Realize that every little bit helps!
Helping others: it’s a core part of humanity, connect together and helping a man or woman. In times of adversity, the people who help others become an inspiration and their stories are remembered until ages are passed, such as helping the nation recover from national disasters and from some kind of tragedy. Some men and women even commit their whole lives for helping others, from the military forces that protect our nation, to the people themselves who help each other when needed, for saving people.
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” ― Anne Frank, diary of Anne Frank
But helping others isn’t limited to these grand gestures or times of trouble. Helping others can be done each and every time whenever needed. And opposite to what you may have heard, helping others doesn’t always have to be a self-denying to take actions. It’s important to understand that helping others can literally help yourself. No matter what the motivation, getting out and helping others is the real truth which is needed to be done. So in that spirit of motivation, here are 5 reasons why helping others actually helps yourself.
1. Quid Pro Quo
When you help someone, they will be more likely to help you. This is the basic, unstated agreement that powers nearly every move. I’ll spend my entire day carrying boxes, but you owe me. It’s much easier to find help when someone knows you’d do the same for them. They may not always live up to their end of the bargain, and you may not either. But if you help enough people and do many good deeds, it will be given back when needed.
2. Karma goes both ways.
All too often, the idea of Karma is related in a negative way. If you do bad, bad things will happen to you.and vice versa. When you are a good person and help people, good things happen with you. And while you may not believe in an inter-related universe that rewards good acts, there is something to be said about how helping others changes your viewpoint. When you’re helping others, you will often feel better about yourself, increasing the likelihood that your next experience will be a positive one, rather than a negative one.
3. Doing good feels good.
It’s maybe the most praised benefit of doing good: you’ll feel great. Helping others is a great way to feel better about yourself. Seeing a smile or even tears of joy makes it all worth it. It’s as simple as that.
4. Good publicity is the best publicity.
People notice when you’re doing good. It may not be the reason you help out, but someone is always watching. Even the simplest gesture can make an awesome impression.
When I was in college, I had a class that helped out at a school for a full day. I worked with a small group of high school students who were incredibly interested in writing, and I had a great time. I asked the teacher if I could come back on my own time and work with these students to finish this project we were working on, to which she agreed.
I went two more times that week, thinking nothing more about it. Fast forward a few weeks: I received a letter in the mail stating I had been chosen as a Presidential Grant Recipient for the summer and received a $2,000 stipend to work with a group of students and professors on a research project over the summer. I was floored, as I hadn’t even applied. I was nominated by that teacher who appreciated the work that I did with the students. It was not expecting, but helping others ended up opening a door I never would have known was even available.
5. Helping others looks good on a resume or application.
Is your resume looking a little thin? Volunteering your time and energy to help others makes your resume and applications look as good as it makes you feel. Hiring managers look favorably on volunteer work and many acceptance committees use it to separate similar candidates. So read to some first graders, volunteer at the homeless shelter, and volunteer at your local Boys and Girls Club. Your resume will thank you.