Why Being Impactful Is Important

I simply love the word impact. It is so descriptive in so many genres. The dictionary defines it as: (noun)the action of one object coming forcibly into contact with another; (verb) have a strong effect on someone or something.

When I think about most people, they have a desire to have a strong effect or influence on others- that is what I commonly think of as making a difference. It is human nature to want to do that, yet many people don’t. It is not because they don’t have a desire, but they don’t take action that is effective or don’t know what action to take so they take no action.

Here are some questions I invite you to be curious and ponder: What is the impact you want to make? What do you want to influence? What difference do you want to make, that if you made it, would leave you satisfied, fulfilled and maybe even proud?

After you answer that, do you know how? Do you know what makes an impact? And how will you know if you did?

Impact Is Directly Related To Results

I want to give you some support in that. First, you will know you made an impact by looking at results. Impact happens when some behavior changed. In other words, if I want to make an impact on you, and I talk with you or in some other way interact with you, and after our exchange you are doing, thinking or not doing or thinking something differently, you have been impacted. And I know I caused that.

In order to actually make the impact you want; you must know exactly what behavior you want to have changed. Then, you must think from many different potential points of view. In other words, you must think from why someone is doing what they are currently doing. Get really curious and ask other people for their views. Then ask yourself what else might they be thinking or what might be motivating them.

When you have that information, ask yourself, what will motivate them to change? Look for potential pain points AND potential advantages. You need to speak to both sides.

Then have a conversation and in the conversation be open, be curious, be willing to really listen. Keep creating with the person you are wanting to impact.

And watch the results!

In our Impact Speaking Lab we get into this deeply, giving you access to creating a foundation for yourself that allows you to impact someone in every conversation, in every setting. Check it out here.

Impact Speaking Lab is for everyone who speaks to anyone whether it is as a public speaker, you do presentations in your organization, or you talk to your co-workers and want to impact them, or even when you want to sell your services or raise money for your company or cause.