Disclosure: I received a copy of Do the KIND Thing to aid in the writing of this post. I’m also a big fan of KIND as a company and of their yummy bars. I wrote about KIND back in 2013 and they are included in my book, Simple Giving, which is available for pre-sale on Amazon, B&N, Books-A-Million and Indiebound. The opinions and words are all mine, of course.

All human beings at some point in their lives will encounter a juncture where they can either do what’s more conventional, safe, and possibly even rewarding in the short term, or they can take a risk to do that which they truly believe in. ~ Daniel Lubetzky

I’ve had Daniel Lubetzky’s book, Do the KIND Thing, on my nightstand since it was released on March 31st. Daniel, of course, is the founder and CEO of KIND.

I’ve wanted to dig into the book since I received it, but I was too wrapped up in finishing my own book to give it my full attention. The words on the cover – Think Boundlessly. Work Purposefully. Live Passionately. – spoke to me immediately, as did the quote I shared at the top of this post.

I’m glad I waited a few weeks to read the book because the words I read were words I needed to hear at that moment in time.

Being an entrepreneur and a single mother less than a year after divorce, I find myself living with a lot of uncertainty. I have constant financial concerns, as I wonder where my income will come from over the next month. I’m learning that if I am patient and stay the course I am on, the one I am so passionate about, good things will come my way. They always do.

In Do the KIND Thing, Daniel openly shares the story behind the success of KIND. He is very candid about the trials and tribulations he went through that started in a basement warehouse and eventually led him to where he is today.

The book goes through the ten principles that Daniel says have helped KIND become a “trusted and vibrant brand.” The ten principles include: Thinking with AND, Purpose, Grit, Truth and Discipline, Keeping it Simple, Originality, Transparency and Authenticity, Empathy, Trust, and Ownership and Resourcefulness.

The concept of “thinking with AND” struck me right away. Daniel explains how he was raised to believe that we have an obligation to be kind to one another as human beings and to build bridges. His family history, which includes strong stories of hope and perseverance after surviving the holocaust, taught him to see problems as opportunities and to commit to change the things he does not accept as they are.

Thinking with AND means that you can be an entrepreneur and create social change. You can run a business and be philanthropic. You do not have to do one or the other.

As I read the book, I noted some of the most inspiring parts for me. Here are a few quotes I thought I’d share here:

If you’re at a crossroads or starting a new business or simply want to evaluate whether you can better incorporate purpose into an existing venture, you will need to truly understand yourself. You need to know what gives you purpose before you can translate it into business practice. ~ from the chapter on Purpose

Trying to be everything to everyone makes you nothing to no one. ~ heading from the chapter on Truth and Discipline

Your brand gets defined by what you choose not to do as much as by what you choose to do. ~ from the chapter on Truth and Discipline

We don’t give ourselves the time to let our minds go where they want to go. You need to block out time. If you can, structure your work life to have one hour during which you let your brain go every day. ~ from the chapter on Originality, in relation to the dangers of smartphones and other digital devices

Lack of empathy can lead to misunderstandings, lost opportunities, and burned bridges. In a business environment, that can destroy value. In geopolitical situations, it can result in lives lost. I’ve learned how powerful empathy can be, and how important it is to have the courage to use it, particularly when we feel most vulnerable. ~ from the chapter on Transparency and Authenticity

I’d rather make the mistake of giving to someone who doesn’t need it than run the risk of not giving a hand to someone who does. ~ a quote from Daniel’s father from the chapter on Empathy

Staying true to the theme of the book, 100% of the proceeds from the book are being donated to individuals who embody the KIND Movement (i.e., those that live a “kind life”). You can learn about those individuals on the KIND website.

Will you sign on to do the KIND thing?

Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. Read past stories here.