The concept of disproportionate returns – investments with exponential results relative to the investment required – extends well beyond the financial realm.
Recently, I was on the receiving end of a simple phone call that took two minutes out of this person’s day but left me feeling infinitely better and more supported.
Earlier this summer, I severed part of my thumb off of my hand while rushing to cook dinner for my kids. My incredible wife flew into action, scooping up our two kids and racing me to the urgent care where over the course of the next two hours, my thumb was carefully (and painfully) stitched back onto my hand.
The accident was another event in a string of challenging personal and professional experiences and admittedly, it put me in a mental rut.
I couldn’t pick up my kids, typing, performing my work and even showering took five times as long, and with the warmer weather upon us, my joy of being active and outdoors has taken a backseat to recovery.
I’m used to overcoming setbacks. And in isolation, this experience would have been more manageable. However, this situation coupled with a string of other recent challenges really put me down.
I privately shared my frustrations and emotional state with very few individuals – my family and one widely recognized business leader (who I’ll leave anonymous) who has publicly advocated for mental health awareness amongst entrepreneurs.
Fast forward to 8:30pm one evening and I get a cold call from an unknown number. This amazing business leader was on the other end of the phone, calling to ask me how I was doing and to let me know that he’s out there, thinking of me and lifting me up.
The call lasted just a few minutes but it meant the world to me. I woke up the next morning refreshed and with an extra spring in my step.
A few moments from his day paid off exponentially for me.
Taking 2 minutes out of our days to let someone know that we care has reverberating and disproportionate effects. Random acts of kindness can truly make someone’s day, week or month.
I aim to do a better job showing colleagues, friends and family that I care, I value them and that they’re important.
Will you do the same?