Find Your Own Joy

Before you to make other people happy, it's a good idea to find out exactly what it is that makes you happy. 

Make a list of the times when you've been happiest. To get this list going, ask yourself some important questions:

• What makes you happy?
• What activities bring you joy?
• Who are the people that you enjoy spending your time with?
• What type of activities give you peace?

If you're having trouble identifying things, try going through your photos. Pay attention to the ones where you look happiest and at peace. 

What were you doing then and who were you doing it with. Do you manage to find time to engage in these activities? If not, find time to fit them into you schedule.

You may be surprised at how quickly you start to perk up after returning to the activities you once loved. 

Get Your Life In Order

It's hard to help others effectively if your own life is not in order. If you really want to make a positive impact on the world, take care of your problems first. 

You may not be able to solve all of your own problems before you begin helping others.  The problems that you have overcome can give you the experience you need to help others in the same situation.

If you life is in such an array that you are too distracted, it's hard to find the time or attention to help others. So do what you can to make sure you are taking care of your affairs.

This will allow you to pay attention to the people who may need your help or advice. Also, you will be able to put in the necessary time it takes to lend someone a hand.  

Identify Your Skills and Talents

If you want to really help others, it may be good to ask the question, "What are you really good at?"

Identifying your special skills and talents can give you a good place to start helping others. 

Each one of us has something that we are good at. That could be the area where you can contribute the most benefit. 

Again, it may be good to make a list of all the skills and talents you possess. You'll be surprised by the variety to things you can offer. 

Don't be humble and list even the areas that may seem insignificant to you. That knowledge may be the thing someone else deems helpful. 

Be Honest About What You Truly Enjoy

Just because you are good at something doesn't necessarily mean you enjoy it. 

So while we are examining all of your skills and talents, think about the things you do in terms of how much you enjoy doing them. 

Be honest with yourself, because helping others with things you don't enjoy can limit how much you are able to contribute. If you don't enjoy helping with these activities, you will eventually get bored or get burnt out. 

Protect yourself from this by helping others with activities that you really enjoy. 

Identify The Causes That Are Important To You

The next thing you can do is figure out what causes are important to you.

What are you passionate about?

Everyone has their own area they are passion about. Those causes can be the things that align with your personal values. 

If you've been in a situation what was so painful that you wouldn't want to see another person go through the same thing, that may be the area you can devote your time. 

There is suffering all over the world, but you may be about to relieve the pain of just one person. If so, then that is a valiant contribution. 

Decide where you can help and begin contributing today. 

Decide How Much Time You Want To Spend

Now that you have identified the causes that are important to you, the next question is how much time can you devote to them? 

To figure out a realistic plan, look at your current commitments to gage how much time you have to devote without sacrificing other import parts of your life.  

Things like work, family, and friends are a key part of life you may not want to sacrifice. But what about your leisurely time? How much of that can you redirect to other activities like volunteering?

Working out a schedule that allows you to fit in time for helping others is important. 

It's all about managing time. Figure out a workable schedule that you feel comfortable with. 

Figure Out How You Can Help Right Now

Right now, you have to a good idea of what you would enjoy doing to help others, but now it's time to put this information to work. 

Even if you don't feel like you are fully prepared, figure out what you can do today to get started. What things can you do right now to offer some assistance to your favorite cause?

You may not think you're ready, or that you don't have much time in your schedule to help, but think of something you can do today to improve someone's life.

It doesn't have to be something huge, because even a small thing for you may be huge to someone in need. So, find something you can do today, and just do it.  

"Gratitude Means a Lot, Thank Someone Today!"

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