Happy 1-year anniversary of the launch of A Wise Owl Told Me!! Where has the time gone?! Thank you so much for such an amazing first year!
If you’ve been wanting to lead a more impactful life, this blog post is for you. Often times, when we hear or think of making a positive impact, we think of something big. Donating lots of money to a charity, helping lots of people in need, etc. But these are far from the only ways to do so. Your impact doesn’t need to be far-reaching, strenuous, expensive, public, grandiose, or anything of the sort in order to be powerful. There’s one simple method that anyone can do, and it’s an easily overlooked one. So, what is it exactly?
Reflect on what it is you do well, and amplify it in your daily life.
Now, you might be thinking, “what does this have to do with having a positive impact?” Well, sharing our strengths, especially the things that we feel called to do, can be more impactful than we know. Think of some people who have had the greatest positive impact on you. Maybe it’s your friend who gives the best advice that just hits the nail on the head every time. The content creator who shared their career journey in a way that inspired your own path. The singer whose music has gotten you through your hardest times. Your fitness instructor who instilled a love of exercise in you. You get the idea! Just think, you can be that person for someone else (or several people). You just have to determine where your greatest power lies and unleash it!
As you can probably tell from these examples, it’s not always a grand talent. It can be your energy, your charisma, the way you explain or present things, an unexplainable special something about you. To use resumé language, both “soft skills” and “hard skills” are welcome here! Speaking of which, it’s also worth noting that these strengths can be unlocked through your career, but they absolutely don’t have to be. They can take the form of a passion project, hobby, or just the way you carry yourself in your everyday. However they fit into your life, they’re worth sharing, whether on a small or large scale!
If you’re not so sure what your greatest strengths are, that’s where deeper reflection comes into play. Look back on your past wins, accomplishments, shining moments, etc. Analyze each one’s individual takeaways, and find common threads among them all. I’d also recommend reading my post about self-discovery: Self-Discovery Starts With Learning These 5 Things About Yourself. Although “strengths” in particular isn’t on the list, the explanations for passions and values can definitely shine some light on what makes you special. Ultimately, anything that lights you up is likely to spread that light to others if you give it the chance!
Hopefully this post gave you a new, broader perspective on how to make a positive impact. Not only will you impact others by exercising your strengths, but you’ll surely impact yourself. When you do what you’re great at, just watch how your confidence soars!