Many designers want to make a positive impact through their work. That can feel like a tall order, and not something most of us get to do unless we land on exactly the right project. But there are more immediate, subtle ways to improve the world, ways available to anyone, at any time.
Ordinary people can influence the world around them by choosing to show up with care, imagination, and honesty. These three acts: kindness, creativity, and authenticity, are how we make daily life better for ourselves and others. They’re also the qualities we need most in a time defined by complexity, uncertainty, and increasing disconnection.
Acts of kindness
Acts of kindness, even small ones, have a big impact. They create a ripple effect that reaches people you may never meet. A smile, a helping hand, or a quiet gesture of support can brighten someone’s day and remind them they’re not alone.
Kindness works because it spreads. Research shows that when someone experiences generosity, they’re about 25 percent more likely to help others. That effect can extend several steps through a social network, moving from you to a colleague to someone in their circle, and so on. A single act can influence far more people than you might imagine.
The opposite is also true. Unkindness and small moments of hostility move through groups the same way, eroding trust and lowering what a team or community can achieve. Choosing generosity isn’t just about feeling good; it’s a way to prevent the social fallout from negativity.
There’s also a personal payoff. Acts of kindness release serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin, the chemicals that lift mood, reduce stress, and strengthen connection. Scientists call this the ‘helper’s high.’ Over time, kindness also improves physical health. People who practice it regularly report lower anxiety and blood pressure, along with signs of slower aging. Generosity fuels connection, connection fuels generosity, and everyone benefits.
Creativity
Creativity is often framed as something rare or artistic, but in everyday life, it’s one of the most practical forces for improvement. It begins with noticing what could be better, imagining an alternative, and taking even a small step toward it. Those steps can shift how people feel, collaborate, and solve problems.
Creativity works because it opens up new possibilities. When someone brings imagination and flexible thinking to a situation, they notice options others might miss. That shift in perspective can influence how a group works together and how ideas develop. Often, the impact stretches further than expected.
Research shows that creative thinking increases open-mindedness, curiosity, and hope. When people see a creative approach, it encourages them to explore, experiment, and contribute. This energy spreads through teams, creating conditions in which improvement becomes the norm rather than the exception.
Creativity also strengthens personal well-being. Even small creative activities can lower stress, improve mood, and increase engagement with your environment. They activate parts of the brain linked to pleasure, motivation, and problem-solving. They also build confidence by reminding you that you have some influence over your world.
Ultimately, creativity is an act of contribution. Imagining something better and taking steps to realise it creates value for others. You make things clearer, kinder, or more workable. You help people feel understood. You introduce optimism where things feel stuck. When creative thinking becomes a habit, its benefits carry far beyond the original idea.
Authenticity
Authenticity is about living in line with your values rather than performing for approval. When your actions match what you believe, you reclaim energy that would otherwise go into maintaining a facade. That energy strengthens your relationships and your sense of self.
Authenticity builds trust, which is the foundation of community. When people show up as they are, vulnerabilities included, they create the psychological safety needed for honesty, risk-taking, and resilience. This is why authentic teams tend to collaborate better and navigate conflict more effectively.
It also shapes how we live day to day. When your identity is grounded in your values and your relationships, you feel less pressure to prove yourself through status or possessions. This weakens the pull of 'compensatory consumption' and supports more sustainable ways of living. Authenticity reinforces a sense of self built through connection rather than comparison.
Why does this work? Because authenticity meets three core human needs:
- Autonomy – directing your own life.
- Competence – feeling effective and valued.
- Relatedness – feeling cared for and connected.
When these needs are met, people report higher vitality, life satisfaction, and overall well-being. Authenticity also lightens the burden of impression management. When you’re no longer spending energy trying to look a certain way, stress and anxiety decrease, and that freed energy flows back into your relationships.
Everyday choices add up. Choosing kindness over indifference, creativity over passivity, or authenticity over performance doesn’t just improve your own life. It fosters a culture that uplifts everyone. These choices meet our deepest human needs for connection, meaning, and belonging.
A better world doesn’t require dramatic shifts. It grows through simple, human acts repeated over time.
