Posted: Saturday, August 16, 2008 3:54 pm


Burt’s Blog 44- “Pay it Forward”

If you believe that every person is made up of four parts, a body, mind, heart, and spirit then each of these parts produces 4 needs, 4 dimensions, 4 capacities, and 4 intelligences. I want to focus this week on the need of the heart and the spirit as it relates to connecting your talents with a need in the world that marries your passion and your conscience. In my case, I’m constantly thinking of how I can match my talents with a need in the world that is in alignment with my conscience, or need for meaning. As an example I’ve done that in two ways:

1. The Micheal Burt Give Away Vision- For every group that books me at my full fees I give away a free 30-45 minute keynote presentation to the cause of choice. Many times this is to celebrate for those who have given time or energy but never have been rewarded or to train groups that otherwise could never afford it.
2. The Micheal Burt Pay Forward Vision- This is where I work with local charities or causes that I believe in to offer an event where all the proceeds generated go to the cause. The first of this series is August 30th in Cannon County called “The Small Towns and Big Dreams Tour” which includes a VIP reception, dinner, music, and a night of inspiration.

I offer these two examples to challenge you to think of how you can take your talents, and passions, and match them up with your own unique need for meaning and purpose in the world. I have long said that I feel the most alive while I am in service to others. By tapping into to the spirit’s need to contribute to a cause bigger than self, in essence we reach our highest self. When we reach our potential, or find our voice, we can then inspire others by giving our gift away.

Many of the people I speak to across the country are deeply passionate about a cause. This cause touches their deepest being, or spirit, but they are unsure how they can help that cause. Here’s three ways to begin the process:

1. Ask yourself where there is a need in the world that you could fulfill based on your unique abilities or talents?
2. Ask yourself what cause you can get involved with that is close to your heart?
3. Get busy by contacting people within those causes and offering ideas and your talents.

Many of the non-profits in the world began when one person sensed a need in the world and fulfilled that need by matching their talents with that cause. It’s the perfect relationship. I encourage you to get involved with causes you believe in. It will be a major deposit into the emotional bank account of others and will leave your spirit uplifted.


Go to www.michealburt.com to learn about Micheal’s “Give Away” and “Pay Forward” vision and his upcoming start to the “Small Towns and Big Dreams Tour” that kicks off in Cannon Co. on August 30. All proceeds go to The United Way.

Micheal Burt is the founder and Chief Leadership of Maximum Success, an intellectual capital company that specializes in goal cultivation, leadership enhancement, people development, and culture building. Go to www.michealburt.com to see Micheal live on video as he travels the country working with companies from all sizes to break through their current ceilings of success and move to new levels.