.Ways to be Ridiculously Generous and Feel Ridiculously Good.

When I behave generously, I feel rich. I like feeling rich. So, I choose to be generous. 

Behaving generously doesn’t necessarily mean “donating money” or “giving away your last cookie.” Those are two options, sure, but there are plenty of other ways to be generous. 

You can share knowledge freely instead of hoarding it. Send a handwritten note instead of a text message. Make eye contact instead of staring down at your phone. Introduce a friend to someone they ought to meet and help them secure a new job, client, or opportunity. You can do big things, small things, simple things, all kinds of things.

The tiniest act of generosity can change someone’s day—or even change their whole life. 

Here are some of my ways to be ridiculously generous and feel ridiculously good. 

The best part is, you don’t need to “prepare.” You don’t have to “buy anything.” You don’t need to “give it some thought.” You don’t have to “clear space on your calendar.” You just need to fold a little generosity into your day, which often takes just a minute or two. 

Take a look at these possibilities. You could do one item from this list every day, 7 days in a row. It’s going to feel so good—and you’re about to become everyone’s favorite person.

1. Give a compliment to three strangers: a child, someone your own age, and an elder. Try to share a compliment that’s not related to their body or physical appearance. Instead, praise their inner qualities and skills. Say, “You’re amazing at riding that tricycle!” “You have the most calming voice. I could listen to you speak all day long.” “You inspire me to be more courageous.”

2. Find a Little Free Library near you and donate a book. Can’t find one? Start one. I did.

3. Choose a local show or a reading (improv, stand-up comedy, indie rock), convince a bunch of friends to buy tickets, and go see it. It can be an in-person show or a virtual show. Turn off your phones and give these performers your complete, undivided attention. Applaud vigorously. Make these hardworking performers feel like the superstars that they are.

4. If you see a couple—and they’re trying to take a selfie of themselves while on a romantic date or trip—ask, “Would you like me to take that photo for you?” Offer to help. Capture the moment. Extra credit: ask, “How did you two meet?” and give them an opportunity to tell you their love story. 

5. Send a bouquet of flowers to someone you love (your mom!)—to celebrate something specific or for no particular reason at all. It’s old-school and always a classic. Alternate ideas: send a potted plant rather than cut flowers, send a pizza delivery, or make a contribution to a great cause in their honor.

6. Tell a teenager: “You are so brilliant. I can’t wait to see who you become. And I love who you are right now.”

7. Tell your mom (or someone who feels like your mom): “You raised me right. Here is one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from you: _______________.” [fill in the blank]

8. Tell your dad (or someone who feels like your dad): “You’ve given me so many gifts. Like the ability to _______________. Thank you.” [fill in the blank]

9. Go through your closet and clean and donate items. You’ll declutter your wardrobe and help someone in need.

10. Put away your phone and close down your inbox for a day—or even just an hour. Give the world the gift of your undivided, non-digital attention.

11. Tip generously.

12. Record an audio message for someone you’ve been meaning to thank for a while. Text it to them and tell them: “Keep this audio note and play it whenever you’re doubting your awesomeness.”

13. Buy a coffee or meal for a stranger.

14. Turn a photo from your smartphone into a real postcard. Send it. 

15. Give someone a grrrrreat massage. Here’s how.

16. When a friend tells you a piece of good news, respond with sincere enthusiasm. Make a fuss over them and say, “This is amazing news. We need to celebrate!” Whether it’s a new job, big client, moving to a new home, or something else, plan a celebration for your friend and do something to mark the moment. (Often, we rush through life so quickly and forget to take time to pause and acknowledge our victories. Helping a friend celebrate is such a generous gesture.)

17. Overwhelmed with too many things to read? Cancel magazine subscriptions and stop buying books for one month. Read all those books on your “To-be-Read-Pile”. You know what I am talking about.

18. Waiting in line? Strike up a conversation with somebody who looks bored, numb, or checked out. Start by asking: “What was the best part of your day?”

19. Reach out to a friend who’s been having a rough time. Say, “I know you’re dealing with a lot right now. I’d like to do something to make your life a tiny bit easier—to provide some relief. Here are 3 things I could do for you: (1) _________ (2) _________ (3) _________. Please let me know if you’d like 1, 2, or all 3. It would bring me joy to do this.” 

Fill in the blanks with things you’d be willing to do, such as cooking a meal, babysitting the kids, driving them to a doctor’s appointment, cleaning (or sending a housekeeper over to tidy up their home), or whatever you want to do. 

Note: instead of asking, “What can I do to help you? Please tell me what you need,” provide 2-3 options and ask your friend to pick what they want. This might be less overwhelming for your friend and can make it easier for them to accept help.

20. Make a playlist of uplifting music. Title your playlist: “Music to create hope,” “Music for motivation,” or “Listen to this when you want to feel lifted and inspired.” Share the playlist with a few friends, colleagues at work, or one special person in your life.

21. Leave a wrapped gift on top of your trash can with a note for your friendly neighborhood waste disposal professional. Or leave an envelope with a cash tip. They deal with unspeakable filth, every week, all for YOU.

22. Buy a gift for a total stranger. Or for someone you like. Just because.

23. Choose a friend. Grab a blank notebook. (Or this book.) Fill the book with love notes and compliments written by you and by other people, too. Give it to your friend. Now they have an entire book filled with reasons why they are awesome. They can flip through this book any time they’re feeling down.

24. Leave a platter of homemade treats (chocolate cake!) in the common area of your office. Extra credit: provide a list of ingredients (for folks who have food sensitivities).

25. Pray or send love to someone.

26. Encourage your kid(s) that they are awesome, that they did really well on something and that you are proud of them.

27. Go to the art supply/craft section of a local shop and leave a note that says, “Your art makes the world more beautiful.” The right person will find it, exactly when they need it.

28. Leave a rave review for your favorite podcast, your favorite book, your massage therapist, your favorite product, your favorite anything. Five stars!

29. Arrange a luxurious gift for a public school teacher. A concert pass. A nice bottle of wine. They have to deal with so many children at the same time. Send some love. 

30. Plan a weekly co-working session and invite a friend to join you (either online or in-person). Tell them, “Let’s get together, once a week, and use this time to work on our goals.” Use this time to write your novel, finish a dissertation, map out your marketing plan, onboard new clients, declutter your home, whatever you want to accomplish. This will be hugely beneficial for you—and your friend, too. They’ll be grateful that you took the initiative to plan this weekly get-it-done date.

31. Ask someone, “How are you doing—really?” Give them the opportunity to share what’s really going on. Listen without interrupting. Give them the gift of your presence and attention. 

Start this cycle of generosity all over again. Just because you can.