07/03/2026
One of the greatest life lessons I ever learnedā¦
ā¦was this:
Practice generosity in moderation, so itās always appreciated and never expected.
Ironically, I didnāt learn that lesson from running a company.
I learned it while working as a CNA.
When I finished my tasks and had extra time, Iād help the next shift by getting additional residents dressed and ready for breakfastānot because anyone asked me to, but because I genuinely wanted to make someone elseās day a little easier.
At first, people appreciated it.
Then something changed.
My extra effort became the expectation.
The exception became the standard.
The days I couldnāt go above and beyondābecause we were short-staffed or I simply ran out of timeāI wasnāt thanked for everything I had done.
Instead, I was criticized for what I didnāt do.
That experience changed me.
Thereās a concept in psychology and behavioral economics called hedonic adaptationāpeople naturally adapt to a new normal. What begins as an unexpected act of kindness can quietly become the baseline.
Kindness loses its meaning when it becomes an expectation instead of a gift.
That lesson changed the way I lead.
It changed the way I serve my clients.
It changed the way I build relationships.
Today, I still believe in giving more than expected.
Sometimes I volunteer my time.
Sometimes I provide more value than someone paid for.
Sometimes I simply choose kindness when no one is expecting it.
The difference is that my generosity is intentionalānot automatic.
I give because I choose to.
Not because itās expected.
Looking back, I wasnāt just helping residents get ready for breakfast.
I was learning one of the greatest life lessons Iād ever carry with me.
Every season of life teaches us something.
Some lessons make us stronger.
Some make us wiser.
Some completely change the way we lead, serve others, and do business.
This was one of mine.
Funny how the greatest leadership lessons sometimes have nothing to do with business.
Whatās one life lesson that changed the way you lead or live?
