Difference Makers

APOGEE2K10 is into its fourth day. Its just getting better and better. The TED talks initiative has been the hallmark of APOGEE2K10 for me. Different speakers, different fields, different ideas- all in one day and at one place! However two of talks in particular inspired me to write this post. One was by Kartick Satyanarayan, a wildlife guardian (More at: link) and other by Vishal Talreja, a social entrepreneur(More at: link). During both these talks there was a person sitting in front of me who was cheering,clapping, whistling, exhorting and showing a great enthu every time the speaker told a success story. I found this a bit irritating and a thought came to my mind, "Yeh to aise react kar raha hai ki talk ke baad apna ek NGO hi shuru karne wala". And the next moment another thought crossed my mind. Why am I getting so irritated? What am I going to do after hearing all the very inspiring and motivating success stories related to environment protection, child abuse, drug abuse etc told by the speakers? The answer to this question(partly) was given by Mr Vishal Talreja himself. Concluding his talk he said, "When you walk out of this door thank a person whom you have ignored till now, persons whom we don't notice like a waiter in a restaurant, the security guard who gurards our house, the sweeper. Appreciate them for their work and see the difference that makes in you." I thought that's not difficult, is that? And then I pondered over and came up with some very simple things that we can do to really make a difference to the society and to the nature. I call them difference makers. You already know them; might even be implementing them but still I would like to point them out.

1. Switch off all the lights, fans when not in use. Save electricity. Imagine a situation where all of us are using electricity only to the extent we need it. How much electricity we will be able to save? (A Thesis can be done on this topic)

2. Car Pool. Whenever possible share vehicles or use public transport. I know that's difficult but small steps do lead to big things!

3. Stop using polythene as much as possible. You know the reason- its nonbiodegradable.

4. Visit an NGO or an orphanage or a shelter home once in a while. Volunteer there. It's a great feeling!

5. Donate Blood. It might save someone's life. It's healthy too.

6. Whenever you come across a fact worth knowing, a story worth telling, a NGO doing some good work inform as many people as you can. We are involved in gossiping rite so why not involve ourselves in some informational and useful gossiping?

7. Buy ecofriendly products and use recycled paper.

All these are not difficult to apply. I know it's not possible for everyone to start an NGO or be a social entrepreneur. But small things like these can have a massive effect on your own life too. When I was interning in ST Microelectronics my manager once told me a funda. He said consider that you have two concentric circles. One is your circle of influenece and the other is the circle of concerns, worries. Now always our circle of concern is bigger than our circle of influence. That means we are able to influence only those people with whom we are concerned. But imagine a situation when our circle of influence is bigger than the circle of concern. Then we not only affect the people with whom we are concerned but also people outside our concerns. This is one of the fundas to be highly effective. So are you willing to increase the radius of your circle of influence and be effective- a difference maker?? The choice is completely yours.

PS: If you have any other difference makers then please do mention them in your comments.