3 Keys to Making a Positive Impact in Your World

You may have heard of Environmental Impact Statements, those reports that show what a particular activity, such as mining, will have on the environment if implemented. If you are in IT, you may have heard of Network Impact Statements. Same thing – it addresses what impacts a new device or protocol will have on the network if implemented. These and others like them are assessments as to the potential impacts a particular action will make, based on experience, environment, conservative assumptions, and known qualities.

Most people and organizations want to make a impact in their world, whether for mankind, your customer, or your community. I know I do. I wake up every day with the personal mission of making an impact on my world. My personal vision statement reads: “To be the difference that makes a difference in the lives of others”. It’s noble, I know, but it’s the fuel that keeps me going to be more today than I was yesterday. My mission statement – the engine that drives me towards my vision, reads: “To live large while serving others in everything I do”. Equally noble, I get it.

So how do you impact in your world regardless of your vision or mission statement? Here are three keys that will ensure you make a positive impact in your world and to those around you.

Know yourself.

I have often stated that I want to be the world’s expert on myself. One of the best ways to get to know you is to ask yourself a lot questions, then answer them. Why does this bother me? What am I going to do about it? Why do I think the way I do?  Why do I respond this way? The next best thing to do is to ask others how they see you – but only if you are willing to hear the answers. You can do this informally or with tools like a 360 degree survey. If you have ever taken a Myers-Briggs Personality Type Indicator assessment, go beyond the assessment explanations and do the extra effort to explore how your type interacts with the world.

Be Accountable.

Personal accountability is a mindset over skill set  It responds to circumstances with “How Can I…” and “What can I…” Cy Wakeman, author of “Reality Based Leadership”, explains the relationship between reality and accountability, and how to create the right mindset. Her mission is to remove the drama. Get it. Read it. Practice it.

Being accountable is more than being responsible to others or for a particular outcome or resource. Being accountable is about adding value in everything you do. It’s about owning your reality, being a part of a solution rather than creating or contributing to the drama. Cy expertly addresses these points and shows how this can be applied in everyday circumstances.

Be Empathetic verses Sympathetic.

Being sympathetic either creates or agrees with an excuse for why an expectation is not meet, a deadline is missed, or that you can’t do something. Being empathetic understands what the issue is, then places yourself into the solution, i.e. “How can I help? What do you need from me?” Many elements are at play when dealing with empathy verses sympathy. Leadership, accountability, dealing with reality, and knowing yourself all plays into it.

These keys do not make a person perfect, or even easy to get along with. They do, however, guarantee that by growing these competencies, you will make a positive impact in your world. These require intentionality, growth, a change in mindset, and sacrifice.

Question: How do you make an impact in your world?

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. I’d like to know what you think. Feel free to let me know in the comments section below.