This is one of the easiest and simplest posts I’ve ever written. The message is simple: be helpful to others, professionally and personally. Just be helpful. Why is it so hard for some to do that in their professional and personal lives when a small acknowledgment goes such a long way and has such huge consequences and positive impact?
Most will tell you they get busy, and it slips by them, though their intention was good. It takes time, which is precious, and they just don’t have enough of it to serve others beyond their daily lives. Some don’t make it a priority, and others may not appreciate the value of helping others.
Whatever your reason (I think most have good intentions but get busy), helping others should be a daily priority. Why?
It feels good to do good.
If you want a selfish reason to help others, it makes you feel good . It’s rewarding. Well before my son needed community service hours to meet a mandatory school requirement, my seven-year-old son and I volunteered at our church pantry. He did it until he graduated high school and went away to college, way after the school requirement had passed. Helping others and giving back was satisying for him.
It’s appreciated by the recipient.
Most people appreciate the help, the gesture. The church pantry had an annual volunteer appreciation dinner to recognize the volunteers, and at a young age, my son and I attended. We went to socialize and mingle, but most importantly, I wanted my son to experience the appreciation. The church pantry was so grateful for the volunteers’ service, especially from the young, and openly acknowledged and appreciated their efforts. It reinforced the rewards from helping others.
You can make a difference.
How it matters is worth knowing. Not only did the church pantry recognize the efforts, but it also provided valuable statistics detailing who they helped, how they helped them, and the results for the recipients. As my son matured, it was good for him to see the results of his countless mornings of volunteer work, getting up early and serving rain or shine for eleven years.
Lead by example, and others will follow.
1. Continued service: Most of us are taught important values at a young age. Helping others and being kind are among the first lessons many learn as young adults. Practicing what you preach and showing by example is usually the best way to teach a value or a skill. My husband and I volunteered throughout my son’s school years to help and lead by example.
2. Serving and helping are no different. After his church experience at a young age, my son went on to volunteer at two organizations with his high school. Not only did our son volunteer, but my husband and I always remained involved and volunteered at all our son’s schools. Everyone is busy, but a little task goes a long way. My son’s friend also joined the church pantry volunteer efforts and found it a fulfilling experience to help others. Serving and helping can become contagious.
3. It makes you a better person.
If you can empathize with and learn about others, you not only broaden your perspective and also become a more well-rounded person. You can gain a better understanding of people’s perspectives. That’s an enriching and growth experience for all of us.
How to Contribute
While everyone’s experience is unique, here are three simple ways to contribute to your community.
1. It can be as simple as a smile or a “have a nice day.” I’ve visited communities where kindness, through a simple hello or a smile, can brighten someone’s day. I know that receiving a smile or a hello while walking made me feel good. If you see someone struggling with a package, offer to help. Engage with the person who’s sitting alone. Whether it’s a schoolmate in the lunchroom or someone alone at a networking event . Go over and engage everyone has something good or different to share.
2. For those of us who are time-constrained, which is most of us, call your local church, shelter, or school. Ask if there is a short-term project you can help them with on your time that doesn’t require an in-person commitment. This can help the organization put less pressure on you and give you more flexibility, while still allowing you to contribute and make a difference. If you live in a close-knit community, find out if someone needs help. Maybe an older person who lives alone could use a short phone call. Maybe a special treat for an assisted living home would be appreciated.
3. Think of your own friends and family. Maybe someone is having a rough time, a grandparent, an aunt, an uncle, a niece, a nephew, a cousin, a friend. Send a thinking of you card. Show you are supportive and care.
While there are so many ways we can help friends, family, acquaintances, co-workers, schoolmates, and strangers, these are a few simple gestures we all know but don’t hurt to remember in our day-to-day activities.
Elisa Ciarametaro, Principal at Exceed Sales, Inc., offers sound sales suggestions that make an impactful difference and better sales outcomes to individual contributors, managers, and executives in sales, sales development, marketing, and customer service. To learn more about Elisa Ciarametaro get more information at www.exceedsales.com, sign up for our newsletter, call Elisa at 917 653 0125, email elisac@exceedsales.com or follow her on LinkedIn.