If you are anything like me and you truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, you might be interested in doing something more than volunteering an hour or two every month or donating $5 per month to a kid you’ll never meet.
But how can you do this in a way that truly matters?
I learned that there are 15 powerful ways that any of us can make a difference in the lives of others. Let me share them with you.
1) Let go of judgment
Think about it…
How can you make a difference in the lives of others if your own heart is full of hate and disgust?
In order to make a positive impact, we must first let go of judgment and disapproval and learn how to connect with people on the basis that we are all within the same human family.
As numerous experts agree, we tend to judge people based on their actions and intentions. But we seldom judge them based on their circumstances because oftentimes the circumstances are out of our control.
So a way to make a difference in the lives of others is to release judgment and form bonds with people on the basis that we are all within the same human family.
After all, here’s what renowned psychologist Wayne Dyer says in his book The Power of Intention: Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way:
“Remember, when you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself as someone who needs to judge.”
…and that would be the opposite of what you’re trying to achieve.
2) Give unconditionally
The next step is to learn the art of giving unconditionally.
In order to make a positive impact in the lives of others, we must learn to give in a way that is not dependent on expecting anything back.
If you do so, you will feel fulfilled by what you are doing.
Zig Ziglar, an American motivational speaker, and author, said this:
“You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.”
In other words, making a difference in the lives of others benefits you and them. They’re connected.
You can’t fully achieve one without the other.
3) Start with yourself
You may have heard plenty of people saying that your own life doesn’t have to be in order to help others. You can do so while dealing with insecurities, struggles, and challenges.
While I don’t completely disagree, I found that dealing with these things first makes me a better person and more able to help others.
I was in luck, too, because I took shaman Rudá Iandê’s free masterclass where he taught me how to develop a healthy self-image, enhance my constructive power, change my limiting beliefs, and basically transform my life.
Even if I was trying to skip some steps and find fulfillment in helping others, he taught me that if I truly want to help others, I must first help myself.
In my journey, I also learned how to align spirituality, work, family, and love so that I could feel a sense of purpose and fulfillment.
If you want to achieve that as well, click here to register for his free masterclass.
4) Help others create positive change
If you truly want to make a difference in the lives of others, spend time and energy trying to help them make positive changes.
Whether it’s to get their needs met or improve their situation, you must help others take action and walk the path for themselves.
As author Roy T. Bennett says in his book The Light in the Heart, “Always have a willing hand to help someone, you might be the only one that does.”
In other words, you may be the only one who cares enough or is able to help them at this time.
So, when you do so, you can truly make a difference in their lives and maybe even their families, communities, and countries.
5) Teach someone something they don’t know
Let me tell you about another powerful way to make a difference in the lives of others.
The more you learn, the more you realize how little you know. And while that’s true, perhaps there are people who need to learn your skills because they will benefit them in some way.
In order to make a positive impact in their lives, they might benefit from learning something new.
So by helping someone else learn something new, you can empower them to shift their consciousness and pave the way for change in their life or the community at large.
For example, if you know how to speak a foreign language, you could teach it to someone who can’t.
The same thing applies if you have a particular skill. Maybe there are people who need to learn that skill in order to make progress in their lives and make a difference in the lives of others as well.
6) Speak up when you see injustice
Sometimes, the best way to make a difference in the lives of others is to speak up and take action when you see injustice occurring.
For example, if you see someone being bullied, speak up and try to help.
Or, if you see someone being manipulated or oppressed, speak up and try to help them.
According to Harvard Business Review,
“While we’d all like to think that if we saw something, we’d say something in these situations, we are strikingly bad at anticipating how we’ll feel in future circumstances and, for a whole host of cognitive reasons, it can be incredibly difficult to speak up at the moment. In fact, research suggests that most people tend to not act, and then rationalize their inaction.”
Simply put, we are often not ready to act, and so we don’t.
However, you can change this about yourself if you want to make a difference in the lives of others.
7) Be a role model
We all have the ability to be strong role models and mentors for others.
Whether we’re intentional about this or not, people look up to us. They emulate what we do and what we say.
If they see that we stand up for others in need, they will follow our example and do the same thing when the time comes.
Or, if they see that we fight for justice, compassion, and love, they will too.
So, we can make a difference in the lives of others by making positive changes in our own lives and encouraging people to do the same.
If you don’t know where to start, I highly recommend Rudá Iandê’s free masterclass on finding your personal power.
