Holding the Door Open

Tarun, a hotshot sales manager, on a Sunday evening, was in the parking lot of a shopping mall. The parking lot was packed. Cars were crawling with anxious drivers looking for that one vacant slot. Tarun, sharp and aggressive as he was known to be, spotted a vacant space ahead and quickly zoomed in.  He could see another car trying to reverse into the same slot, but he was determined to beat the other man to it.  And he did!  Tarun felt jubilant - as we all sometimes do with life's little victories.  The old man driving the car was disappointed. He looked Tarun in the eye and continued his search for another parking slot.

Two days later, Tarun was preparing for one of the biggest moments of his career.  He was close to winning a big contract for his company.  And all that was left now was the formal handshake meeting with the client's CEO.  As Tarun walked into the client's office and saw the CEO, he felt a sudden sense of discomfort.  Yes, it was the same man from whom he had snatched the parking slot on Sunday.  And you can guess what happened thereafter.

Alas! If only Tarun had understood the importance of Holding the Door Open!

You may ask, what is "Holding the Door Open" and what has it got to do with Tarun's story?

It has probably happened to you sometimes.  As you walk towards the door of an office, or a lift, the person walking in front holds the door open for you.  Remember how good it made you feel - if only for that moment.

Isn't it surprising that although we all feel good when someone holds the door open for us, we seldom do the same for other? How come?

It may be probably because we are all preoccupied with ourselves and obsessed with getting ahead.  Here, then, is a life-changing lesson they don't teach you in any business school - 'Hold The Door Open'.

The world can be divided into two types of people. Those who push open a door, walk through and let it slam behind them.  That may be 99% of the population.  And there is 1% who hold it open to allow the next person to walk through.  Learn to do that, and you too could join the select 1% club.  Holding the Door Open doesn't merely make other people feel good. It makes you feel good too. It helps you build an attitude of helping and caring.

Happiness in life is not as much about winning as about helping other people win. As the popular saying goes, "It's nice to be important. But it's more important to be nice"

So, make a beginning today.  Hold The Door Open for somebody and take a step towards happiness.