Uplifting others

As we enter the last week of February, we have already made it through 15% of 2025. For many of us, this means that warmer weather is fast approaching.

As we think about how we can give ourselves a boost during the remaining 85% of the year, uplifting others is a great option.

Uplifting others not only makes those around us better off, it is a self-serving act, since it improves our surroundings and creates meaning in our own lives.

As Booker T. Washington said, “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.”

Not only does lifting up others lift ourselves up, it makes others more likely to lift us up in the future by reciprocating our uplifting behavior.

3 ways to uplift others.

1. How could I lift someone up in 10 seconds? Instead of putting together a grand plan and getting overwhelmed, consider taking 10 seconds to boost someone’s day. Maybe it is a short text saying “hi, nice job”. Maybe it is smiling at the person serving you coffee. Maybe it is leaving a larger tip after dinner. Regardless, by lifting others up in small ways, we give ourselves a quick hit of dopamine that rewards our behavior while building a habit of taking uplifting actions.

2. What have others done for me that has made me feel good: By considering what has made us feel good, we give ourselves easy ideas for ways that we can uplift others. Sometimes creativity is good. Many times, we don’t need to recreate the wheel. We can uplift others by simply repeating the actions that have made us feel good.

3. A bigger pie benefits everyone: By growing the pie for everyone, we all benefit. Instead of focusing on getting more from others, by shifting our attention to uplifting others we increase the size of the pie, which allows everyone to have a bigger slice (ourselves included). We also create more meaningful relationships since everyone grows together.

Thanks for reading. Lets have a great week!