How to Make a Contribution in Life

You want to make a contribution, have an impact on society, or change the world. When people are looking at their lives, looking for a sense of purpose and meaning, often this train of thought leads to thinking there must be something more, a way to leave a mark on this planet for good, before your time is through.

Some people start thinking about their impact early in age, while it doesn’t occur to others until later in life after they’ve realized that it’s turned out that their life didn’t have the meaning they thought it might, or turn out the way they had planned.

I work with people who are the movers and shakers, they are out there in the whirlwind of life striving to make a difference, every once and a while, I meet someone who is at this nexus where cognizance kicks in, revealing the façade of life, and this person decides to change their life, make a contribution, possibly even leave a legacy for future generations.

If you have come to this place in life, it can be somewhat confusing and overwhelming as you try to sort out the details of your life.

Keep in mind that many people arrive at this point in their life but few are able to change enough to separate themselves from the pack enough to have the opportunity to successfully have an impact or make a contribution to the world.

So, what must you do to be different enough to make a difference?

You must know, or discover, what you came to this planet to do. I believe everyone comes here with a unique purpose, message, passion and mission for your life. Of course, you can deny any of this has any validity and still make an impact, but you will find it’s a much easier going of it, if you allow yourself to begin to think outside the box.

Having this sense of meaning helps to keep you focused, keeps you on track and helps to keep you from being distracted from doing what you must do to accomplish that which you desire to do. It’s not easy to stay on the path to get you where you want to be, what with all the distractions of life clamoring for your attention. Simply being able to quickly review interruptions, and have the ability to quickly brush them away because they are not in alignment with your mission is an invaluable tool to possess.

You’re going to need to change. The kind of person you need to be is likely different from the person you are now. You will have different thought processes in order that will help to keep you from settling back into complacency or accepting your previous life of mediocrity.

As your perspective begins to shift and change, it helps to inspire and empower you to lead with heartfelt inspiration and integrity to be the difference you want to see in the world. You will get used to change, and continually do so, as you proceed down this path leading to your contribution.

You are going to need to reach out and connect with others who can assist in accomplishing your mission. If you’ve seen secluded or a lone wolf, it will mean getting out and allowing other people to play with you in your mission. You have to realize that you can’t do it alone (well, you could, but that’s the hard way) and you can help enrich the lives of others who are looking for meaning in their lives as you let them shine with their own natural talents, skills, abilities, and gifts. Allowing others to help is hugely beneficial and can be an effective way to get your message out, so, by all means, set aside your pride long enough to let people help you.

It will be helpful if you can adopt a forward-thinking or visionary point of view. To be able to use your imagination to see where you want to be, to create stops along the way, where you can pull over, check the gauges, review or revise your map and keep going will help enormously. Having a clear idea about where you’re going and where you want to go is an important key in getting you from here to there. Sure, it can be revised at any time, because things change as you gain more clarity about where you’re going as you progress on your journey.

Learn to let it go. If you want to see your dream come to fruition, you must release it as you invite others to participate with you. I’ve seen too many people with a great idea, afraid to tell others about it in fear that someone might steal it. It’s better to enthusiastically release it to the universe than to keep it locked up in a safe deposit box.

If you really want to make a difference, you will not only benefit from playing well with others but recognizing and celebrating their efforts, as well as the efforts of others also trying to make a contribution to society or the world, is a skill which can be learned. A little gratitude can go a long way. Note, this is in contrast to those who lead with an iron fist.

Keep your positive point of view and remember the Golden Rule; to treat others like you would want them to treat you. This will go a long way toward successfully completing your mission.

As you go along, you will notice your notoriety begin to build. You will notice that people are taking notice, listening to what you have to say, and you are growing, not only as a person but as an influencer.

Don’t allow yourself to be reduced to, or defined by, a single sound bite. Stay clear and positive, don’t allow nay sayers or others to draw you down to their level. Take the high road and be wary of haters and others who might like to try and thwart your plans along the way. Don’t let them get you riled up when they get in the way or try to confront you. Keep a cool, calm, demeanor and keep forging ahead, in love and light, for a better world.