As a small business owner, one of things I do to enhance myself, is read books others people have written about business and life.  I have learned some great things, and read some weird ideas.  But the thing that is prevalent in most successful businesses is one thing: treating your customers the way you like to be treated.

This practice is easy for me, I’m generally a people person, and I like it when people leave the store with a smile on their face, or at least their heart.  But its not only important in business, its important in all aspects of life.

When you treat people the way you want to be treated, you make yourself a more humble person.  You can’t treat people well if you think you’re better than everyone.  You can’t treat people well if you’re selfish and only think of yourself.

The Bible even tells us this: treat others the way you would like to be treated.

If I was hungry, I would like to be fed.

If I was naked, I would really like some clothes!

If I was thirsty, I would like a drink.

But honestly, when I’m sick, I want want to be by myself until I feel better.

(And I sure don’t plan on going to prison, but if I did, I’d really like a good lawyer.)

If there are ways that we can help others, I believe we should.

Sometimes, all it takes is an ear to listen, and a nonjudgmental ear at that.  I’ve learned in life that people like to tell you their problems, but most of them don’t want your opinion.  So if they don’t ask, try not to give it out.  Even though you may have a really great solution to the problem, ask if they want advice, but don’t try to give freely what is not asked for.

I don’t want to imply that I’m the answer genius here, God knows I have problems of my own.  But if I can help one person, my day is not wasted.  It can be a very simple thing too, like someone needs a phone number, or help with their smart phone, or to look up something on the internet and they don’t have a computer, or they are short a quarter for their purchase and I have one in the “kitty”.  Little things can really make someone’s day better and brighter.  What are ways you’ve helped someone in a small way and it made you feel good inside?  I’d love to hear about them in the comment section.