How to Make an Impact - Even in These Troubled Times of COVID19😷

Published: Mon, 03/23/20

Life is About Making an Impact, Not an Income.

— Unknown

COVID-19 has forced millions to change their day-to-day lives.
Public gatherings and many businesses have shut down.
And many have been forced to work from home to stem the spread of disease.
Yet while this is a new concept for many out this is a perfect time to work on you.

If not now, then When

Fear abounds and for a good reason, but we have a responsibility to keep our heads when everybody is losing theirs. It’s not about knowing all the answers but applying your inner strength and wisdom in a sensible way.
I know it can be difficult for many of us who are not used to the isolation our governments have asked us to participate in. I didn’t want to waste this time we have been forced to take from our busy lives by watching Netflix alone. But even under these circumstances, I think it could be an excellent opportunity. With time on my hands, I’ve been thinking about how I can have more impact on the world. And although my focus is on my writing life, I wanted to share some ideas with you on how we all can have more impact under the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Make Home your Fortress of Solace.

Because of social isolation and recommendation from the authorities to stay home if you have symptoms or not, this is an opportunity to be genuinely comfortable with your surroundings. Hygge is Norwegian and an old Nordic word that means seeking refuge, protection, and shelter from the raging of the outside elements. Being comfortable at home is not about things but more about a frame of mind. If you’re blessed to have somewhere you can call home, reacquaint yourself with the space. Take the time to make it warm, cosy, and together. After all, this is going to be your base of operations for weeks to come, and it’s a great place to launch your campaign of impact.

Connect

Digital media can offer you a chance to make real connections and gain insights from people you’d never have an opportunity to interact with any other way. If you could reach and-far more important, touch or change people you gain influence authority and power. For a while, we may not be able to network the way we used to, but we are still connected. The typical individual didn’t have the time or money or connections to be heard years ago. Today the door is wide open but only for those who can touch others. Reach out.

Be Generous

The new economy isn’t just about trading in items, but trading in time and knowledge. It doesn’t cost money to give good advice, and we have so much practical experience we can offer. If you are among the connected, considered trustworthy and supported by a tribe of fans, then you can create a movement, deliver items of value, and move ideas forward faster than any individual could. You have the time now, so go out and share your expertise.

Make Art

Art is an original gift, a connection that changes the recipient, its the human ability to make a difference. We all can create art. Art isn’t just a painting or even a poem. It’s something that any of us can do if you interact with others, you have the platform to create something new, something that changes everything. I call that art. Art never follows instructions or a manual or a boss’s orders. Instead, art is the very human act of creating the uncreated, of connecting with another person on a human level. And it’s even more important in today’s environment. So what’s stopping you, go make art.

Recognising the Negative

Author Steven Pressfield calls this showdown we have with ourselves “The Resistance.” I’ve spoken about this in the past, and its something I will talk about again. The resistance is a little voice in your head that keeps you down and encourages you to follow instructions. The resistance lives in fear and doesn’t hesitate to shut you down at the first sign of possible doubt on the first hint that we might be laughed at. The resistance is the voice complicit in brainwashing because the resistance is easy to arouse. What artists over the years have figured out is that the resistance is the sole barrier between you and your art. Producing original and important work can be crippled by the resistance. The Corona Virus is an agent of the resistance. It wants to stop you from creating, from having an impact. Show your kids, your family, your friends, and everyone around you what it means to have inner strength and fight panic with wisdom. Recognise it, respect it but never succumb to it.

Exposing Your Art to the World

The key to having an impact is to become someone who exposes their art to the world. The goal is to have the rare skill of actually getting things done, making them happen, and creating outcomes that people seek out. Scarcity creates value. So what is truly scarce in the world? The ability to take responsibility, follow-through, commit to change, and get results will

Failing

A crucial part of impact is the ability to fail. There is no way around this; it’s an inevitable part of success. Don’t aim for it, recognise is existence and embrace it when it comes knocking. You must be willing to fail because it’s just another step towards your goal.

Learn

This is a perfect opportunity to recommit to a regime of learning. I’m not saying you should take on an ambitious formal qualification over this trying period. Start something. Begin the process of learning a new skill or like me strive to learn something new about your passion. You’ve already taken the first step. You are reading something that challenges you to think differently. The path to impact is just that - a path. Discard what you think you know and instead learn what you need to know. Do this daily and see your impact in the world increase.

Stay safe and healthy family. Please practice hand-washing and social distancing, and check out the online resources for adapting to these times.
Remember, we’ll get through this together.

Peace, love and Power

Anton