More Than Acts of Kindness

A friend recently asked me if Inconvenience Yourself™ is basically just performing acts of kindness.

My response, "It's more than that."

I look at Inconvenience Yourself™ as a way of living. Something I think about and try to include in my life every day. Practicing Inconvenience Yourself™ as a way of life may include an act of kindness, but it can include other things as well. For example, you choose to:

• write a thank you note,


• listen to a friend going through a rough time,


• provide encouragement to someone with their own business,


• use common courtesy,


• give your child (or another loved one) a hug, or


• acknowledge a job well done - with words or a gift.

Some of these things may also be acts of kindness. But they aren't the kind of things my friend was thinking of. He was thinking about things like paying a toll for the person behind him or a paying for a cup of coffee for someone else at Starbucks.

There are so many things you can do - you are only limited by our own imagination.

What's the point of Inconvenience Yourself™? It makes a positive impact on people's lives. Give it a try, you will find your life is better as well.

If you like the idea, please respond with how you choose to Inconvenience Yourself™.

Celebrate Inconvenience Yourself™ Day!

Today is Inconvenience Yourself™ Day. Celebrate by taking action. What am I going to do? This morning I sent 2 thank you notes, using cards from www.InconvenienceYourself.com/cartd.html.

I also plan on making a donation to the college I attended. This afternoon I will be taking a walk and pick up trash in my neighborhood.

There are many things you can do - reconnect with an old friend or relative, listen to someone who has something on their mind, give someone a hug, acknowledge a friend, make an apology...

What are you going to do?

It's Almost Inconvenience Yourself™ Day - 2/24/10

First my apologies to supporters of Inconvenience Yourself™.  My lapse in blogging has to do with the need to make a living, not a lack of belief in the concept.  While I do my best to live Inconvenience Yourself™ every day, I am not so good at keeping up with the blog.

Inconvenience Yourself™ Day is this coming Wednesday - February 24, 2010.  Have been  thinking about what I will do to recognize the day.  There are so many options. 

Yesterday I was impressed by a young girl, probably about 6 years old.  She was with her mom who was holding an infant and a younger sister who was about 3.  As I pulled out of my parking space, they were attempting to cross the parking lot.  I stopped well back to allow them to cross safely.  As they passed in front of me, the oldest girl looked at me, smiled and said, "Thank you,"  Both the girl and her parents impressed me! 

What are you going to do for Inconvenience Yourself™ Day?  Send your ideas to: julie@InconvenienceYourself.com.

If you need some ideas of how to celebrate this unusual holiday, go to www.InconvenienceYourself.com - you will find ideas for kids, grown-ups, classrooms and businesses.