3 Ways to Actually Make a Difference in Someone's Life

Is purposefully doing something nice a huge expense of energy? Or is it simple and easy? Well, for many of us, it might depend on the size of the favor. Are you buying the next person’s coffee or helping someone move? Chances are, if you tapped on this post to read more, you are a considerate person or looking to be more compassionate. Either way, you’re in the right place to get some great ideas.

In this article you’ll get:

• 3 ways to do something kind and unexpected for another human that actually makes a positive impact in their lives.
  

1. Hand-write a note
   
   When someone does something you appreciate or you notice someone being awesome, take five minutes and a sticky note to write a note that you noticed and loved it! For example, if you notice a colleague handling a difficult situation particularly well, tell her that her empathy and patience are inspiring and you love working alongside her. Stick it on her desk or locker for her to find. Think of how uplifting it would be to find a little note like that tucked away for you to discover.
   
   
2. Solve a constant headache
   
   I’ve noticed working with various teams that there usually is a common frustration in the group. One way I garner trust and initiate a strong bond with the people is to meet their immediate need. They don’t know where to find a resource? Find it for them. They have a choke point in a system and you know how to fix it? Offer a solution. The coffee bar is lackluster? Add a basket of muffins. You get the picture. Solving an immediate issue is a way to show people you value their opinions and that care about them.
   
   
   

   

   
   
   
3. Make an introduction
   
   When you get to know people, you get to know their passions, purpose, and goals. One of the best by-products of maturing is that you know more and more people across an array of industries and disciplines. One amazing way you can make a difference in someone’s life is to make a connection. Does your friend love to paint and she’d like to do it professionally? Great! Reach out to your friend in the art department of that company and make the introduction! It goes something like this:
   
   

Sarah: I would love to do my art for a living!

Me: Totally! You’re so talented and I love your inventive use of color and line. Hey, I’ve got a friend who paints for Bento Box. She’s awesome. I’ll reach out and see if she would be able to give you a few pointers. Is that okay?

Sarah: Absolutely! Thank you so much!

(later Facebook DM)

Me: Hey, Jemma! I have a friend from spin class who loves to do pastel and she would like to do it professionally.

Could I introduce you to Sarah so you could give her a few pointers about getting hired as an artist?

Jemma: Oh, that’s great. Yes. Make the connection!

Then with permission from both sides, I can make the introduction and Sarah is pursuing her dreams!

These are three ideas you can recycle again and again. They never get tired or passe. The idea behind doing acts of kindness is to have a positive impact on someone’s life. It’s nice to pay it forward, do nice things because others have done it for you. But this goes a step further. You aren’t bringing in cookies to the office (while that’s fantastic; it’s really a one-and-done thing.) You’re making a strategic move to help improve someone’s quality of life. Writing a note, solving a reoccurring problem, or making an introduction gives out way more positive energy than you have to put in to make it happen.

Which one of the three speaks to you the most and who can you impact today with it?