Leadership

Ways to Become a More Productive Member of Society

Every person has their own story on how they begin this yearning feeling of being a part of something bigger than themselves. Some people reach out to their local community or state government, others start up charities and non-profit organizations. No matter what it is you decide to do, you can always improve yourself in some way.

Save a life through CPR

1. Be Prepared to Save a Life. Car crashes, drowning incidents, and other types of accidents can happen at any time. When you are driving or walking around the neighborhood, you might come across a situation like one of these where emergency medical attention is needed. The best thing you can do is be prepared for something like this by getting first aid training and a CPR certification.

Becoming skilled in emergency care does not have to be expensive. There are websites that offer free or low cost courses where you can learn basic first aid, CPR, and other life saving skills without ever having to leave your home. Once you have these skills you will not only have the ability, but also the confidence, to help in a situation.

2. Become a Mentor. It’s always important to give back to your community and why not start with the kids. After school programs are just the tip of the iceberg with places you can start. Teachers are short handed and out-numbered when it comes to doing their job. Many students need extra time and attention in areas like math and reading, but teachers find that they just can’t give personal lessons to each student. Many schools will offer tutoring classes where kids can bring their homework and get the extra time they need and are run entirely off of mentors.

Other great programs are those like the Big Brother/Big Sister programs and the YMCA groups, that teach character values. Some parents choose to put their kids in these programs because they have no where else to send their kids while they are at work and others choose it so their child can make friends. Being a role model and mentor to these kids can make a world of difference, especially if they come from a home where there is no one to look up to.

3. Seek to Understand Opposing POVs. Part of having neighbors and being a part of a community is dealing with other people. All of these people need to come together to make decisions to make sure their neighborhoods stay safe and clean. The biggest roadblocks in making decisions are taking into account every person’s opinion. This is true in many situations and areas of life.

Too many times, when people run into opposing views, their response is anger and sometimes violence. Instead, it would be better if people would try to understand each other’s point of view, and why they each feels the way they do. A lot can be learned from seeking to understand another person, and not just an additional way to see the world. When people truly try to connect with each other, they gain a sense of friendship and learn that they can respect each other despite their differences.

4. Volunteer. Not every job ends with a paycheck. The truth is, many positions and jobs throughout society are run by volunteers. Food banks, soup kitchens, fundraisers, and non-profit organizations rely heavily on people who will freely give of their time.

Many times these opportunities benefit the people there to help more than those who are on the receiving end. It is nice to look beyond your own problems and know that you are a part of something bigger, working to make a difference. Depending on the event, you might even come away with a healthy realization of what really matters in life.

5. Work at Something You Love. The definition of being productive is to work. And you're much more valuable to society when you're dedicated and passionate about that work. Find your dream and live it—what makes you the most fulfilled? What do you want to do with your life?

Even if you don't think you can have your dream job right now (maybe you're not currently qualified or you need more money to start a business or something else), take steps to get there. If you need to go back to school, are there any classes you can attend in your free time? Can you volunteer your services on a limited basis to build a portfolio and
a client base? What do you need to do to make things happen?

Trial and Error

The most effective way to find your own place in society is to find something that you really love to do that contributes to people’s way of life. When you get involved and realize what you are most passionate about, the rest just takes care of itself. Start off with some of these suggestions and soon you will become a more productive member of society.

Share how you're contributing in the comments below.

John Perkins works as a marketing manager with the American Academy of CPR & First Aid and enjoys writing about topics related to health and wellness. In his free time, he enjoys wake boarding, going to concerts, and cooking with fresh ingredients. You can take free CPR and first aid courses at OnlineCPRCertification.net.

If you have any questions, please ask below!