Making a Difference to Society:  Helping Others by Lending a Hand

What does it mean to make a difference in society? Research definitely fulfills that role, for it advances the human knowledge. It adds to our repertoire of facts that may one day be applicable for anything that can dare be imagined.

Differences can be big or small, though. Discoveries from research falls into the bigger category because the implications of the research has the potential to realize the hopes of millions. Innovations, inventions - these, too, fall into the bigger category. Another example of a big category could be a teacher, for a teacher would have many students. In fact, the effect could easily be exponential since each of those students could make a huge impact upon the world. Therefore, the work of a teacher or author could be tremendous. On the contrary, if you are a grocery clerk getting money from people everyday, or perhaps a doctor who just uses the same old methods to heal people without thinking or disseminating the knowledge he has learned, the difference you make is smaller.

This is not to say big differences are better than small differences. After all, small differences add up to big ones. Every one of us has a choice to make - whether we would like to make big differences or small ones. Not all of us need to win a Nobel Prize to make a contribution. Any positive act you have done in this life constitutes a contribution to society. 

Most of us probably do want to contribute to making this world a better place to inhabit. The question is where do we start and how do we do it?

First, you must decide in which area you would like to make the impact. Is it in biology, is it in sociology, is it in economics? This is a crucial step because it can mean success or failure. Especially in areas with much competition, and whatever you plan to engage in usually has competition, choosing an area with little competition may ensure your success. The reason success and competition is mentioned is because if you already are drowned out by the competition early on, you will not have much incentive to continue your quest to improve upon what we have.

Second, you should decide how big an impact you wish to make. Do you wish your influence to affect the entire planet? Do you wish your influence to be felt among the people whom you know?

Third, you should decide how you would go about doing that. Will you first need more education? Do you require special training? Do you just need to read a few books? How will you disseminate the knowledge that you have found? By opening a company and selling your product? By notifying the media by press release? By writing a book on your discoveries? By emailing your friends?   

Your decision to make a difference to society is a noble one, for that really constitutes one of the true meanings of living. Advancing our world in some way, be it a new method of teaching, a new device for keeping track of our appointments, or an innovative strategy to tackle a problem, can all help the world improve its overall pool of tools and resources.

Not everyone may like your new method or use your new method, but at least you have put forth your proposals and leave it to others to pick up on it if they wish. Sometimes, you do need to improve marketing strategies, but at other times, it's simply a matter of creating your masterpiece and maybe just letting your family know. That may already make a difference.

In summary, to make a difference to society,

A. Choose your area.
B. Choose the impact level.
C. Decide how to achieve such an impact.

Life Skills > Common Sense Life Skills > Making a Difference to Society:  Helping Others by Lending a Hand