Giving Back

After reaching all your personal goals, it's time to give back. What form will your giving back take?

Once we have achieved most of the earlier goals we have set, it is often time to sit back and think about what we can do to give back to the family, community, environment or even wider world that has allowed us to prosper so far.

How intensely you feel this giving back sentiment varies from person to person.

Some of the world's richest people set up philanthropic structures and funnel millions or even billions of dollars towards doing good works; Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation being the most obvious, recent example. (That's got to make you feel a little bit better about those computer crashes in the past...)

Some give their time in a huge array of volunteering opportunities that make life just a little bit easier for those around them. Others change direction completely after becoming aware of circumstances elsewere in the world and throw themselves headlong into the fray giving both time and money by immersing themselves entirely in their chosen cause. Read the stories of Mama Jude in Africa, Sarah Chayes in Afghanistan, and former Microsoft executive John Wood (in lots of places!) for inspiration.

Normal people doing extraordinary things.

Most others aren't prepared to change their lives to that extent, but support the many charities and non-government organisations (NGOs) working with disadvantaged people, operating in developing countries or helping out in disaster zones.

Speculation is that this will be the most giving time the western world has ever experienced. Why? Many baby boomers are well off, extremely healthy and returning to the ethos of the 60's; maybe they can still make a difference.

It's not just boomers of course, but a wide swathe of individuals of all ages.

So don't just sit there. Get involved to whatever extent you can manage. It feels great.

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