When was the last time you did something for someone else without expecting anything in return?
Joshua Coombes became the founder of #DoSomethingForNothing, a global social movement that inspires people to take action and think about just that. What started as a personal philosophy has now reached over 100 million people. An incredible feat from someone who teaches us how important it is to be there for each other. How important it is to simply listen.
Coombes grew up on a council estate in Devon. He didn’t particularly enjoy school and knew that he was better working with his hands, although what this was, he wasn’t sure.
It wasn’t until he was older that he stumbled upon hairdressing. Seeing how creative it could be and the joy it brought people he committed to the craft and got to work training. This was something new. He had to work hard. Persevere. His skills grew and so did his understanding of what a haircut could truly do for someone. How the whole experience makes them feel and how important his role was to listen to their stories.
Then Coombes met someone living on the street. He went above and beyond what others may consider doing and offered the man a haircut. He worked, chatted, listened, and realised then the difference he could make. So, armed with clippers and scissors he went out in his free time and offered haircuts to others experiencing homelessness. He listened to their stories and shared his encounters on Instagram, finishing each post with #DoSomethingForNothing.
Coombes teaches us to be curious about others. To be compassionate and to learn from them. He teaches us that success doesn’t lie in how much money you make, how famous you are, or how much power you have. Success is about people and having someone who is there for you. That’s true success.
