Making charitable donations can mean much more than a good feeling. If you do it right, those donations can help drive change in your community, plus make the world a better place. Here are 3- reasons you should consider building a culture of giving back.
- You Prolong the Human Community
Humans are an inherently social species. We have survived and thrived because we take care of one another. Generosity is, in part, a survival instinct. Even the simple act of sharing food or shelter with another person is an example of humanity’s intrinsic generosity. If we were an overwhelmingly selfish species, we would’ve gone extinct a long time ago.
Hence, by giving to one another, you inadvertently prolong the survival of the human community.
- It Makes You a Happier Person
Research has shown that giving makes us far happier than receiving. Thus, in a way, we are actually being both selfish and selfless by giving to others. A 2008 study by Harvard Business School professor Michael Norton and colleagues found that giving money to someone else lifted participants’ happiness more that spending it on themselves (despite participants’ prediction that spending on themselves would make them happier).
- It Supports Your Networking Effort
Activities related to giving back offer a meaningful opportunity to bond, share your personal values on social media platforms which can invariably expand your network as you get connected with like minded people who also commit to your values and the causes you support. Such connections have been known to create opportunities for more impact.
Final words…
Every day that goes by without helping another is an opportunity missed. Recognize that others helped you (directly or indirectly) achieve your intrinsic worth, and now you have the opportunity to pay them back while joining others in increasing impact.
