
How Do You Know You’re Making The Impact You Want?
Last week, I managed to do something technically different than usual. It meant that this email was sent out in a way that meant it ended up in many spam files and flagged things for others. Whilst annoying, what I was so heartened by was that not one, not two, not even three people, but many more actively reached out to say that something was wrong. That the email had not ‘behaved’ like it usually should.
Yes, I’ve had to go and figure out what happened, and how to fix it – which took many more moments of my life than I would have wished!!), but I did it with a happy heart. Because what I learned was that this little missive is liked and wanted. It’s like evidence to keep going at something.
Many of the conversations I have, personally and professionally centre around knowing what’s working and doing more or less of a thing. How to know what to change. Most of you reading this want to make an impact in your own way and/or field, and most of us also want to make sure that our precious time and energy is spent well and contributes to the impact we want to make.
I’ve questioned whether to continue writing these Monday Thoughts on occasion. This little blip absolutely let me know that I’m doing something that’s working by writing them. It’s reassurance to keep going. One distillation of my personal mission is essentially to make a positive difference to someone every day that I’m alive. This blip let me know that this action (writing this weekly email) is a direct way to do that.
So that leads me to ask you outright: why are you doing some of the things you do, and are they doing what you want them to be? Do you know how to check? It of course means that you go right to the end of the line and say ‘what am I doing this for’ which will hopefully connect you to the place in you where your purpose shines brightly.
I’d love to know what that is for you and what you do to make sure you are making progress towards it every day or week in some small (or big!) way.
Thank you for reading.