1. The secret of living if giving
The secret to living is giving, but what are the best ways to give? Maybe you volunteer or make regular donations. But does this help create systemic change or solve the real problems creating poverty and need? What are sustainable, productive ways to help others surpass their need for outside aid and thus, in turn, start giving back to others?
To put it another way, one persistent problem with charities is that if they succeeded in their missions – as in their clients no longer need what they have to offer – they then put themselves out of business. Worldwide conversations about unconditional basic income and government subsidies raise questions about creating dependency. But to assume people need help because they are lazier or less motivated than others is a mistake.
Take these three models of giving, all aid types that help people break free from the cycle of poverty, supporting the creation of lasting change in their communities as a result.
Direct giving
Evidence has been mounting about the effectiveness of cash aid over traditional aid to the poor, such as food or seeds, for years, reports NPR. But evidence and data still must fight against preconceptions about what aid should look like.
Today most aid comes as “in-kind” donations, meaning the aid providers decide what poor people need most, whether that’s schoolbooks, certain foods, or other assets. But what happens when the people who need help decide what they want to spend money on?
A recent study in Zambia looked at how people spent cash they were given with no strings attached through two government programs. They found the cash had an incredible multiplier effect. Household spending increased by over 50% more than the government aid. In other words, if someone got $150 from a program, that same year they spent $300 more than they had before. People used their free money to make more money, boosting the overall economy as people spent their money at local shops and businesses.
With such incredible returns, scaling this program seems like the logical next step. Yet persistent beliefs about who should get aid – the elderly, people who can’t work – instead of able-bodied people living in poverty means this particular initiative is only growing slowly.
Other organizations like GiveDirectly have also found lasting impact from single-time donations to poor people with no strings attached. People often use the money to start small businesses or invest in their children’s education, leading to lasting improvements in their quality of life.
Training instead of donating
Other initiatives strive to create local job opportunities through training programs. Warby Parker’s “Buy a Pair, Give a Pair,” works through this model. Instead of donating frames to communities in need, the company partners with organizations like VisionSpring to train people who then sell ultra-affordable glasses.
The benefits here are twofold: people who sell the glasses can earn a living and people with untreated vision problems can get back to working and learning now that they can see. VisionSpring calculates that glasses can increase a person’s productivity by 35% and their monthly income by 20%.
Feeding to fuel change
What about need in the USA? Food insecurity (a lack of consistent access to food to support an active, healthy life) impacts an estimated one in eight Americans; that’s 42 million Americans, including 13 million children. Without consistent access to food, it’s difficult for people to live productive, healthy lives. But feed someone and they have the energy to live in a high quality way.
“In this country we have a large empathy gap,” explains Diana Aviv, chief executive officer of Feeding America. “A lot of people think that because we have a low unemployment rate, at the moment, that the problem of hunger is poor people are lazy and anybody can get a job if they like. That’s just not the case. Well over 50% of the people who are part of our system are kids, seniors, peoples with disabilities or working families.” Feeding America fights to end hunger with their national network of food banks and meal programs, aiming for a hunger-free America. It’s why Tony Robbins himself supports their cause so strongly, with annual 100M Meals challenges every year where he matches all donations – with the goal of providing one billion meals by 2025.
Take sustainable action
Ready to add your contribution and help make lasting change? No matter how you give, do your due diligence to see how the organization manages its resources. Charity Navigator and GuideStar both give you a closer look at how organizations use your donations. The best organizations are transparent about their contributions and expenses as well as their vision for breaking the cycle of dependency, improving life for us all.
To truly feed your spirit, remember this: The secret to living is giving. No matter how busy or broke you may be, you have something to offer others. So many people miss the opportunity to know that their life makes a difference – but it does. Your life matters – and if you align yourself to be congruent with the truth that you’re here not just to “get” but to give, then other people will feel your authenticity and they will open up to you.
