okay to give up.
It's okay to be confused.
It's okay to ask questions.
It's okay to figure out things a different
way.
It's okay to take a break.
I didn't say quit.
I said, it's okay to take a break.
And then guys, you know, come back.
So let's just start in right with my
first point, which I think you guys hopefully
will appreciate.
And that's number one, take initiative.
(14:22):
Don't wait to be asked.
Back when I started one of my first
tech ventures, an office printer kept jamming and
nobody seemed to know how to fix it.
I wasn't asked, but I rolled up my
sleeves being the owner of the company and
I checked the manual and I caught it
working in no time flat.
I even create a quick reference sheet and
taped it beside the machine.
(14:44):
It seemed like a small act, but it
changed how people saw me.
I wasn't just the tech guy or the
CEO who owned the company.
I was someone who solved problems before they
snowballed and caused big challenges like customer service
or sales, not being able to print.
The moment taught me that initiative creates leadership.
People began coming to me for solutions.
(15:06):
And I realized I didn't need a title
to lead.
I just needed to care enough to take
action, whether it was in business or everyday
life, stepping up without being asked opens unexpected
doors and earns you quiet, but powerful influence.
Number two, guys, true service is proactive, not
(15:28):
reactive.
During a community cleanup I was part of,
I helped coordinate some things and I noticed
we always ran out of supplies halfway through
the project.
The next time I proactively create a backup
stash, extra gloves, garbage bags, and even snacks.
No one asked me to, but when we
hit the usual supply wall, everyone was relieved
(15:50):
we could continue.
The effort went largely unnoticed until the event
wrapped up and one volunteer said, wow, that
backup plan really saved us, John.
Great thinking.
You see that moment made the difference of
being proactive.
It's often invisible, but incredibly impactful.
You're not just reacting to fires.
(16:11):
You're installing the sprinklers before the sparks even
ignite.
The people who serve this way are the
ones who others depend on when it counts
and that reliability inevitably turns into long-term
trust.
You'll find people will gravitate towards you when
(16:33):
you're doing things for the right reason and
you're not trying to get recognized.
Number three, great leaders serve before being asked.
One of my most formative leadership moments happened
at a local nonprofit.
We had a new volunteer event and the
coordinator was being overwhelmed with tasks.
(16:55):
Without being assigned, I stepped in to help
manage the check-in process.
I printed out name tags, created a sign
-in flow, and welcomed attendees.
Later, the coordinator told me that Small Act
kept the whole event from derailing and kept
everyone on track with their sanity.
It was an amazing event.
That experience stuck with me for life.
(17:16):
Great leaders don't lead from the sidelines.
They get in the game before the whistle
even blows.
The best way to build influence isn't through
commanding, but through committed service that inspires others
to follow.
It's not where you come out and say,
hey, I got this ego and want it
done this way.
No, that's not a leader.
That's a powerhouse.
That's a dictator.
A leader is somebody who sees the challenge
(17:38):
before it becomes a big problem and takes
steps to either act themselves or get other
people to act in a way so that
that challenge gets mitigated and crushed immediately.
Number four, guys, serving early shows emotional intelligence.
Big word, I know.
A few years ago, I noticed a team
member acting unusually quiet during a group meeting.
(17:59):
No one said anything, but I sensed something
was a little off.
After the meeting, I checked him privately with
the individual, and it turned out he was
dealing with a personal crisis but didn't want
to burden the team.
That short conversation that I had chosen to
have with him helped him feel seen and
led him to asking for time off he
(18:19):
desperately needed.
That moment taught me that emotional intelligence isn't
about grand gestures.
It's about paying attention.
Serving early shows that you're not just present
physically but emotionally attuned to people and the
situations around you.
It creates connection, bonds, loyalty, and safety, something
(18:41):
every team of community needs.
Why don't you start trying that out?
I think you'll notice a great big difference.
Number five, look for needs others overlook.
While consulting for a small business, I noticed
the front desk had no script or structure
for their greeting customers.
