Leading Yourself to Make a Difference

It is easy to get sucked into doom and gloom these days, but I am reminded of the powerful Henry Matisse quote: “There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”  

Then there is Gandhi’s insightful wisdom: "If you want to change the world, start with yourself." That last phrase is the hard part. It is human nature to want others to change, not ourselves. But there are practical steps we can each take to change for the better, leading ourself (and others, too!) to make a difference. 

Start with cultivating gratitude and hopefulness, as well as finding other people who share similar concerns. Engage in personal reflection, writing down your most important values and what gives you meaning. Identify your why. What concerns you most and how much time can you can give to the cause? Even an hour a week can make a difference.  

With respect to addressing declining kindness, your contribution might not require extra time in your busy day. Increased self-awareness to be sure you don’t overreact to a difficult situation (and add to the problem) can have a positive impact. Being a positive role model also includes making a little extra effort to say thank you to those you encounter in daily life – retail workers, co-workers, etc. 

Of course, the challenges are immense, and there are no guarantees. But it is so much better to step up in the spirit of this Thomas Friedman quote: “Pessimists are usually right and optimists are usually wrong, but all the great changes have been accomplished by optimists.”

We each have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, including our own. Don’t underestimate your impact!