The first mindset is what I call the getting mindset. This is the mindset of: how can I create a business that makes me money? How can I get more people to buy my product? How can I get more traffic to my website? How can I get more subscribers? How can I get more press?
The getting mindset is all about what I can get from others.
The second mindset is what I call the giving mindset. This mindset asks totally different questions: How can I make my customers happy? How can I help my customers? How can I introduce something that people will like? What can I over-deliver on?
The giving mindset is all about what I can give to people.
Of course, these two mindsets aren’t mutually exclusive. The trick is in balancing the two.
The funny thing is, the giving mindset is precisely the answer to the questions in the getting mindset, but it doesn’t work the other way around. Trying to make more money won’t necessarily make your customers happy, but making your customers happy will in all likelihood make you more money.
In that sense, I would make it an 80/20 split: 80% (or more) of your efforts should focus on giving, while 20% (or less) of your efforts should be focused on getting.
80% of your efforts should be focused on things like analyzing customer data, using their feedback to improve products and services, being open and willing to answer their questions, etc.
20% of your efforts should be focused on things like promoting your product, driving traffic to your site, creating buzz.
With this split, you can better decide what to do with your time. For any idea you have for your business, ask yourself: is this so I can get something from my customers, or so I can give something to my customers?
If it’s to get something, then put the idea aside. Come back to it later. See if you can fit it in along the way.
If it’s to give something, then stay with it. Develop it. Think it through. Sweat over it. Don’t give up on it easily. You can never do enough for your customers.