I am going to make a difference today!  You can too!  And I’m not talking about some pie in the sky “Change the World” mantra that most people forsake out of frustration, because it is impossible for somebody to change the behaviors of six-plus billion people that live in this world.  You can’t change the world, but you can change your world – your sphere of influence.

[shareable cite=”Gandhi”]“Be the change you want to see in the world.” [/shareable]

What if each of us asked this question every day:

How can I make a difference?

So many people just go through the motions tackling the tasks of the day without ever wondering how they can make a difference.  Sometimes, they consider a question like, “Am I making a difference?” but the question, and its potentially disappointing answer, quickly disappear as the urgency of the day engulfs their potential for productive self-reflection.

The truth is that you can make a positive difference and impact within your sphere of influence regardless of your title, position, or role. It’s a choice that requires a different mindset.  It is not hard, but you have to proactively consider 3 things:

• Your Talent– You have been uniquely created with gifts and talents that were meant to be shared with people in your story. Do you know and recognize the gifts, talents, and strengths that you have been given, and are you embracing and leveraging them to make a positive difference every day?
• Your Time – We all have the same number of hours in a day.  High capacity people are able to maintain focus of their top priorities and maximize their impact.  You can be effective and maximize your moments if you choose to. Who are the people that you need to invest in, and what are the things that you must do based on your roles and priorities in every area of your life?
• Your Sphere of Influence – Every person who is in your story is there for a reason.  They are beckoning for your influence and impact in their lives. You must understand their needs and goals in order to help and serve them in the right way. Also, as a leader, you must be able to discern their motivators – what are they passionate about – and their activators – what will move them to action – in order to influence and impact them in the right way. Who is in your sphere of influence that could benefit from your positive impact in their life? Likewise, who is in your sphere of influence that can help you learn and grow?

Making a difference is not a one-time thing; it is a one-life moment! At the end of your life, will they say:

You made a difference!

[shareable cite=”Mike Van Hoozer”]“Making a difference is not a one-time thing; it is a one-life moment!” [/shareable]