It wasn't anyone's fault.
It just slipped through the cracks.
(19:01):
I wrote a short, friendly script, trained the
staff, and within a week, customer satisfaction soared.
The business owner was surprised something so basic
could have such an effect.
The truth is, the biggest difference makers are
often the smallest fixes.
Most people wait for major issues to act,
but when you train your eye to spot
(19:23):
the quiet inefficiencies or forgotten pain points, like
the telephone ringing here, you become a valued
asset.
That kind of attention to detail sets you
apart.
When we build our studio, we're going to
build soundproof so that we don't have that.
Again, we are growing, as you guys know,
and sometimes there are some challenging pains.
Number six, serving without recognition honors your character.
(19:47):
Years ago, I used to clean up the
shared kitchen space in an office.
I freelanced at, and no one saw me
do it, and I never brought it up.
One day, a senior executive noticed it casually
and mentioned how nice it always looked.
A few months later, when they needed someone
for a more visible role, they called me.
You do the little things that matter, and
they said, serving without recognition is the planting
(20:10):
of seeds.
You don't do it for the applause, but
one day, it grows into something meaningful and
powerful.
People recognize integrity, even when it's quiet, and
eventually, that quiet service turns into, well, a
loud roar of respect.
Number seven, a servant's mindset stays alert.
I remember volunteering at a charity gala and
(20:33):
watching the audiovisual guy struggle to fix a
last-minute microphone issue.
Being a video producer and being in production
for a long time, most people were busy
mingling, but I noticed, because I've done this
before and jumped in to help, pulling the
cables, running checks, and calming the event host
that it was just a minor connection issue.
(20:53):
Everything went smoothly, and after the event, the
organizer said, you were everywhere tonight.
Didn't boast that I was a video production
expert.
Didn't boast that I had audio skills.
Just jumped in and did what I had
to.
You see, it's not about ringing our own
bell, because I know that makes us feel
good, but what does it really do for
us?
You're going to get your bell rung when
(21:15):
people feel your value.
Nobody cares what you know until they know
you care.
Having a servant's mindset means you're never tuned
out.
You're always observing, not to judge, but to
assist.
That kind of readiness isn't just helpful.
It's heroic in the eyes of those who
benefit from it.
(21:36):
It builds confidence in your presence.
I remember being part of a networking group.
It was actually a virtual group online, and
they had this whole concept of serving, which
sounded great, and they had lots of people,
but I was serving, and I wasn't getting
anything back.
Now, I don't tell you to serve forever
and not get anything, so there's a point
where you have to realize it's about giving,
but I just say you're not going to
be looking for something.
(22:02):
You're going to be looking for something.
When people know that you care, they'll venture
to want to know what you know and
maybe choose to make you an advisor of
theirs.
Number eight, advance your environment through quiet action.
In one of my mastermind groups, the meeting
often went off topic.
Without making a fuss, I started crafting a
(22:24):
clear agenda and circulating them before each session.
The structure changed everything.
Conversations became focused.
Goals got clearer, and progress accelerated.
Eventually, the group asked me to lead the
planning permanently.
This is the power of quiet action.
You don't need a megaphone, just consistency, care,
(22:45):
and commitment.
Quiet action shows maturity and respect for the
mission.
When done right, that is, it elevates everyone
and creates a ripple of excellence that everybody
wants to celebrate.
Number nine, don't wait for perfect conditions to
serve.
They're never going to exist.
During Hurricane Sandy, power was out across a
(23:06):
large area in New Jersey.
I had a backup generator and invited neighbors
over to change their information or charge their
phones and get warm.
We didn't have a ton of food at
the time, but we made do.
People were so grateful and bonded our neighborhood
in a way that no block party ever
could.
(23:26):
If I had waited for a perfect setup,
those moments would have never happened.
My neighbors that I fostered years ago now
are lifelong friends.
I pick up the phone, and they never
ask how they can help.
They just say, we'll help.
