How Belief Fuels Impact: Unleashing The Power Of Belief To Make A Difference
When I was a younger woman, if you had asked me what it took to make a difference with your life, I would have given you a number of replies such as:
Being, well-known, famous, in the spotlight
Having a career in an admired profession such as a physician, attorney, or possibly a NASA engineer
Making a commitment to their career early in life and staying with it
Or, possibly, being a missionary and helping the poor
Sharing this part of my life story is how I’ve opened a talk I’ve given at various events. I’ve shared the story of how I used to define what success and making a difference meant.
When I look back on those years, it’s interesting as well as important to note that I didn’t think this about other people. There were many ways I would have seen their lives as successful even if what they were doing didn’t meet any of the above criteria.
It was only for myself that I had this unhealthy view. And it was a belief I had to change if I wanted to indeed make a difference with my life. At least, I had to see my gifts and talents as being ones that had value.
When there is something you want to do in the roles you play in your career, your family, your social contributions, or any other part of your life, you must first believe in your ability to do so. When you want to make a difference in any part of your life, it is critical, non-negotiable even, that you believe you have the skills, the gifts, and the talents to do the things you want to do.
Because it is your beliefs that will drive the actions you take. Or don’t take. Even if you feel some fear in doing so, you must believe you are capable, even if your heart is pounding as you take that next step.
I no longer see the above list as being the definition of making a difference and having a purpose. Instead, I have taken to heart the words of professor and author, Leo Buscaglia, when he wrote,
“Most of us will lead quiet, unheralded lives as we pass through this world. There will most likely be no ticker tape parades for us, no monuments created in our honor. But that doesn’t lessen our possible impact, for there are scores of people who need someone just like us to come along. People who need our compassion and our encouragement; people who need our special talents. There are people in the world, who will live a better life, merely because we took the time to share what we had to give.”
It is true. I will not have a ticker tape parade in my lifetime. There will not be a monument built in my honor.
But when I made the choice to believe I had something good to offer, I gave myself the chance to make the difference I desired to make.
And when I leave this world, I will know I experienced the love of one special man. I will remember the friendships that brought joy to my days. I will recall the children who lovingly called me, “Miss Lisa” and whose speech and language I helped develop.
And I’ll remember those who ask me to guide them to tune into their authentic self-awareness so they could courageously pursue the satisfying life and relationships they desired.
What difference do you feel internally nudged to make with your life?
If you’ve been given a nudge in your heart to follow a path with your life, you’ve also been given the gifts and ability needed to make it happen. Take your next step.
Even if you, like me, never experience the ticker tape parade.