Government typically takes the "gun in the ribs" approach (stay with me... this isn't a political debate. I promise.). They make laws and consequences to make people want to pay their taxes. But that's the hard way. There's an easier way.
Instead of making a law that rich people have to give their money to the IRS so that they can then pass it along to the welfare system and the welfare system can then pass what's left along to those in need, why not just find a way to make the rich want to give the money directly to the poor?
I can hear the cynics already. You'll know that you're one of them if you are saying that this approach is impossible. I would agree that it's impossible to achieve a 100% success rate. Maybe a 95% success rate is even too much to ask. But that's true for most everything. Does that mean we shouldn't try?
Here's the easy way to get what you want.
- Forget about what you want. Seriously? Yes. Seriously. Sounds backwards, but it's true.
- Find out exactly what motivates the person that you need to help you. EVERYONE is motivated by something. I'm not referring to deception or flattery. I mean sincerely find out what motivates them with the intention of helping.
- Be creative enough to find out how to link what they want to what you want. This is where most good theories come to a screeching halt. The hard work happens here. There are few that will attempt this step, let alone succeed. This is the part where you'll need to fail a few times before you succeed. This is the place where the science ends and the art begins. This is the good stuff.
So this post isn't about government. It's about giving and getting at the same time. If we take a sincere interest in our friends, co-workers, employees and kids, what a difference it would make in providing what they want (and getting what we want). Try it and let me know how it goes. Unless, of course, you're a cynic.