"Are You A Giver, Or A Taker?"

by Jonathan 2.0 Banned
53 replies
My personal opinion is that the people who go furthest in life (and in business) are those who are true “Givers”. They're happy to give¾and keep on giving¾even if they don't get anything back in return.

When you become a “Giver” amazing things start to happen:

Suddenly you shift your mindset from just making money to providing tremendous value to your customers which, actually, is the best way to make a fortune.

As ZigZiglar once said:

“You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” “Give and you shall receive,” as they say.

Something else to remember is that being a “Giver” will also make you happier in life. Why? because you know you're doing something (or many things) to improve people's lives. And for me that's probably the greatest reward. : )
#“are #giver #taker”
  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    I'd say I'm more of a giver than a taker.

    & I agree, its definitely a great feeling to know that you were able to change someone's life for the better.
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    • Profile picture of the author stevenfabian
      Originally Posted by Whos That Guru View Post

      I'd say I'm more of a giver than a taker.

      & I agree, its definitely a great feeling to know that you were able to change someone's life for the better.
      Unfortunately, that's a very rare feature in today's world, both online and offline. But imagine what a great world it would be if everyone was like that...
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      No agenda here...
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  • Profile picture of the author SEOLee
    I love giving my clients more business by ranking on Google and other search engines. That does make me happy. But I have to profit on it and make it worth my while. It is a complicated question. I give exactly what people want and I take what I want for it.

    It makes both parties happy though.

    I am a giver and a taker.

    I have tryed to do alot of free stuff for people but no one appreciates it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    [DELETED]
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
      Well I suppose it's all about your “values.”

      I don't mind keeping giving to people (even if most of them don't appreciate it) because it's an important thing for me.

      If just 1 person out of 100 get something from what I share it then I’d consider it a good job.
      Signature
      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

        Well I suppose it's all about your "values."

        I don't mind keeping giving to people (even if most of them don't appreciate it) because it's an important thing for me.

        If just 1 person out of 100 get something from what I share it then I'd consider it a good job.
        Sorry that may be slightly "miscalibrated" as Whos That Guru deleted his post.
        Signature
        "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author accendo
    I believe it should be a balance of both. Take the to learn and take from those who have the skill set you want to learn and then remember to share (give) that information to those who come after you.


    We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give ~ Winston Churchill
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  • Profile picture of the author NicoRoth
    Both, but I think there are two types of givers, one, who give because they like to give, second, those who give, but expect things in return. It is important to be the first.
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Over all in life I am a giver, but at times, I am a taker as well.

      I would hate to refuse a gift and rob a person of the blessings they receive by giving.

      So sometimes I take even if I really don't want to.

      Terra
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      • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
        Banned
        I've read a lot of your posts, and you seem like a definite "Giver" to me TerraK. : )
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        "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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        • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
          Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

          I've read a lot of your posts, and you seem like a definite "Giver" to me TerraK. : )
          Aww, Jonathan,

          What a sweet compliment! I think I'll "take" it!

          Terra
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          • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
            Banned
            Lol. Welcome. : )
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            "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author blackbelt
        Great answer! Yep I'm a giver, with that said I do like to receive, makes me want to give more.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert Michael
    Yea, turns out he didnt try to give me a virus.

    lol it was just a false positive i guess.
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  • Profile picture of the author Simon Ashari
    Any successful business is by definition a 'giver'.

    People will only purchase what you have if they get more value than the monetary value they paid out.

    Happy giving everyone.
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    • Profile picture of the author evco8
      Originally Posted by Simon Ashari View Post

      Any successful business is by definition a 'giver'.

      People will only purchase what you have if they get more value than the monetary value they paid out.

      Happy giving everyone.
      Im in agreement with you there. In the Science of Getting Rich Wallace D. Wattles says that if you give more value than what is paid for you will get rich.

      In that respect Im more of a giver than a taker.

      Im pretty sure that's perceived value though.
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  • Profile picture of the author wakins4u
    I believe everyone's both a giver AND a taker...

    e.g you're 'taking' the leverage of the warrior forum to 'give' a cool thread such as this.

    I'm both
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  • Profile picture of the author kinsleywill
    nice thought from you wakins4u
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  • Profile picture of the author MaryKathan
    check out the book "The Go-Giver". You will like it
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    • Profile picture of the author Musti
      ofcourse im a giver
      i will never take
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
      Originally Posted by MaryKathan View Post

      check out the book "The Go-Giver". You will like it
      I've been meaning to read that book. : ) Thanks for the reminder.
      Signature
      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        All takers come to light during the festive period.

