People often overlook how simple and small gestures can make a significant and lasting impact on someone. Many people may think that to make a lasting impact, you have to make big gestures that demand more time and money.
When you ask around what gestures have had a lasting impression on people’s lives, they will tell you it’s the small gestures they received. These kind and selfless acts make a lasting impact on people, and some may change them for the better. The epitome of these gestures is that you can share them with your loved one, friends, and strangers. Here are small gestures that can make a significant impact on people’s lives.
1. Kindness
When you ask people if they are kind, everyone will say they are—despite their actions. When you embrace kindness, it also boosts your well-being and that of the people around you. Most acts of kindness are not planned, like helping an old lady or gentleman cross the street even when you are in a hurry, stopping to give someone the right directions, and even offering a seat to a pregnant person on the bus. These acts have a lasting impression on people who receive them and will leave you feeling as if you have a great purpose toward the community.
2. Surprise
It makes a lasting impression when someone does some nice things for you that you didn’t expect. Surprising a loved one, colleague, neighbor, or even the cleaning lady in your complex are small gestures that make a long-lasting impact on them. Someone may be going through tough times, and a little surprise like booking a spa appointment for them or giving floral arrangements as a token of appreciation will leave a lasting impression on them.
Do you have people working under you? Practice telling them you notice them and their work randomly, either through a verbal or written note. These small gestures will make them enjoy working with you and improve their productivity. Surprises don’t need special occasions or huge gifts. A simple note or message will do the magic.
3. Being Humble
It is not proving easy to meet humble people lately. While walking on the street, you may bump into someone by mistake, and many people will not want to hear your apology because they aren’t used to them. Thank you, sorry, and I apologize are words you will rarely hear even after someone has wronged you. People will try to justify their actions. Remember, humbleness comes from the point of humility without conditions.
4. Thoughtfulness
When you think about other people, you tend to go out of your comfort zone and offer simple yet very impacting acts. These acts don’t need you to spend a fortune for the impact to be felt. You could use some of your free time to visit sick children in hospitals or send them a get-well card. It could also mean offering to skip your lunch to take it to a homeless person down the street.
5. Go Small
It is the small acts that create a lasting impact on other people. You do not need to have loads of money or a lot of influence. Offering to repair a neighbor’s house or even cleaning are small acts that are incredibly significant. You could also provide a listening ear to a colleague or a stranger looking stressed on the road. Maybe all they need is a hug and someone to encourage them. These simple acts impact people’s lives in a big way. Next time you walk around or notice a colleague having a bad day, don’t shy away from giving them some encouragement.
6. Lead
Lead and be an example to others. For example, fetch some groceries for the elderly neighbor down the street, organize a small welcoming party for a colleague who was sick, or even gather your friends and visit a children’s home. When you lead, people will see the impact you are putting on others and join your cause. You could even take it so far and have a career change so that you can take care of people more. If you are someone who likes looking after the elderly, then you could consider taking geriatric nurse practitioner online programs and attain the knowledge to become a caregiver in your personal life as well as for your job. The will to learn more is always a bonus so get an ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certification to be prepared for emergencies when working as a caregiver.
Final Thoughts
Many small acts make a bigger difference in people’s lives than you think. They do not require much of your time nor resources. Lead and show other people that a bit of kindness can go a long way. When you are kind, you are humble and can inspire people in making the world a better place.