You’ve probably heard of random acts of kindness, where you do something nice for someone else with no expectation of getting anything back.
I created this blog post 3 years ago, and it is still relevant.
There are many ways you can be kind to others and a few years ago there was a video doing the rounds of a US police officer who went into a store to buy socks and shoes for a homeless man who was barefoot. There’s lots more videos online for you to watch.
The phrase is said to have been invented by the journalist – Anne Herbert who, back in 1982, called on others to ‘practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty.’
Psychological research confirms that RAK brings positive benefits to the giver – both positive impact on our mental and physical health.

Especially at this time of year let’s show kindness to other. It doesn’t have to be through buying things, we can

  • Give our full listening as someone talks rather than to focus on what we are going to say next.
  • Give way to a car trying to get out of a side road.
  • Say good morning to the door man/ cleaner/ the people we tend to walk by and ignore
  • Give something away – a book, a scarf, or buy a two for one deal and give the second item away.
  • Step back and allow someone to go in front of us in a queue.
  • Compliment or provide some positive feedback to people we meet.
  • Pick up some litter we see on the floor.
  • Refer to people by name when they are wearing a name badge in a store.
  • Pay for someone’s car parking or coffee.
  • Give someone a gift – have you seen the Co-op Stores advert where a young man pays some food and leaves it on a neighbour’s doorstep?
  • Say thank you, or even better, send a hand written thank you note.
  • Say you are sorry.
  • Contact an elderly neighbour or relative and ask how they are.

I’d love to know what you plan to do or have done so why not make a note below.

Brought to you by Denise Taylor – One of the top UK career strategists, Denise Taylor, www.AmazingPeople.co.uk is a double award winning career coach who specialises in career and job search coaching. Her books include ‘Find Work at 50+’ and Now You’ve Been Shortlisted.’ Denise is regularly featured as an expert in the media including The Times, The Sun, Esquire.

Published On: December 18th, 2018 / Categories: Inspiration /

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