Ask me a big picture question about what I want to accomplish and I’ll be ready with an answer.
I want to change lives on a personal level.
It’s something I’ve said at least a few dozen times in the last couple of months.
The problem is that I don’t know how to make it happen.
This website, I hope, does just that. It certainly plays a role and I wonder how many lives I’ve affected in the last two and a half years.
But what else could I be doing?
I’m fortunate enough to be able to pursue just about anything I want right now since my business is flexible and I actually have more free time than I know what to do with during most afternoons. I’ve got to put this freedom to good use.
Sure, I could volunteer and help local organizations with man-hours just like I did all throughout high school and during my short time in college, but that wouldn’t be an efficient use of my time in terms of direct impact per hour worked.
I could also donate money to charity (I’m actually donating $1,000 to my friend’s charity pretty soon, more details on that in the near future), but my bank account only has so much.
I could roam the streets holding a sign that says “Will listen to your problems and offer free advice”, but again, not very efficient and it’s a bit odd/creepy/silly. Not to mention that I myself wouldn’t value free advice from a stranger so it wouldn’t really have any impact there.
One of my friends suggested I start a non-profit organization. I like that idea. I honestly don’t know what that entails and I don’t know what the cause would be, but it’s something I’ll keep in mind.
Is there anything else?
Could I start another business that somehow impacts personal lives on a large scale? What would that business look like? What would it do? How would it fund itself?
These are all such tough questions. That’s why I need your help.
Here’s to you…
Do you have any ideas on how I could efficiently change lives for the better?
I have a friend in Seattle Wa. who purchases crack houses from the Gov’t. that have been repossessed by the courts. He gets them usually for back taxes owed, goes in and totally cleans and decontaminates the homes. He then resells them to low income families for very little profit. His entire family spends at least one full day a week at the house, so everyone experiences the satisfaction of helping those in their community. If He didn’t buy the houses the Gov’t. would tear them down and and sell the lot to the highest bidder which eliminates those low income families trying improve their lives. You might volunteer at organizations like Upscale Resale, Habitat for Humanity, Love Inc. to gain insight to what is our communities greatest needs
Wow, now THAT is awesome!
I’ve taken a look at Habitat for Humanity and took one of their mandatory orientations several months ago. I emailed them to get more information on how to volunteer in my area but haven’t heard back yet. Time to followup!
Put the right people together. When you know that JK and CR will profit themselves and in the process further help a 3rd, 4th, and so on you’ll be multiplying your gift many fold. For you, might that be in the area of publishing, self help, healthy lifestyles, relationships, or something else, only you would know what brings you the most joy for your time spent.
I thought about publishing (that’s actually what the big surprise announcement on Self Stairway’s FB was about) but decided it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed. At least… I didn’t enjoy the process.
Can you clarify what you mean by JK and CR?
Here are some ideas people have shared with me privately through Facebook, private emails, and Twitter!
“1. You can use @getmoreclarity to setup a 50% coupon to help non profits and young startups
2. You could setup recurring donations to @CharityWater @Watsi and @NewStoryCharity
3. You could spend 10 minutes a week answering questions in FB groups and on @volleyworks
4. You could text message/email that post to your network and email list and see if anybody has any more ideas”
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“I agree with your friend on the non-profit organization idea and focus on a specific group. I think that way you’ll be touching lives on a personal level.”
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“Write about the biggest problems and worries you’ve had in your life (if you haven’t already).
Are there any major societal problems that you feel strongly about? Homelessness/Food Deserts/ Broken school system/ Healthcare that’s extremely expensive.”
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“Make YouTube videos and give advice there and I love how your putting your dreams into existence!”
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Someone emailed me a very personal story and explained why helping people who have had previous trouble with the law get back on their feet is very important to her.
“If you want to impact lives in a personal way, I can’t think of a lot of ways more personal than this. I could’ve certainly used the help and I know there are so, so many out there going through the same struggles. A lot of them will simply get themselves put back into prison because THAT is a world they at least understand and can function in. And I’ve not even mentioned the cases of innocent people convicted of crimes they did not commit, being thrown into prison, their families falling apart, their children at such higher risk of getting into legal troubles of their own. This is a huge, uncalled for breakdown of a huge part of our society that no one really wants to deal with.
Find a way to help in this area – you will certainly be impacting lives in a very very personal way.”
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“A few ideas for helping others could include starting a self-help youtube channel or possibly even writing a book.”
I teach in NC – you could always set up an organizations that finds volunteers for schools.:}
Awesome! Colleges or high schools?
The initials JK and CR are imaginary individuals. I apologize for not being clear. They could be anyone that synergisticly become more than either of them separately. Together they produce more then 1 + 1 = 2. And this is very strange, yet we know it to be true. It’s not easy but when a couple or group have similar goals, working and for sure playing with the mutually skillful knowledge and experience that they bring to an effort at hand, magic happens. If you want to grow from this experience as well, pick a project in an area that you are uncomfortable with. Considering what you have told us in the past about yourself I’d suggest a medical area or perhaps legal. You are a maven and will do a great service.
I definitely don’t think I’d enjoy medical or legal (unless I can skip the whole taking classes thing). 😉
It really impacts peoples lives most (and the most people)if you manage to change compulsory education and/or laws in a way that improves peoples lives. The important part is to spend time and effort to analyze and hone the idea so that the positive impact will really occur and that no unintended negative side effects occur.
That’s very big picture but unfortunately incredibly difficult to actually perform.
Vincent it is admirable that your heart is in the right place. I know you have gotten a tremendous amount of possible things to choose from so I just wanted to comment you on desiring to give back. Awesome
Thanks so much for the kind words, Rose! Really means a lot. 🙂