Week 344 (brendan@brendanbarca.com)

Here's your weekly dose of Fuel Your Mind Friday where I, Brendan Barca, share business building ideas, lifestyle design hacks, and inspirational content to help you thrive in your work and find purpose in your life.

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THE LAW OF RECIPROCATION: RULES FOR BUSINESS & LIFE

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In 1974, Phillip Kunz, a sociologist at BYU, received more holiday cards in his mailbox than any year before or since. But you know what was odd? Most of the cards he received were from complete strangers whom Kunz had never met before. How does something like this happen?

As it turns out, that holiday season, Kunz decided to run a social experiment. He searched his local directory and identified 600 random households across his county. To these 600 households, Kunz sent his holiday greetings: a handwritten note with a picture of him and his family. He then mailed them off and waited to see what would happen.

Within a week he started to receive cards back by the dozens. In the end, before the holiday season was up, he received over 200 holiday cards back of the 600 he had sent! That's over a 30% success rate.

This experiment unearthed a phenomenon in human psychology that's now known as the law of reciprocation. The law of reciprocation, which is drilled into us as children, means that we feel obligated to give back to others. In short, we shall not take without giving in return. If someone says "hello" to us in the elevator we feel compelled to say "hello" back.

Deepak Chopra, best selling author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, calls this phenomenon the Law of Giving. Chopra advises that we should give something small to everyone we meet. "As long as you're giving, you will be receiving," Chopra advises. You can offer things like a smile, a complement, or to follow Kunz' example, a handwritten letter.

Think about how the law of reciprocation shows up in your life. When a neighbor greets you, do you greet them back? When a sales person sends you a handwritten note, do you give them a call? When someone sends you a "Congrats!" on LinkedIn, do you write back?

We know from being on the receiving end of actions like this, that the reciprocity effect is real. So then, how can we leverage this law to build stronger relationships in life and business?

The answer is pretty simple: start giving...to everyone.

Give to your clients. Give to your prospects. Give to your neighbors. Give to your loved ones.

As a small business owner, I've noticed the benefits of giving first hand. To my top clients, I give them a thoughtful book at Christmas time. To my vendors, I give them 5-star reviews, referrals and thank you's. To my prospects I give them free articles and ideas before they ever take my call.

This has led to stickier clients, longterm vendor relationships, and prospects who ask me for a call.

Give. Give. Give.

Giving leads to receiving.

Not everyone will reciprocate. But if 30% do, imagine the benefits you'll experience in your business. Heck, imagine the benefits you'll receive in your personal relationships.

In every situation, be the giver.

Don't worry about receiving anything back immediately. The effects of giving will boomerang back to you ten-fold.

How can you start giving today?

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Until next week,

- Brendan

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