Nobody said life would be easy. It’s not easy for anyone but you have a choice. You can use the good and the bad that happens to you to be bitter or be better.
If you are reading this I believe you know how to use and navigate everything that life has to throw at you because you are a learner and striving to be better every day.
You don’t always like it. You may wonder what the point of some of it is but you know things worthwhile don’t always come easy or in the time frame that we may always want them to.
While you navigate the tough stuff you can be confident that you are getting stronger because of it and as you go through it.
Every day is about being a little bit better than the day before, even if just a little. When life gets hard you still have an opportunity and a choice to be better and be stronger.
Grateful is defined as appreciative of benefits received; affording pleasure or contentment. Couldn’t we stand to be reminded to be grateful from time to time? Some days being grateful is really hard to do.
When I feel like I am in a rut or my mood gets a bit down I like to remind myself to be grateful. To see the world through a different lens. A lens of gratitude.
How do I like to do that? My favorite thing to do is to go to the camera roll on my phone and scroll through my pictures and I am reminded of the moments, memories and good times.
I may even pair that with a gratitude walk to get a change of scenery and some fresh air. My mood changes and I am reminded that I have much to be grateful for.
I then mentally or physically write down at least three things I am grateful for as a reminder to live and lead with a thankful heart.
If you ever feel like you need to adjust your attitude or perspective I would encourage you take a gratitude break. It will help you live with appreciation, pleasure and contentment.
What is the difference between influence and impact?
We have influence when we have rules, expectations, and things that control people’s behavior.
Those can be good, and can have value to help people do what’s right, but it may not have a real lasting value.
Coaches have rules in hopes of keeping athletes from getting into trouble.
I have expectations for coaches that I think are good for their programs and will also benefit the students they are working with.
They aren’t bad, can be positive for people, but I don’t think they have any real lasting value. Just a way to do something and control a situation.
Impact is bringing a lasting affect on a person or situation.
Think about the people in your life that have had a lasting impact in what you do for a living, what you believe, how you treat people, and live your life.
Some had that impact a long time ago, while others may be in your life at this very moment.
The list can change, but we all know who those people are. Their impact supersedes influence and goes beyond enforcing a few rules. It changes who we are.
Two thoughts:
1) I shudder to think of the number of times I’ve missed an opportunity to impact a person’s life.
I have gotten too caught up in coming up with the things that influence people and have not focused enough on people and serving them. That’s how we Impact.
2) Impact is risky and can be disappointing.
When we offer ourselves up to people and invest in their lives we can also be setting ourselves up to be turned away.
I know I need to continue to look for situations where I can impact and not worry about potential failure.
If we’re being honest we sometimes size someone up and think about if they are worthy of our effort. That’s selfish and not what we should be about if we want to have a true servant’s heart and be a servant leader.
Investment and Impact equals leadership that lasts and multiplies. Take the risk with that kind of leadership and chase it.
Made For This Moment 