Follow my logic for a second.

You are 1 person, the other person makes 2, and if you provide value to them, that becomes 3. The 3 is not a physical person but more of a synergy of creative output that benefits all included.

I was stuck on a difficulty a few days back. I couldn’t solve the challenge on my own and felt helpless. Anycase I told my wife of my dilemma, and she had a great solution. So great and effortless that I couldn’t believe I didn’t see it myself.

No matter what I did — Sleeping on it, Separating the problem into bite-sized parts, working on a timeline, nothing worked.

My dilemma brought to life the true meaning of the expression “You can’t see the forest from the trees,” a phrase used to describe someone who is too involved in the details of a problem to look at the situation as a whole.

My wife solved my problem with her valuable insight. Out of that problem came creative energy that was birth — hence 3. (See, I told you I am not crazy, the math does add up).

I believe if you work on providing value to others, that benefit you bring becomes whole. How many ideas came to life this way? How many discoveries and adventures made?

How many lives got saved by a stranger providing value with a single acknowledgment when someone was on their wit’s end?

Value can be anything under the sun as long as you are willing to be the light for someone in need.

By becoming the type of person that adds value and improves other people’s lives without expecting anything in return, you can ultimately shape how you see the world.

If you provide so much value — before long, creating value for others will become second nature.

I got inspired by my wife’s solution so much that I wrote “How did I provide value today?” on an index card in front of my computer.

So, How do I provide value?

I believe this is a question that is not a one solution fits all.

For me, providing value comes from developing my skills to the best of my abilities — writing, communication, connecting people, and helping others — both for-profit and non-profit.

For you, it might be something different entirely. It doesn’t have to be grand. It could be things like opening doors for strangers, helping the elderly, calling up friends you haven’t talked to in a while to check-in, and asking them about their lives, etc.

Think of ways to add value to people by literally asking yourself, “How will I intentionally add value to someone else’s life today?”

If you draw a blank, here are some examples of adding value to others’ lives;

1. Be there.
2. Offer a sincere solution.
3. Amuse them / make them laugh.
4. Offer to coach them or point them in the direction of a coach.
5. Support them in creating wealth or opportunities.
6. Enhance their dreams and give hope.
7. Be real and provide solutions — not everything is easy, but there is always a way to figure out an issue. sometimes you can see it yourself (Forrest from the trees)
8. Connect people together — provide introductions.
9. Create a fantastic experience in their lives.
10. Send a link that is specifically beneficial to others.
11. Just listen.
12. Create a product or service that will benefit others.
13. The list goes on…add your ideas here__________…

Adding value can become so interwoven into the fabric of your being that you begin and end your day thinking about how you added value to others.

Imagine how incredible that feels.

Being on the receiving end of getting value was terrific, so I have to pay it forward.

See, I told you 1+1 equals 3.

Let me know ways you add value to others.