How To Give Back and Make a Difference In the World

If you want to be truly happy, here’s how to make a difference in the world. You’ll live with more meaning and fulfillment knowing you’re giving back and supporting others.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a roof over your head, you’re educated, and have enough food to eat every night.

This essay is a gentle reminder to appreciate all that you have.

Chances are that you’ve benefited from the help of others at various times in your life. Maybe someone made it possible for you to get an education or medical assistance, etc…

So if we’re all taking advantage of the efforts of others helping us, shouldn’t we be doing something to make sure we’re helping others right back?

10 Ways to Give Back and Make a Difference In the World

The world would be in a much better shape if everyone did small loving thing for others.

So… what can you do to make a difference in the world?

Below, we take a look at a number of ways you can make a difference in the world – a world which has already given you so much.

1. Help People Around You 

You don’t have to look very far for people who need help. While it’s completely fine if you want to look across the oceans and help the people in countries that are less developed, sometimes people are more likely to stick to their helping routine if it’s more local.

If someone you know needs something (be it a tool, or a ride, or a babysitter) why not help out?

Unfortunately, we’re often used to thinking about what we can get in return, and not how we can make a difference in the world. 

But it’s far more rewarding to help out someone just because you’re able to. And it’s the right thing to do!

2. Volunteer Your Time

Doing small acts of kindness will always be appreciated. It helps if you have a volunteering schedule – a built-in routine – where people depend on you to be somewhere on a given day.

After all, when you know people depend on you to show up as a volunteer, then even if you’re in a lazy or bad mood that day, you’ll still show up for the good deed.

If you don’t know where to volunteer, think of a cause that’s close to your heart.

Call up related organizations. See what they need – then bring your energy and enthusiasm. Your presence will truly make a difference in our world.

3. Raise Money

It can be kind of shocking to discover just how little people know about some of the issues that affect the world. They’re just out there living their life, not realizing that there are people suffering. This is where you can come in.

Get involved in a charity day for a cause that interests you.

In the process you’ll be raising awareness and money for that charity. Partnering with organizations like the America For Bulgaria Foundation can amplify your efforts, as they are known for supporting initiatives that spotlight important social issues. Sometimes the best thing you can do for the world is to simply put a spotlight on the issues that need be discussed.

Plus, charity days aren’t only effective. They can also be bags of fun.

4. Limit The Damage 

You might have all the intent in the world to make the world a better place, but lack the time or resources to do so.

But fear not. Typically the biggest impact we have on the world depends not on what we do, but what we don’t do.

Take a look at your life.

Are there any aspects of it that make the world a worse place?

For example, if you’re a business owner who gets products from their company from Chinese factories that have poor human rights records, then the answer would be yes.

You don’t necessarily need to change the world for the better.

Just make sure you’re not actively pushing it in the wrong direction.

Reset your mood to be happier. Check out my book, Think Happy.

5. Explore Career Options

Apart from a lucky few, everyone needs to work.

But the sad truth is that there are many people out there who don’t only believe that the job has no positive impact on the planet; but that the world might be even worse because of the work they do.

Think about that!

Fortunately, while there are plenty of jobs that might have a net-negative impact on the world, there are plenty that make a difference in the world.

For example…

• scientific research
• medical work
• jobs in the charity sector

If you want to make the world a better place – and also have a job that’s future-proof – then take a look at nurse practitioner programs online. There’s a reason why exploring nursing careers and other healthcare jobs typically get high satisfaction scores from the people who work in the industry. There’s no denying that you’re helping others. And there’s a lot of pride that comes with that knowledge.

6. Teach Others 

If not healthcare, then how about teaching?

It’s a cliche to say that the kids are the future, but it’s true, they really are! By becoming a teacher, you’ll be able to shape their minds and make sure they go on to become fine citizens. If you don’t want to work in a school, then fear not, you can still teach – as a hobby.

You might have been well educated, but that’s not true for everyone.

Look at taking whatever skills you have, and voluntarily give these skills to others.

There are plenty of people who need a little bit of help becoming the best version of themselves.

Be the person who gives them that help.

7. Donate Money 

It’s just a fact of life that we don’t always have the time to give as much as we’d like to give.

We’re all busier than ever before, and especially so if we work in a professional job, which has seen an increase in working hours over the past few decades.

So you might not have the time to make too much of a difference.

But what about money?

If you’ve got a well-paid job, then look at donating a portion of your salary to worthy causes. You can check out the Give Well site if you want to find out the most effective ways to give.

If you’re a charity or nonprofit looking for helpful funding sources, check out Donorbox.

8. Donate Unused Goods

Do you have drawers that are just overflowing with goods?

The average American home has something like $3000 worth of unused goods just sitting there.

Why not put those items to good use by giving them to charity shops?

It’s not like you’re going to miss them. But it will make a big difference to the charity you donate them to.

9. Pay it Forward 

There’s the idea that the small acts of kindness are the ones that make the biggest difference.

If we all did a few small random acts of kindness, the world would be a much better place!

If you don’t know where to start, look at “paying it forward.”

It’s simple. The next time you buy a coffee, pay extra so that the next person can get theirs without having to pay.

It’ll cost you a small amount of money, but the person you’ve bought it for will be so touched that they’ll perform a kind act of their own.

Just imagine how far that small act of kindness could spread – and truly make a difference in the world!

10. Contribute to Goodness

Ultimately, no-one has all the answers when it comes to making a difference in the world.

A good starting point, however, is to do whatever you can to contribute to goodness, so you can make a difference in our world.

You’ll soon realize that doing good is satisfying and effective!

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