Happiness – that elusive quality offered so easily through self-help books – can come from helping improve other people’s lives… allegedly. Yes, what you and I know can become the secret to someone else thriving. Since acting on this assertion can only do good, I wondered what I could do to improve your quality of life, and what you could do to improve mine. I would certainly rejoice if, through knowing one another and sharing, we are all the better for our mutual relationships.

It may sound arrogant to suggest what I know could improve your life, but the sense I mean it in is rather more humble. I’m using it in the sense of sharing three important discoveries without which my life would be less. I would like to improve your life by sharing a habit, a skill to be learned, and a communication technique. No details, but rather a suggestion that you may look into one of these more deeply.

Firstly, the habit. I wish someone had taken me aside before I got my first pay packet and had explained to me the difference between assets and liabilities. I have spent my life buying liabilities instead of building assets. An asset is something you invest in that grows in value independently of your time. Writing a successful book that pays royalties throughout your life is my favourite example.  You put the effort in up front and then reap the benefits evermore.

Secondly, a skill to be learned. The graphical note-taking technique called ‘Mind Mapping’ is the single-most beneficial way I have ever learned to organise my thinking. I’m glad I learned it young.

Thirdly, a communication technique. The theatrical art of ‘Improvisation’ (‘Impro’ for short) champions the use of other people’s ideas and builds upon them. In this sense, ideas are like assets which can be grown. The easiest way to keep conversations, relationships, and connections flowing is to say, “Yes!” to people’s content, suggestions, and ideas. Then you add, “And…” bringing your own contribution to grow the flow. I have learned to actively search for ways to agree with others and then to augment their ideas so that they become stronger.

These three gems are most assuredly aspects of my life I would love to pass on to others to benefit from. My purpose here is not to focus on any of the three but to invite you to adopt the principle of sharing anything you think others would benefit from. If you were to enhance someone’s quality of life from your own life-experience what techniques, habits, tools, or valuable lessons would you pass on? How could you improve someone else’s life? How are you improving other people’s lives already? How does this make you feel?

Lex

A Moodscope member