Go the Distance

You are swamped with your work, trying to meet an impossible deadline, when the phone rings.  "Ya, what  now." is the nicest thing that you can utter to the caller in addition to a sigh signaling your level of impatience.  The voice on the other end of the line lightly asks, "Is there any way you could spare a few minutes to help me with a situation I can't seem to get myself out of?"

Before biting the poor soul's head off for disrupting your work, put yourself in their shoes for a moment.  They are in the depths of a world of stress, confusion, panic and fear of failure....and who did they call?  YOU.  This should tell you 1 of 2 things... either your reputation has spread as one who has true skill OR you're the sucker who everyone knows will take on their extra work (a.k.a. office peon).  In hopes that you are the first of the two persons mentioned, your response to the call should be "Ya, I have 5 minutes to help, I'll be right there."

Why help?  Here is why...

1) If you know what information is needed then you will not only be helping that person, but you will be helping in your company's success and speeding up your own opportunities for advancement.  Believe it or not, executives ARE watching to see who is a team player in their organization and to whom their team members go to in crisis.  In most cases, this will result in a bigger paycheck for you and more opportunities down the line in developing your skill set.

2) When you do something for others, you will personally feel fulfilled if you have done it with true selfless intention.  I have never known someone to do a good deed and not feel some joy from doing that deed.  In addition and in most cases, those whom you have helped will be eager to help you when you need a hand in the future.

3) If you are religious minded, you can know that for those who do good for others, there is reward from that 'higher power' to a much greater degree than that measly bit of help you did for your fellow man. Just like when you invest $1 in a mutual fund, you get a return of value more than you invested.  In terms of good deeds, if you invest 5 minutes of time in helping another person (or animal) then you could earn 5,000 years in the pleasure palace of heaven (or whatever palace you prefer).  Pretty good return on investment, isn't it?

IN SUMMARY....If someone asks for your help, or you see them in need of it, then spare that 5/10 minutes of your hectic life to invest in your future.  You will, at the very least, feel good about your efforts and at most get an eventual raise at work or a reservation in the heavenly abode.

One does evil enough when one does nothing good.  ~German Proverb