We’re all busy, for better or worse. I’m not here to assign blame. I just want to discuss an issue that’s been on my heart lately. Running a business is exciting more often than not. It’s an awesome responsibility to feel and seemingly *be* in control of your future … It’s empowering. It’s also time-consuming. It’s really easy to let business and the busy-ness consume my heart and mind if I’m not intentional.
Obviously, you don’t have to be a business owner to understand this. We’re all busy.
Compassion, I’m Too Busy for You …
I just love what I do. I can say that everyday I love the majority of what I do. There are tasks that aren’t my favorite of course. But most of the time, what I do is enjoyable and fulfilling. I’m always thinking up ways to be be better for our clients, my team and for myself.
With all these focuses and with all the time spent on each, I’ve noticed something that I’ve been putting off. You see, in college, I was really active in my church and regularly volunteered my time by leading musically, leading youth groups, volunteering for disaster relief and giving time to local charities. Somehow along the way things have shifted. I still give but it’s moved from time to monetary giving.
While I definitely think that’s worthwhile and I’m not going to stop giving in that way, I do think that expressing compassion in the form of service should also be a priority. It’s different. Both are needed and both require commitment, sacrifice and discipline.
We’re Busy. We’re Bosses.
We’re busy. We’re all busy. This fact will remain and we will always have things to do and devote our time to. Compassion is a choice. Service is a sacrifice. Both require time, intention and investment. I can easily think of two really great examples of women who are both successful entrepreneurs and committed to making the world better through intentional service and compassion: Heather Whaling and Jess Ostroff.
Each of these ladies are dear to me for a variety of reasons but particularly for their commitment to serve and give. They prioritize compassion individually and within their teams. It’s truly inspirational.
Heather is very involved locally with The Women’s Fund and she and her team, at Geben Communication, regularly devote time in their workday to serve nonprofits. They make serving women-centric causes a priority. I was especially impressed when I saw their team support the #notbuyingit campaign during the Super Bowl last year. I was also invited to attend a CHOICES luncheon in October that gave me insight into the issue of domestic violence in Central Ohio. (And, Heather was super amazing to introduce me to DOMA … more to come on that later!)
Jess decided to start something pretty cool last year. She began giving 5% of client retainers to charity. Her clients can even help select the charity that receives the donation. Jess also volunteers her time, despite being incredibly busy growing her team (Don’t Panic Mgmt) and balancing client needs, and she doesn’t toot her own horn about it. I have been inspired by Jess’ compassion more than once.
Compassion is Calling.
Now, how about you? Are you already devoting a portion of your time to service and causes that align with the compassion in your heart? Or, are you like me and it’s time to shake off the dust and pick a cause and give your time intentionally? Either way, I wish you an abundance of compassion and discipline to make the time to give. The rewards and possibilities are endless.
What charity or cause really pulls your heart strings? Let me know in the comments below!
