How to Change Peoples' Lives for the Better

Co-authored by Carolyn Rubenstein, PhD and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: January 14, 2023 References

You don’t have to bring about world peace to change someone’s life. Simple acts of kindness and good behavior can go a long way to improve someone’s day, even if it doesn’t seem like it at first. The simplest ways to make a difference are to be emotionally supportive and to donate money to those in need. If you want to be more direct, look for opportunities to defend and stand up for victimized people. Finally, if you’re looking to be more proactive, consider looking at ways to improve your own life for the better. When you make others feel good, you feel good, too!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Being Emotionally and Financially Supportive

1
Remind others that you’re emotionally available to them. Remind your friends and family members that you’re there for them, even if you can’t do anything to physically change their problem or situation. When comforting someone, remind them that they have control over the decisions that they make, and that you’ll support them no matter what.^{[1]
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- For example, say something like: “I know you’re going through a tough time right now, and I just wanted you to know that I’m here for you if you need anything.”
- Make sure that the person feels loved and validated, and that they know they can call on you if necessary.
- Try to empathize with others when providing emotional support. A lot of the time, you can change someone’s life for the better just by reminding them that they’re not alone.
2
Compliment someone to make them feel good. Take a minute out of your day to compliment someone, be they a friend, family member, or stranger. Let them know that their outfit looks fantastic, or congratulate them on a recent success. Even if it’s a short conversation, you can easily make someone’s life better by letting them know that they‘re talented and beautiful.^{[2]
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- For instance, mention that you like someone’s outfit or hairstyle if you happen to bump into them.
- Don’t confuse compliments with cat calls. If your compliment would end up objectifying the recipient, then don’t say anything.
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3
Tell someone how much they matter to you. Remind your friends and family of how important they are with a simple statement or gesture. If you’re feeling extra creative, send someone a card with a message that says how much you love them. If you’re looking for a simple way to change someone’s life for the better, let them know how valued and irreplaceable they are in your life.^{[3]
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- For example, if you’re making a card, write something like this: “Hey! I just wanted to let you know how much you mean to me. I love you so much, and I’m so thankful to have you in my life!”
- If you’re having a conversation with someone, consider saying something like: “I know I don’t say this enough, but I just wanted to tell you that you mean a lot to me. Thank you for being in my life!”
4
Perform one act of kindness for a stranger each day. Get in the habit of doing considerate things each day, whether it’s a small or large act. If you’re entering a busy building, try holding the door for the person behind you. If you’re feeling extra generous, pay for the drink for the next person in line.^{[4]
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- Try paying it forward at a restaurant drive-through. Sometimes, you can start a pattern of people paying for the person behind them.^{[5]
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5
Donate to someone in a financially rough spot. Look for opportunities to help others through tough times, be they medical or job-related. Even if it’s a small amount of money, let someone know that they matter and that they’re in your thoughts by giving them some cash or a check. By providing financial support in a tough time, you’ll definitely be having a positive impact.^{[6]
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- If someone doesn’t want to be given money, respect their wishes and provide emotional support instead.
- Don’t mistake financial donations for financial dependency. For instance, while it’s nice to help someone make rent during a financially tough time, but it’s not healthy or fair for that person to rely on you to pay their future bills.
6
Sponsor an underprivileged child to improve their life. Work with a charity organization to provide impoverished children around the world with the funds they need to live a healthy and functioning life. Even if you never meet your sponsored child in person, a monthly donation lets a child know that someone cares about them. When you provide less fortunate children with a better life, you are immeasurably changing their lives for the better.^{[7]
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- If you look online, you can find several organizations that will help you sponsor a child.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Standing up for Others

1
Speak up when someone is bullied. Take action when you see a person being picked on. Instead of being complacent, defend the victim by declaring your support.^{[8]
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Research source} To make a further point, specifically call bullies out their toxic behavior. By standing up for victims, you’re letting them know that they matter, which will positively change their lives.^{[9]
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Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source}
- For instance, if a bully is picking on someone for their physical appearance, say something like: “Knock it off! You have no right to talk to people that way.”
- If you’re in school and you see someone being bullied, feel free to ask an adult for help.^{[10]
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- This also applies to cyber bullying. If you see bullying happening online, use the “report” feature whenever possible to let an online moderator or administrator know what’s going on.
- If you’re worried that a victim of bullying is feeling suicidal, be sure to speak up.^{[11]
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  Trustworthy Source
  HelpGuide
  Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
  Go to source}
2
Ask other people how you can help them before taking action. Talk with the victim to see how they’re feeling, and ask how they want to proceed. Sometimes, what you think a person needs can differ a lot from what they actually need. Communicate openly and respectfully with the victim, and respect their wishes if they don’t want you to take action.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source
Greater Good Magazine
Journal published by UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, which uses scientific research to promote happier living
Go to source}
- For example, if you’re trying to be an ally to a member of a marginalized group, ask the person if there’s anything you’ve accidentally said or done in the past that was inherently prejudiced.
3
Participate in a peaceful protest to defend the rights of others. Look for opportunities to protest issues or injustices around your community. Stand peacefully with a crowd to show your disagreement with the unfair treatment of others. By joining in a peaceful protest, you’re also demonstrating strength and support in numbers.^{[13]
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- By letting people know that they have your unwavering support, you’re letting people know that they matter.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Improving Your Own Life

1
Think positively about your upcoming day. Force yourself to think optimistically when you wake up, and develop a rough plan for how you want your day to go. Aim to create the happiest, kindest version of yourself throughout the day by starting your morning with positive vibes.^{[14]
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- For example, if you walk past someone who’s dropped something, take a moment to help instead of walking past them. By letting someone know that they matter, you’ll be changing their life in a small but positive way.
2
Sleep enough each night so you feel recharged. Be the best version of yourself by getting enough sleep. Even if you haven’t accomplished everything that you wanted to complete, aim to get enough sleep so that you’re not feeling groggy the next day.^{[15]
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Research source} Adults of all ages need at least 7 hours of sleep, while teens need at least 8 hours.^{[16]
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Trustworthy Source
HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.
Go to source}
- If you aren’t feeling refreshed and ready to face the day, then it’ll be a lot harder to improve someone else’s day.
3
Set practical goals for your life that you can work toward. Avoid setting the bar too high for yourself. Even if you want to see change in your life, you can’t expect anything to happen overnight. Be kind to yourself by setting reasonable goals, and by encouraging others to do the same.^{[17]
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- For example, if you’re trying to lose weight, don’t set a goal to lose 50 pounds (23 kg) in one week.
4
Admit to others when you’re wrong. Let people know when you’ve made a mistake or said something incorrectly by apologizing and owning your error. When you demonstrate humility, you show that you value your relationship with another person. Additionally, try to participate in a healthy dialogue about what you did wrong and how you can improve in the future, so you can change yourself for the better.^{[18]
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- When you apologize, you let others know that their feelings are valid and important. This makes people feel more appreciated and respected.

Community Q&A

Question

How can we save other lives?

Benjamin M.

Top Answerer

According to the philosopher Peter Singer who wrote the book "The Life You Can Save", children die of many preventable illnesses in the global South that can be prevented by donating a relatively small sum of money on a regular basis.