The Mirror Effect: If you want to change the reflection, you have to change yourself first.

*Stop comparing yourself to others*

We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.

Many people use social media as a tool to portray themselves in a significantly more favorable way than they would normally be. This has unfortunately also led to what I believe to be higher levels of narcissism among people in real-life and a lack of authenticity. We expect people to put up facades and to follow the status quo.

That’s why authenticity works — fewer and fewer people are authentic these days. When we’re confronted with authenticity, it’s almost startling because it forces us to become self-aware of our own lack of authenticity.

*Generosity and empathy can go a long way*

Generosity is about giving to other people without expecting anything back in return. Many people view generosity one- dimensionally, unfortunately. Many people view generosity as the act of giving money away, often to charities. However, this is an incredibly limited view of what generosity is. You can be generous by giving a service, a good, money, or some advice.

Generosity is simply about the act of giving to others without the expectation of return. People just want to be listened to, and they want to be understood.

When you’re incredibly empathetic and generous with others, it allows you to grow closer to the people that matter in your life. Even without an expectation of return, you’ll find that your generosity and empathy will be rewarded eventually. Maybe a young entrepreneur you gave encouragement to today will become the next big tech CEO five years from now and thanks you for the encouragement. Or perhaps you help a friend with finding a job today, and five years later he’s able to get you job when you’re out of your luck.

*Improve and change what is closest to you*

Many people believe that changing the world requires that you to focus on making sweeping changes in the political and social structures of the world. However, this simply isn’t true. Many people who have changed the world did so, not by focusing on changing entire nations, but by focusing on improving and changing that which they were already familiar with.

Recognize that changing the world does not require making massive actions. Sometimes all it takes is trying to fix and improve what’s closest to you and affects you personally.