Serving doesn't require perfection, guys.
It just requires heart and motion.
(23:48):
How many people do you know that you
can actually go up and say, hey, I
need help, and they say, when can I
help?
They don't ask what you need.
They just say, when do you need me?
I don't know too many.
Step up in the middle of the storm,
and you'll find your imperfect effort can become
someone else's lifeline, and they may become yours
someday.
Number 10, create a culture of anticipation and
(24:09):
action.
In one of my companies, I made a
habit of recognizing people who serve before being
asked.
Over time, I saw the shift.
Team members began taking initiative, spotting problems early,
and jumping in with solutions.
We didn't just get more done.
We became a place where excellence was expected
and celebrated.
(24:30):
I don't know about you, but when you
can work for a company that appreciates who
you are, doesn't discriminate for race, religion, orientation,
creed, color, and reveres you for the person
you are, not just doesn't discriminate, but reveres
you for who you are and for the
skills you have, I don't know about you,
but I think that's pretty powerful.
See, that's the real reward of this principle.
(24:51):
When you live it out every day in
your life, others will begin to follow you.
At first, there might be just one or
none, and when enough people in a group
embrace the anticipation and the action that you
take, it creates this tidal wave, powerful culture,
where growth, ownership, and positivity, they thrive.
(25:16):
You see, that's how transformation becomes tradition.
There's two ways to do it.
One is you spend a lot of money
and you try to brainwash people.
That's not a good way.
A lot of public companies do that, and
people think that they're actually on board with
them because they've built this facade.
They've paid people to get others to think
they're on their line, but why do that?
(25:39):
That's just so false.
That's so phony.
One of my guests who was applying to
be on my show in about six months
said to me, John, I like your show.
You don't have 10 million people, and I
said, yet, but you do something a lot
of people don't do.
You're all about integrity.
You're all about heart.
That's right.
I said, you can like me, you can
(25:59):
love me, you can hate me, and I'm
going to keep producing my podcast and keep
producing my content.
Being a video producer and journalist for a
long time and then being an authorized and
certified journalist and videographer eight years with the
national press is something I take to heart,
something that means when I share a story,
(26:20):
it's not about me.
It's about the story.
If people want to come back and say,
John, that was really amazing, great, but I
did it because I want to transform this
knowledge or transform this experience into other people
so that can be part of their world.
(26:42):
Everyone I talk to today says, oh, John,
I don't have time for that.
Or people say, gee, I'm not getting paid
for that.
Wouldn't it be nice that if you're at
the office and somebody says, oh, gee, I'll
be happy to do that.
Well, that's not part of my job.
I'm not saying you have to do it
every day.
I'm saying when you do these things, you
create a culture.
(27:02):
And then, hey, the boss might say, you
know what?
You were there an extra four hours.
We're going to give you a bonus this
year.
See, that's how it works, guys.
And people that are pound wise and penny
foolish will never, ever get this because they're
trying to cash in on every penny, on
(27:23):
every dollar, on every tit for tat, right?
They think that every second of their time
has to be accounted for.
A good amount of them do.
But it's okay to give a little bit
because when we give and people see that
our intentions are with integrity, guess what?
They want to give too.
And they want to be part of not
only your culture, but part of your world,
(27:45):
part of your community, whether that's volunteer, whether
that's your company.
That's important.
Ladies and gentlemen, if you do not know
who I am by now, well, I'm John
C.
Morley, serial entrepreneur.
It is always such a big privilege, pleasure
and honor to be with you here on
Inspirations for Your Life Daily and also Jay
Moore Tech Talk and all the other many
content shows in short and long that I
produce.
(28:05):
Do check out BelieveMeAchieve.com for more of
my amazing, inspiring creations.
Ladies and gentlemen, I'll catch you real soon.
Have a great one.
And remember, serve before you ask.
It might just lead you to success a
lot faster than you anticipated.
Have a great one, everyone.
(28:45):
Bye.
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If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com