Why We Should All Donate to Charity

All over the country, people are tightening their purse strings as they face an increasingly uncertain financial future. Unsurprisingly, one of the first budget items to be removed is charitable giving. While charitable giving at the same level may not be possible for everybody, there are still good reasons to continue giving or start supporting the causes that matter most to you.

We need more givers!

According to UK Giving 2019, published by Charities Aid Foundation, the number of people who give regularly to charity is down for the third year straight this year. This downward turn is due, at least in part, to lack of trust on behalf of the public. Many people worry that much of their donations go to salaries, administrative costs, and other costs leaving little to finance the projects they actually want to support. However, by using schemes like Gift Aid and checking sites like Charity Navigator can help you choose charities that get the most out of every pound they receive.

You should put your money where your mouth is.

Regular charitable giving actually helps to STRENGTHEN your sense of values. It’s easy to say that you support a cause or espouse a belief, in principle. But, when that belief actually costs you something, even if it’s only twenty pounds, it ingrains a sense of investment into those beliefs. Most people who do volunteer or give regularly say that they do so out of a sense of moral obligation.

It’s good family values.

Teaching children about generosity and the impact that small acts of kindness can have on others is an important lesson that we all want to impart. Charitable giving is a great way to do that. Letting kids choose a cause, fundraise, and donate is a great way to empower them and teach them that they can have a positive impact on the world around them. An easy way to do this is to set up a small box at home where everybody can drop spare coins during the month. At the end of the month count it together and donate the cash to a charity of your choice.

It makes you feel good.

Most people who donate regularly admit that part of the reason why they do it is that they feel good about it. Giving becomes a habit with a great payoff both personally and in the world around you.

This article was originally published at JamesCrickmore.co.uk. 

The Best Ways to Excel in Your Workplace

Work performance is critical in order to advance in any given career. Just showing up to the office and putting in an 8-hour shift isn’t enough to succeed in today’s highly competitive workforce environment. Through simple strategy and planning a roadmap towards greater career success can be created that will propel any career professional to their fullest potential. Simple work strategies such as being a better listener, putting words into action, and staying fit and healthy are just a few ways that anyone can see a huge performance increase on the job.

Stay in Shape

The most important aspect of performing well at work is staying in shape. Numerous research studies have conclusively proven that workers that are in shape tend to be far more productive at work. Healthy people are more productive, more motivated, churn out better ideas, and are usually much friendlier in a work environment.

Be a Listener

Knowing when to speak and when to listen is a bit of an art form. This is especially true when it comes to career applications. Paying close attention to orders, feedback, or instructions given by a supervisor or co-worker is incredibly important. A person that doesn’t listen well typically will not travel far in any profession.

Put Words Into Action

The best way to impress a supervisor or coworker is to put words into action. Instead of talking about working harder, carrying out a specific workflow change, or discussing a new idea, put words into action and follow through with it. Taking the initiative to achieve something will surely propel anyone to greater career heights.

Lend a Helping Hand

The best way to get noticed in a work environment is to be the person that is always willing to help out. Whether it be filling in for a sick co-worker, volunteering for a company charity, or running an errand for a stressed co-worker, the willingness to help others is a great foundation for professional success.

Be Assertive

Succeeding at work is heavily determined by how assertive a person is. Assertiveness in the workplace should not be confused with aggression. An assertive person will always be at the forefront of completing a company-wide initiative, keeping their skills up to date, and rallying co-workers to greater performance.

This article was originally published at JamesCrickmore.co.uk.