“It's not about the material things in life, it's about the difference you make on this planet. It's about the lasting impact you have on the people you share your life with.” Sylvia Baldock
What does the word impact mean to you and where in life do you most want to make a positive impact?
Impact has two distinct meanings. It means to have a marked effect or influence on someone or something and it is also the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another. As this newsletter is centred around purpose, I am focusing on the first of the two meanings here!
Knowing that impact was to be the topic for this week’s Friday Focus, I seem to have heard the word being used repeatedly this week in zoom presentations, within social media posts and in casual Clubhouse conversations. Was it my reticular activating system simply in overdrive? Quite possibly. Or was it that creating a positive impact in the world is at the forefront of what we all seek to do in life? Very likely.
Curious, I explored the transcripts of all 163 Focus on WHY episodes released to date to see if this really could be the case. Impact was mentioned in almost every single episode and where cited it featured multiple times within the conversations.
Focus on WHY guests shared either what impact they have already made or would like to make through the articulation and application of their WHY. They want to generate a meaningful, positive impact in their lifetime and leave behind a lasting impact for generations to come.
Why do people want to create an impact? What is the driver behind their motivation? Purpose and impact appear to be mutually beneficial partners. In the pursuit of purpose, the outcome is frequently a positive impact occurring on different levels; personal, professional, community, societal, global and environmental.
Books, teachers, parents, siblings, peers, friends, family, events, health, wealth, lifestyle, environment, education, culture, the media, the weather, they all have an impact on your life on conscious and unconscious levels.
“Don't wait until you think you have the purpose, the perfect vision or the perfect compass to really start making a change and making a positive impact.” Lisa Gill
So, how can you make a positive impact on others in life? Here are ten suggestions:
Perform a random act of kindness
Say thank you to someone
Recycle, become more sustainable
Become an activist supporting a cause you believe in
Volunteer
Be a mentor
Pay it forward
Spend quality time with someone
Donate blood
Give back to your community
“What you do has far greater impact than what you say.” Stephen R. Covey
You have the ability to make a difference, to change the lives of others and to make an impact. You may not ever know the full impact of what you achieve and what positive impact you have on others but just know that by taking action, you are creating ripples.
“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” Mother Teresa
ACTION POINT
What will you choose to do that will have a positive impact and create ripples?
Amy
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