Most people think changing the world requires a massive amount of effort. But that’s not always true. The real key to making a difference is to think small. Making tiny incremental changes in your actions eventually adds up to a whole lot of good. Here’s a list of six small things you can do today to start making the world a better place.
1. The Snowball Effect of Kindness
What the world needs right now is more kindness. A simple smile goes a long way. Requiring very little effort, acts of kindness are some of the easiest ways you can make the world a better place.
Being kind to a stranger, co-worker, or neighbor will have a positive effect on their day. Which in turn positively impacts the people they interact with later on. Simply holding the elevator doors open for someone can snowball into a better day for everyone.
According to the Mayo Clinic, being kind is also good for your body and mind. Studies have shown that it increases your self-esteem and improves your mood while decreasing your blood pressure and stress hormone levels.
Acts of kindness towards others trigger the reward and pleasure centers of your brain as well. Releasing pain-killing endorphins and the “happiness” hormones serotonin and dopamine. One small act with a massive impact.
2. Less Judgment, More Empathy & Compassion
When someone makes a mistake or does something that offends you, it’s easy and natural to react with anger and judgment. But the truth is you don’t know what that person is going through. We’ve all had those days where mistakes were just unavoidable.
Try practicing mindfulness the next time a barista gets your coffee order wrong, or your co-worker drops the ball. Pause for a moment and acknowledge your feelings and reactions, but ignore the initial impulse to react. Ask yourself, why has this happened? Are they having a bad day? Is something difficult going on for them outside of this moment? Think about things that have led you to make mistakes and how you felt when other people reacted badly. Is there a better way to solve the problem?
The more we relate to those around us the more empathetic we become, which creates a sense of connectedness. Interconnectivity builds compassion and sparks action. Where there is empathy and compassion, there is positive change in the world.
3. Shop Consciously
Choosing who you give your money to is an easy way to support change. This doesn’t mean you have to stop shopping at your favorite stores or start spending a small fortune on organic goods. It’s better to start small. Pick one item or cause that you would like to support and find a company that holds the same beliefs as you.
If you’re a big coffee drinker, it’s easy to buy from ethical coffee purveyors who work hard to improve the lives of people in impoverished communities. Those who love clothes and fashion can start shopping for pieces made from recycled or sustainable materials. There are grocery stores that donate their unsold items to food banks. Whatever you’re passionate about, there’s a business that’s trying to help.
You don’t have to travel across the planet in order to make a direct impact on someone’s life. Supporting businesses with ideals that you believe in makes a huge difference.
4. Reduce Your Waste
The amount of waste in today’s throw-away culture is shocking. Trying to figure out how to solve such a monumentally global problem can be overwhelming. Once again, take a step back and think small. Pick one thing to work on for this week or month and see how it goes. Here are a few ideas for ways you can reduce your waste.
- Start buying certain household staples, such as dry goods and cleaning products, at bulk stores where you bring your own containers. This has the added benefit of often being cheaper than shopping at regular stores.
- Use refillable water bottles instead of disposable ones to reduce your single-use plastic consumption.
- Sort your trash – have separate bins for recyclables and a bin for food waste that can either be composted or thrown away in smaller bags to reduce the amount of garbage bags you go through.
- Keep a set of metal or bamboo eating utensils in your car or office so that you don’t need to use plastic throw-away ones while eating on the go.
- If you love drinking through a straw, purchase reusable metal or bamboo straws that you can carry with you.
- Spend twenty minutes a week picking up trash around your neighborhood or favorite outdoor area.
When others see how easy it is to focus on one small problem at a time, they’ll be inspired by you to make some of these changes as well.
5. Donate To Charities & Organizations
There are countless charities and organizations that do amazing and innovative work. One of the best ways to make a difference is by giving them money so they can continue fighting the good fight. The most important thing here is to support one that practices transparency so you can be sure your money is going towards exactly what you want it to.
With so many problems out there, it’s difficult to decide what’s important. You could start with something as simple as clean water. Statistics say that not having access to clean water kills more people every year from water-borne diseases than violence. Donating to charities that provide safe drinking water in remote locations saves around 16,000 lives every week!
If you can’t afford to offer a large sum, consider signing up for small recurring monthly donations that won’t inconvenience you but means a lot to them.
6. Volunteering
Donating your time and effort is just as effective as giving money. All it takes is finding a cause that moves you and giving them a bit of your time. Are you passionate about animals? Call up your local animal shelter and see if they need help. Or organize a dog food drive and get your friends and neighbors to donate pet supplies to the shelter.
Assisted living communities and retirement homes often need people to come in and
spend time with the elderly. You could read to them, run a chair yoga class, or help them go shopping once a week.
Volunteering is an act of kindness that also improves your mental well-being. Spending time with other people provides a sense of social connection and community, which studies have shown increases longevity. It also gives you a sense of purpose that helps fight against depression. Those who volunteer regularly are less likely to suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s as well.
Start with one of these changes and work on it for a set period of time until it becomes a habit that you don’t even have to think about. Then you can gradually begin adding in more. Small acts have a big impact, and you have the power to make a difference.
