What You Can Do

Hello and hope the Fall is off to a great start for you and yours.

Here’s what I hear from friends just about every day: “Hey Yang, I’m despondent about the state of things. What can I do to make things better?”

These are folks who are often saddened by the overall dysfunction, polarization and lack of optimism out there. The headlines aren’t encouraging: Charlie Kirk’s assassination, Jimmy Kimmel being taken off air, the economy stalling, AI eating jobs.

I appreciate that people look to me for advice. I obviously see the same headlines that you do and get affected by them as someone who wants good things and is trying to make things better.

You know what I do on a really bad day?

Tip.

When I feel myself getting bummed out by world events, I tip really well. Aggressively. Like $20 on a $25 lunch bill.

Why? What does that do?

First, it makes me feel better. Doing something direct and nice for another person makes me feel better almost instantaneously.

Second, it makes the recipient happy. Might even make their day.

Third, it reminds me that whatever is plaguing me, there are other people who have different things on their minds.

Fourth, I’m mildly famous for wanting to give people money. I have a reputation to uphold.

Fifth, it gives me a sense of agency; that is, I CAN do something real and concrete right now.

Sixth, it makes people like me more. After all, I go to the same cafes and restaurants. Now, folks there are glad to see me.

Last, it reminds me of the progress that I’ve made. My first job was as a busboy getting tips. It’s been a long time since the Imperial Wok.

All of this value for a mere $20. $15, really, since a $5 tip would be normal.

If I have trouble shaking bad vibes, I might do this all day. Lunch, dinner, coffee, the parking attendant. No one is safe.

Does this work? It generally does. It keeps me positive.

Now, you might not have the means to take this approach. But you could substitute a smile for a tip and it would work more or less the same.

You see, one of the most proven and powerful ways to be happier is to be grateful. I’m grateful that, to the extent that I have daily challenges, they’re the kind of challenges that go with having opportunities. That might be true for you too. Generosity fuels gratitude.

So does taking action. People ask me, “What can I do?” Choose something direct and personal. It could even be just calling someone you haven’t been in touch with for a while. No, you can’t single-handedly undo polarization or soothe our culture. But you can make one person’s day better. And if you can do that, what else can you do?

TLDR; don’t let the headlines get to you. Others need you, including people you see every day. Start there.

Check out what Forward is doing to make things better here. You remember ‘Fewer Poor Kids?’ I interview Liam deClive-Lowe, Executive Director of Humanity Forward, about how the child tax credit was made permanent and what else might be possible in Washington on the podcast this week. Over 800 people came to the Noble Mobile launch party, which was epic! Our launch was covered in TechCrunch, CNN, USA Today, Business Insider, the New York Post and many more. Thank you to all who have checked out Noble Mobile and spread the word!