Here’s why you should give away your most precious resource

by Elizabeth Moyer

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?” — Martin Luther King, Jr.

Time is our most valuable, important, and limited resource. We can’t duplicate it, make it stretch, slow it down, speed it up, or get it back. We all have exactly 1,440 minutes in a day, not a minute more or a minute less. And, more than your money, people want your time.

In a country known for its productivity and in Washington, DC, a city known for its “busy-ness,” it seems like we never have enough time.

So, how do we make the most of it?

Give it away.

Yes, give away your most precious resource. Let me explain.

Volunteering our time and talents is one of the most significant contributions we can make to society as individuals — economically, socially, and personally.

A global volunteer organization researched the social impact of volunteering. Here’s what they found.

Volunteering has a substantial economic impact — an estimated $113–161 billion dollars annually in the United States. That means these voluntary organizations are providing both jobs and services that contribute to the American and global economy on a massive scale.

Volunteering also has a profound social impact — bridging various sectors of society, strengthening communities, and encouraging civic engagement. In other words, volunteer activities are key to societal renewal as they promote social connection and enhance community involvement.

And of course, volunteering can have an immense personal impact of on both the receiving and giving end.

The Personal Benefits of Volunteering Your Time

“I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.” — Thomas Jefferson

Volunteering certainly benefits the economy and society, but it also impacts the volunteer. You might know the feeling. When you help someone out, you feel good too. There’s something about service that transforms us personally — sometimes even more than those we serve. In fact, studies have looked at the correlation between serving others and feelings of health and happiness. Volunteering has been shown to reduce stress, depression, loneliness, and even mortality rates.

The benefits go beyond mental and physical health. Here’s how serving others may impact you:

· Boost your career. Getting involved with a new organization is an opportunity to build relationships, make new connections, explore your gifts, and grow a larger network.

· Learn new skills. Volunteering is a great way to sharpen existing skills or learn new ones. Some organizations offer volunteer trainings and provide great experience in a new field.

· Build relationships. Meet new people you serve and serve with. Beyond boosting your career, volunteering can expose you to new social networks where meaningful relationships are built.

· Change someone’s life. Some of the most impactful, life-changing organizations rely on volunteers who are willing to give their time to helping people in need. Don’t underestimate the influence you could have on someone else.

· Improve your health. We’ve already mentioned this one, but giving your time can benefit you both mentally and physically, increasing your overall health.

We don’t volunteer just for the perks, nor should we. Giving our time and talents to the service of others is how the fabric of American society was first woven. In an age of skepticism, individualism, and division, it’s important for us to remember the power of service in building stronger, more united communities. Your unique contribution catalyzes a domino effect in community — benefiting an organization, the individuals served, your neighbors inspired by your example, your family, and even yourself. Transforming our own communities for the better doesn’t require a job change or a political platform. We can be empowered to make a small contribution with a deep impact downstream. Giving even a small proportion of our most precious resource — our time — is one way we can unleash our own talents to the benefit of others and society.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2015, the volunteer rate in the United States was 24.9%, or about 62.6 million people, which actually declined from the year before. While millions of Americans give their time, three quarters don’t. Imagine what America would look like if we all gave a small portion of our most precious resource to help others.

American society and the economy would look different, but so would Americans.

Elizabeth is the content manager at Stand Together, where she manages the content generation and distribution processes with a passion for touching others through powerful storytelling. A Tarheel at heart, she earned bachelor’s degrees in English and religious studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.