Small gifts go a long way
When I worked at Warner/Chappell, I was the least-important person in the company, just working in the library.
Since it’s the largest music publisher in the world, I dealt with hundreds of people. I can’t remember most of their names. But three times, and only three times, I got a surprise gift from one of our songwriters.
- James Mastro, from The Bongos, got me a cool little “Mother Mary” keychain when he toured Spain.
- Gerry DeVeaux, the multi-platinum dance writer, got me some funky plastic fish Christmas ornaments when he went to the Bahamas.
- And Jane Kelly Williams got me a red sweatshirt.
Can you believe I remember these details twenty years later? Believe it!
If any of these three people asked me for a favor, I’d be sure to help them out.
As you climb the ladder of success, giving a gift may go a long way and be remembered for years.
Get presents for the people you’ve met that are probably under-appreciated. Don’t waste gifts on the high-power people. They already receive too many.
Be generous. You’re going to see the same faces for years to come.
nice :)
i remember a kid in my class gave me a coin when i was kidding about i dn't have money :P
Es claro que en ocasiones un pequeño regalo puede significar mucho más por la intención y la persona que nos lo regala.
Muy buena reflexión.
El ser agradecido enriquece tu vida y la de los demás.
Hi Derek, how are you? Just came across this and found it interesting. My name is Sartaj Sandhu and I'm writing this from my phone and the screen is not scrolling so I'll keep it short. I live in California and work as an internal medicine Doctor. I recently went to Africa and had the trip of a lifetime. I was able to see and meet the last male northern white rhino on our planet. His name is Sudan. I came home and started thinking about ways to get the word out locally in any way possible about the issues with rhino poaching. I mean how many ppl think of rhinos...right ? Anyways I started to draw and I loved doing it. I had lost that passion for drawing in Medical school because it was just too busy. I set up an Instagram page called "Defcitylife". The drawings are detailed but take a look. I love drawing all sorts of things and when I came across ur post I thought 'hey why not' . Anyways hope this msg finds you well. Take good care and Long Live the Rhino.
Hi Derek this covers my thoughts on the entire chapter one, including the intro. I love the conversational tone. It's like you speaking to me one-on-one. I wish I learnt these lessons 20 years ago. I've always been afraid to ask for favours. Now a I know better. Generosity is key. Our people has a saying that the hand of the person that gives is always on the top. Persistence too. The patient dog, the say, eats the fattest bone. May your star never dim.
Another gift is laughter, especially if it takes effort and sacrifice. My old director, on the phone today talking of old tears and laughter, mentioned still remembering, "The morning you came in wearing sparkling pink pants saying, 'I am secure in my sexuality.'"