Social scientists currently believe that we will meet around 80,000 people in our lifetime. Some research shows that even introverts have the power to make an impact on at least 10,000 others in their lifetime.
If you’re one of those introverts who don’t think they can make much difference in this world, then this article is for you. Here are some ways you can influence the world with even the slightest action. Use this article to prove that you are a life force to be reckoned with!
Definition of “Make an Impact”
You may run into varying definitions of what it means to have an “impact.” The word “impact” implies a strong effect, force or influence on a person or object. Social impact means how groups or individuals can influence entire communities.
Making an impact is driven by either negative or positive influences. For example, malnutrition can have a negative impact on children’s learning capabilities. Positivity or optimism helps us recognize and be thankful for the blessings we have in our lives.
Making an impact on someone’s life can happen in either our private or public lives. Let’s look at how you can make a positive impact on others in each of these worlds.
Ways to Make a Difference
If you want to make an impact in either your private or public life, the first place to start is to change yourself. This includes an overhaul of your current habits, actions, and attitudes.
This self-transformation is especially necessary if you plan on making an impact on someone’s life.
Changes to Your Private Life
Here are some small ways you can change your own behaviors for the better in your personal life. Some of these ways include:
Be a Good Listener
Good listening means listening to understand. Pay attention to what the other person is saying. Use your time to ask questions about what the speaker just said and not planning on what your reply will be.
Good listening builds strong relationships. Adults don’t always want someone else’s wisdom or speeches. They want someone who will give them the time of day to hear what they have to say.
Promote Positivity
As stated before, “positivity” means having an optimistic attitude. Rather than spend your time circulating news on the latest conspiracies, send out a “feel good” story that celebrates the human spirit. Websites like The Daily Good share inspiring stories that remind us of the examples of beauty and compassion in the world today.
Don’t forget to pin or tweet these uplifting stories to your social media channels. Be a source of positive “good vibes” for those around you.
Recycle
If it weren’t for good old Mother Earth, we wouldn’t have a home. That’s why the simple act of recycling can have the biggest impact on our lives and those we love.
Recycling helps reduce the amount of waste we send to landfills or incinerators. Other recycling benefits include preserving our natural environmental materials like water and timber that we use to make new products. Recycling can also reduce pollution and emissions into our ozone that occur when we create these new products.
Start recycling today by searching for ways to reuse objects around your home. Ditch the plastic water bottle and keep plenty of reusable shopping bags on hand for a shopping day.
Changes to Your Public Life
Here are some ways you can change your own behaviors for the better in your public life or career. Some ways to make a positive impression on the job include:
Execute Tasks Without Being Asked
Another example of ways to make a difference is to adopt a self-starter attitude in the workplace. Self-starters will eagerly tackle opportunities to use their creativity to promote the value of their employer. They are self-motivated and need no one to monitor their behavior or tell them what to do.
Business leaders need self-starters to take their organizations to the next level. Self-starters prove their value when they can demonstrate that they can prioritize competing interests and finish work ahead of deadlines.
Business leadership will realize that these employees care about the company’s future and will take the initiative to see that work gets done.
Be a Trendsetter
Trendsetters have that mystical power to know what new direction their markets will travel to next BEFORE they change. The best way you can keep up on new trends is to keep a close eye on your own industry’s best practices. You should also pay close attention to what your competitors are doing as well.
Trendsetters also understand the value of thinking like their customers. When trendsetters think like their consumers, they’ll know what products or services are needed next. Trendsetters are consumed with finding tomorrow’s solutions, not today’s problems.
Volunteer for Special Projects at Work
Volunteering for specific projects lets you learn new job skills. It also allows you to choose how to grow your career as well. Volunteering lets you build professional relationships in subject areas that you might not have been exposed to if you kept to your original job description.
Volunteering can help you learn new competencies and ultimately expose you to new job opportunities. You can learn more here on how one engineer answered an ad boasting “endless job opportunities.” He ultimately became a member of the team that launched Apollo 11 in 1959.
Volunteering also helps expose you to “weak ties.” “Weak ties” are relationships that are outside your immediate job assignment. When you volunteer for projects, you can create new “weak tie” connections that might lead to your next career opportunity.
Next Steps
Even the smallest actions can make an impact on the world. If you’re ready to be a part of this impact, then you can start today!
If someone you love is having a bad day, give them your undivided attention and just listen. When it’s your turn to seek a friendly ear, this same individual will give you the same respectful listening posture that you gave them.
Ask your boss if there are any professional volunteering opportunities you can undertake on behalf of your division. Take the time to connect with your new “weak ties” that could help your career further down the road.
Don’t forget to check our website for more advice on how you can impact the world. The world wouldn’t be the same without you! Never underestimate your influence.
