As a heart-centered leader and business owner, learning how to provide service without servitude is essential.
Service is a fundamental human value and one of our 2 main purposes during our lifetime – the other being personal growth and evolution.
If you prefer a video format, I covered this topic here in “Service vs. Servitude – Tips for Heart-Centered Leaders.”
Many of us are driven by a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of others; and if you found this website, I’m guessing that’s you as well! But as heart-centered leaders, there’s a thin line we need to maintain between serving and making a difference in the world… and feeling entrapped in servitude.
Hence, understanding the difference and being able to protect yourself through personal boundaries is a critical component in your personal, business and career growth and success!
Service vs. Servitude: Knowing the Difference
- Being of service starts from the heart. It’s an act performed out of genuine desire and passion to help. It can be seen and felt when you are giving value, bringing about change, and illuminating lives.
- Servitude, on the other hand, feels compelled. It’s characterized by feelings of being trapped, leading to resentment and dissatisfaction.
Service without Servitude: Empowering Tips
& More Ways for Heart-Centered Leaders to Serve
Your service and positive impact can extend far beyond how you show up daily for your customers or clients. Here’s some ideas to spark your creativity!
- Value Your Value: Firstly, understand your worth. If you undervalue your services, others may too, preventing them from fully benefiting and eventually leading to you feeling resentful.
- Embrace the Law of Reciprocity: Open yourself to receiving as much as you give. Also, the energy flow should be in both directions to maintain balance.
- Visibility Matters: Don’t be the best kept secret. Sharing your value proposition and the benefits of your products/services is vital for your success.
- Consider a For-Purpose Business Model: Businesses like Tom McCann’s shoes exemplify this. They make a profit while also dedicating a portion of their profits (in the form of shoes) to those in need.
- Direct Charitable Contributions: Monetary donations to charities are a direct way of serving those in need.
- Volunteer: Engaging in hands-on volunteering can provide a firsthand experience of the impact of your efforts.
- Allocate Scholarships or Discounts: Lastly, consider setting aside a specific number of services/products at a discounted rate or even free for those genuinely in need.
Conclusion
Overall, being a heart-centered leader doesn’t mean you should feel obligated or entrapped. It means you operate from a place of genuine love and service, while ensuring that your personal and business needs are met.
Remember to take note and maintain your boundaries carefully, maintaining the line between service and servitude!
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