How Can You Become More Generous?

FameAugust 15, 2017

“That’s what I consider true generosity: You give your all, and yet you always feel as if it costs you nothing.”— Simone de Beauvoir

Everyone loves generous people. Even if you are not generous, you love the idea of people who help others in many situations. Still, there are very few people who do this every day, or at least when they can. Most of us just say that we would give more if we had more. However, there are so many reasons to give what you have no matter how small that amount might be. Try to create this amazing habit of giving, even if everything you have at the moment is your smile.

Here are eight ways to become more generous.

Think about the benefits of generosity

Look around and think about generous people in your environment. Generous people report being healthier, happier, and more satisfied with their life than those who aren’t generous. Generosity gives a hope of making a change in the world to an individual. Being generous is going to make you better in the eyes of others, but in your eyes as well.

Be grateful

Antonio Guillem/Shutterstock

Make a decision to become grateful for everything you actually have in your life. The best is to write these things down so that you can actually be aware of them. Start with health, love, even go more detailed, eyes, mouth, etc. That way, you will really notice that you have so many things to be grateful for, and that beautiful thing is to share something with others, even if it is something small.

Start doing small things

Don’t put big goals in front of yourself in a short time. Decide to give away at least a dollar per week. Don’t be embarrassed; rather, consider this as training – you must learn to give. If you feel better with donating five or ten dollars, do as you think. But the most important thing is to continue giving, even if it is once in a month or two.

When you receive, give

When you receive a payment, try to give some money first, even if it is just a dollar or two. That way, you will feel happier with the things you got. This is an important thing to do because if you wait, you will probably end up spending all of the money. So try to invert the situation – give first. Thus, giving will become a sort of ritual every time you receive money, which is a great thing to do.

Give up from just one thing in your life

For a period of time, try to give up from one specific expense you make, and direct it to charity. For example, if you drink Starbucks every day, give it up on some days, say Mondays. Whatever is the case, you should pick up something specific and interesting. This way, you will remember this action, and in the best case, you can make someone join you as well. Also, a specific period of time should make it easier to do. Courtney Carver gave away $225 in one month just by giving up Starbucks.

Find your passion and then fund it

There are numerous causes that need our support. Of course, some of them are closer to us because we already have them in our lives or consider them to be our passion. What is the thing you are most passionate about? Is that poverty, religion, or environment? Whatever it is, try locating the cause. That will make you feel closer when donating money. You can even join organizations or causes on the web, get reminders and interesting cases, which will also empower you to donate in future.

fizkes/Shutterstock

Find motivation in people around you

If you have friends who love donating, try to hang out with them often, or communicate with them on a daily basis about the cases that need funding. Ask them who do they support, how you can get involved and ask them for their opinion on any topic you want – it will surely be helpful for you to know that you are on the right way.

Visit the people in need

Whatever you want to fund, make sure that you identify with the situation. The best way to do this is to visit and spend time with people who are in need. You can visit them alone with your own donation, or you can choose to spend time with them at your local homeless shelter. You can volunteer and help them, too. That way, you will actively help and make them feel better. Furthermore, you will understand their problems and needs better, which will definitely make you feel better.