How to Add a Splash of Human Quality to Your Day
We’re all in this world together; let’s look after each other.
I consider myself fortunate to work in such a close-knit team. I know not everyone has this, but it’s so important, especially given how many hours in the day we spend in each other’s company. I feel lucky because it’s always been that way, ever since I can remember.
Land Down Under
Now, in just over a week, a good work-friend is jetting off to Australia to be closer to his family, and kick-start the next chapter in his life
He was always planning on going back to his native country at some point and the events of recent months added weight to the idea — I think the inconsistent British weather probably gave him more than a nudge too!
Naturally, as places of work tend to do when someone decides to head off on their merry way, we all chipped in to get a couple of leaving gifts and a card — Nothing too over the top, just a couple of bits that we knew would mean a lot to him.
The Last Supper
At the end of a meal we’d arranged as kind of ‘the last supper’ before he flies out, I gave him the presents. His emotions took over. He was so moved by what we’d given him, mainly because he had no idea that we were working behind the scenes to get him anything at all. It was a real, heart-warming, genuine moment, and a perfect way to part ways with the team.
I mention this because he was so touched that we had pulled together to get him something, yet it seemed like the only thing to do.
It was one of those times where, as a team, we did something for someone else, without expecting anything else in return. To see our efforts, have such an impact, without even realising what it would mean to the other person, was a nice feeling.
It’s a point worth thinking about in further detail.
Do Something for Someone Else, Without Expecting Anything in Return
Sometimes, what doesn’t mean much to you as an individual, can say an awful lot to someone else.
What’s surprising is that it’s often the little, or what you consider to be little, gestures that mean so much. Often we think this has to be money, but it’s deeper than that.
Before I go any further, I want to say I’m not discrediting money, far from it.
Money benefits us all. Besides the material goods and comfort, it can bring, it can also be the vehicle to make charitable things happen. It helps create opportunities that go further than the sum itself, and that’s a powerful thing. If you can afford to give it, please do.
That said, despite all of the reasons above, it’s not just money that can help. I’d even go as far as to say that it’s often the things that money can’t buy that have a more significant impact. Belief, love, appreciation, recognition and support are all things we can offer openly and freely. They don’t cost a penny.
A Handful of Ideas
Here a few subtle ways to make someone’s day. I’m not expecting you to try them all, but pick one that resonates and see what happens — I’m near certain that most of them will give you a warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
While we can’t physically bottle the feelings up, we can, of course, re-visit them time and time again.
Give a couple a try and see how you get on.
- Send a Hand-Written Letter — It doesn’t have to be anything over the top. A word to say thanks, thinking of you or good luck, means such a lot to the person receiving the note.
- Volunteer — if there is a charity or project you believe in, why not offer your time and expertise to help. This is a useful site for anyone interested in the UK.
- Smile.
- Put Other First — There are so many ways to do this, it’d impossible to list them all but next time you see a struggling mum and her hyperactive kids at the supermarket, let them jump ahead of you in the queue. Parenting is tough. Give them a break. You’ll feel great.
- Publically Recognise a Good Job — Go out for your way to give people the recognition they deserve. We often get so caught up in trying to elevate our status, that we forget to build up others around us. If it was someone else’s idea that made the difference on a project, let everyone know.
- Be Generous — See below.
Ok, this one may cost some money, but I use it as an example because I thought it was brilliant.
Last year, I was walking through town to get to work, on a cold December day, when I spotted one of my work colleagues, one of the guys who was also at the meal.
It was odd because he’s usually a larger-than-life character, but on that morning, he looked a bit embarrassed that I saw him. Naturally, I was curious about what he was doing.
He had a big bag of clothes with him, and it turned out that it’s been a tradition of his in recent years to bulk-buy hats, scarves and gloves and distribute them to the homeless people in town.
He doesn’t like people to see him doing it because he doesn’t want that to become his motivation. He does it because it feels good. He can afford to give a little away, and I can’t help but think that would mean the world to the person receiving them.
I plan on making it a Christmas tradition, why don’t you too?
Final Thoughts
We all know that staying active is good for our physical health, mindfulness works on our mental well-being, but altruism is what makes us human. If we all worked on this, the world would be a better place to live.
Make it your aim to do something for someone else, without expecting anything in return. Please don’t only do it once; make it a regular habit. Make it a part of who you are.
Thanks for reading,
— Dave
Before You Leave
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