        There's was an aptly named thread over Xmas here on the WF, named "What do you want for recieve for Xmas" or something similar.

        For many it spoke volumes.


        Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author Mary Wilhite
    Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

    My personal opinion is that the people who go furthest in life (and in business) are those who are true "Givers". They're happy to give¾and keep on giving¾even if they don't get anything back in return.

    When you become a "Giver" amazing things start to happen:

    Suddenly you shift your mindset from just making money to providing tremendous value to your customers which, actually, is the best way to make a fortune.

    As ZigZiglar once said:

    "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want." "Give and you shall receive," as they say.

    Something else to remember is that being a "Giver" will also make you happier in life. Why? because you know you're doing something (or many things) to improve people's lives. And for me that's probably the greatest reward. : )
    ================

    I can humbly say that am a "giver" I believe that one must be willing to share whatever little things they have whether its a material or knowledge to share....

    Cheers!

    Mary
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  • Profile picture of the author Ppammo
    I have always been a giver and have enjoyed every minute....
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  • Profile picture of the author art72
    Napoleon Hill; "Always give more than that for which you are paid." (*Paraphrasing)

    While I have always interpreted that to mean "give more than you receive" in both business and socially... but, as Jonathan points outs; I have done this for many, many years and find: it's seldom the recipients show much appreciation, and instead seemingly 'expect' more (*if not everything) for nothing.

    At times, I wish it were in my nature to be the ruthless 'taker' for if so, I'd probably be retired by now...lol.
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    • Profile picture of the author Eddie Spangler
      Originally Posted by art72 View Post

      Napoleon Hill; "Always give more than that for which you are paid." (*Paraphrasing)

      While I have always interpreted that to mean "give more than you receive" in both business and socially... but, as Jonathan points outs; I have done this for many, many years and find: it's seldom the recipients show much appreciation, and instead seemingly 'expect' more (*if not everything) for nothing.

      At times, I wish it were in my nature to be the ruthless 'taker' for if so, I'd probably be retired by now...lol.

      I can relate to this happening over and over in my life and NOW when I get those feeling some of the things I ask myself are :

      Have I been giving too much to the wrong people?

      Am I giving for the NEED to feel appreciated or just giving because thats what I want to do? Im arguing that true giving must be done without expectation of return and the need to be appreciated IS an expectation, and therefore screws the whole thing up, which can lead to disappointment and bitterness towards humanity.

      Okay, but then how do you reconcile when you give without expectation and then get burnt or taken advantage of in the process, back to the no good deed goes unpunished thing.

      Even still, Im riding with the universe and will continue to focus on giving if for no other reason than it makes me happier
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  • Profile picture of the author Arroway
    I try to give as much as I can, and believe helping people and being genuine about it leads to greatness - both as a person and in business.
    I'm passionate about philanthropy, and the more money I make, the more I can give. That's how it's always going to be in my case.

    Allen
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  • Profile picture of the author hireava
    I'm more of a giver. I don't mind if they give back in return as long as I'm happy and fulfilled sharing something to others. It feels really amazing knowing that the people to whom you've shared something to are grateful for what you have given them.
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  • Profile picture of the author lopezanita
    great topic....
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  • Profile picture of the author Natalie Hill
    Jonathan what a great question to ask us!

    It’s very interesting being a blogger in comparison to all the jobs I’ve had. In all my previous jobs, the money that I earned was a direct result of the time that I put in.

    But as a blogger, I’ve put in hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours upfront giving and giving and giving before ever even figuring out a way to ask for anything in return.

    So it has changed my perspective on the whole “get paid a certain number of dollars for a specific number of hours worked” and I actually really like it. I enjoy it very much.

    Just this Sunday, I put out a blog post called Sunday Inspiration and I put an inspirational video in it and broadcast it out to my list. The first comment that I got on it was a guy saying “Aren’t you just trying to make a buck here?”

    What resulted was a conversation among a few folks and me about whether it was okay to make money. It was humorous to me because there was no request for money anywhere on the page that I posted.

    But I like the way my readers came to my support in saying that it was okay to make money and I’ve also gotten a few private emails about that too.
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  • Profile picture of the author automedix1
    Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

    My personal opinion is that the people who go furthest in life (and in business) are those who are true “Givers”. They're happy to give¾and keep on giving¾even if they don't get anything back in return.

