Unexpected rewards through “Good Deeds”

Do you know who Nobel, of the Nobel Prize, is? Well I didn’t. Until I came across this article Doing good can lead to rewards you never considered.

It’s an interesting article, but I don’t think it even touches the surface of the subject. I hope to make a few points to illustrate how you can apply this concept to your life.

1. Friendships
   Do you treat your contacts like friends? Do you offer to help them out, whether it’s making a recommendation for business, setting them up on a date, offering to help them move? These small gestures endear us to others, and instill in them a gratitude which wants to be converted into reciprocation. Of course, you’re no friend if your actions are backed with strategy and ulterior motives, but know that turning strangers into friends can have positive effects down the road.
2. Innocent Bystanders
   Ease of communication these days means that our actions can be "heard ’round the world" in ways never before imaginable. If your behavior is irreverent, people will hear about it. And if you do good, you will build a reputation amongst people you’ve never met as an upstanding, responsible citizen. And that’s the kind of person others want to do business with.
3. Creativity
   In the Information Age, information is cheap, usually free. That means that we have to recognize the trends occurring around us, and adapt to the changes. If you believe you have some information or other product which is useful, don’t be stingy with it. If you haven’t already proven yourself, give it all away, and then be creative with your techniques on capitalizing on that information. Invest in your brand before you shake down your clients for their change.

Do you have any other illustrations of how doing good can lead to personal or professional rewards?