Personal Social Responsibility - What is it?!
One of my key areas of interest has always been how we as individuals and groups can improve the world. To me it is all about addressing how we live our lives and the impact we have on everything and everyone around us, both locally and globally.
After all, a butterfly flapping its wings in Regents Park causes turbulence and havoc in New Orleans - now you know what really caused Katrina 
The point is that everything we do matters – and makes either a positive or a negative impact on everything around us.
Remember Gandhi’s famous quote “Be the Change you wish to see in the world”.
From the being, comes the doing and ultimately the having. So we now have the message “Do the change you wish to see in the world”.
The time has come when we cannot just rely on others – each one of us has to our bit. Increasingly more and more companies are also waking up to their responsibilities to the environment, the larger community and the global implications of their activities.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is no longer just a buzzword and in the last year, CSR has become a crucial part of company .
It is now time for people to be more and more aware about their Personal Social Responsibility (PSR). A year ago, with a friend I came up with the phrase “Personal Social Responsibility”. But searching online, it seems that though the phrase might be in use in some places, it has not really taken off yet.
But I feel that PSR is an idea whose time has come.
PSR is all about doing to others what you would like others do to you. It is about recognizing how your behaviour affects others, and holding yourself accountable for your actions. For example, contrast someone being well mannered with someone being rude.
Ideally a PSR aware person will:-
1. Always endeavour to have a positive effect on others.
2. Have a mind set to contribute.
3. Refrain from causing negativity in his environment e.g. by throwing litter on the ground, or by gossiping.
4. His social and economic activities will have a positive or neutral impact on the environment.
A socially responsible person will endeavour to have a positive effect on others and enrich his environment. He will strive to make a positive contribution, and will not pollute the atmosphere, both physically and metaphorically.
So from today onwards, start by firstly becoming aware of the concept of PSR. By coming from a place of being socially responsible for all your actions, you will immediately begin to think differently.
Then start acting from this new found awareness of PSR. For example, even by giving way to a motorist when its your right of way will help improve the world. Recall how great you feel when you have done just this, and the other driver has graciously acknowledged you.
Another idea is to write a letter to the manager of someone who has served you well. Become someone who is gracious and generous with authentic praise and appreciation. Also look to carry out random acts of kindness.
So you see everything you do, does make a difference.
Make your life and your actions count from today. Make things happen.
Come from a place of being socially responsible - you owe it to our future generations.