I’ve seen and experienced the positive impact it’s had on my life and I know it will have the same for yours.
If you want to learn more about it and register for free, click here.
8) Show genuine interest in people
This one is simple but often missed by many.
If you really want to make a difference in the lives of others, it’s vital that you demonstrate a genuine interest in them. Whether they’re part of your family, friends, or your community, you must always show genuine interest in them.
This is crucial to creating a sense of purpose and fostering personal growth in their lives.
In fact, research shows that showing genuine interest in others is linked to higher levels of emotional intelligence. Empathy and other skills are also required to develop authentic relationships with others.
When you create meaningful relationships with others, you can make a difference in their lives.
9) Be a compassionate ear to listen to others
One of the easiest ways to make a difference in the lives of others is to listen to them compassionately.
In a world where so many people feel they have no one, they can confide in, having a compassionate listener available is a rare gift.
As a compassionate ear, you can help someone navigate a relationship issue or guide them through a professional problem.
You can be there to listen when someone is grieving, has lost a loved one, or is experiencing a life-threatening illness.
It’s often said that listening is the most helpful thing we can do in a time of need.
What’s more, being a compassionate ear doesn’t require any special training or even a lengthy conversation.
If a friend just needs to get something off her chest, don’t rush her to the end of her story. Let her take her time, and don’t worry about “fixing it” or “what you’re going to say next.”
10) Smile at people around you, strangers included (smiles are infectious!)
This one is also a simple way but powerful way to make a difference in the lives of others.
You can make a difference in the lives of others by smiling at people – even strangers.
For example, you can smile when you cross paths with someone or smile at someone when they ask for directions.
Smiling at people not only makes them feel welcome but also enlightens their day.
This simple act can reduce stress, improve mood, and raise energy levels.
11) Provide words of encouragement and inspiration
Words of encouragement can inspire a person to accomplish things they never thought possible. And words of inspiration can help open a person’s mind to new possibilities and creative solutions.
And the best part?
In a world where social media can often be a place of judgment and criticism, finding the courage to share your words of encouragement or inspiration can make a profound difference in someone’s life.
Even if your words are seen by a small number of people, you may be providing a spark of energy that helps someone accomplish great things in their life.
So, if you think a friend is doing great things but needs a push in the right direction, tell her. If you see something that inspired you, share it with others.
Your words may not seem like much, but they make a big difference in the lives of others.
12) Be an ally for those who need it most
There are many people in the world who are facing discrimination and prejudice. You can be an ally for these people, showing them love and support in their struggle for equality and justice.
Being an ally for those who need it most doesn’t require extreme action.
You can show your support in small ways, such as driving a friend to a doctor’s appointment or asking your local coffee shop to be an ally to a healthy cause by offering a vegan beverage.
You can also speak up when you see injustice occurring, whether it’s online or in your daily life.
You have the power to make a difference in the lives of others by taking action in a positive way.
13) Help them financially
Helping financially is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.
To help someone financially, you can make a donation to a good cause that’s close to your heart, or help someone in need by taking them shopping or to the doctor.
Even helping as a simple act of kindness can make a significant difference in the lives of others.
For example, when you give someone $5 on the subway, you’re not just giving them $5 but you’re also giving them hope.
14) Reach out to people with helpful advice that they can act upon immediately
Another way to motivate people is to give them practical advice that they can put into action straight away.
For example, if you spot an opportunity to help others make more money, don’t wait a day before sharing your ideas with them.
Oftentimes, people just need a push in the right direction to take action. So give them that push and they’ll be grateful for your help.
15) Hold a fundraiser to help your community
A fundraiser is a great way to make a difference in the lives of others.
Whether it’s for a charity, or to raise funds for your organization’s events and projects, you can set up a fundraising page on your website or social media account. You can then use social media to promote the event and tell people about it.
To set up a fundraiser for your organization, don’t spend too much of your time on it. Just make sure the fundraiser has a purpose.
If you don’t know what to fundraise for, consider setting up an online donation page that encourages people to donate funds in a variety of ways and at any amount they choose.
Final thoughts
There are many ways to make a difference in the lives of others, but it often starts with taking action.
You don’t have to change the world to make a difference, but you do have to make an effort.
Remember, even the smallest of positive actions can have a ripple effect.
So find a way to make a difference in the lives of others, and you may be surprised at how many people you help along the way.
