6 Little Things You Can Do to Make a Difference!

Want to change your community, but don't know where to start? You're not alone. Millions of people are exploring many ways to end poverty, hunger, unemployment, corruption, human trafficking, and you name the worst issues facing the global population. But fortunately, nobody is powerless. By taking proper actions, we can all work together to make a better place for everyone and the next generations.

• Take Courage to Advocate for Change

Many people want to see their desired change in the community. But the problem is, they lack the courage to even start the initiative. Don’t be like these people. If you indeed want to be an instrument of change, then you have to stand up for what you believe in. Initially, some people will doubt you, and others may even criticize you. The beginning may be the hardest part as you may be doing it all alone. Still, do not be discouraged; there are a lot of successful stories about heroic acts that were started by one man or handful of men only. Maybe yours would be the next success story. Think about it.

• Encourage Others to Join Your Cause

The more people you can take in your boat, the better. They can help you paddle to reach your destination faster. This may mean some work in the process, but it’s worth it. Once they understand what you are trying to achieve and that it can benefit them in some way, they would not hesitate to join you as well - that’s for sure. You can use some tools here, like social media to create groups and promote your advocacy. Also, you may link your group to other agencies which have similar cause; and probably, you can work together to achieve your common goals.

• Determine the Problems You Want to Address

Societal problems are everywhere, even in your own community. You can, therefore, start here to help your constituents. It may be a problem about garbage disposal or negligence on the part of local leaders to address the matter. Once you determine the problem, you may then think of ways of how it’s best resolved. If you can’t do it all alone, then perhaps you can tap other people to help you out. You can also try to influence the people in the community if they are part of the problem, or there’s anything that they can help you in your cause. It matters that people know where you stand.

• Set Objectives and Goals to Achieve

You need direction once you decide to advance a particular cause. And this means setting realistic objectives and goals for you to work on all throughout. If you have a group, then make sure that all members understand where you are going and how are you going to get there. You have to assume the role of the leader if you are the initiator. But be open to suggestions of your peers as these can be of great help in the matter that you are fighting for. It’s a collaborative effort that can make you win the battle.

• You Can Move Mountains by Being Persistent

Yes, persistence pays. No matter how difficult the obstacles may be encountered along your way, you can certainly overcome them if you focus all your energy on it. Do not look at the whole mountain, you must focus on how big you are and how united your group is to advance your cause. It’s a step by step process, but eventually the weight gets lighter as you already know how to put all the pieces together. Again, you must focus on what you can do, and not on what needs to be done. It gives you the right mindset to carry on.

• Remember: Your Efforts will Pay Off in the End

The entire process of advocating change may be long and arduous. But then, if you are certain that you can get the desired results, it sure will pay off in the end. The rewards may not usually in the form of money - it’s more of self-fulfillment seeing how your community has changed just because of that one little step that you dared to take. They may not thank you for that, but that’s not necessary at all. This is the spirit of “Bayanihan” that each one of us must be oriented of if we were to change the world one community at a time.

If you're like me, the numbers don't count as you try to change the world for the better. What matters most is your inner satisfaction knowing that a child has seen hope and dreams from your little acts of kindness.

I'm proud of you!