Mr. Achievement – Stanley F. Bronstein – Personal Development BlogPersonal Development Blog of the Founder of the Achievement IQ Movement and Creator of the Laws of Positioning

Law #84

Position Yourself To Be A Returner

Many times a day I realize how much my own life is built upon the labors of my fellowmen, and how earnestly I must exert myself in order to give in return as much as I have received. (Albert Einstein)

Some Definitions

Many Times – Again and again; frequently. Over and over. Often.

Day – A particular time or period. Period of life or activity. A time considered as propitious or opportune.

Realize – To grasp or understand clearly. To comprehend completely or correctly.

How Much – A measure of a great quantity, or degree. A great, important, or notable thing or matter.

Own – Of, pertaining to, or belonging to oneself or itself.

Life – A corresponding state, existence, or principle of existence conceived of as belonging to the soul. The general or universal condition of human existence.

Built Upon – Constructed. Established. Increased or strengthened. Molded, formed or created. Based, as in a foundation.

Labors – Physical or mental exertion, especially when difficult or exhausting; work. To strive painstakingly.

Fellowmen – Another member of the human race, esp. a kindred human being.

Earnestly – Showing depth and sincerity of feeling. Serious in intention, purpose, or effort; sincerely zealous. Seriously important; demanding or receiving serious attention.

Must – To be under the necessity to; need to. To be compelled to in order to fulfill some need or achieve an aim.

Exert – To put forth or into use, as power; exercise, as ability or influence; put into vigorous action. To bring to bear; exercise.

Order – So that; to the end that. As a means to; with the purpose of.

Give – To present voluntarily and without expecting compensation; bestow. To cause; be responsible for.

Return – To send or give back in reciprocation, recompense, or requital. To give in response. To give in reply.

As Much – The same quantity or amount. To the same degree. To the same extent.

Receive(d) – To have (something) bestowed, conferred, etc.. To have delivered or brought to one.

Source: Dictionary.com

What Is Returning?

I did not really become familiar with the concept of “RETURNING” until I had the good fortune to meet my dear friend, Charlie Tremendous Jones in late 2007.

During my interview / conversation I mentioned the phrase “giving back” several times. Charlie kept correcting me and said, “you are returning”.

At first I wonder what the difference was. The difference is this:

Giving back is giving in direct response to something you’ve already received. Someone gives you a handout, you pay them back.

Returning is giving back as a response to other things people have given you. I know it’s a fine distinction, but trust me, there is a difference.

The difference is this. Giving back is something you do because you feel like you owe it to someone. Returning is a privilege. Being able to return a portion of what I have already received is a truly “tremendous” joy.

I’m not sure if everyone’s going to understand the distinction I’m making here and I’m not totally sure I’ve done a good job of it, but I am trying.

But there is a distinction. That’s why there is NOT a law about giving, but there is a law about returning.

Here’s the best definition I can come up with: Returning is like giving, but it’s giving “on steroids”. It’s ultra-giving. It’s extra-giving. It’s beyond-giving.

It’s what giving is all about.

Why Should We Return?

It’s real simple.  The universe is a funny place.  The wiser I get, the more I realize “she” has a sense of humor.  Our initial instincts are that if we give something away, we are diminished as a result.

Turns out it doesn’t work that way.

There’s a concept known as “velocity” that is usually associated with money, not time and favors.  However, the velocity theory is based upon the concept that taking an act, results in multiple people taking multiple acts.  In other words.  I can give away something, and 3, 4, 5, 10 more people might ultimate receive that and give it away.  So when I give one thing, 5 or 10 things might result.

That’s why returning is so beautiful.  If you don’t wait for someone to give to you.  If you simple “give” knowing that you are turning someone else’s favor, stuff starts to happen earlier.

HERE’S A PERFECT EXAMPLE.  I OFTEN GIVE AWAY LEGAL REFERRAL FOR BUSINESS THAT IS OUTSIDE MY AREA OF EXPERTISE.  I OFTEN DO NOT GET BACK ANY REFERRALS IN RETURN.  SHOULD I STOP GIVING THEM?

No, no, no.

The very act of me giving them, IN ADVANCE, is returning in response to many of the favors that have previously been paid to me.

Stuff happens, and it happens all over the place.

All it takes is for us to get over the hurdle of worrying whether or not someone is going to give us something in return !!!.

Returning Is Better Than Giving

That’s where returning is better.  Returning is “giving, without the hangups”.  Giving, with no expectation of return.  If I give you something, it doesn’t matter whether you give me something back.  You know why?  Because if you don’t give me something back, the universe will send something else my way.

In other words, returning takes the pressure off the recipient.  If I give you something, you owe me nothing.  You don’t have to give me anything back.  However, if you have the opportunity to give something to someone else to make their life better, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO SO.

That’s the difference between returning and giving.

That’s what my friend Charlie “Tremendous” Jones was trying to teach me and it’s the concept I’ve taken to heart.

Thank you Charlie.

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