Does the impact you make leave ripples or make waves?
We had the privilege of attending the Moon River and Me Centennial Celebration of Henry Mancini as part of the Arizona Musicfest.
It was a wonderful evening, and something that stood out to us was the lasting nature of Mancini’s compositions. While he may not have set out to make a tremendous impact on the world, his music was not just popular but timeless. There is a remake of many of his works coming soon...check out the CBS Tribute to Henry Mancini.??
Are you driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the world around you? Do you want to contribute to something bigger than yourself, leaving a legacy that benefits future generations? Whether it's through innovations that solve global problems, artistic works that inspire, or acts of kindness that uplift others, meaningful work offers a way to make a lasting difference.
Here are the three primary reasons behind the enduring influence of someone's contributions:
- Challenge the status quo. Work that changes the world often stems from an innovative vision that challenges the status quo. This vision enables individuals to see beyond the limitations of their time, imagining possibilities that others can't see. Innovators such as Steve Jobs, Marie Curie, and Leonardo da Vinci pushed the boundaries of technology, science, and art, respectively, introducing ideas and inventions that were ahead of their time. In today’s ever-changing world, how can you think differently, challenge status quo and lead others with your innovative vision? Regardless of your organizational position, you have influence over people in your life that you can inspire with your vision.
- Add the most value for the most people. For work to have a lasting impact, it must address a universal need, question, or interest, connecting with a wide array of people across different cultures and time periods. This relevance ensures that the work remains valuable and appreciated long after its creation. The theories of Albert Einstein, the plays of William Shakespeare, and the humanitarian efforts of figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Mother Teresa speak to fundamental human experiences, emotions, and needs. Their work transcends the specifics of their time and place, offering insights, solutions, or inspiration that remain pertinent and valuable. While these impacts may sound grand, remember that meaningful work can mean making a difference in one person’s life. You don’t have to cure cancer or invent a global air cleaning system. How you show up in the world makes an impact and the more intentional you are about making a positive impact, the more value you are adding to the lives of those around you.
- Make a change…improve something! Lasting impact is also a result of the work's transformative power—its ability to effect significant change in individuals, societies, or fields of study. Work that introduces groundbreaking ideas or technologies, shifts paradigms, or inspires movements can alter the course of history. The introduction of the internet, the formulation of the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin, and the civil rights leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. are examples of contributions that radically transformed societal structures, scientific understanding, or social norms. Such work doesn't just add to existing conversations; it changes the conversations themselves, influencing subsequent generations of thought, innovation, and action.
These three factors—challenge the status quo, add the most value for the most people and make a change…improve something—intertwine to elevate certain works and their creators to a status where their impact resonates through time. It's not just the brilliance of the ideas or the skill in execution but the profound connection these works forge with the fundamental aspects of human life, knowledge, and civilization that ensure their lasting legacy.
Identify how your work connects to the bigger picture – the vision / mission of your life or organization - and do everything with excellence.
