Five good deeds that take less than 5 minutes
“Do good, feel good” is one of the great truths of happiness -- but you may be thinking, “Sure, good deeds would make me happy, but I barely have time to get through the essentials of my day. I don’t have time to do any good deeds!”
Wrong. Here are some ways that you can help other people—and make yourself feel great, at the same time—in under five minutes.
1. Be friendly.
I've decided that there are five degrees of social interactions with strangers: hostile, rude, neutral, polite, and friendly. I find it very difficult to be downright friendly to strangers, but I always find myself energized and cheered by a friendly interaction. It only takes an extra minute to exchange a few pleasant words, but it makes a real difference.
2. Say “yes.”
If you can, and if you should, say “yes.” Especially to a new experience, a new place, a new way of doing something.
3. When you mean "no" don't say "maybe"
It's hard to say "no" — mostly because it will hurt someone’s feelings and disappoint them. so we put it off. But waiting to hear "no" saps people’s energy by keeping them hoping for an answer they aren’t going to get. If someone is waiting for your “No,” put them out of their misery.
4. Lead them not into temptation.
It can feel generous, friendly, and fun-loving to urge people to take another piece of cake, to drink another glass of wine, or to make an extra purchase, or to urge them to give themselves a break by skipping the gym, skipping class, or quitting smoking next week instead of today. But when you see people truly trying to resist temptation, encourage them to stick to their resolutions. It can feel a little Spartan, but in the end, you are oding them a favour.
6. Do someone else’s chore
Show an awareness of the work done by someone else faithfully day after day. So start the office coffee-pot, clear the plates off the dining room table, pick up clothes and put them in the laundry bin - even though it’s not “your” job. Give someone else a little break and make them realise their contributions are appreciated.
Wrong. Here are some ways that you can help other people—and make yourself feel great, at the same time—in under five minutes.
1. Be friendly.
I've decided that there are five degrees of social interactions with strangers: hostile, rude, neutral, polite, and friendly. I find it very difficult to be downright friendly to strangers, but I always find myself energized and cheered by a friendly interaction. It only takes an extra minute to exchange a few pleasant words, but it makes a real difference.
2. Say “yes.”
If you can, and if you should, say “yes.” Especially to a new experience, a new place, a new way of doing something.
3. When you mean "no" don't say "maybe"
It's hard to say "no" — mostly because it will hurt someone’s feelings and disappoint them. so we put it off. But waiting to hear "no" saps people’s energy by keeping them hoping for an answer they aren’t going to get. If someone is waiting for your “No,” put them out of their misery.
4. Lead them not into temptation.
It can feel generous, friendly, and fun-loving to urge people to take another piece of cake, to drink another glass of wine, or to make an extra purchase, or to urge them to give themselves a break by skipping the gym, skipping class, or quitting smoking next week instead of today. But when you see people truly trying to resist temptation, encourage them to stick to their resolutions. It can feel a little Spartan, but in the end, you are oding them a favour.
6. Do someone else’s chore
Show an awareness of the work done by someone else faithfully day after day. So start the office coffee-pot, clear the plates off the dining room table, pick up clothes and put them in the laundry bin - even though it’s not “your” job. Give someone else a little break and make them realise their contributions are appreciated.
06 September at 1900
08 September at 0930
09 September at 1800
