Helping others is one reason we exist.

Growing up in home with a hardworking single-mom raising 6 kids, we received tons of “help”. My amazing mother did everything she could and more. Multiple jobs, days, evenings, whatever it took was her example and work ethic. Yet, kind community members took special care of us at times of need. Our church congregation stepped in on numerous occasions to fix the broken furnace, or fix a pipe leak, or mentor me and the other kids. Christmas was always a time when the neighbors stepped in to mysteriously drop off gifts and food for us. We felt loved and appreciated. Even though we needed help materially I learned about helping others from my Mom as well. While we couldn’t provide much monetarily, she taught us to share everything else. Her time, her love, her dedication.

These lessons have carried over into my professional life. Be yourself and give what you can

. Don’t worry about not being able to help in a specific way, just help in the way you can. The more we can learn the more we can help, as long as we take action. Often experience is the best teacher. Sometimes we learn slowly or need lessons repeated. Humans thrive on experience. Some of the experiences that I have been blessed to learn from my mom and my community are simple life-hacks that create a better life for all of us:

1. Focus on the GOOD. We choose our thoughts. Our thoughts create our reality. Since we can choose our thoughts life’s better when we focus on the positive. Focus on the good and that is what you will find. The more good you look for, the more your will find it. Show gratitude. Grateful people are happier…fact. It is fun to be around grateful people…fact. Focus on what you have and the good you can do.

“If you look at what you have in life, you’ll always have more. If you look at what you don’t have in life, you’ll never have enough.” -Oprah Winfrey

2. Spend time ALONE. Noise and commotion can create energy, they also prevent us from thinking clearly. It is important to spend time alone each day to prioritize your thoughts and ideas. Emotionally intelligent people understand their own emotions, and developing that awareness takes time alone.

“Solitude isn’t just a professional plus; it’s also good for your mental and emotional well-being. To get the most out of life, you must learn to enjoy spending time alone.” – Dr. Travis Bradberry

3. Develop your VISION. Find your “why”. Once you know why you exist, then do whatever it takes to make your dreams a reality. Your vision is your purpose combined with the actions you are willing to take. Take massive action toward your dreams, let your vision guide you. Define what you want. Decide to act. Then ACT.

“Your passion is for you. Your purpose is for others.” – Jay Shetty

4. Surround yourself with BUILDERS. Negative thinking hurts performance. Find people who will build you up and hang around them. You will become like the 5 people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely. Find builders. Be a builder.

“If you can’t help people, then what is the point of being successful?” – Matt Damon

5. Learn from MISTAKES. Find a different way to achieve your objective. The way that didn’t work is a tool to find new ways that will work. Don’t take yourself too seriously. Be humble enough to change course. Admit temporary setbacks, take the lesson and create your future success.

“I don’t really believe in the notion of “mistakes” because I’ve seen that everything that happens can be for our highest good, if we learn the right lessons and integrate them for our growth.” – Kathy Caprino

6. Be VULNERABLE. Share your own personal truth and expect the best in others. Do what you know is right because it is who you are. Vulnerability is the opposite of fear, it is the opposite of selfishness. Share yourself in order to help others.

“Vulnerability sounds like truth and feels like courage. Truth and courage aren’t always comfortable, but they’re never weakness.” – Brene Brown