Everyone can be a difference-maker! You do not have to have a title, degree, or position to make a difference. Whether you believe or understand it you do make a difference. If the world ever needed people who will step up and impact their world it is now! Do not think that it is someone else’s responsibility, you were born for ‘such a time as this.’ You have an important part to play in influencing your family, friends, and neighbors and impacting their lives.

How can I make a difference? Here are a few ideas.

  • By being resilient. Many people have experienced significant setbacks in life. Listening to some stories are truly heartbreaking, and yet they persevered, found hope in God, and got better rather than bitter.
  • By being transparent. Transparency seems to be the new buzz-word. A better word may be “authentic.” Too many people have a public persona but are a different person in private. Allow people to see that you struggle at times in life and you are not always on top of things, this kind of transparency is appealing as well as encouraging to others.
  • By being passionate. What drives you? What could you give an impassioned speech about right now? I am not talking about ‘faking-it.’ Is there something about which you feel strongly? When you discover your passion and purpose, your life feels vital, and difficult things seem more manageable when you are genuinely passionate about a subject and excited regarding life.
  • By being patient. All of us have been helped by a person who came alongside us and helped us. Their patient kindness was what we needed, and the impact has lasted a lifetime. Everyone messes up from time to time and requires the encouragement that comes from the heart of a patient difference-maker.
  • By being humble. Humility is like a guard rail for life. Humility keeps us from going down the ravine of pride and crashing. The most influential people in our lives are those who exude a humble spirit and attitude. Humility also means putting the needs of another person before your own, and thinking of others before yourself. It also means not drawing attention to yourself, and it can mean acknowledging that you are not always right.
  • By having integrity. Who are you when no one is looking? Character counts. Long-term lack of integrity will catch up with a person and will shatter their influence. People who make a difference are not liars, cheats, and thieves. If you lose your integrity you have nothing.
  • by listening. Many times I have been greatly helped by someone who listened to me. When someone really Listens to me it gives me a sense of worth and value. Listening is a by-product of time. Taking the time to listen to others is a way to give encouragement.
  • by giving encouragement. Everyone needs encouragement. If you make your job to be an encourager you will never be unemployed. Discouragement, meanness, fighting, and a host of other causes lead to widespread angst. You can encourage people by sending a note, email, or text. A phone call or a meal together to catch up and share your gratitude for the person could be just the tonic they need. A wonderful side benefit is that the one encouraging usually feels better as well. It is called the spill-over effect.

It is quite easy to fall into the thinking that says “someone should encourage me today.” Instead of waiting for someone to come and help you, you should look around and see who you can offer some assistance. If you do so, you will truly be a difference-maker.

Do not wait for someone else, decide today that you want to be a difference-maker.

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