Has anyone ever inspired you to change your life in a significant way that made you healthier, happier, or more fulfilled? If so, you understand the difference that positive inspiration can make in a person’s life. Inspiration is powerful, but it isn’t easy. Would you like to return the favor by making a positive difference in the life of your friends, family, or co-workers? If you want to be a positive influence capable of inspiring your loved ones to become better versions of themselves, please consider these 20 ways to inspire people around you.

1. Care.

If you can’t show a person that you genuinely care about them, do you think you will be able to inspire them? The answer is a resounding, “NO!” Show people you care in your words (“How are you today?”) and your actions (small acts of kindness go a long way).

2. Be enthusiastic.

The saying “enthusiasm is contagious” is common enough to be cliché, but it’s a cliché because it’s true. Reflect enthusiasm every day to the people you are in contact with, and I’m willing to wager your genuine smiles, positive energy, and caring concern will be returned ten-fold.

3. Earn trust.

If a person you know and love tells you a secret, it stays between you and them. Trust takes a long time to build, but it can be destroyed overnight, so don’t take part in workplace gossip or unnecessary drama in your social networks so you can be a positive influence that people are unafraid to talk to.

4. If it’s not positive, don’t say it.

It’s easy to criticize people, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Whether the criticism is justified or not, I bet you get upset. No one likes to be criticized, so if you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say it at all.

5. Build people up.

Don’t believe me? Find someone in your office wearing a frown, tell them how cute (or handsome) they look today, and watch a bright smile take over their face. If your compliment doesn’t make their day, I’ll buy you a beer.

6. Stand your ground.

Stand firm if you want to show the people around you that even the worst of circumstances can be overcome with positive thinking, continuous improvement, and a never-say-die attitude.

7. Admit your flaws.

Everyone has at least one glaring weakness or two, so accept your shortcomings to humanize yourself so people can relate to you on a deeper level.

8. Be an active listener.

Make eye-contact if someone talks to you about their problems and ask follow-up questions to show them you care about what they are going through and want to understand where they are coming from as well as you can.

9. Reach for the stars.

Be ambitious, aim high, and never surrender if you want to inspire people that they, too, can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

10. Deliver constructive criticism.

First of all, constructive criticism should only be delivered if it is asked for. Remember point #4: if it’s not positive, don’t say it. If you are asked for input, deliver it in a positive manner.

11. Treat everyone equally.

Love and care for people without consideration of these irrelevant factors that have no influence on the quality of a person.

12. Walk with confidence.

Walk with a friendly swagger that reflects confidence in who you are.

13. Stay calm and cool.

Shrug off insults like they didn’t happen and those who witness your unflinching nature might be inspired to do the same.

14. Share your influences.

Share the influences that shaped who you are so others can also benefit.

15. Acknowledge contributions of others.

Acknowledge the contribution publicly if at all possible to show people you’re humble and thoughtful enough to give credit where it’s due.

16. Keep your promises.

It’s easy to ditch our responsibilities when a more interesting opportunity presents itself, but this is a sure-fire way to destroy the trust you’ve worked so hard to earn, so you’d be wise to keep your word no matter what.

17. Stay true to who you are.

Embrace your true self without apology.

18. Explore alternative thoughts and ideas.

Make a point of challenging your beliefs on a regular basis.

19. Be patient.

Change is not immediate, and it’s not easy. Be patient with others, as well as yourself, to inspire others that, with a little effort and time, anything is possible.

20. Live by example.

At the end of the day, the most powerful inspiration is leading by example. Live the life you see for yourself and others will eventually follow suit.

Inspiration is not an easy thing to achieve. It takes time, effort, and patience. But with a little care, enthusiasm, and trust, anyone can inspire the people around them to become better versions of themselves. So why not take the time to put a few of these tips into practice, and see just how much of a difference you can make?