When you give back to other people and your community, it reminds you what you’re made for. Focusing on the needs of others has a way of motivating you to do more than you thought possible. You feel the benefits immediately. You become more productive. You find creative solutions to problems. You find strength when you’re exhausted. That’s because life supports that which improves the quality of life. When we contribute to our community, we become part of something that is bigger than ourselves.
When you think of your life, do you think about what’s missing? Or do you think about what you have? If you always think about what you don’t have, you will tend to hold on to everything that you do have, because you feel that you have so little and thus not much to give. But listen to Tony as he explains how giving in times of extreme discomfort, when you feel “lack” and not abundance, can be the most valuable.
When you think of your life, do you think about what’s missing? Or do you think about what you have? If you always think about what you don’t have, you will tend to hold on to everything that you do have, because you feel that you have so little and thus not much to give. But listen to Tony as he explains how giving in times of extreme discomfort, when you feel “lack” and not abundance, can be the most valuable.Never-ending contribution
2. The importance of giving back
Have you ever achieved a major accomplishment, looked around and thought, “Is this all there is?” When you look back on your life, does it seem like you have accomplished a lot, but you still don’t feel completely fulfilled? On paper, you can have everything you thought you wanted from life: a thriving career, an incredible family and peak physical health, and still feel like something’s missing.
That’s because you haven’t accomplished one of the six essential human needs: contribution. You need to give back.
Why is giving back important?
The need to contribute to something larger than ourselves is hardwired into every human being. It gives meaning to life, feeds your soul and lifts your spirits. It helps you to be grateful for everything you have. It gives you significance.
Contribution stems from growth, another of the essential human needs. If you’re not making progress in your life, of course you won’t feel fulfilled – you’ll be stagnant. You’re only truly living if you’re growing. But what is the end goal of all that growth? We grow so we can eventually give something back. Whether you’re giving back to your loved ones, the community or society, you’ll only find true fulfillment when you start to look outside of your own needs.
If your goals only serve you, then achieving major milestones in your life will only bring fleeting happiness. But if your goals aim to benefit a greater purpose, you’ll eventually be able to find a true sense of joy. You’ll start to realize that you don’t need to be praised by others. You’ll witness firsthand the positive impact you’re making. And you’ll find that positive impact creates a ripple effect. Just like how the people you surround yourself with affect your life, creating positivity will only bring you more positivity.
The emotional scarcity you feel will end once you begin to give back. That’s not to say you won’t still encounter stressful times, but once you make the psychological, emotional and spiritual shift that comes with being someone who gives back, you’ll feel more grounded in all aspects of your life. You don’t need to be wildly successful to start contributing – every small bit counts.
Why is giving back important? Whether you give someone on the street a hot meal or a few dollars or are able to contribute on a larger scale, giving back to society will give you a sense of fulfillment you just can’t get anywhere else.
As Tony often says, “The secret to living is giving.” He doesn’t just talk the talk with giving back quotes – he walks the walk every day through the Tony Robbins Foundation. The foundation has been improving the lives of senior citizens, youth and the hungry, homeless and imprisoned since 1991. Here are just a few ways the foundation has made a difference:
– The Inmate Empowerment Program has provided books, audio and curriculum to over 1,600 correctional facilities.
– International Basket Brigades around the country have donated baskets of food and household items.
– The four-day Global Youth Leadership Summit has changed the lives of thousands of teens.
– Monetary grants have impacted individuals and organizations around the world.
