
How Can You Help Other Dyslexics?
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Ever wonder if you’re doing enough to help others? Maybe you worry you’ll somehow make things worse. That feeling comes up a lot in this community—a place where people offer support with the best intentions.
This episode digs into the heart of contributing without second-guessing. I share why it’s natural to doubt yourself and what you can do to make a bigger impact without accidentally “breaking” anybody. Think of it as a friendly guide to purposeful, yet simple, acts of service.
Embracing Those “Do I Know Enough?” Moments
It’s normal to question your abilities, especially when you want to support someone’s progress. You might think, “I haven’t got official training,” or, “What if I’m not explaining things the right way?” Turns out you don’t need a perfect skill set to make a real difference.
From my experience, people learn just as much from your genuine empathy as from any formal instruction. The fact that you’ve shown up shows you care. Sometimes you won’t realise how much impact you’ve made until someone tells you weeks down the road, “Wow, that thing you said really helped me.”
“One of the best ways to help is to show you’re human too.”
That’s a direct quote from the episode because it sums up the idea so perfectly. Being real isn’t just comforting—it’s proof we’re all figuring life out in our own ways.
Keeping It Simple
A lot of us get stuck trying to be super experts. Truth is, you can make a difference simply by listening. If a friend is upset or a colleague is struggling, it’s often more helpful to let them talk than to offer a magical solution. Don’t overthink your role or put pressure on yourself to say the perfect words.
In the podcast, we talked about three simple steps to keep in mind:
- Listen closely: Provide a neutral space where the other person can sort through their thoughts.
- Validate their feelings: Let them know it’s okay to feel confused, frustrated, or uncertain.
- Offer small suggestions: If they seem open, share a tiny tip that worked for you. Keep it bite-sized.
By focusing on these steps, you’ll cut through the overwhelm that comes from trying to solve all of life’s problems. Instead, you’ll be a beacon of real support that feels safe, easy, and approachable.
Giving Without Breaking Anyone (Or Yourself)
There’s a funny moment in the episode where I joked about possibly “breaking” someone by offering the wrong advice. If you’ve ever worried about that, you’re definitely not alone. We can stress ourselves out by thinking we’ve got a global responsibility for another person’s outcome.
However, true support isn’t about pushing your agenda—it’s about holding space for someone’s growth. You can guide, suggest, and cheer them on. But in the end, they make their own decisions. This perspective shift lifts the pressure off your shoulders and lets you keep helping without burning out.
It also means respecting your limits. You might not always be in the right headspace to take on someone else’s struggles. If that’s the case, it’s fine to say, “I’m not fully present right now—let’s catch up later.” A little honesty goes a long way.
Planting Seeds For Long-Term Impact
One of the best ways to leave a meaningful legacy in your circle is to plant seeds of confidence. You don’t need to fix the entire solution in one session. A short conversation or a passing comment can spark an idea that flourishes in someone else’s mind days or weeks later.
This slower approach helps build self-reliance in those you’re supporting. By dropping hints or small lessons, you allow them to figure out their own path. Over time, these tiny seeds turn into personal breakthroughs. And you can stand back, proud that you helped in your own simple, human way.
Here’s a quick list to spark your creativity in planting seeds:
- Share a podcast episode that inspired you.
- Suggest a book or blog post that helped you navigate a challenge.
- Mention a small routine tweak, like daily journalling, that’s worked for you.
- Remind them of a skill they already have but might be overlooking.
Each idea is easy to pass along and doesn’t require you to be an expert or caretaker. You’re just sharing what you know. That’s enough.
- Support can be simple and still life-changing.
- Listen more than you speak.
- Respect your own boundaries while helping others.
- Plant seeds of confidence through small suggestions.
- Remember, you don’t need all the answers—show you care.
Ready to learn more about helping without the fear of messing up? Don’t miss the full conversation at the top of this page. Press play, settle in, and enjoy the insights that’ll hopefully inspire you to keep sharing your gifts in the most genuine way possible.