Wanting to make a difference in people's lives is a very common wish. Many times we believe that this requires great acts that take a lot of effort and time, so we end up leaving it for later. But are great acts necessary to make a difference?
Great acts are indeed valid, but there are a number of small actions that can be done daily, which require no effort, time and can be done right now.
Being the difference to the people around you can be simpler than you might think, and it's very enjoyable. Here's a list of 9 simple attitudes to get you started today making a difference in the lives of those around you:
1. Praise whenever possible
Praising is a simple act that can make a person's day much better. After all, who doesn't like to receive a compliment? At work, when you like the result of something your colleague has done, never miss the opportunity to compliment. Compliments encourage people to continue doing their jobs with care and dedication.
Praise your friends, family, and all the people around you the most. Surely with this act, in addition to earning many smiles in return, you will be sure to have made a person's day much happier.
2. Show empathy rather than sympathy
Empathy is when you understand what the person is feeling, can put themselves in the person's situation and understand the situation they are going through. Empathy is free of judgment. Sympathy is related to charisma.
Showing empathy with someone makes them not feel alone in bad times. Demonstrating that you understand the situation, support it and especially that you do not judge, encourage and make all the difference in any situation the person is experiencing. The video below illustrates how empathy can make a difference in people's lives, check it out:
3. Always use the words? Thank you? and please?
We often forget to use these magic words with the people we live with. Living together, saying please, thank you and apologizing, may seem unnecessary to the most intimate people, but it is not.
So if you need something remember to end the sentence with please. When you receive something, thank it. If you make a mistake always remember to apologize. No matter how close you are to the person in question, some habits that sound formal like using these expressions make all the difference and should never disappear from your vocabulary.
4. Show gratitude
Gratitude goes far beyond saying thank you. Gratitude is demonstrated beyond words and involves acts such as trying to do your best for the person you are grateful for. So many times we have received wonderful things from the people in our lives, but we later leave the act of showing gratitude.
Again, no great acts are needed to make a difference in this regard. Treat the people to whom you are grateful and kind. If possible, do the same for these people. Always make sure, in some way, that you have gratitude for those around you.
5. Be available when they need your help.
If someone asks for your help and is within reach, don't hesitate to offer support promptly. Being available means demonstrating to the person that you will help them with everything they can do. Often just saying that you're available makes all the difference.
It's important not to leave a call for help later and do your best right now. Demonstrating availability and readiness shows affection and concern for the person's cause.
6. Being a listener
If a person is venting to you, talk as little as possible. We often enjoy talking and talking about ourselves and we unlearn to hear what the other person has to say to us. Offer your friendly shoulder to the important people in your life, let them talk about what they are feeling, and listen carefully.
Being a listener requires training and patience, so start training today. When someone is saying something to you, don't interrupt and listen quietly. Speak only when you are sure the person's speech is over.
7. Spread Smiles
Make the people around you laugh and smile. Avoid saying negative things and focus on spreading words that bring smiles. Don't start a bad subject if it's unnecessary and don't help spreading bad news, because nobody needs it. Tell more stories and news about positive things, help sow good.
Smiling, by itself, is a great way to sow good.Smile at the people around you whenever possible. Smile is the universal language and will always be returned.
8. Do something good for a complete stranger
Start a chain of goodness, perform an act of kindness that you don't know, and leave a note telling this stranger to do something for another stranger. So by making a difference on one person's day you achieve the difference on several people's day.
Make the planet a better place and full of acts of kindness. For example, if you saw a car with its windows open parked on the street, close the windows and leave an anonymous note telling the person to return by doing a favor for a complete stranger.
9. Don't Help Spread Hate
Surely everyone has been a victim of free hatred. In traffic, at work, in college, and everywhere we go. In these situations it is very common to want to respond in the same way, but stop and think: What will this change? Those who treat you with hate may just be having a bad day, so breathe and ignore or respond politely.
If someone did something wrong in traffic don't respond by doing something wrong too, ignore it and let them go. If someone was rude to you at work, do not start an unnecessary discussion, respond politely. Remember: kindness breeds kindness.
Practicing, you will see how simple and pleasurable it is to make a difference to someone daily. Small acts, if done with love, can make people's day happier and more fulfilling. Here are some suggestions, but you can do a multitude of actions and reach out to as many people as possible.
How about starting right now to make a difference on someone's day?
9 English words to describe one’s Nature, Attitude & Personality | Free English speaking lesson. (April 2024)
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