tony robbins foundation
Still wondering, “Why is giving back important?” Get inspired with these quotes on giving back from some of the world’s greatest heroes:
“No one has ever become poor by giving.” – Anne Frank
“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Life is a gift and it offers us the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.” – Tony Robbins
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” – Helen Keller
“If you’re not reaching back to help anyone then you’re not building a legacy.” – Germany Kent
“Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life’s deepest joy: true fulfillment.” – Tony Robbins
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
“Those who are the luckiest . . . also have the greatest responsibility to work hard, to contribute to the betterment of the world, and to share their luck with others.” – Ben Bernanke
“When you are aware of all that has been given to you, in your lifetime and the past few days, it is hard not to be humbled, and pleased to give back.” – Anne Lamott
3. How to give back
- Find your purpose
What is it in life that drives you? Finding answers to this question forms the backbone of giving back to society. Are you inspired by making lots of money at your job? Do you enjoy being recognized for your accomplishments? That’s a good start, but think deeper. Why do you enjoy making money? Is it so you can provide for your family and feel secure? Perhaps you relish being recognized for your achievements because it makes you feel like you’re making the most of your time or you enjoy giving back to your industry in some way. There’s always a greater purpose that drives your actions.
Now, what if you could work toward your purpose by giving back to the community? This will help you reach a greater sense of fulfillment. You can feel like you’re making a major difference for a good cause and ultimately get closer to achieving your personal goals.
2. Start small and start today
Why aren’t you already giving back? Is it because you feel that you don’t have the time or money to do so? It’s not about a lack of resources, it’s about a lack of resourcefulness.
Many people wait to give back, but the truth is, no matter what resources you have, you can start today. And the truth is, even if you have very little, if you’re not giving back to the community now, you won’t if you become wildly successful. Contribution is a mindset that enables us to devote part of our lives to helping others – it’s not about how much you have. Whether you make $30,000 a year and donate your time to volunteering at a local community center or you make $1 million annually and are able to donate a portion of each paycheck, there are ways you can start helping others today.
3. Create a ripple effect
Think of a few people you admire. Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Marc Benioff and Serena Williams are a few names that come to mind. What do these people regularly do? They work diligently to spread their messaging and create value in the lives of others. They prioritize giving back to society. Now, think of the positive impact these people have had on the globe. Bill Gates, through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has given more than $45 billion to charity.
Do you find these actions inspirational? Most people don’t have the means that Bill Gates does, but that doesn’t mean your contributions can’t inspire others too. Once you start giving back to the community, you’ll see how your positive actions encourage others to get involved, too. Maybe your coworkers want to come along on your next beach clean up or your child is eager to volunteer at a local homeless shelter with you.
The same is true of financial giving. If you find a nonprofit that piques your interest, maybe your friends and coworkers will be equally inspired to give as well. Why is giving back to the community important? It allows you to create a ripple of positive impact, which inspires others to do the same.
4. Find what fits
Giving back is about finding a fit between your passions and how they can meet a need. There are as many ways to contribute as there are problems to solve, so take the time to find what works. Find an area of philanthropy that speaks to you.
If you love children, seek out ways to give back to your community’s schools. If you love gardening, help beautify local parks and waterways. If you’re on a limited budget, consider donating your time or making use of your network to facilitate others’ contributions. Acts of kindness as small and inexpensive as recycling or visiting an elderly neighbor go a long way toward giving back to the community.
If you’re low on time, consider financial or in-kind donations. As you find opportunities for giving back to society that fit with your ideals and lifestyle, you’re able to contribute without stretching yourself too thin.
5. Embrace your life as a resource
If learning how to give back to the community sounds like a feat reserved for heroes, that’s your limiting beliefs doing the talking. The reality is that everyone’s life experience is unique, and your set of experiences equips you with skills and a perspective no one else can duplicate. You don’t have to be perfect to give back. All you need is the self-acceptance necessary to embrace everything you have to offer.
So why is it important to give back to the community? Not only will your actions benefit those on the receiving end of your good deeds, but you’ll find a personal sense of joy and fulfillment through your contributions – and even gain physical and mental health benefits.
Once you develop the habit of giving back regularly, even if you’re making a small contribution, it will begin to feel more natural and easy to do so. Always remember that the secret to living is giving. Start contributing to the world around you today, and prepare to reap the benefits of giving back.
Getting to know yourself is fundamental to giving back. When you understand the driving force behind what inspires you, you’re able to give back in a sustainable, meaningful way.
4. Start giving back today
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