Purpose Series: Purpose to Impact. 6 ways you know that you are creating an impact.

Purpose is key to the exceptional performance of individuals and organizations. Psychologists describe it as the pathway to better wellbeing.
Purpose is the reason for your being, while the impact is the effect of you living that purpose. ~ says Diana Mereu, mindset coach
Hence in this article of Purpose Series, we look at how you can identify the impact you create by living your purpose.

Impact as a noun means to touch or create an impression. Impact is the fingerprint you leave in the lives you touched. It is the legacy you will leave the world with.
 

Why understanding the impact you create is essential?

Pursuing your purpose isn’t easy. It can get more challenging as you progress. Life can come in its way, and you may be forced to drift away from your purpose path. Your circumstances, limiting beliefs, fear, feeling of being an impostor, or even the people around you may push you to deter from walking your purpose path. The only thing that can keep you motivated and inspired to move forward is to know the impact you create by living your purpose.
Understanding and sometimes measuring the impact you create will give you the courage to face all the obstacles and stay undeterred in your purpose path.

Here are 6 ways you can identify the impact you create.

1. Every Small Act

We all get caught up in the race of having a grander purpose and creating a significant impact while it is the smallest of the things you do that could make the most remarkable change in others’ lives. So first step is to understand that every small act of yours could be impactful.

Did I motivate someone to move towards their dream? Did I help someone today to do something that matters to them? Did I help someone feel and be better today? You don’t have to do bigger things to create an impact.

However small they are, every small act, if aligned with your values and purpose, will positively impact you and others.
 

Sometimes listening, giving that space for others to speak their mind can be the most powerful way you can impact someone. In this fast-paced world, how many of us have the time to stop and listen to others, not to give advice, but genuinely listen with compassion.
Minakshi Dahya, a businesswoman turned life coach, says that to identify the impact you are creating, ask yourself this:

When I walk into a room, do I light up the room or bring darkness. When I walk out, when I leave, do I go without noticing, or am I missed?
 

The bottom line is don’t underestimate the power of the small things you do.

2. Know the Impact.

You can’t measure what you don’t know. You have to know what impact you intend to create if you would like to measure it.
Ask yourself what kind of impact you are looking for and how much of it you want to see to understand if you are creating an impact.
Asking yourself how those around you are touched by what you do? What impression would you like to leave? will help you identify the impact you are trying to create and work towards it.

3. Sparkle in the eye. 

We can create impact at 3 different levels. One of the most common ones is the ‘Direct Impact,’ the impact we create on those we come in contact with, who are directly influenced by our purpose. We are social beings. We live together and thrive together. Our purpose should elevate others from where they are before.

You know you made a difference when you see the light in the eyes of the person you impacted.
 

You know you have impacted them when you impart that light within you to those around you.

4. Value it is..!

One way to measure the impact you created for individuals and especially organizations is to look at the value you provide to those around you. Is your work adding value to others? Is the life of others impacted positively through you living your purpose? How are you transforming the lives of those around you even in the smallest way possible? are few questions you can ask.
Especially in a business context understanding the value your purpose creates, how it contributes to society, your employees, and customers can help you quantify your impact.

Defining the value, understanding the transformation it creates, how it touch others’ lives can be a good measure of the impact you create, says Amy Rowlinson, purpose coach and podcaster.
 

5. Ripple effects of impact

As mentioned earlier, we can create impact at 3 different levels:
Direct Impact: Impact we create on those whom we work with.
Indirect Impact: How the work we do impact the lives supported by those we work with. We generally don’t see the ripple effect of the impact we create. It affects the individual, his/her family, society, and others he/she comes in contact with and transforms their lives for good.
Invisible Impact: The impact you can’t see, feel, or know. One of my friends recently texted saying: “ You inspire many from afar. You may not have any idea how far your message reaches people. Some people may not say it, but it does reach them. It’s the unspoken ones that mean you are doing something right.” That’s the invisible impact we are talking about.

It’s the unspoken ones that mean you are doing something right.
 

6. Ask: How did I impact you?

Sometimes the simplest and easiest way to understand the impact you create is to Ask. Ask for feedback to know the impact you created. Listen to those around. Speak to your mentor or coach, talk to those you trust to hear from them
The final thought I would like to leave you with is this:

Do you always have to measure the impact you are creating in numbers?
 

Isn’t doing the right thing enough? Isn’t the feeling of fulfillment enough for you to move forward? Do you always need external validation?
Sometimes just bringing your purpose to life by touching those beautiful souls and their stories is more than enough.

There is no better measure of your impact than the happiness you feel when you live your purpose.
 

I am a Jay Shetty Certified Life coach focusing on Self- Mastery and Career coaching. If you are struggling to live your purpose, let us hop on a call and decide how we can work together. Drop me a message for details.

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