As members of society, it’s natural to feel a responsibility to give back or to have a positive impact. However, when facing disasters and overwhelming needs around the world, it may also seem that one person can’t make a difference. The good news is that there are many ways you can make a difference and have an extraordinary impact.
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3 of the Most Common Ways To Make a Difference
As you begin your quest to have a positive impact on the world, there are three options that are within reach and that you can put into motion right away.
Donations
Making donations to the causes and charities close to your heart can offer some comfortable benefits, such as furthering the goals of those organizations and helping you feel that you’ve made a difference. As you begin budgeting money to donate, there are some steps you can take to ensure that you’re making the impact you want:
Identify the cause that needs your help. You are more likely to stay motivated and feel good about your donation when you have a personal connection to the recipient. This often means choosing a nonprofit or other organization in your own community.
Find an organization that is effectively providing resources and solutions. Some groups, such as the Young Living Foundation, are set up to sustain themselves while also providing opportunities for others to get involved. The Young Living Foundation sells Young Living Essential Oils and uses some of its profits to fund its work around the world. This model ensures that the good work is consistent and effective.
Research potential charities to be sure your money is going where you think it is. Unfortunately, some charities are scams, so avoid donations that are sent through wire transfers and vet charities through online resources.
Advocacy
Your involvement in advocacy requires more of a hands-on effort. The goal of advocacy is to spread awareness about a specific cause. This doesn’t have to mean lobbying politicians and pushing for large-scale changes. You could start by identifying a problem in your neighborhood. Some examples already in motion around the country include setting up small lending libraries, establishing drop-offs for recycling or donating clothing and food, as well as participating in cleanup efforts in your community.
Your advocacy efforts may include spreading the word about these efforts by making phone calls or creating posters. As you set out to become an advocate, learn more about the issue you want to address, develop educational information you can share with your community members, and involve people in your area who are likely to have a powerful impact.
Volunteer Work
Volunteering is a fulfilling and effective way to be involved in your chosen cause. To have a really effective impact, however, there are some important steps you should take:
- Choose a cause that you are passionate about, so you will stay motivated enough to continue donating your time.
- Realistically determine how much effort and time you can sacrifice when volunteering.
- Find an opportunity that fits within your schedule and your skill set.
- Apply for the position and follow up with the organization.
- Complete any training required.
- Fulfill the commitment you made.
Keep in mind that time and money are spent on training volunteers, so if you make a commitment and then don’t follow through, you could end up having a negative impact on the cause you care about.
Less Common Ways To Make a Positive Impact
Today there are a lot of creative things you can do to make a positive difference. For example, you could simply leave positive feedback and kind words when you’re browsing social media; too many voices are loud and negative. If you’re worried about volunteering in person, check out virtual volunteering projects.
Take advantage of passive ways to donate, such as by using a search engine that uses ad revenue for a chosen cause. As you clean out your closets and bookshelves, add those to any drop-off sites already established in your neighborhood. You could purchase goods from companies that use their profits to support good causes.
What Will You Do Today?
The good news is that you can have an impact no matter your circumstances. Your first steps into donating, advocating, and volunteering can be as limited as you need them to be. As you continue your efforts to have an impact, you’ll learn how to increase your impact and have the fulfilling experiences you crave.
