Give, what?

I have never been a big fan of abstract philosophies.

Out of whole lot of books I read, the one that I keep going back to is Kahlil Gibran’s Prophet. The first time, about 10 years ago, when I read it I couldn’t digest quite a few ideas and I moved on.

But as the life progressed I kept on going back to it because I understood the meaning of it and then felt the depth of it.

One of the works that have huge impact on me is his poem called “Give”.

As of now I have my own way of looking at it. I find that the poem is a very important read for creative entrepreneurs.

As creative entrepreneurs, we don’t know what we should build or create that would make a great revenue and growth. Should we create something that is impossible for others to create or something that is truly useful for people or something that is unique or something addictive or something viral in nature or something for which people pay money?

This is insanely confusing and the entrepreneurs waste a lot of time juggling between too many ideas because of this confusion.

So, my suggestion is read first line from poem.

You give but little when you give of your possessions.
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

If one just focusses on what is it that they can give to the world, they would be able to come up with something that aligns with their strength.

…

There are those who give with joy, and that joy is their reward.

Creating something is really hard and requires a huge energy. If it is not giving you joy you may never be able to build it

And there are those who give and know not pain in giving, nor do they seek joy, nor give with mindfulness of virtue;
They give as in yonder valley the myrtle breathes its fragrance into space.
Through the hands of such as these God speaks, and from behind their eyes He smiles upon the earth.

These are the kind of entrepreneurs who become successful because they dont seek any publicity or reward. They are the followers of their curiosity of building new things for the world.

You often say, "I would give, but only to the deserving."
The trees in your orchard say not so, nor the flocks in your pasture.

Build something that is useful for everyone instead of discriminating users.

http://www.katsandogz.com/ongiving.html