Five tips for performing easy good deeds.

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Five tips for performing easy good deeds.

Today is Valentine’s Day, a day when many people exchange little gifts.

Often, the nicest gift isn’t something that can be purchased. We don’t always have time to perform a heroic act of thoughtfulness, but even quick good deeds can make a difference. Appling the tips below, I’ve been astonished by the huge benefits that have sometimes flowed from pretty minimal efforts on my part.

Key concepts to bear in mind as you do an easy good deed: imagination and follow-through:

1. Birthdays. This is so easy. Gather the dates of important birthdays, enter them into one of the internet reminder sites (I use Happybirthday.com), and send happy-birthday emails throughout the year. Super-bonus: two friends sent me emails yesterday for the Little Girl’s birthday—I was so touched.

2. Thinking of you. I’m working hard to send an email every time I think, “I wonder if So-and-So saw this article about broccoli” or “This reminds me of the time in college when So-and-So and I went shopping during a hurricane,” etc. It’s so nice to know that people are thinking of you.

3. Help people think big. Nothing is more encouraging than a friend throwing out some huge goal and saying, “You should do that!” “You should write a book, you should start your own firm, you should run for office, you should join the Council on Foreign Relations.” You never know, sometimes one encouraging comment can have extraordinary effect on someone’s life.

4. Recommendations. If you know of a terrific ____, tell your friends. Mention that you have a great source for some service or product, and remember to follow up with the referral information if asked. This seems too easy to qualify as a good deed, but a recommendation can be a huge help.

5. Introductions. For doing business, for blind dates, for people moving to a new city—making introductions can make someone’s life a lot easier. Connecting people is an extremely helpful good deed, so it’s worth a bit of thinking and prodding to make it happen.

Doing these quick good deeds doesn’t just benefit others. Over and over, I marvel that the one who benefits most—in boosted spirits—is me. Do good, feel good. It really works.

*
If you're interested in the science of happiness, and larger issues of neurosicence and psychology, check out Mind Hacks. It highlights some of the most interesting research out there, with helpful summaries and links.

Comments

[Thijs]

Hey Gretchen, great post! I've put it up my happy action of the day page as recommended reading!

And happy birthday for your Little Girl (wish you'd posts these tips before her birthday as I wouldn't be late then ;))

regards,
Thijs
Partners @ www.partners-inc.nl

[thodarumm]

:)
I am recommending www.cardiocoach.com for you. I have written about it before, but I am doing it again as per your post.

Happy heart day!
Nice post. I did not grow up with Valentine's day tradition in my country, but I have embraced it in my own way now. Like you wrote, just thinking about a friend and letting them know is BIG!

[stacy]

Hi Gretchen! Just wanted to say hello and let you know that I am still following your blog. Thanks so much for linking to my post back on August 30th.. Also...congrats on being featured on Lifehacker! :) :)
Best Wishes,
stacy

[Markus]

Yes, especially #2. At least it would work for me ;)

[Dave Cheong]

Hi Gretchen,

Just wanted to drop a note to say great post! I particularly like Tip #3 (Help people think big).

Like you, I believe in the importance of making others happy. The way I do that is by being encouraging.

That is, be part of their lives, listen to their goals and desires, show genuine interest, say thank you etc.

I wrote a brief article about this on my blog. Just thought your readers would appreciate the additional tips -

http://www.davecheong.com/2006/07/12/8-simple-things-you-can-do-to-encourage-others/

Great work and keep it up.

dave

[Donny]

Thanks for this lovely article. Now I'll get into Heaven for sure!

[KatieK]

I take happiness very seriously, mine and that of the people around me. Your five tips are excellent. To them I would add "slow down and listen." Look at every person you come into contact as an individual and see that he or she most likely would really just like someone to look her gently in the eye and give reassurance that he or she matters. It doesn't take much, just a smile, a hello, just let them know they matter. Thanks for the post.

[Idiot]

fuck you...

[satish]

U posts did surely make me happy :))

[satish]

U posts did surely make me happy :))

[satish]

U posts did surely make me happy :))

[healthylivingmadeeasy]

The best tip I like is the "Help people think big". Good luck with your book :-)
-healthylivingmadeeasy

[Dosh Dosh]

I especially like the part about helping people think big and offering recommendations. I've received both in the best and boy did they make me happy. :)

[Wayne]

Thanks,Gretchen, great tips. "You should write a book". ^_< Zechary's Five Ways to Buff up Your Love Ones(http://zecharyw.com/blog/18) is very similar with this article. It's also worth reading.

[Me]

Gretchen I love you! You are so beautifull!

[Mark]

Gretchen-

Great post. I agree with your points and will strive to put them into action in my life. Nice blog, will be added to my RSS reader.

Regards,
Mark

[Marty]

Gretchen -

It's nice to find places on the internet that make a positive impact on the planet. I liked your comment about the one who benefits the most. I recently donated some firewood to friends; I think I got as much out of it as they did.

I wish you well,
Marty

[Cedar]

Hello Happy Ones

I am delighted to have your site as a link on mine - I too have been conducting a survey of What Makes Us Happy?

There have been some terrific responses to my query on our site. http://www.celticgardens.com.au/index.htm

Keep up the great inspiration and fantasic tips.

They're working!

Warmest Wishes

To Life!
and Unlimited Joy!

Cedar

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