If You Want To Make A Difference In The World, Do These 10 Easy Things

The world is a mess.

A diverse group of people stands in a circle with their hands raised and fists clenched, smiling joyfully. They appear cheerful and united, captured from a low-angle view against a clear sky backdrop. They are casually dressed, showcasing various styles.

It seems like everywhere we turn, we’re overwhelmed by the immense amount of strife and suffering going on around us.

This can lead to some pretty intense despondency when we contemplate just how big the mess is, and how little we can personally do to change it all.

We might not be in a position of power to change the entire world for the better just by snapping our fingers, but we can make great changes within ourselves.

Those in turn can – and will – ripple outward and affect others. We do have the power to change the world for the better, one small piece at a time.

Here’s how.

1. Be kind.

A woman in a tan coat kneels to give change to a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk. The man, wearing a red hoodie under a brown coat, has a sign beside him that reads "Once I was like you." A bus is visible in the background with people walking by.

This one seems like a no-brainer, but it’s startling to see just how often we lapse when it comes to accepting and celebrating others as they are.

Whenever you have the chance to do so, be kind. And if you have the chance to be really kind, do that too.

Did you have a great experience with a customer service rep at a store? Thank them sincerely, and then contact their manager and tell them what a great job their employee is doing.

2. Love unconditionally.

Two people embrace each other closely. They both wear business attire, and the scene is illuminated by a soft, warm light, creating a supportive and comforting atmosphere. The background is blurred, emphasizing the emotional connection between the two individuals.

This is another one that people tend to have difficulty with.

To love someone unconditionally doesn’t mean that you tolerate poor behavior or abuse from them, but rather you strive to love them for who they are, rather than for who you want them to be.

You can dislike someone’s behavior, but still love them as a person.

Basically, we’re all struggling our way through existence, trying to make sense of things while juggling a million different responsibilities, anxieties, hopes and dreams… and that gets really hard.

We slip up, we can’t always be the person we really want to be, or the person our partner/child/etc. would be happiest with.

It’s hugely reassuring to know that they love us even when we stumble, right? Let’s love others that way in turn.

3. Act with sincerity

Two women are sitting close together, smiling warmly at each other. They are holding hands, creating a sense of connection and support. One woman has long, blonde hair and the other has hair tied back. Both are dressed casually in light-colored clothing.

We can all tell when someone is being phony with us, and it’s really not a pleasant experience at all.

Now, this is different from being gentle when someone’s not terribly interested in something, but they try to be supportive of us anyway.

Phoniness is more like… really laying it on thick when you praise a child for their drawing, or being super-friendly to someone you can’t stand; in other words, being overly nice.

There’s a lot to be said for authenticity and sincerity. That doesn’t mean people have carte blanche to be jerks to those they don’t like, but rather have the opportunity to be polite, rather than false and saccharine.

Here’s an example: If you really appreciate something that a person has done for them, express that appreciation quietly and with real heart, rather than by a grand gesture. That can come across as insincere.

Just be real, and you’ll find that others are more sincere toward you in turn. That’s how you can change the world, one interaction at a time.

4. Live in service to others.

A diverse group of people sitting in a well-lit room, smiling and attentively listening to someone off-camera. The group appears engaged and cheerful, suggesting they are participating in a positive and interactive event or discussion.

This falls under the “big choices” category, and has to do with your life’s purpose.

Granted, we could devote several articles to this one, but in its simplest form, it has to do with what you want to do with the time you’ve been given, this time around.

You have the opportunity to do just about anything you’d like as a life calling, so what will you do?

Choosing a career that allows you to work toward the greater good is one of the most profound and giving things you can do with the decades you have on this planet.

What draws you? What subjects interest you?

Whatever it is that inspires you, there’s a career path you can take that will allow you to pour your energy into making the world a better place.

5. Shop ethically.

A large, brightly lit garment factory with rows of workers in green uniforms and blue caps, sitting at sewing machines and working on various clothing items. The factory has white walls, and tables are cluttered with fabrics and unfinished garments.

The term “vote with your wallet” is a powerful one. Every time you purchase something, you make a statement about what you believe in, what you will tolerate, and what matters to you.

If you buy personal care products from companies that pollute the environment and do horrible tests on animals, you tell them that you’re okay with that behavior, and will continue to support it.

