So whats HTDO ?

Mathews, 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. Mathews, 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 Mathews was determined to beat the other man to it.  And he did ! Mathews felt jubilant – as we all sometimes do with life’s little victories.  The old man driving the car was disappointed. He looked Mathews in the eye and continued his search for another parking slot.

Two days later, Mathews 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 Mathews 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 Mathews had grown up with the HTDO habit !

So whats HTDO ?

It has probably happened to you before.  As you walk towards the door of an office, or a hotel, 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’s 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 B 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’s the 99% of the population.  And there’s the 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.  HTDO doesn’t merely make other people feel good. It makes you feel good too. HTDO translates into a behaviour of helping and caring.

Winning in life is less about naked ambition and more about helping other people win.

Someone once said, “It’s nice to be important. But it’s more important to be nice”

Make a beginning. Hold The Door Open.