I love the whole concept of paying it forward. During the month of February, I shared out 28 ideas to pay it forward anytime of the year. By paying it forward, big or small, you can really leave a positive impact on someone else’s life. Not only will you and the person on the other end feel good about your random act of kindness, but you will start a chain reaction of good events to follow. These good deeds do not always come in the form of money either. In fact, I encourage you to really focus on the ideas below that do not require any money at all. Everyone can participate in the pay it forward movement.
What does it mean to “Pay it Forward”?
The concept of paying it forward means that whenever you benefit from a good deed, you then pass along another good deed to someone else. However, you don’t have to wait until you are the recipient of a good deed, you can start the movement anytime and set it all in motion.
Doing a good for someone you know, or someone you don’t know, is a beautiful selfless act. It’s a great reminder that there are still plenty of people in this world full of kindness, generosity, and selflessness.
There are limitless ways someone can pay it forward, you just need to get creative or be inspired. Random acts of kindness can really have a ripple effect and make you feel good in the process. Below are a list of 28 ideas to pay it forward all year long. Maybe they will inspire you to think of even more ideas!
“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.“
-Winston Churchill
28 Ideas to Pay it Forward
1. Send someone a hand-written thank you note today.
2. Give a compliment to a complete stranger today.
3. Write a positive recommendation for a friend, peer, or coworker on LinkedIn.
4. Donate $25 to a cause or charity that you are passionate about.
5. Let someone go in front of you in line who only has a few items.
6. Connect two people in your network that you think would mutually benefit from collaborating together.
7. An oldie but goodie…Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in the drive-thru.
8. Read a good book lately? Snail mail a copy to a friend or colleague with a personal note inside.
9. Put your phone away when having a face-to-face conversation with someone. Listen intently.
10. Be a mentor. Share your time, knowledge, and experience with a dietetic student, dietetic intern, or fellow dietitian looking to level up.
11. Call an old friend you haven’t talked to in a while. They would love to hear from you and you’ll make their day.
12. Leave a 5-star review on Amazon for one of your favorite professional development books.
13. Smile today. The simple act of smiling has the power to positively affect those around us. In fact, research shows that smiles are considered to be contagious.
14. Get a group text going with your family members today. Let them know how much you love and appreciate them.
15. Ask a friend to join you in a local charity run/walk for a cause that really means something to you.
16. Share a good belly laugh with someone today. Laughter is a great form of stress relief and can have several short and long-term health benefits. Go ahead…give it a try.
17. There are themed days during the year that celebrate kindness. Every year on February 17th you can celebrate Random Acts of Kindness Day and annually Global Pay It Forward Day is celebrated on April 28th.
18. Send an email to someone from your past who made a difference in your life and had a positive impact on your dietetics career.
19. Leave a copy of one of your favorite books at your local coffee shop for someone else to discover and read.
20. Send a gratitude email to a coworker who deserves more recognition.
21. Support a locally-owned small business today.
22. Leave a positive comment on a fellow dietitian’s blog article or social media post.
23. Leave encouraging messages on sticky notes in random places. You never know who will need to hear that message today.
24. Self-care: Be kind to yourself. (that’s where it all starts!)
25. Do someone a big favor without expecting anything in return.
26. Teach someone a skill you have mastered. The power of teaching and influencing others through generosity will definitely put a smile on your face.
27. Tell someone (who you know needs to hear it) to go for it and follow their dreams. Help them positively shift their mindset.
28. Volunteer your time somewhere local to have a positive impact on your community. (You don’t always have to donate money. Sometimes non-profit organizations and other groups just need more hands on deck.)
Inspiring Quotes About the Simple Act of Giving
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver. – Maya Angelou
“No one has ever become poor from giving.” – Anne Frank
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” – Pablo Picasso
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Mohammed Ali
“It’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime. – Joan Marques
“Everyone can be great because everyone can serve.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
“It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” – Albert Einstein
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.” – Booker T. Washington
“Always give without remembering and always receive without forgetting.” – Brian Tracey
“Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” – Ben Carson
“The most truly generous persons are those who give silently without hope of praise or reward.” – Carol Ryrie Brink
I hope you found some great ideas above to help you start paying it forward today!
I would love to hear from you in the comments below what creative ideas you have to pay it forward or even which one of the above ideas you have already put into motion!
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