If you buy items made by small business owners, or organic, fair-trade foods, you tell the people who make them that you appreciate their efforts.

What do you want to say?

You’ve undoubtedly been inundated with this idea for years, so it’s just a matter of re-evaluating what works best for you.

Are you able to hang laundry outside on a washing line to dry? Can you use stainless steel, reusable water bottles instead of buying plastic ones? How about taking reusable bags to the grocery store?

In which aspects of your daily life can you make little improvements?

6. Spread positivity.

A group of five friends taking a selfie outdoors. They are all smiling and appear joyful. One person is giving a piggyback ride, while another is making a peace sign with their hand. They are standing against a backdrop of buildings and greenery.

Just about all of us have experienced a situation where we were having a really bad day, but someone did or said something that totally turned the day around.

It could have been something as simple as a stranger’s smile, or a coworker letting us know how much they appreciate us.

Small acts of kindness go a long way to helping others, and in a world where so many people are so stressed and upset, these little kindnesses are absolutely vital.

7. Be a steward of the planet.

A group of people wearing light blue shirts and gloves are participating in an outdoor clean-up activity. They are collecting trash and debris in blue plastic bags on a grassy area with trees in the background under a sunny sky.

Building upon the choices listed earlier, consider the actions you take on a daily basis that affect both your environment, and the greater planet beyond.

If you choose to use a potent chemical cleaner in your home, people, animal companions, and plants will be exposed to the fumes that cleaner releases.

When you pour the cleaner down the drain, those chemicals enter the water table. The underground streams that carry those chemicals empty out into larger bodies of water, spreading the chemicals far and wide, affecting plant and animal life everywhere they go.

You can make kinder, gentler choices when it comes to personal products, and then go a step beyond for greater ecological stewardship.

Scatter indigenous flower seeds so native pollinators can feed from them. Make your yard attractive to birds and local wildlife, or donate to tree-planting initiatives.

If we all played our part, it would have a huge positive impact on the world. Be a part of that change.

8. Devote time and energy to a cause you believe in.

A woman with glasses and blonde hair, wearing a green "VOLUNTEER" shirt, smiles while holding a large box labeled "DONATIONS." She stands in a room with shelves of boxes and a rack of clothes. Various food items are on the table in front of her.

Each and every one of us is passionate about something that has to do with the greater good, so consider what you feel strongest about, and take action to do your part.

Do you love animals? Consider fostering homeless kittens or volunteering at an animal sanctuary farm.

Do you like to knit? You can make hats for preemie babies or blankets for refugees in camps.

You are capable of doing something that can make a remarkable difference in another’s life.

Do it.

9. Reduce TV and social media consumption.

A woman and a man are sitting on a couch, both holding red mugs. The woman, on the left, is pointing a remote control towards the TV. Both appear to be watching something on the TV. A clock and some home decor are visible in the background.

Take a moment and think about the last time you went for a week or more without watching TV. Yes, this includes Netflix.

Can you remember that?

If you can’t remember, try it. You might find it difficult to find other ways to amuse yourself for the first 24-48 hours, but after that, you may discover that you’re spending more time outside, or reading, or working on some of those creative projects you’ve set aside for the nebulous “eventually” to come around.

How does this change the world? It improves our own mental health. This spills over into everything we do and every person we engage with. It’s a big one.

10. See the good in everything.

A man with medium-length hair and a beard is smiling outdoors. He is wearing a light-colored jacket and a white shirt. The background features palm trees and the sun setting, creating a warm, pleasant atmosphere.

No matter what the situation may be, there’s always some good to be found in it.

That long wait in line at the grocery store is an opportunity to chat with a stranger who might seem down.

A terrible breakup is a chance for personal growth and vital alone time to get back in touch with what’s important to you.

There isn’t a single experience that isn’t a chance for healing, goodness, and evolution.

When you focus on the good stuff, you stop focusing on little, seemingly negative things that upset or irritate you. You’ll complain less, and stop criticizing those around you.

That in turn will make their lives happier, and so they’ll be nicer to other people, and so on and so forth ad infinitum. The positivity will keep rippling outward, elevating everyone.

Finally…

A man with curly hair, a beard, and a mustache smiles warmly while leaning against a brick wall. He is wearing a dark jacket and a colorful plaid scarf. The background shows an outdoor urban setting on a pleasant sunny day.