The One Way to Radically Improve Your Life
I could make a list of 50 steps to self-improvement, but I can only think of one that will flip your life around immediately. Most of my recommendations require slow and deliberate intention and action, but this one will deliver immediately. If you are anything like me, you strive to be better.
You always see room for improvement and think about how to be …
- healthier
- faster
- richer
- more productive
- more patient
- more creative
- (insert your wish here)
Or maybe you’ve been thinking about home improvements, vacations, financing college for your kids, your relationships, your diet, your debt, your job. With all of the information out there, it is easy to get caught up, and even slightly obsessed with self-improvement. If you’ve ever thought or said, “I can’t get out of my own head.” or “If I could just get to the next level or make this work.” or “I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about my….job, life, health.” then you know how much time you spend thinking about yourself.
If you genuinely want more health and happiness, greater clarity, better sleep, lovelier relationships and to radically improve your life …
Think about someone else
There is someone in your life right now that is suffering. You might know them, you might not. They are sad. They are hungry. They are frustrated. They are stuck. They are sick. They are lost. You can help them and you don’t have to be self improved to do it. You don’t have to wait until you are the person you want to be to help someone right now.
This could be as simple as a phone call or email or bigger like rallying friends for a fundraiser. You can think about someone else in your own home, in your community or in the world. There are so many ways to think about someone else.
- Gene wants to make a difference in every country.
- Robyn made a hat to benefit Invisible Children.
- I am bringing back the Starbucks project.
- Karen Walrond is helping to make the beginning of the end of aids a reality.
- Street Yoga is changing lives one breath at a time.
You can bring one of these ideas to your own community or create a new way to give back and think about someone else. When you do that, you will separate yourself from worry, lift your spirits and radically improve your life.
We are all a work in progress, but contentedness allows you to be happy exactly where you are in this moment. Be grateful for where you are and what you have, and know this: Even if you are broke, sad, weary, or worried, you are in the perfect place to think about and help someone.
Think about someone else right now by sharing your favorite way to think about someone else and give back in the comment section. I usually don’t encourage links in comments, but in this case, feel free to link to your favorite organizations.
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27 Responses to “The One Way to Radically Improve Your Life”
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This is such a good reminder – I keep on forgetting to think of others when I am deep in my head and in my own little life. There’s so much going on sometimes, one feels overwhelmed. The only way to get back on track is to expand. To think bold and open up to the possibility. To think big, and outwards, instead of small and inward.
I agree, I was having a conversation with someone just the other day about how are problems and issues are minor compared to others.
yes, Yes, YES!
Thanks so much for this reminder, Courtney!
This is so true. Most weeks, my most satisfying time is that I spend working with an adult literacy student. I’ve been volunteering with literacy organizations for more than 15 years and it is one of the most rewarding experiences to be able to help somebody make real change.
Yes! In my mind, this is the whole purpose of life! This was a great edge of the seat, what will it be? article!
One of my favorite times of the week is the hour I spend reading to preschoolers at a local Montessori preschool. I’m also about to start volunteering at the Recovery Cafe, a place that works with addicts of all kinds that are on the way to recovery. I get nothing back for this work, except, well, seeing the smiling faces of the people I’m helping, but that in itself is enough
United Way (the Volunteer Reader program I work through): http://www.uwkc.org/ways-to-volunteer/ongoing-campaigns/volunteer-readers/
the Recovery Cafe: http://recoverycafe.org/
Great reminder and as always – you put it so simply. Simple enough to just do it!
This is just the reminder I needed to get out of my own head and I thank you…
I always feel better when I give back to the community so I’m going to ask my kids what they want to do.
Maybe drop some smoothies off at the volunteer fire station. Or maybe some water ice…
It’s not much, but it will get me unstuck.
absolutely. & those of us with kids &/or spouses have ready-made people to think about, right under our noses. sometimes my worst crabbiness wafts away by looking one of my children squarely in the face & concerning myself with what they need, right in this minute.
hallelujah, it’s not all about us!
That is so true Jill. I find the same result by focusing on one of my family. They are right there, so you can do it straight away!
Thanks for mentioning my project, Courtney.
I’m currently working on a book about selfless living in a selfish world titled “The Theory of Revolution.” I hope to have it out by the end of the year. I believe we can start a revolution if we can get our minds off of ourselves and focus on those in need.
I completely agree with you. This one mindset will radically improve your life!
My favourite way of thinking about someone else is to send a letter. I know that receiving a handwritten letter meant just for me is one of the best feelings so I can only assume that it is the same for others.
I the world of Facebook, texting, and emails, letters are such a personal touch. When I receive a hand written letter, it does feel good. You know someone cared enough to take the time to sit and write instead of take 5 seconds and fire off a text.
I sponsor a child through Compassion International. I love writing her letters and knowing that I am helping someone. I am learning about her culture and her country as well. It has been so eye opening.
http://www.compassion.com
My wife and I do too! Love Compassion International!
Giving to others is the best medicine. It is such an obvious thing to do, but so many times we get caught up in our own little world. Helping others really is the best medicine in the world, plus it allows us to give back to the world and people around us.
I agree with you wholeheartedly. Perspective matters, and helping others helps you. I keep small bills in my car for the sign holders.
I foster stray cats until they get well and can be adopted. Most times, I find this fun ,but some of the cruelty cases make it hard for me to remember that humans are the creatures with large brains and souls.
Great reminder Courtney! I’m very fortunate in that my volunteer passion is now my job – I work at a homeless shelter in Ann Arbor. Nothing puts things in perspective like 8 hours cheek to cheek with folks who are happy just to have a safe place out of the heat to lay their heads.
http://annarborshelter.org/
Thanks so much for mentioning the Invisible Children hat, Courtney! It’s such a blessing to be able to send them a bit of money each month to this amazing organization!
http://www.readandfeed.org
Sounds like a great organization and I can’t wait to get involved!
So, I read this post and thought that it was really good post. I immediately thought of my two friends who I haven’t heard from in awhile. One always sends me very long weekly email updates and the other didn’t respond to my email. It turns out one was really really sick and passed out due to low insulin at work. If she was at her house, she would have died. My other friend has been so busy traveling and had to make an emergency showing in New Jersey, b/c her mom went to the hospital.
I’m really glad I emailed them to find out if they were okay and/or where they were.
I’m also in the midst of a 200 hour yoga teacher training course run by the Recovery Cafe (and only open to members and volunteers that work there). The Street Yoga organization has been on my radar for a while now, but after reading this again, I’m going to look into doing some work through them once I complete the teacher training.
“You don’t have to wait until you are the person you want to be to help someone right now.”
Amen! Thank-you so much.