Caring Is Underrated

Caring is so so underrated. Not enough people understand the impact caring has on who they are. Caring is the greatest human strategy on the planet! Caring is the greatest business/networking/sales/communication/marketing strategy on the planet. There is no flaw in caring too much, only not enough.

Caring is in our DNA, its something you are born with for sure, better yet its something you constantly develop over time. Sure we all have circumstance that gives us a baseline of caring, but how we further develop it is up to us. Your level of care is right there for the taking. We don't get lucky and have more care than others. We are not genetically more prone to care more than the person next to us. We don't win the lottery of caring. Caring is a choice. Caring is learned. Caring matters.

Caring is not saying that you do. Caring is not talking about it when everyone is watching. Caring isn't when times are good. Caring is not short term motivator. Caring isn't doing what you have to do. Caring is not standard. Caring isn't convenient. Caring is not telling people. Caring isn't showing up randomly.  Caring is more.

Caring is when your Orthodontist shows up on a Saturday to put your braces on because she knows what a crazy schedule you have during the week. (Mine did this past Saturday and inspired this post! Thank you Dr. DeLeon!) Caring is telling everyone I know about my experience with Dr. DeLeon and posting amazing comments about her online. Caring is when your boss sends you an anniversary card thanking you for another awesome year of work. Caring is calling the customers that came in your stores the day prior and asking how we could serve them better. Caring is sending a congratulatory note to a recently promoted business leader in your community, somebody you don't even know. Caring is following the recent business account you just closed on Twitter. Caring is sending a thank you card to the husband/wife/partner/child/parent of your employee because you know how hard they work and how much time they dedicate to their job. Caring is learning a new language because it would better serve the community you work in. Caring is getting your server's name at a restaurant, remembering it and using it your entire stay. Caring is speaking up for what's right even when it's not the popular thing to do. Caring is asking how people are, about their family, or life outside, nothing else. Caring is asking for advice, counsel, or feedback. Caring is commenting on someones blog or website. Caring is responding to those comments regardless if they are good or bad. Caring is admitting that you made mistakes. Caring is hosting lunch with a group of peers so you can learn how to be better at what you do. Caring is reading a book as a TEAM and discussing how it relates to your business. Caring is spending an entire day with someone in another department to learn what they do and why they do it. Caring is enrolling in leadership classes unprovoked. Caring is calling somebody you admire and telling them so.Caring is launching a website called YouCare.com and posting videos, blogs, tweets, or Facebook comments that showcase what it means to care. Caring is teaching others to care, opening your very own University of Care. Caring is a million things more.

Trust me, caring is underrated. Everyone is so focused on where are we to this number or how many of that we made or we need more of this. It's all about the what, the now, the present. Caring is about why or how those numbers are or are not met.Caring is about reviewing history and looking to the future. Caring makes all the difference. You cant fake it, you cant buy it, you can only earn it. Caring is influenced by people, places, and things around you. Your level of care is directly proportionate to your level of personal accountability. The more you care, the more accountable you are, to yourself and others. The more accountable you are the greater your impact. Like I said, the greatest, most underrated human strategy ever!

How do you care?