ASK A BUSY PERSON

I attended three different functions this past week; the leadership of the events were all community and successful business leaders. I also noticed that about a third of those present also attended the other two events.

Charitable events are a great place to volunteer. Over the past few years I have encouraged small business owners to get active in a charity that they believe in. The reason for belonging is not to get business, but to “give back”. It’s like your vision; a vision should not be about money but to help you fulfill your passion.

“I don’t have the time” or ”it’s out of my financial league” are the two most common excuses I hear. Elbow grease support is critical to the success of any civic or charitable organization. There is a special kind of satisfaction knowing that you are helping others. Just like your vision, if you follow your passion, the rest of your needs will be fulfilled.

The title of my blog is “Ask a busy person”. The leadership of these charitable events were not all big executives with hundreds of employees. Many were solopreneurs or firms with one or two employees. They are all busy running and growing their businesses.

From a business perspective supporters of charitable events become friends while working towards a common cause. If you work hard and give of your time, you will be noticed by others. Attendance at these events is different than participating in a networking session. Business cards are not passed out and the time to visit and share stories is greatly increased.

Managing your time in the world of business is what will determine your long term success. Volunteering provides instant gratification because it fulfills your need to help others. The business relationships take longer to establish, but they become entrenched, and the support you received will last a lifetime.

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Tips & Advice by Nick Petra, CFP – Founder of Strategic Duck and BizQuack