There are 1,440 minutes in one day. For around 12 hours every day, most people are at work and going about their daily lives.
Did you know it takes less than 30 seconds to impact the lives of others? That means you have over 1,000 chances a day to make an impact. Now if you take into account how many hours you’re at your desk, on the road, at home watching TV, in the shower, etc..the number is far less. I would say it is safe to assume that everyone has at least 50-150 chances to positively impact someone’s day.
You have 100 chances to smile, to compliment, to wave hello.
Is that it? Is that all you can do in under 30 seconds? No.
For instance, let’s list some things you can do in less than 30 seconds that are obvious:
- Smile
- Greet
- Compliment
- Open a door
- Buy someone’s meal
These are simple and many of us do this out of habit and/or good manners.
Here are some you may have not thought of:
- Picking up trash while in the store or in the parking lot
- Telling someone their tire is low or brake light is out
- Letting someone cut in line in front of you
- Forgiving someone
- Taking someone’s basket back to the store for them
- Telling a fellow shopper about a deal or coupon
- Checking on a neighbor
- Sending out a text
- Thanking someone on social media for something they have done for you or the community. (police, fire fighters, soldiers, etc)
Some of these you may be thinking, “Yeah that’s a good idea” and some, “There are employee’s for that”.
Allow me to explain my choices:
- When I shop in the grocery store I really do pick up trash. I worked at a store in my teens and into early adulthood. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen an elderly person or pregnant woman slip and fall on a piece of trash. What takes you less than 30 seconds and a little hand sanitizer can literally save a life and keep someone out of the hospital.
- Just the other day a man was kind enough to pull up next to my car and tell me my brake light was out. I was absolutely in awe that a stranger did that and though it may not seem like a big deal…it is. Because of him I was able to stop and change out my light in less than 10 minutes. If I had been pulled over, it would have most likely taken 15 to 25 minutes and my husband would have been late to work…then would have been fired. Because that man took less than 30 seconds to reach out and help a stranger, he helped us in more ways than he could imagine.
- I like to let people cut in line in front of me, given there is not a super long line behind me. Sometimes it’s just good for the soul to just slow down and realize you’re not in as much of a rush as another person is.
- Forgiving someone is so important. We can hold a grudge for a lifetime, but finally forgiving them can take only a moment. You will feel the weight lift off your shoulders and notice your attitude in life improve, not to mention theirs as well.
- Taking someone’s basket may seem very insignificant to you, but it is one of the nicest and friendliest gestures I see. It saves one person time, improves their mood and an employee a trip, allowing him/her to breathe for a moment or tend a customer that needs help.
- Sharing deals is one of my favorite things to do. As a mother of 4, every penny saved can go towards them playing sports, the holidays, or clothes. Never underestimate the impact you can make in a family by helping them save money.
- How many of us have neighbors that rarely have visitors? I would say almost everyone. As an Oklahoma Native living in East Texas with no family, I must say having neighbors that check on us means so much and makes living far away from family a little more bearable.
- Send out a good morning text with a greeting, bible verse, or word of encouragement to everyone or someone you know has been down lately. That text can change a person’s entire mood for the day and impact everyone they come in contact with.
- Take a moment to personally “Thank” someone you now is impacting lives through social media. People that constantly reach out, help others, and lay their lives on the line are rarely ever thanked. It puts a smile on their face, recharges their passion, and in turn can keep them going….causing them to save lives.
Every time you impact someone, your impact has the ability to impact the first 5 people that person comes into contact with. We can together, improve the quality of life in Oklahoma with only 30 seconds of our time.
Impact Challenge: Impact 10 people a day this week. It will only take 5 minutes everyday but the effects of that time can span years.