    When you become a “Giver” amazing things start to happen:

    Suddenly you shift your mindset from just making money to providing tremendous value to your customers which, actually, is the best way to make a fortune.
    In order to be giver - to me a person has to be kind and generous. Some people will give you the shirt off their back. Others not.
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  • Profile picture of the author marc7
    Great reminder...and I love the quote you stated form Mr. Zig Ziglar...

    Give and you will receive. And to make that process even more powerful, do not expect anything in return when you do give.

    It is a law of life. Money flows, knowledge flows, things flow through us. It is a cycle and when you in that cycle that is when BIG things happen!
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    Marc Bell Marketing.com | Branding. Selling. Networking
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  • Profile picture of the author heronakamura
    Banned
    I think i should learn to be a giver, thanks man..
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  • Profile picture of the author sidenote
    Give and Take. Is like Ying and Yang. Good or Bad. You cannot have one without the other. Imagine if we were all givers, who would be left to take. Giving or taking is not good or bad, right or wrong, it is just a part of life. Its funny, we all start out as takers. As infants, we are totally dependent, yet many of us do evolve into something more because we have learned to do better.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jonathan 2.0
      Banned
      Some good points.

      For our purposes you're either a “Giver” or a “Taker.” Most people will know immediately if they're a “Giver” as demonstrated by people in this thread who replied: “I'm definitely a Giver.” “Always have been.” Etc.

      A “Taker” is a person that takes and takes and doesn't give anything back in return. We've all met people like that. They want to keep everything for themselves.
      Signature
      "Each problem has hidden in it an opportunity so powerful that it literally dwarfs the problem. The greatest success stories were created by people who recognized a problem and turned it into an opportunity."―Joseph Sugarman
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  • Profile picture of the author richim1
    Give more...Give more...Give more...
    (affirmation)
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  • Profile picture of the author mrelk159
    The title made me laugh, but in all serious I am a giver.
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  • Profile picture of the author PowToon
    Originally Posted by Jonathan 2.0 View Post

    Something else to remember is that being a "Giver" will also make you happier in life. Why? because you know you're doing something (or many things) to improve people's lives. And for me that's probably the greatest reward. : )

    There is an ancient saying says something like this (I am paraphrasing):
    If you hate someone - give them a gift - once you give them something of yourself, you will never be able to hate them quite as much...

    If this is the effect of giving something to an enemy, imagine the effect on giving something to someone you don't hate?!?!
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  • Profile picture of the author paul_1
    I'd like to be both...
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  • Profile picture of the author The Niche Man
    I'm both.
    • I give more that is expected.
    • I take opportunities and I take what I've earned.
    That allows me to give more.

    It's what's known as a balanced circle.
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  • giver always.. not getting chance to take or receive.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaolinsteve
    I guess it depends on what it's about. In most cases I give, but there are times when I take lol.
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  • Profile picture of the author CBusiness
    I'm a Giver / majority, bottom line.

    I give the orders. I give the options. I dont 'take' plans, I make them.
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  • Profile picture of the author gentryliving
    I am a giver and i don't expect anything from what i gave. It makes me happy when i give especially to those who need it.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sam Khaled
    2 be a giver , i feel it someway of happiness to see what you seed and how it grow. the best thing of giving it double your happiness when you share it with others.
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  • Profile picture of the author NXmarketeer
    my belief is to take 10 and give back 20, but when they take from you 10 then you also have to take back 20... I think as with everything in life there is not only black-white, or giver-taker... the shades of grey are everywhere and you have to adapt in the situation.

    just follow 1 rule. do what you want others to do to you and you ll be fine
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  • Profile picture of the author leorocking25
    I think everyone is a giver and taker...life goes on this two concept.
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  • Profile picture of the author ekabsn87
    I'd like to be both giver and taker. But I think the giver proportion should be bigger than our taker proportion.
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  • Profile picture of the author JJP
    All I have to give is my time. I think when you give and don't expect anything in return that it just makes the times you do get something back that much nicer.
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  • both.. its a give and take action.. both have different feeling but with mutual feeling ..
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  • Profile picture of the author datingworld
    When you become a "Giver" amazing things start to happen:

    Suddenly you shift your mindset from just making money to providing tremendous value to your customers which, actually, is the best way to make a fortune.
    very well said.
    I think it is important to be a giver because it the value you provide to your takers will result in lots of business for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author lincolndesigns
    I think its important to find the balance between giving and taking. I feel like I have found my balance and it definitely leans towards me being more of a giver. What, you've said is very true, amazing things start happening once you become a giver.
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  • Profile picture of the author jw22777
    It is much more of a blessing to give than to take!
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