Make a difference

This article is about making a difference in what you do whether it is on the job or personally. We can all make a difference through our efforts as individuals. The difference may be exhibited in an individual, a group, a company/organization or our country. I believe in the principle that one person can make a difference. There are many individuals who have been highlighted in the news as making a difference whether in our country or another part of the world. We as individuals have an impact on others even when we do not realize it. Our attitude toward our responsibilities and our interaction with others affect the very nature of how people can feel about themselves and their work. As an individual we have our skills and those skills can make a difference through our individual efforts. Making a difference is not hard but it does take some effort. We must be proud of our accomplishments and look to them as to how they have or can make a difference in our environment.

There are many fine organizations that help to brighten someone's day through the many charities and their causes. We as individuals can make a difference by either donating our time or money. Charities as reported in the news are seeing fewer contributions than in the past but it does not reduce the value they hold in the lives of those who depend on them. Many times we have a bond with specific charities either through work or on a personal basis. These are the ones to which we should contribute our resources as much as we can. Granted we cannot help every charity or organization individually especially during these difficult times. Examples of organizations that make a difference are those that provide food for the hungry, doing yard work and providing clothing for the less fortunate. All of these are examples of individuals who make a difference in the lives of others.

Another area where we as individuals can make a difference is the environment in which we work. Today the workplace has become a stressful place with people not knowing if they are going to have a job the next day. Regardless of this fact individuals who have a job have a responsibility to accomplish their tasks to the best of their abilities. We as individuals can make a difference in the organizations we work for by showing up for work and taking our responsibilities seriously. Many individuals in the workforce today do exactly that and it can be seen or felt in the communications they have with those with which they do business. You might ask what this has to do with making a difference. It has everything to do with making a difference.

Making a difference is not limited to our own environment but also the environment with those we interact. Companies need to develop an atmosphere, if it does not already exists, of making a difference in the lives of their customers. This may be a new concept to some but I know it exists as I have seen or experienced this kind of attitude. Companies who put their customers first in all their dealings will go far especially in today's environment. This policy must be present in any training that employees receive when they are hired and on an annual basis. The companies we work for depend on their employees to be there to perform their tasks and companies need to understand that they must treat their employees fairly.

There is also an annual make a difference day and this is another example where we as individuals can make a difference in someone's life. The very nature of our job responsibilities can make a difference in the lives of others. An example of this is the healthcare industry. There are many fine individuals in the healthcare industry who care about their patients. Caring is one example where we as individuals can make a difference in the experience people receive in the healthcare industry. People like to feel that their doctors and nurses care about how they feel not only in an office environment but also while in the hospital. Another side of the healthcare industry is the management of information about a patient and properly processing insurance claims to reduce the cost of healthcare for the patients. This can make a difference in the lives of patients by knowing that healthcare professionals at all levels work to make their experience a good one.

Making a difference with the jobs we have can be a rewarding activity. Many times we forget the impact our responsibilities have on other individuals in the company and the customers that our company has retained. We can make a difference in the atmosphere in which we work and the perception the public has on the job we do as an individual. Our performance also has an impact on the perception the organization for which we work receives from the public and our customers. When we do business as individuals in purchasing our products or services we develop a perception about the company and their products. While some jobs may be demanding with respect to the responsibilities we must not falter on performing on them. The perception we develop in conducting business with others has an impact on whether we return as a customer.

Customer service is an important facet of an organization and it is the one thing that can keep a customer from returning regardless of the quality of the product or service they receive. Customer service covers all segments of society and all types of businesses. All businesses have customers and they have or should have a customer service policy. The type and quality of customer service a company projects can make a difference in the experience customers receive. Those experiences play an integral part on whether a customer returns to solicit the products or services being provided.

Finally it must be stated that the statement 'make a difference' may mean different things to different people. The key ingredient is making a difference in our environment or the environment of others. Making a difference should be positive as to improve either the quality of life or the quality of the experience a customer receives from an organization. Evidence of our efforts to make a difference can be seen in changes that take place in an organization. It can also be exhibited in comments received from those with which we interact. Making a difference can also be applied to us personally through our families. We as parents can make a difference in the way we raise our children in teaching them values that will help them succeed as they grow and enter the workforce. Our character examples can also make a difference in how others perceive the quality of our efforts and be an example for others to follow. These are only examples of ways that making a difference can occur but there are countless others of which we as individuals know. I urge anyone reading this article to decide to make a difference where we can. If we as individuals take actions to make a difference in just one life and others do it as well the world in which we live would be a better place. Another point to make many times those that make an effort to make a difference does not want recognition for their actions. They do it because they want to and because it is their nature to do so.