The Surprising Guide to Lasting Impact
Contribution enhances lasting impact.
“Life is not about you. It is about what you do for others.” – Tom Rath
Competence creates opportunity. As time passes, if you’re fortunate, you’ll make meaningful contributions to others. The more competent you become, the more opportunities you have for lasting impact.
10 sources of competence that lead to lasting impact:
- Natural talent and aptitude
- Developed skill
- Wisdom from relationships
- Knowledge from school and books
- Insight from success and failure
- Experience from hands-on practice
- Feedback from others
- Adaptability to change
- Problem-solving
- Grit in the face of personal struggle
Finding lasting impact:
Start by reflecting on your struggle.
Ask yourself how you are solving your need for meaning or fulfillment. Great competency emerges from great struggle.
The issues you solve for yourself are answers others need.
Reflect on your journey:
Reflect on the answers you find for yourself and, when appropriate, provide those solutions to others. Reflection questions…
- What issues are you solving?
- How is your story connected to your passion?
- What adversities have you overcome?
- How does your journey enhance your value?
- How are you turning personal need into asset?
- What skills have you developed through your experiences?
- How has feedback shaped your growth?
- What new opportunities have you created for yourself and others?
- How do you continuously learn and adapt?
- What strengths have emerged from your challenges?
Final insight:
Pretending to be something you’re not limits lasting impact. Reflect on your journey and share the solutions you find. Great contributions emerge through understanding and addressing your own needs.
Use your struggle to add value to others.
How has struggling with your own frailties become an opportunity for lasting impact?
What have you learned that you can pass on to others?
Dig deeper:
From Low impact to High impact leadership
How You Have Inescapable Impact
For me, lasting impact occurs when I find a principle or habit that lead to a positive, long-term change. It happens through trail and error learning and reflection. But the reality is–most discoveries don’t lead to a long-term lasting impact.
Thanks, Paul. I value your insights. The power of habit is a powerful tool for change and growth. I think you’re on the money with long-term impact. There are no magic pills. We constantly learn and often relearn the same thing. When I make a discovery it’s more of a bump along the path than an ultimate answer.
The positive impact I’ve had on others based on their feedback is when I don’t know the answer, and all I can do is be there for them.
I’ve learned over time that when I start to feel competent, confident, and on top of things… watch out! This is when I think I’m having a positive impact, but it can come across as disconnected from someone else’s issues. At these times, I have to force myself to shut up and listen.
Thanks, Ryan. Love your self-reflection. Humility goes a long way. We should remember that support, curiosity, and encouragement are often more valuable than giving someone a solution.