How to Pay It Forward
Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone., Do something nice for someone you don't know (or don't know very well)., Spread the word., Pay it forward.
Step-by-Step Guide
-
Step 1: Be attentive wherever you are for opportunities to help someone.
Perhaps you have an elderly or disabled neighbor who is too proud to ask for help with their yard work or maybe you're in a restaurant and see someone who looks like they could use some kind stranger to pay for their meal.
You can change people's attitudes about the world through your unobtrusive acts of kindness. -
Step 2: Do something nice for someone you don't know (or don't know very well).
It should be something significant, and not for a person from whom you expect a good deed—or anything at all, for that matter—in return. , If the person thanks you and wants to "repay" you (that is, pay it "back"), let them know that what you'd really like is for them to pay it "forward"—you'd like them to do something nice for three people they don't know, and ask those three people to do something nice for three more people.
The idea is to consciously increase the goodness of the world. , When you notice that somebody has done something nice for you, make a note in your mind to practice three acts of kindness towards other people, as described in Step
3. -
Step 3: Spread the word.
-
Step 4: Pay it forward.
Detailed Guide
Perhaps you have an elderly or disabled neighbor who is too proud to ask for help with their yard work or maybe you're in a restaurant and see someone who looks like they could use some kind stranger to pay for their meal.
You can change people's attitudes about the world through your unobtrusive acts of kindness.
It should be something significant, and not for a person from whom you expect a good deed—or anything at all, for that matter—in return. , If the person thanks you and wants to "repay" you (that is, pay it "back"), let them know that what you'd really like is for them to pay it "forward"—you'd like them to do something nice for three people they don't know, and ask those three people to do something nice for three more people.
The idea is to consciously increase the goodness of the world. , When you notice that somebody has done something nice for you, make a note in your mind to practice three acts of kindness towards other people, as described in Step
3.
About the Author
Helen Ross
Enthusiastic about teaching practical skills techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
Rate This Guide
How helpful was this guide? Click to rate: